POLOKWANE – The dangers include heatstroke, sunburn and foot pad burns with heatstroke being the most dangerous of these as it can cause organ failure, seizures, brain damage, hemorrhages, blindness, convulsions and even death.
According to Arona Becker, a veterinary nurse working at the Pietersburg Dierekliniek, some dogs are more prone to heatstroke than others which include dogs with short noses, long hair and those who are very active.
Dogs with short noses find it difficult to pant in order to relieve heat because breathing through their noses is a difficult task for some, even in normal weather conditions. Long hair, on the other hand, contributes in adding even more heat on top of the warm weather. Heatstroke is also commonplace in active pups as they run around or play in the hot sun without realising the toll it is taking on their bodies until it is too late.
Heatstroke is an extremely dangerous condition and is regarded as a medical emergency, thus owners need to take their pets to the vet when they suspect they might have become ill. Heatstroke can cause shock gut, kidney damage, heart failure and death.
