Vet Offers Tips For Traveling With Pets In Heat

HOUSTON – Animal lovers have been heartbroken over the deaths of dogs veterinarians said could have been prevented.

At least two dogs died during a trip on Interstate 10 on Friday. The air conditioner in the trailer they were being transported in had gone out.

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"It was just a horrific thing to see," said a woman who saw the incident. "It was horrible."

There were several other dogs inside the trailer, and they showed signs of heat exhaustion.

Veterinarian Lori Teller said that the incident is a good reminder for pet owners to prepare their animals for long trips.

"You need to stop at a place that welcomes pets and go in with you," Teller said. "You cannot leave them in a car, even with the windows down. It's just too hot right now for them."

If a pet shows signs of heat stroke, owners should not reach for ice water.

"When you put the cool water on, it helps the blood vessels of the skin dilate and dissipate the heat," Teller said. "If you use cold water, it actually makes the blood vessels constrict and traps the heat inside."

Teller recommends taking water breaks every couple of hours.

She also said that if a pet owner has to fly with their animals, they should choose an early-morning or a late-night flight when the temperatures are cooler.