Bangkok Post: Keeping Pets Safe: Chula Expert Shares Tips on How to Stop Your Furry Friends Suffering Heat Stroke

Due to the unusually high temperatures this year, people are not the only ones suffering as pets also have difficulty dealing with hot weather. Recently, a viral video of a French bulldog collapsing because of heat stroke raised concerns. The owner of the dog told media over the phone that she had let the dog out to urinate. After the dog returned, it was panting and then collapsed and had seizures. She later took the dog to see a vet and it was said to have suffered from heat stroke.

Although the weather in Bangkok is starting to cool down, many provinces around the country are still muggy with high temperatures, especially during the day. Asst Prof Dr Tilladit Rung-ruangkijkrai, director of the Chulalongkorn University Council Office and lecturer at the Faculty of Veterinary Science, expressed concern that pets confined in cages or tied up are at risk of heat stroke.

“Heat stroke is a loss of consciousness caused by high temperature or hot weather. We don’t have data indicating an increase of heat stroke in pets this year compared to last year, but with high temperatures, heat stroke in pets is more likely,” said Asst Prof Dr Tilladit.

“Dogs and cats are more susceptible to heat stroke than people because their bodies are covered with fur. People can release heat through breathing and sweat. When people sweat, it evaporates off the skin which helps decrease body temperature. However, dogs have fewer sweat glands. To release body heat, they usually pant heavily with their tongue hanging out. Cats have more sweat glands than dogs, but still fewer than people. Like dogs, they also pant to release body heat. 

“In addition to hot weather, the body temperature of dogs and cats can increase if they are tied up or confined in a cage directly in sunlight, or overexert themselves. These conditions can make dogs and cats suffer heat stroke. Some owners leave their pets in the car and go shopping thinking it is only for a short time, but this can cause heat stroke.”

Continue reading >>

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Line