Know the signs and solution in case your feline overheats

Warm weather months present a host of challenges for feline caregivers, even if you are a strict "inside only" enthusiast. Warm weather concerns may range from heat exhaustion, dehydration, fleas, sun exposure, accidents, and the potentially fatal heatstroke.

It is fairly common knowledge that dogs cool themselves by panting. Inexperienced feline caregivers may assume the same to be true for felines, but nothing could be farther from the truth.

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

What are the symptoms you should be looking for, and what action should you take?

First, most felines are not taken for car rides just for the fun of it. But let's say you have a feline that loves car rides. A car with only cracked windows on a warm day is a death trap. A confined space with little ventilation and lack of water only invites trouble.

If you must travel to move or are going to an animal hospital some distance away, travel with supplies. Anticipate an emergency or the car having a break 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 ice chest packed to the hilt with ice and frozen packs.

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

I am here to tell you, 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 and 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.

Now that your car is packed with supplies, here are the distress signs to look for in an emergency. Your feline's breathing will look more and more labored. The vision of the panting animal is now in the rear view. This is full crisis mode.

Think for a moment how irritated you are in the car without air conditioning. Magnify that for your feline in fur. Also realize, with every gasp, she is breathing in air that is 100-plus degrees. This is not cooling, but making things worse.

In a high heat situation, organ functions fail, brain dysfunction can occur and death is possible.

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

With care, happy traveling.

• The Buddy Foundation, 65 W. Seegers Road, Arlington Heights, is a nonprofit 501(c) 3 shelter. Call (847) 290-5806 or visit www.thebuddyfoundation.org.