As we move into the summer months and the weather starts to warm up Sherborne Neighbourhood Policing Team would like to remind dog owners not to leave their dog in a car. Even with the windows partly wound down your dog can suffer from heatstroke and die.

Warning signs of heatstroke are:

• Is the dog panting heavily?
• Is the dog drooling excessively?
• Does the dog appear lethargic or drowsy?
• Is the dog collapsed or vomiting?

For the best chance of survival, dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered gradually:

• Move him/her to a shaded/cool area.
• Immediately douse the dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock. If possible, you can also use wet towels or place him/her in the breeze of a fan.
• Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.
• Continue to douse the dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle but never so much that he/she begins to shiver.
• Once the dog is cool, take him/her to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/dogs/health/dogsinhotcars

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