Ask Helpful Henry: Cars can be ovens for dogs in summer

Every year, countless dogs die in cars on summer days. Sometimes it’s not even that hot outside. Many times the window is cracked and the car is parked in the shade. The startling truth is that even in seemingly safe conditions the temperature inside your car can soar to life-threatening heights in just ten minutes – about the time it takes to run into the post office or the coffee shop or the pet store.

Even on a relatively mild day, your car can turn into an oven with frightening speed.

How long does it take for a car to get hot? If the outside temperature is 70 degrees within 10 minutes its 89 degrees and in just 30 minutes the inside vehicle temperature will reach 104 degrees. These temperatures increase proportionately with the outside temperature increasing, you can safely assume within 30 minutes the inside temperature of your vehicle will be approximately 34 degrees higher than the outside temperature.

Don’t forget the boats! While it’s fun to take Fido out on the lake for a day of boating don’t forget to make sure to provide plenty of water and shade. With the reflection of the water and the heat of a nice summer day boats can get just hot as the inside of a car.

Dogs don't sweat. Instead, they depend on panting to take in cool air and regulate their temperature. If they only have hot air to breathe, their temperature increases, putting them at risk of heat stroke. A dogs normal body temperature is 100.5-102.5, heat exhaustion happens at 104 and heat stroke occurs at 107-109 degrees. Signs of heat stroke are heavy panting, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, bright red tongue and mucus membranes, which may turn grey as shock sets in, thick saliva, drooling, vomiting and or diarrhea, unsteadiness and staggering or lethargy. Sadly by the time signs of heat stroke appear it can be too late, if you suspect your dog has been exposed to heat that could cause heat exhaustion or heat stroke contact your veterinarian as soon as possible.

What can you do to help? Spread the word about the dangers of leaving dogs in hot cars by sharing this information with friends and family. Most importantly TAKE ACTION! If you see a dog left in a hot car or stranded on a boat without shade or water contact the police department or call Eldorado Animal Services at 530-573-7925.

Together we can keep our dogs happy and safe this summer.

It’s time again to submit your furry family member’s photos to the Lake Tahoe Humane Society’s Calendar/Card photo contest. Just go to www.LakeTahoeHumaneSociety.org and click on the calendar link, scroll to bottom of the page, fill out form & Submit your pic. It a fun way to support our Lake Tahoe Humane Society and help them help local animals in need.

You can submit your questions or letters via e-mail to AskHenry@LakeTahoeHumaneSociety.org or by mail to P.O. Box PET South Lake Tahoe CA 96158. The Lake Tahoe Humane Society and S.P.C.A. now has a FaceBook page so stop by and check it out at www.FaceBook.com/LakeTahoeHumaneSocietySPCA you can also become a FaceBook friend of HopefulHenry at www.Facebook.com/Hopeful.Henry or follow us on Twitter @LtHumaneSociety