Think before you take your feline traveling on a hot day

Warm weather months present a host of challenges for feline caregivers, even if we are strict "inside only" enthusiasts.

Warm weather creates concerns for heat exhaustion, dehydration, fleas, sun exposure and accidents to the potentially fatal heatstroke.

It is fairly common knowledge that dogs cool themselves by panting. For inexperienced feline caregivers, they may assume the same to be true for felines. But nothing could be further from the truth.

When a feline starts panting and breathing with an open mouth, it is already in distress, and the anxiety will clearly be seen on its face. These signs of distress can quickly bloom into full heatstroke, which can have fatal consequences.

When can such symptoms occur, and what are the symptoms you should be looking for to determine what action you should take?

First, most felines should not be taken for car rides just for the fun of it. That is not your average feline wish. Let's say you have an ambulatory feline that loves car rides, or perhaps you are moving or relocating by automobile. A car with only cracked windows on a warm day is a death trap. A confined space with little ventilation and a lack of water only invites trouble.

If you must travel to move, or even to go to the animal hospital some distance away, travel with supplies. Anticipate any emergency, such as the car breaking down.

In the past, I have had several felines that really wanted to travel in the car every time I left the house. As a precaution, I would take bottles of water, bowls, towels, window blockers and a small cooler packed to the hilt with ice and long-lasting frozen devices.

If a feline gets over heated, the general idea is to bring the body temperature down gradually. Professionals do not want you to shock your feline by bringing down the heat too quickly.

If you panic and put your feline in the ice container with the lid off, you will be all right. After an air conditioning failure, I placed a feline in the container holding the ice and made an ice pack for her head out of a towel and all went well. I was able to get her to a veterinarian, the best I could, but only because I had supplies in my vehicle.

Here are the signs that your cat is in heat distress in a vehicle. When you see these signs, it is time to use your emergency kit and drive to the nearest veterinarian.

Your feline's breathing will look more and more labored. Your cat will be panting This is a full crisis mode. Think for a moment, if you are irritated in a car without air conditioning, imagine how it is for your feline in fur.

Also realize, with every gasp of air your feline breathes, she is breathing in air that is 100 degrees or more. This is not cooling her, but just making things worse.

Even if you are saying my feline's resting body temperature is over 100.4 degrees, this is still a desperate situation. In a high-heat situation, organ functions fail, brain dysfunction can occur and death is possible.

With these dangerous consequences, think before you take your animal with you on a hot day, and never be one of those people that runs into a store for just a flash. Hot days in a car for just minutes can be a death sentence for your beloved pet.

With care, happy traveling.

Feature felines

• Arthur is a very friendly male tabby with a white chest and white markings on his nose. He started out as a Buddy kitten and was adopted many years ago. Recently, his mom passed away, and his dad moved into an assisted-living facility.

Arthur was going to go with, but his dad was unable to care for Arthur by himself, so he has come back to Buddy.

Arthur has grown to be a big, affectionate guy who wants no more than to sit next to you and be brushed. And boy, can he purr! Stop by and spend some time with this lovable guy. We will happily loan you a brush.

• Donovan is a black-and-white male with fluffy, long fur. He was found in a backyard in Des Plaines. When he arrived at Buddy, he wasn't particularly happy. He spent a while in a foster home and he became more sociable.

He is currently in Cat Room Five, where he spends most of his time on the shelves around the room, but he does occasionally visit the cat tree by the window. He is still a little hesitant around people, but he is rapidly changing into a friendly guy.

Come in and visit with him for a while. He might just be the one you want curled up next to you on the couch while watching TV or reading a good book.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit (501c3), all volunteer, no-kill animal shelter. For information, call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.