Heroes in Action: HSU Rescues Elderly Dog from Hot Car

On an 80° day, the temperature of a car in the sun can rise to nearly 105° in 10 minutes. This is just one of the reasons why it’s so dangerous for pets to be left in the car, even for just a few minutes, especially on a hot day.

However, accidents happen, and when one patron mistakenly locked her keys in a hot car with her elderly dog at the Humane Society of Utah, our staff jumped into action to help.

The Hot Car Rescue Begins

Time was of the essence to rescue the pup before he suffered heatstroke. HSU staff quickly radioed both maintenance and medical employees to come to the scene.

Most cars are equipped with safety glass, which theoretically reduces the risk of injury should the glass break. However, this does not mean there is a 0% chance of the broken glass causing lacerations or other injuries. The elderly pup was tangled in his leash in the footwell of the front passenger seat. Due to the dog’s location, maintenance staff decided it would be safest to break the rear window. In rather dramatic fashion, HSU staff shattered the window and quickly removed the pup from the hot car.

The Dangers of Heatstroke

Once the dog was out of the hot car, our medical team wasted no time checking for signs of overheating. Heatstroke in pets happens extremely quickly, sometimes leading to fatality in just a few short minutes. Pets especially vulnerable to heatstroke include those who are brachycephalic (such as bulldogs or Persian cats), overweight, young, or elderly. As the dog in question was a senior, his risk of overheating was heightened.

HSU medical staff provided supportive care for the pup, bringing him into the air conditioning, covering him with cooled towels, and monitoring his core temperature. They kept an eye out for signs of heatstroke, including excessive panting, difficulty breathing, and a red tongue and gums. Luckily, it seemed the pup was in good shape.

While the medical team cared for the elderly dog, maintenance vacuumed the glass out of the car to keep both him and his guardian safe on their journey home. Once our medical team cleared the dog, we gave the go-ahead for him and his guardian to be on their way. She expressed relief and gratitude that we were able to help her pup, and our staff celebrated a successful rescue!

Hot Car Safety for Your Pets

It is very important never to leave an animal unattended in a vehicle, but this is doubly true on warm or hot days. Even in the shade or with the windows cracked, cars still trap heat. It takes just minutes for this heat to become dangerous to both humans and pets alike. If you see a pet left in a car, contact local authorities for help immediately.

Keep an eye out for signs of overheating in pets, which include:

• Excessive panting
• Labored breathing
• Drooling, especially if the drool is thick
• Bright red tongue and gums
• Lethargy, dizziness, or stupor
• Seizures or muscle tremors

If you observe any of these symptoms in your pet, rush them to the nearest vet immediately. Heatstroke can be deadly, and occurs quicker than you may think.

For additional information, check out our blog on Hot Car Safety here!