Record-shattering high temperatures are raising awareness about safety as the sun beats down upon people and their pets.
Environment Canada says the historic record highs will simmer down toward more seasonally normal numbers on Wednesday, June 30, but until then, dangerously high temperatures will persist with potential consequences for those who don乌鸦传媒檛 take precautions.
The heat is taking its toll. Four dogs treated at Central Island Veterinary Emergency Hospital in Nanaimo died from heat stroke over the weekend.
Tinille McKenzie-Wyatt, registered veterinary technologist specializing in emergency critical care, couldn乌鸦传媒檛 provide details about the dogs乌鸦传媒� deaths for privacy reasons, but said owners need to be cautious about letting dogs outside in the heat and aware of medical conditions that could make them more prone to heat stroke. Dogs with longer fur, or ones that are overweight, have heart conditions and other ailments are more susceptible, as are dogs with short snouts.
乌鸦传媒淏e very cognizant of where they are because not all of them are smart enough to come inside乌鸦传媒ξ谘淮綕 McKenzie-Wyatt said, adding that it乌鸦传媒檚 about 乌鸦传媒渓imiting their exposure to putting themselves into situations where they will get too hot as best we can.乌鸦传媒�
She recommends people keep cool water in children乌鸦传媒檚 wading pools in their backyards or in bathtubs in their homes, let dogs lay on wet, cool towels and even place wet, cool towels in their armpit and groin areas to lower their body temperatures.
乌鸦传媒淥f course, make sure there乌鸦传媒檚 always fresh, cool water available for them too,乌鸦传媒� McKenzie-Wyatt said.
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Leon Davis, B.C. SPCA Nanaimo branch manager, said in an e-mail that the branch has seen fewer complaints of dogs in hot cars, possibly because the intense heat is making owners think twice about taking their dogs with them to run errands.
Davis passed along some tips, starting with checking pets for signs of heat stroke such as excessive panting, trouble breathing or collapse. Pets should be moved into a cool space out of direct sunlight. Owners should use a fan or air conditioning or a wet towel, and slowly wet a pet乌鸦传媒檚 feet, ears and fur, avoiding using ice or very cold water as it could cause shock. Once a pet starts to cool down, owners can pour cool water over the animal乌鸦传媒檚 body.
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Island Health did not have anyone available to comment about whether the heat is sending people to hospital, but a spokesperson said he could confirm anecdotally there has been a moderate increase in patients 乌鸦传媒� particularly older adults 乌鸦传媒� seeking care for heat-related issues at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital and other Island hospitals.
Dave Wray, Environment Canada meteorologist, said Monday would be the 乌鸦传媒渁pex乌鸦传媒� for high temperatures.
乌鸦传媒淭his will be the worst. After this we乌鸦传媒檒l start to see some relief乌鸦传媒ξ谘淮綕 Wray said. 乌鸦传媒淚t乌鸦传媒檚 so bewildering, these temperatures. We乌鸦传媒檙e so reluctant to [forecast] 41, 42, 43 C because we乌鸦传媒檝e never gone there before. It乌鸦传媒檚 Twilight Zone region.乌鸦传媒�
Nanaimo hit 38.2 C on Sunday, which easily surpassed the previous record of 34.6 C from 2015. Of note, the average high for that date is 21.8 C.
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