• Book An Appointment
  • Poisons Guide
  • Symptom Checker
  • More results...

    Generic selectors
    Exact matches only
    Search in title
    Search in content
    Post Type Selectors
HealthFlex
×
  • Locations
  • Services
    • Surgical
      • Cruciate Ligament Injury
      • Dog Patella Luxation
      • Dog Breathing Problems
      • Surgical Services
      • Computed Tomography CT Scanner now operating at SAH Kellyville
    • Medical
      • Pet Dental Care
      • Dog Dental Months July-August 2022
      • Specialist Services
      • Pet Skin Conditions
      • The Rapid Recovery Pack – RRP
      • Consultants and Veterinarians with Professional Interests
      • General Veterinary Services
      • Veterinary Services
      • Vaccinations
      • Heartworm Prevention in Dogs
      • Senior Cat Care
      • Senior Dog Care
      • Leptospirosis Alert
      • CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
      • COVID-19 Alternative Options to see a Vet
    • Non Medical
      • Pet Behaviour Problems
      • Pet Boarding
      • Pet Grooming
      • Puppy Preschool
      • Pet Nutrition
      • New Pet Care
      • New Puppy and Kitten Free Vet Check
      • Hill’s Pet Food Delivery Service
  • New Patients
  • Health Care Plans
  • Emergency Care
  • Info
    • Virtual Tour
    • This Months Health Care Initiative
    • Careers
    • About Us
    • Hospital Fees and Insurance
    • SYMPTOM CHECKER
    • POISONS GUIDE
    • PET HEALTH LIBRARY
  • News
  • Contact us
  • Book an Appointment

Heat Stress in Small Pets by Dr Anne

Heat Stress in Small Pets by Dr Anne

Summer is our favourite time of the year, but for our pocket pets it can be a dangerous period. Heat stroke, aka heat stress, occurs when heat production exceeds heat loss, leading to a high body temperature (hyperthermia) and in some cases thermal injury to tissues.

If left untreated, heat stress leads to multiple organ failure and death. It can be extremely fast. Heatstroke related fatalities are particularly common in pocket pets housed in outdoor enclosures during summer. Pregnant animals are at an increased risk.

Symptoms of heat stroke

Rabbits and guinea pigs tend to hide any signs of illness, so you may not notice much at all. However some symptoms to keep an eye out for include:

  • Panting.
  • Laboured breathing.
  • Flaring of the nostrils.
  • Excess salivation.
  • Reluctance to move
  • Lying outstretched on the enclosure floor.
  • Seizures or coma may occur.

 

If your pet is showing any of the above symptoms make sure you:

  1. Ensure your pet is breathing.
  2. Wrap your pet in a cool wet towel.
  3. Avoid the temptation to apply ice cold water as this can cause hypothermia.
  4. Seek veterinary attention immediately.

 

How do I keep my pocket pet cool over summer?

There are a number of precautionary steps you can take to ensure that your pet stays cool and healthy over summer. Some good tips to keep in mind are:

  • In the event of a heatwave in your area, make sure to relocate your pets indoors, but only if it is cooler inside.
  • Ensure that outdoor enclosures are placed out of direct sunlight and that your pet has access to shade all day (remember, the sun moves so what was a shady spot at 10am can be in full sun at 11am)
  • Avoid overcrowding as this leads to heat stress. Rabbits and guinea pigs tend to herd together, even when its hot. Pairs and trios are reasonable for a single enclosure but consider multiple enclosures if you have more animals.
  • Provide well ventilated enclosures to allow fresh air to circulate throughout.
  • Provide fresh, clean water daily. On hot days you might consider putting an ice cube in the water dispenser. Make sure sipper bottles are not blocked (rabbits and guinea pigs love blowing balls of grass up the nozzle of the sipper, causing a blockage)
  • Remove uneaten vegies daily. This should be routine but its particularly important in the heat as they rot and attract flies.
  • Minimise daytime activity levels. If you exercise your rabbits or guinea pigs, plan your playtime for the cooler part of the morning or in the evening (you need to be careful because mosquitoes can transmit calicivirus to rabbits and are very active at dusk – ask us about vaccination)
  • Avoid overfeeding.

 

On hot days please check your pets frequently. Offer cold treats for example a treat for guinea pigs, spray a small amount of iced water on Bok Choy leaves to keep them cool.

Please use some or all of these tips to help keep our pocket pets cool this summer.

 

If you have any concerns please contact your local Sydney Animal Hospital;

Newtown  (02)9519 4111
69-73 Erskineville Road Erskineville

Inner West (02)9516 1466
1A Northumberland Ave Stanmore

Norwest (02)8883 0411
Unit 8, 1-3 Celebration Dr Bella Vista

Kellyville (02)8883 0533
106 Windsor Rd Kellyville

Newport (02)9997 4609
1 Palm Rd Newport

Avalon (02)9918 0833 
710 Barrenjoey Rd Avalon Beach

 

 

#TipForHotWeather #PocketPets

Add Comment Cancel

You must be logged in to post a comment.

More results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gGTH-DeH-g

Categories

  • News
  • Uncategorized

Archives

  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • January 2022
  • November 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • December 2018
  • October 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • October 2017
  • August 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017

FB

More results...

Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

LOCATIONS

  • Newtown
  • Norwest
  • Newport
  • Inner West
  • Kellyville
  • Avalon

Latest News

  • Rat lung worm Aug 9
  • Dog Dental Months July & August 2022 Jul 12
  • Is your cat hiding something from you? Part 2 Jun 21
Copyright ©2020 all rights reserved
Health Library