FORT BENNING, Ga., (March 30 2016) -- As the hot and humid summer months approach Fort Benning, pet owners are encouraged to be aware of the weather and how it affects their pets.
Many Soldiers at Fort Benning come from all over the world and are not used to the heat, and the same goes for their pets. A common mistake is allowing a pet to stay outside for too long or putting them in the car during the warm and hot temperatures. These types of situations lead the animal to suffer from a heat stroke, or an even worse consequence: death.
Nadine Butler, a volunteer and dog trainer at the Tri County Animal Rescue Center on post, said it's best to only have your pet outside for 10-15 minutes at a time during the hot weather months, and she said the weather experienced lately is when one should start to worry about the heat and pets.
It's important for animals to acclimate to the weather. Only take your pets outside in the mornings and evenings to avoid heat exhaustion, Butler said. Animals should not be out in direct heat.
"Large breeds with long hair should be kept indoors during the day and taken out during the mornings and evenings ... such as Great Pyrenees and huskies," she added.
Butler said to always make sure the pet has water, food and a shelter if they must be outside.
It is important to be wary of a pet's health when a cold snap in the weather comes, Butler said. Since most dogs and other animals begin shedding as their bodies prepare for summer, the cold weather conditions can backfire and they become ill.
For breeds with long hair or thick hair, Butler said to do research before shaving an animal down. Some breeds, such as huskies, have a coat to protect them from the summer, and others, such as a Shih Tzu, should be shaved.
To get to the Tri County Animal Rescue Center on post, turn in the driveway before the vet clinic at Building 265 at 6417 10th Division Court and follow it to the back.
Contact the center if you are searching for your missing pet, you have found a lost or stray pet or you need to surrender a pet. In cases of animal abuse or neglect, contact the military police as well as our rescue. If searching for a missing pet, check our Facebook page album: Fort Benning impounds at www.facebook.com/TriCountyAnimalRescue or www.facebook.com/Fort-Benning-Stray-Facility-1603152486626439/. This album is updated as soon as the animals reach the rescue. Animals are also available for adoption at PetFinder.com.
Adoption hours are Monday through Thursday by appointment, and Friday and Saturday noon to 4:30 p.m. Hours are flexible based on one's needs. The main office can be reached at 478-862-2226. Outside office hours or for an emergency call 706-326-7195 or 706-326-7196.
The shelter is also looking for a photographer to take pictures of incoming pets to post online, and volunteers for events. Please contact the shelter if you are interested.
The American Cancer Society Bark For Life: A Canine Event To Fight Cancer will be held on April 9 at Old Town Columbus from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Visit www.relayforlife.org/barkmuscogeega for more information and to register your dog.
PRACTICE BASIC PET SAFETY
NEVER LEAVE YOUR PETS IN A PARKED CAR
Not even for a minute. Not even with the car running and air conditioner on. On a warm day, temperatures inside a vehicle can rise rapidly to dangerous levels. On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows opened slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees. Your pet may suffer irreversible organ damage or die. Learn how to help a pet left inside a hot car �
WATCH THE HUMIDITY
"It's important to remember that it's not just the ambient temperature but also the humidity that can affect your pet," says Dr. Barry Kellogg, VMD, of the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. "Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves, and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels-very quickly."
Taking a dog's temperature will quickly tell you if there is a serious problem. Dogs' temperatures should not be allowed to get over 104 degrees. If your dog's temperature does, follow the instructions for treating heat stroke.
LIMIT EXERCISE ON HOT DAYS
Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing. Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.
DON'T RELY ON A FAN
Pets respond differently to heat than humans do. (Dogs, for instance, sweat primarily through their feet.) And fans don't cool off pets as effectively as they do people.
PROVIDE AMPLE SHADE AND WATER
Any time your pet is outside, make sure he or she has protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible. Tree shade and tarps are ideal because they don't obstruct airflow. A doghouse does not provide relief from heat-in fact, it makes it worse.
COOL YOUR PET INSIDE AND OUT
Whip up a batch of quick and easy DIY peanut butter popsicles for dogs. (You can use peanut butter or another favorite food.) And always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you.
Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest, or mat (such as the Keep Cool Mat). Soak these products in cool water, and they'll stay cool (but usually dry) for up to three days. If your dog doesn't find baths stressful, see if she enjoys a cooling soak.
WATCH FOR SIGNS OF HEATSTROKE
Extreme temperatures can cause heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure, and unconsciousness.
Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease. Some breeds of dogs-like boxers, pugs, shih tzus, and other dogs and cats with short muzzles-will have a much harder time breathing in extreme heat.
HOW TO TREAT A PET SUFFERING FROM HEATSTROKE
Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to her head, neck, and chest or run cool (not cold) water over her. Let her drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take her directly to a veterinarian.
PREPARE FOR POWER OUTAGES
Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble.
- Information provided by The Humane Society of the United States
Social Sharing