**HEATSTROKE WARNING** Temperatures in areas of Brisbane & Ipswich tomorrow are forecast to reach over 40 degrees; for all our FB friends with pets, small and large- prepare TODAY! We are braced for the devastating effects this heat will have on little pets left outdoors with insufficient shelter, however with some foresight and preparation the tragic consequences of the scorching heat can be averted!! Please feel free to SHARE these suggestions and help save a precious little life 1. All small mammals should be brought inside- simply being in the shade will NOT be enough tomorrow. The bathtub or shower cavity (or any tiled area) is perfect for keeping your guinea pigs cool during the day- tiles and enamel stay relatively cool so provide a great surface for your pets to lie on. Ceramic tiles and terracotta flower pots soaked in water are great to add to cages for little animals to lie against 2. Most of our small mammals have problems self-cooling, and cant sweat or pant to release heat and thermo-regulate their body temps- which is why theyre so susceptible to heat stroke. Add frozen drink bottles/ ice bricks/ wet towels etc to their enclosures so they can actively self cool by leaning/ lying against them 3. Ensure ALL your animals have plenty of fresh water. Add extra water bottles/ bowls to the enclosure and consider adding ice to water to keep it cool all day long 4. Leave your fans on at home. Or better still, the air-conditioning! Our pets are precious, and they deserve to be safe 5. Hose down outdoor aviaries tomorrow morning before work. Add extra water bowls/ baths for bathing. Silver car windscreen protectors are perfect for deflecting the sun from the roof of metal aviaries. Wet sheets and towels hung around the outside of aviaries may help them stay cool 6. Cold fruit and leafy vegetables will be welcomed by birds, mammals and reptiles tomorrow. Vegetables that have a high water content, and most fruits, will be ideal to help our little pets rehydrate themselves in the heat eg. Cucumber, celery, capsicum, corn, leafy asian greens and most juicy fruits are perfect. 7. Fish tanks may require cooling, particularly for those species that prefer cooler temperatures. We advise our axolotl owners especially to ensure their chillers are functioning properly, and consider adding ice to the water if you are concerned 8. While indoor reptiles shouldn’t have a problem if heating devices are running on thermostats, reptiles running in outdoor pits will be VERY warm tomorrow. Make sure they have the opportunity to shelter from the heat and sun- they CAN overheat and dehydrate, particularly captive reptiles who can’t retreat to cooler areas to thermo regulate. Providing additional shade, baths and wet terracotta pots will assist them in maintaining suitable temperatures during the heat of the day 9. If you believe your pet is suffering from heat stress, or heat stroke, contact an after hours clinic immediately! Heat stroke is an emergency, and can kill within an hour. If your pet has overheated, provide cooling immediately with a tepid water bath (be careful they don’t inhale the water!) Tepid water is BETTER than cold water- cold water causes blood vessels in the extremities to constrict, which actually inhibits cooling- tepid water provides instant relief and quicker cooling. Seek immediate veterinary attention for further assistance.
Posted on: Sun, 16 Nov 2014 06:14:27 +0000
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