Pets are just as susceptible to heat illness, especially if they have a dark coat, short nose, or are already sick.
To prevent heat stroke, Dr. Ray Ramirez, veterinarian at Lakeview Veterinary Clinic in East Peoria, says follow the rule of "HEATS."
"H" for Hydration.
For every 10 pounds your animal weighs, give it two cups of water a day.
"E" is for exertion.
Now's not the time to do any new activities.
"A" means and, while "T" stands for Temperature.
Limiting time outdoors is best in extreme temps.
Finally, "S" means keep your pet under shade. It can get up to nine degrees cooler in a shady area.
"The only way to get rid of the excessive heat is by panting," said Dr. Ramirez, "so if that's faster than usual then that's telling you they're internal body temperature is telling them I need to pant more and get that body temperature. So, stop your activity. Get the water. Get them inside."
Dr. Ramirez says the guidelines are the same for farm animals.
Meanwhile, Peoria Zoo officials are taking icy measures to relieve animals from the heat.
The tigers take turns in an ice bath, while Karina the camel spends some time under a sprinkler.
"We have to watch visitors more than anything else," said Jill Roderick, Peoria Zoo's Curator of Education.
"They tend to be the ones who overheat, because they don't take into account how hot they get. Our animals, when you come on days like this, they're probably not going to be doing a whole bunch. They're going to be laying around, because they're the ones that are thinking ahead. They're laying around conserving energy."
The Peoria Zoo will keep things extra cool this weekend with its Winter in Summer event.
It'll take place Saturday, July 23 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m.
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