Summer heat and pets in the car

Posted May 4, 2014

A Note From Dianne… 

Just how dangerous is it to leave your pet in the car?

Every summer, animals left in unattended cars suffer brain damage and die from heatstroke. Even on a mild or cloudy day, with your windows open, a parked vehicle heats up quicker than you might realize and becomes a danger zone for your pets.

—In only 10 short minutes (running into the store for milk), on a day that is a comfortable 75 degrees, your car will reach 100 degrees. In 30 minutes (an unexpected conversation with your neighbor you ran into), your car will have reached 120 degrees.

—On an 85-degree day, in only 5 short minutes, the temperature in your car can reach 90 degrees. In merely 7-10 minutes, your car will have reached a blistering 100 degrees. Gone for only 30 minutes (into Target)? Your car will have reached a deadly 120 degrees.

—On those very typical 100-degree South Carolina days it takes only 15 minutes for your car to reach 140 degrees.

It’s kind of unbelievable how fast our vehicles can heat up.  Let’s take extra special care of our furry friends during these warm months… if you’re going to be out and about, think twice about bringing them along if you need to make a stop where they can’t join you. It’s much better for them to forgo a car ride than to suffer from heat exhaustion or stroke and risk their little lives.

As always, if you ever have any questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to call us at (864) 232-6445.

Here’s to a healthy and “doggone” great summer!

Dianne Hembree
Veterinary Technician, Pleasantburg Vet Clinic

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