Hot temps pose threat to NM pets

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - The city says they are seeing overheated and near-death animals almost everyday.

Doctor Nicol Vigil sees overheated animals at the city's westside shelter.

?We do everything we can when we get them in here but sometimes it?s too late,? Dr. Nicol Vigil said.

KRQE News 13 went along as Animal welfare officers patrolled the streets looking for lost animals or strays suffering in the high temps.

?Everyday I punch in I expect at minimum one call for a heat related dog, dogs in a vehicle, dogs walking down a road that's hot,? an animal welfare officer said.

Even loved pets can quickly be affected in someone's backyard if they do not have water and a place to escape the sun.

The city is sending out reminders in water bills, letting residents know just how quickly a pet can overheat and how to stop that from happening.

Dr. Vigil says the clinic has recently seen cases where good samaritians brought in dogs they thought had been hit by cars. But they hadn't been hit by cars; instead they were so hot their systems were shutting down.

Their body temperature was about six degrees higher than normal.

?So if we are looking at a 108 degrees this is life threatening, so we are dealing with that on a daily basis,? Dr. Vigil said.

At those temperatures it's hard to save the dog.

?They are victims of heat stoke like that,? Dr. Vigil said.

Animal Welfare workers are not the only ones looking for overheated animals.

APD?s canine unit is helping out too.

If you see a stray animal in distress or someone's pet suffering, officers ask that you put out water and call 311.
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Source: http://www.krqe.com/dpp/features/hot-temps-pose-threat-to-nm-pets

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