Automobile Dangers

Leaving your dog unattended in the car can have many negative consequences. (For additional information on this subject, please refer to Heat Dangers

Learn what to do upon seeing an animal locked in a parked car!

Heat

When a dog is left in a car for any length of time in warm weather, heatstroke ( when the dog's body temperature greatly exceeds the normal 102.5 degrees) can easily occur. Even if your only plan to be gone for a minute, it doesn't take long a for a car to heat up, which can place a dog in a life - threatening situation. Dogs suffering from heatstroke will feel hot to the touch and inhale short, rapid breaths, and the heartbeat will be very rapid. It is imperative that the dog be cooled down immediately, pererably with cool water and be wrapped with cool, damp towels to prevent shock. Also, consult with the dog's veterinarian right away.

Cold

When the dog is exposed to extreme cold for long periods of time its body temperature drops. immediately place the dog in a warm environment and wrap in blankets. Massage and a warm bath would further increase the dog's body temperature.

Theft

After all that has been reported regarding dog theft, I am very careful when leaving my dogs in the car or putting them in the yard. If they have to take go in the car, I avoid leaving them unattended, unless there is a good eye/ear - view of them. Same with the yard. With the possibility of theft out there, they are watched closely. Two ways of increasing your dog's safe returnin the event of a loss is to MicroChip your pet or have him/her Tattooed Jeannie

Uncrated in Front Seat With Air Bag Feature Installed

We all now know what dangers air bags pose to children who ride in the front seat of automobiles. Well, that same risk pertains to our dogs. If possible, crate the dogs or have them ride in the back seat.

Here are a couple of urls that should be able to answer some of your questions. http://www.goldendox.com/tdn/dogheat.htm
http://www.aspca.org/cold.htm
With respect to rides, I try not to take my dogs on any car trips unless there is someone to watch them while the car's a/c keeps them cool. It just gets too warm in an auto to take the chance. During cooler weather months, up until I bought this new device, they only accompanied me when I knew that they (and van) could be seen and/or heard from the store or house I was visiting. Now I have a remote controlled alarm that's been installed with my car alarm. It goes with me, and will go off if anyone tries to open my vehicle. I still make sure that the van is very close to where I'm at, just in case. Bob and I get restaurant tables at windows, directly in front of van, where we can usually be spotted waving to ma Sunni and pa Joshua Fazio (who like to sit in the two front seats) throughout dinner. hahaha I would worry about black and tans getting too much sun, as well as any other dog, since they feel it a lot sooner than us. Have fun.

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