Pets may suffer from paw blisters, heat stroke -PAWS

An animal welfare rights group on Tuesday said pets may also suffer from the severe heat experienced across the country.

The Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) reminded pet owners that their animals may experience paw blisters and heat stroke, citing the condition of a dog named “Benjie” whom they treated after seeing it limping in Fairview, Quezon City.

“Noong pag ikot to check injury niya kung may pilay, doon namin nakita na dinidilaan niya lapnos yung balat niya sa paws niya,” said PAWS Executive Director Ana Cabrera in Oscar Oida’s “24 Oras” report.

(When we checked its injury, we saw that the dog had blisters on his paws.)

“Ang iniisip ng vet namin nadarang talaga sa napakainit na semento o baka may nakakabad na yero,” Cabrera said.

(Our vet said Benjie might have walked on hot pavements or a roof directly exposed to the sun.)

The organization added that the high temperatures were also bad for animals.

“Wala silang capability sa body nila na magpawis di katulad natin. Mas madali sila mag-suffer from heat stroke tapos yung body temperature nila is usually warmer than sa mga tao,” PAWS Education and Campaign Officer Sharon Yap said.

(Animals can't sweat so they cannot regulate their temperature. This makes them susceptible to heat stroke, especially since their body temperature is usually warmer than ours.)

Weather bureau PAGASA said the heat index in 25 areas in the country, including Metro Manila, may rise to dangerous levels on Tuesday.

To help their furbabies’ cope with the heat, some furparents opted to reduce their outdoor activity and provide air conditioning.

“Paparamdam nila sa iyo na sobrang naiinitan sila. Talagang lalapitan ka nila na nagpa-panting,” a furparent said.

(They will let you know they are suffering. They will come to you panting.)

The heat index is the measure of the temperature that a person feels, which is different from the actual air temperature. It is computed by factoring in the humidity as well as the air temperature.

Based on the PAGASA classification, heat indices reaching 42°C to 51°C were classified as “dangerous,” as this may cause heat stroke and heat exhaustion.

PAGASA recommended limited outdoor activity, consistent hydration, and wearing fresh clothes to combat the effects of the heat. — Sundy Mae Locus/DVM, GMA Integrated News