Owners leaving their dogs locked in cars are not a rarity. While it might seem to be ideal when rolling down the window to make sure that the dog has enough ventilation, it can still be a devastating experience for your four-legged companion, especially, if they belong to the brachycephalic breed.
Brachycephalic dog breeds, as the name indicates are flat faced breeds that are born with several health concerns.
If you own a brachycephalic dog breed, you need to understand the different scenarios that can pose a potential threat to your pooch.
Being knowledgeable about these health hazards will certainly help you when it comes to taking the right action.
Leaving your brachycephalic dog in a locked car is the riskiest thing that you can do, as it can even threaten his life.
As brachycephalic dog breeds are vulnerable to breathing difficulties it is important for you to understand the different stages that they go through when they are left alone in a locked car.
As short-nosed dog breeds have narrow nostrils, they find it difficult to breathe, especially in hot and humid conditions.
When you leave them in a locked car, especially on a sunny day, the temperature within the car rises. Dogs usually resort to panting to cool off their body during hot and humid conditions. But with the narrow nostrils and a small mouth crowded with teeth, they find it difficult to inhale sufficient air to cool down.
This poses threats like heatstroke, overheating and even death if the dog is left alone for too long.
When the temperature within the car rises, dogs try to regulate their body temperature with excessive panting. Initially, the process will help them to cool the body down. While the body inhales more oxygen, the blood vessels dilate to expel out the excessive body heat. The dilation of the blood vessels demands more blood supplied to them. This exerts excessive pressure on the heart, which has to pump more blood to meet the requirements of blood vessels.
The excessive pressure on the heart to pump out blood can cause the cells to get heated up and dysfunction and eventually die. This can have an adverse effect on different organs in your dog’s body.
Some of the immediate symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea. The condition can also affect the cellular walls of the intestine and the liver. One of the main concerns is the formation of a blood clot in the brain. When the body temperature reaches 42 degree Celsius, the clot in the brain can start to swell. This condition can force your dog to slip into a coma or experience irreversible brain damage.
As a responsible pet parent, always ensure that you do not leave your dog locked in the car, even when the temperature outside seems pleasant.
Even when the temperature outside is 22 degree Celsius, the temperature inside can shoot up to 33 degrees in less than 15 minutes. Foresee all the possibility to make a smart decision.