No Animal Should Be Left in a Hot Car

Many people already know that leaving your dog or cat in a hot car can be a fatal mistake. In a matter of minutes the internal temperature of your car can rise to above 130° F—enough to cause rapid dehydration, heat stroke, and death within a short amount of time.

What you may not know is that these hot conditions can be fatal to reptiles, amphibians, and birds as well. Even if your pet is a creature native to desert environments, such as a bearded dragon or Sulcata tortoise, it is still susceptible to the effects of heat stroke. Ten minutes in a parked car can be enough to cause irreversible brain damage and severe life-threatening dehydration. Furthermore, elevated body temperature can speed up your reptile’s metabolism and cause muscle damage and gastrointestinal distress.

Birds and amphibians can overheat even more rapidly and should never be left in a parked vehicle even for durations as short as 5 minutes. This summer temperatures promise to keep rising, don’t let your scaled or feathered family members become victims of this hot weather.

If you have any questions about traveling with your pets, call CEDARCREST Animal Clinic at 540-943-7577.

CEDARCREST Animal Clinic provides medical and surgical care for every stage of your pet's life including preventive wellness care exams and vaccines, spays/neuters, and a variety of specialized care for your dog, cat, avian, or exotic. We are home to the only veterinarian practitioner in Virginia to be double Boarded in Avian and Canine/Feline care and provide care for birds, small mammals, and reptiles of all sorts! Plus, we are home to Virginia's most exclusive dog boarding resort that includes heated floors, an expansive play area, and even webcams so you can watch your pet while you're away. We're located in Fishersville, Virginia, and serve Augusta County and surrounding areas including Waynesboro, Staunton, Harrisonburg, and Charlottesville. 

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