issues and pets that are overweight, very young, or very old, can be similarly vulnerable, he says.
III. The environment they're used to also matters, says Hodges. "A dog who has grown up in Phoenix is going to be much more used to warm weather than a dog that comes down to Phoenix for vacation."
she says. Never leave your pet in a closed car unattended under any circumstance, Arce says. If the outside air is 80 degrees, the temperature in a closed car will hit 100 degrees in about 10 minutes. Even normal activities can lead to heat stroke when temperatures are extreme. "It used to be OK to leave a dog in the backyard for a couple hours on summer day. Hodges says, but with rising temperatures triggered by climate change and frequent heat waves, it's important to be more vigilant.
IV. During heat waves, Arce recommends keeping your pets indoors and away from windows, and walking dogs early in the moming or later in the evening, when air and pavement temperatures have cooled.Provide plenty of water, and even ice packs for pets to lie against. Signs that your pet may be in distress from heat exposure include lethargy, excessive panting or any panting in rabbits, rapid breathing, shaking, drooling, excessive restlessness, and prolonged lack of appetite. If these symptoms occur, Arce says to contact a veterinarian for advice. More severe symptoms include vomiting and diarrhea. Purplish-gray gums and tongue and the inability to stand up are signs of extreme distress in dogs.
V.Individual veterinarians are well-positioned to advise pet parents, Hodges says, but at an industry level, "I don't think there's been a concerted effort to focus on climate change and its
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