Hot Dogs!

Murray, pictured at left, is a very lucky Shetland Sheepdog. He serves as a reminder to all of us that even on a relatively mild 70 degree day, the temperature inside a car can quickly rise to over 100 degrees. Murray was accidentally forgotten inside a car on just such a day. When his owners discovered him, they correctly put him directly in front of a fan while they called us. They were rightfully concerned about sending him into shock by submerging him in cold water.


(You may use tepid water to try to cool off a pet, but do not use ice water!)

When Murray arrived at our hospital, he was weak and in shock from heat stroke. With intravenous fluids, plasma and antibiotics, he has done very well and was released to his grateful family. Please learn from their frightening experience and remember that you should never leave pets in a car for any amount of time. Keep your doors and windows closed so that curious cats and dogs don't climb inside and get overlooked. Remember that even the back of a pick-up truck can get dangerously hot. (We have seen heat stroke cases from both of these situations.) If you think your pet is suffering from heat stroke, call us right away for life-saving advice.