KUALA LUMPUR: The extreme heat that is currently hitting several countries not only affects humans but also poses a risk to animals, which can suffer from heat stroke.
Former Zoo Negara assistant director Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Vellayan Subramaniam said, just like humans, heat stroke could prove fatal and cause damage to the internal organs of animals if not treated immediately.
“All animals that are classified as mammals, reptiles or birds are also susceptible to heat stroke.
“For example, dogs and cats only have very few sweat glands located on the soles of the feet and around the nose to sweat.
“Unlike humans, sweat glands are distributed almost all over the body,” Dr Vellayan, who is also a UiTM Faculty of Pharmacy lecturer in Puncak Alam, told Bernama TV in a special online interview.He said animals in the zoo were well cared for during the hot seasons, with zookeepers providing enough water sources for them to wet their bodies.
The former Zoo Negara chief veterinarian said animals with an aversion to water need to be given enough drinking water, aside from being placed in an area with good ventilation.
“For animals that are always in water or immersed, like penguins and otters, it is recommended that the water pool be supplemented with blocks of ice to ensure they stay cool because water that does not flow can also increase in temperature if the heat is scorching,” he said.
Dr Vellayan reminded owners of pets to always be aware of the health condition of their animals to avoid the risk of heat stroke.
“For pets such as dogs and cats, symptoms include rapid heartbeats and mobility impairment.
“They may appear dazed and confused, salivate a lot, and have blue tongues and gums due to a lack of oxygen in the blood.
“In addition, the animal’s body temperature will also exceed 42ºC. They will lack balance or stability when standing on four legs.
“If this happens, the owner needs to take the pet to the vet immediately because if neglected, it can lead to death,” he said.
He said a pet owner can ease the symptoms of heat stroke and dehydration by drenching the pet’s body or placing a wet towel on its head and forehead, in addition to giving it water to drink and wetting its tongue.
