Companion Animals
When
the temperatures rise, it is important to remind ourselves – and our clients –
of the dangers of hot weather and how it can affect our patients. Veterinarians
have an important role to play in educating clients about heat exposure and
what to do in the event of heatstroke when it comes to pets.
For
example, it is never acceptable to leave pets in vehicles
during hot weather – not even for a few minutes. What seems like common sense
to us as veterinarians may not be common sense to others. Providing educational
information on your website or during patient visits is a great way to inform
your clients of the dangers of heat exposure with a list of “dos” and “don’ts”
during hot weather.
Below
are first-aid instructions for pets with heatstroke from the AVMA that you can
share with clients.
First Aid for Heatstroke: Reminders for Clients
- Never leave your
pet in the car on warm days. The temperature inside a car can rise very
quickly to dangerous levels, even on milder days. Pets can succumb to
heatstroke very easily and must be treated very quickly to give them the
best chance of survival.
- If you cannot immediately get your pet to a veterinarian,
move it to a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. If possible, use a
fan or some other method to force ventilation on the animal.
- Place a cool or cold, wet towel around its neck and head.
Do not cover your pet’s eyes, nose, or mouth. Remove the towel, wring it
out, rewet it, and rewrap it every few minutes as you cool the animal.
- Pour or use a hose to keep water running over the animal’s
body (especially the abdomen and between the hind legs) and use your hands
to massage its legs and sweep the water away as it absorbs the body heat.
- Transport the pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Boarding Services during Hot Weather
For clinics that provide boarding services, the summer travel season can be a busy time – and it can present additional challenges for protecting the animals in your care. If your practice provides outdoor kennels or yards for boarders, take extra precautions during hot weather. Set limits for the amount of time each animal can be left outside. Always provide a source of shade and adequate hydration. Also, pay extra attention to “at-risk” patients, like brachycephalic breeds or geriatric patients, which may be more prone to heat stress.
Large Animals
Humans
and companion animals are not the only ones affected by excessive heat. The
combined effects of high ambient air temperatures, relative humidity, and solar
radiation also can have a profound effect on large animal patients. Below are
some actions to consider when boarding or treating large animal patients on
site or in the field.
Considerations for On-Site Care
Large animal veterinarians who have patients in their care, custody, and control that are housed outside, such as for hospitalization or boarding for reproductive procedures, should always provide ample sources of fresh water and shade to prevent dehydration and heat stroke. Large animal veterinarians insured through the AVMA Trust’s PLIT program have faced malpractice claims related to patient losses from heatstroke after anesthesia in the field and while treating patients in excessively hot weather.
Beating the Heat on Farm Calls
Whether
you are treating an animal in a field, barn, or stable, the veterinary team is responsible for the health and welfare of the animal as
well. That’s why it is
essential to account for the effects of extreme weather when conducting an
examination or administering a treatment.
Consider
adjusting your work schedule during the hottest months. For example, when
scheduling farm calls, focus on treating patients in the early morning hours,
before temperatures rise. You also may consider rescheduling non-emergency
patient visits for cooler times of the day – or once the heatwave has passed.
If rescheduling is not an option, it is important to take extra precautions to protect the health of the animals. Heat stress can occur very quickly in cattle and other large animal patients during processing and treatment if holding pens and chutes are not in shaded areas. Anesthetized patients also can overheat quickly while recumbent, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. Whenever possible, prepare for and provide resources such as misting equipment, tarps, and an ample source of cool water to treat over-heated patients in the field.