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Summertime in the BelgradesContentsfor Printing Article Summaries |
Cat Tales: Cats in Carswith Dr. Paul R.Wade D.V.M. Question: Dr. Wade, our cat likes to ride in the car and we take her with us when we go on camping trips. Do cats get heatstroke and what can we do to prevent this from happening to our cat? Answer: Heat stroke is a serious medical emergency and most cats will die if they are not treated immediately. Heat stroke occurs when the cat is confined to an area that is poorly ventilated and the temperature is higher than normal body temperature. Automobiles are the major source of heat stroke in animals because they act just like an oven when left in the sun. If the outside temperature is over 75° and a car is parked in the sun the inside car temperature can go as high as 140°. If a cat is left inside this car it will suffer heat stroke in less than 10-15 minutes. The most visible symptoms of heat stroke are panting, weakness, collapse, comatose, limp and lifeless. The treatment needs to be quick and vigorous beginning with cooling the body by dipping the cat in cold water, and immediately bringing it to a veterinarian. The most serious damage to the cat is done to the brain, kidneys, liver and circulatory systems. Even if the cat seems better it should be examined by a veterinarian to determine if there are any other unseen problems that resulted from this medical emergency. The best way to prevent this is to never leave a cat in a car during the warmer months of the year. If the cat is left in the car during a warm day, carry an extra set of car keys and leave the car runnng with the air conditioner on. Always park your car or camper in the shade, even if it means walking a longer distance. Carry fresh ice water in the car and leave a bowl for the cat. Even if you leave the windows open it will still get too hot in a car, so the best way to protect your cat is to leave it home unless you can take the extra steps to prevent heat stroke. You are lucky to have a cat that will ride in a car with you, so keep her healthy and enjoy her company on many trips. Send any questions you would like to have answered to Dr. Paul R. Wade, D.V.M., c/o The Cat Hospital, PO Box 458, Manchester, ME 04351. | ||