As the city swelters through another heatwave, Wagga's veterinarians are warning pet owners to be on the look-out for signs of heat stress in furry friends.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"Be mindful dogs and cats lose heat through panting, they don't perspire," said Dr Mark Sayer, owner and head vet at Kooringal Veterinary Hospital.
As soon as the mercury climbs above 32-degrees, Dr Sayer said it should cause concern for animal owners.
When the temperature approaches the 30s, Dr Sayer said, it is certainly not safe to keep animals inside a locked car for any amount of time.
"Leaving a dog inside a car, it's similar to what happens to an egg. Just like the egg will turn from a liquid into a solid [in heat], the animal's blood will turn solid," he said.
Cats will start to experience heat stress when their body temperature rises above 39 degrees, while a dog will start to experience extreme sickness over 41 degrees.
"If you suspect they're hot, get them to a cool space, hose them down or keep them wet, and seek medical attention with a vet," Dr Sayer said.
"They can start to convulse in the heat."
The RSPCA issued its advice to the nation's pet owners ahead of the soaring temperatures this weekend.
If possible, the peak body for animal rights says, animals should stay indoors this weekend.
"Remember to apply pet-friendly zinc to the ears and noses of pets prone to sunburn, including cats and dogs with white fur and pink noses," a spokesperson for the RSPCA said.
In other news:
Animals with heart conditions and flat noses will likely experience heat stress sooner than other healthier breeds.
Although dogs and cats pant when they're excited, Dr Sayer said there is a distinct difference to watch out for.
"They'll become distressed, dull and lethargic," he said.
"[At its worst] their gums will go bright red, they'll get weak and collapse."
Similarly, feathered pets will also look to escape the heat by opening their mouths and can become distressed if kept confined without cool air.
"Birds are interesting, they also pant when they're hot," Dr Sayer said.
"In the wild, they'll get up high to avoid the heat on the ground and so that they can catch the breeze."
Heat exhaustion will begin to hit a bird when the temperature gets above 29 degrees, but they may start to feel sick from 25 degrees.
"The smaller the animal, the less surface mass, the more prone they are to heat stress. A bit like [human] babies that feel the heat more, infant animals also struggle more."
In all situations, ventilation is key.
"It's about the evaporation off the tongue, that's what will keep them cool," Dr Sayer said.