The heat is making me do stupid things. This week, I lost half a legal document because I forgot to do what I now thought was habit – Save periodically in my word doc program, and send me a copy of the document by e-mail…just in case word program freezes (as it did this week) or we lose power. And, I slammed my finger in the front door. It's OK, got bloody and bruised and sore, but I've seen worse. I was just tired from the heat.
Made me wonder how many other people were messing up because they're just tired from the heat. This animation based on NOAA data on high temperatures from past week shows the heat wave as it spread across the US each day:
It's not so bad in California on the coast. The problem at our house is no AC, poor air circulation and we can't leave windows open in rooms we're not in because kitty could pop the screens. So, indoor temps can be 87 during day and lucky if get down to 70s at night. Better than many other places…but still too hot for me. Turns out there is a trend in recent decades of night temperatures rising "making it harder for people -- especially those without air conditioning -- to recover from daytime heat exposure." So, we are now losing our cooling nighttimes, our booster breaks from the hot day.
Over 40 states have reported temps higher than 90 degrees, but Mr. Hot Air Rushie Limbaugh says there ain't no real heat wave because the heat index (measurement of heat and humidity) is "manufactured by the government!" Funny, Rushie don't feel that way about the Windchill Factor, that "government manufactured index" is one he likes to highlight to debunk global warming.
So, ignoring Mr. Denier Idiot, what can we do to prevent a FP arising from our pets getting heat stroke or exhaustion? Some tips on the flip from vets who recognize that heat and humidity is not something to ignore.
WYFP is our community's Saturday evening gathering to talk about our problems, empathize with one another, and share advice, pootie pictures, favorite adult beverages, and anything else that we think might help. Everyone and all sorts of troubles are welcome. May we find peace and healing here. Won't you please share the joy of WYFP by recommending?
I googled for some advice from vets on what else can be done to keep my Border Collie (6 years next month) and kitty (9 years tomorrow!) cool.
First, this is what we want to prevent: signs of heat stroke or stress include:
1. Excessive panting can be one of the earliest signs.
2. Labored breathing.
3. "Bright red mucous membranes in the gums or eyes and/or bright red tongue."
4. Lethargy and weakness. As pets become weak and exhausted from the heat, they can become unwilling to rise.
5. "Distress and dehydration causes saliva and nasal secretions to become thick and that results in froth from the nose or mouth."
6. "Late stages of heat stress when circulation is failing, result in muscles that tie up becoming rigid and painful."
7. High body temperatures.
8. "Collapsing and seizures, even coma."
If you SUSPECT your cutie has heat exhaustion, vet advice is to:
Remember time is of the essence and to follow these quick steps:
● Remove the pet from the hot environment – either take them to the shade or indoors.
● No ice or cold water should be applied to the body and don’t give anything by mouth initially.
● After cooling the body with cool (not cold) water and applying rubbing alcohol to the footpads and armpits, cool water can then be offered by mouth in frequent small amounts.
● And, call your veterinarian to seek medical care, even if it seems like all is ok. Damage to organs, and clotting problems often occur 24-48 hours after heat stress.
See also, these videos: AVMA tips on helping pets survive a heat wave, Drs. Foster and Smith Vet Chat: Keep Your Dog Cool in Hot Weather
Most pet owners know these do's and don'ts to prevent heat stress -- but reminders are nice during a heat wave:
● Prevent heat stroke and passing out — Older, overweight and sick pets should not be allowed to spend a lot of time outside in the hot weather. Even young and healthy pets should be watched closely to make sure they don’t get heat stroke.
● Maintain your pet’s water supply — Always provide a bowl of clean, fresh water for your pet, both inside and outside. Keeping your pet properly hydrated will improve their health and prevent illness.
● Do not leave pets in a home without air conditioning — Without air conditioning, indoor temperatures will reach uncomfortable and often dangerously high levels. Always keep the air conditioning and any fans on for your pets.
● Do not leave pets in a car for any reason — Leaving your pet in a parked car can be a deadly mistake. Even with the windows open, temperatures will rapidly climb to a dangerous level. Leaving your pet unattended in a car will expose them to heat stroke, dehydration, brain damage, suffocation and ultimately death.
Here are some practical tips to help us keep our pets cool and comfortable to prevent heat stress:
1. Place a wet towel on the floor for them to lie on. There are also cooling pads you can buy for their beds to keep them cool. The video (at link) shows a cooling pad, which is placed in the refrigerator to get cool, and then is used as an insert of a bed. The cooling pad then transfers some of their body heat to the pad to keep them cool.
2. Use a spray bottle of water to spritz your dog's head, paws, and the back of their neck with cool water. My dog now likes to be hosed down with cool water all over her body, top and bottom and feet. Then she likes to lie on my bed with comforter! Little kiddie pools are also nice for dogs who like them.
3. You can soak clothing or bandana in cool water and tie loosely around neck:
There are also booties for their feet that can be soaked to prevent burning paws from hot pavement – remember, dogs perspire through their feet so hot pavement and other surfaces reduce their ability to cool themselves. Pets can get 2nd or 3rd degree burns from hot concrete. And don't forget to protect against hot sand at beaches.
4. If you must exercise your dog, early morning hours or evening are best times to avoid the heat of day, generally 10 am to 4 pm.
5. There is also sunscreen for pets.
6. Cold treats! My dog likes the tiny ice cubes. One day I tried just a teaspoon or two of ice cream that my Irish Setter used to love. Did not go well with my Border Collie's digestive system.
But a vet site has a recipe for frosty paw treats that I will try:
1 8oz cup of yogurt (plain or flavored, but avoid sugary varieties)
1 banana
1 or 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
2 cups of cold water
Mix all ingredients in blender, pour the mixture into 2 ice cube trays, and then freeze.
Feed your dog 5 or 6 cubes in his or her bowl.
Another video shows products, like doggie goggles, to help Keep your dog cool in the summer heat.
What about my house with no AC? A doctor provided some tips for Surviving A Heat Wave - Without Air Conditioning - here are a couple:
● Use box fans and ceiling fans to promote air circulation throughout your home. Opening doors in the house and using box fans to push hot air outdoors can function as an "exhaust" system and draw cooler evening air into the house. In the cooler evenings, open all windows and promote as much air circulation as possible. When the sun rises, close all doors and windows, making sure to close curtains and blinds as well, to keep the indoors cool for as long as possible. When the outside air cools to a lower temperature than inside (usually in the evenings or at night), open up the windows and turn on the fans again.
● For a homemade "air conditioning" system, sit in the path of a box fan that is aimed at an open cooler, or pan filled with ice.
We have fans, but now off to buy some box fans!
So, what's your FP tonight? And who has more tips to beat the heat?