As heat builds in Maine, protect your pets and animals
BECOMING SOUTH AROUND 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. HEAT INDEX VALUES UP TO 105. WEDNESDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HUMID WITH LOWS AROUND 70. SOUTHWEST WINDS AROUND 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH IN THE EVENING, BECOMING LIGHT AND VARIABLE. HEAT INDEX VALUES IN THE MID 90S EARLY IN THE EVENING. THURSDAY…PARTLY SUNNY. HOT WITH HIGHS IN THE 90S. HEAT INDEX VALUES UP TO 105. THURSDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. LOWS IN THE UPPER 60S. FRIDAY…PARTLY SUNNY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. A CHANCE OF THUNDERSTORMS IN THE AFTERNOON. WARM WITH HIGHS IN THE MID 80S. CHANCE OF RAIN 50 PERCENT. FRIDAY NIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS AND THUNDERSTORMS IN THE EVENING. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. CHANCE OF RAIN 50 PERCENT. SATURDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY. A CHANCE OF SHOWERS IN THE AFTERNOON. HIGHS IN THE LOWER 80S. CHANCE OF RAIN 30 PERCENT. SATURDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. LOWS AROUND 60. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT. SUNDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE MID 70S. CHANCE OF RAIN 40 PERCENT. SUNDAY NIGHT…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. LOWS IN THE LOWER 60S. CHANCE OF RAIN 50 PERCENT. MONDAY…MOSTLY CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF SHOWERS. HIGHS IN THE UPPER 70S. CHANCE OF RAIN 50 PERCENT.TODAY…HEAT ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM NOON UNTIL 8 PM FOR PARTS OF THE AREA WHERE HEAT INDEX VALUES OF 95-100 DEGREES ARE EXPECTED. PARTLY SUNNY. HUMID WITH HIGHS IN THE 80S AND 90S. LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS, BECOMING SOUTH AROUND 10 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. TONIGHT…PARTLY CLOUDY. HUMID WITH LOWS IN THE MID 60S. SOUTH WINDS AROUND 10 MPH IN THE EVENING, BECOMING LIGHT AND VARIABLE. JUNETEENTH…MOSTLY SUNNY. HOT WITH HIGHS IN THE 90S TO AROUND 100 DEGREES. LIGHT AND VARIABLE WINDS, BECOMING SOUTH AROUND 10 MPH WITH GUSTS UP TO 20 MPH IN THE AFTERNOON. HEAT INDEX VALUES UP TO 105.
As heat builds across Maine, make sure to protect your pets and animals
Different animals respond differently to the heat, but they all need to be protected
With dangerous heat settling across Maine for the next few days, including a heat advisory taking effect at noon Tuesday, veterinarians and animal experts are reminding people to help their pets and animals stay cool and safe.>>Click here for a list of cooling centers across Maine”Maintaining animals’ health during rising temperatures hinges on keeping them cool and hydrated,” said Maine State Veterinarian Dr. Stefanie Bolas. “Recognizing the signs of heat stress is crucial, but preventing it is even more vital. Mainers can take five steps to ensure their animals remain cool and safe.”The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provided the following tips:1) Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh water.Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. Also, if out in public, bring some hydration options for your animal and avoid using shared/communal water bowls. 2) An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies.An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history can all affect its ability to tolerate the heat. To help them stay comfortable, ensure they can access shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and air-conditioned spaces. Watch your pet for signs of heat stress, such as increased panting, drooling, or lethargy. If these signs are present, move it to a cooler area immediately. Consider talking to your veterinarian for specific guidance on handling your animals in hot weather. 3) Test surfaces to make sure they won’t burn paws.Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can heat up in the sun, burning paws or making a walk uncomfortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, consider taking a different route, mostly grass, or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool. 4) Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water.HABs form due to the rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, naturally found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To prevent illness in animals, keep them out of areas with scum or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. Call your veterinarian immediately if an animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB. Animal illness due to HABs is reportable to the DACF. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form. In addition, to report a potential algal bloom, send an email to [email protected]. 5) Parked vehicles are not places to park pets (or kids)Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and parking in the shade does little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.
With dangerous heat settling across Maine for the next few days, including a heat advisory taking effect at noon Tuesday, veterinarians and animal experts are reminding people to help their pets and animals stay cool and safe.
>>Click here for a list of cooling centers across Maine
“Maintaining animals’ health during rising temperatures hinges on keeping them cool and hydrated,” said Maine State Veterinarian Dr. Stefanie Bolas. “Recognizing the signs of heat stress is crucial, but preventing it is even more vital. Mainers can take five steps to ensure their animals remain cool and safe.”
The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry provided the following tips:
1) Provide unlimited cool, clean, fresh water.
Just like people, animals can quickly get parched in hot temperatures. No matter the species, animals should have access to unlimited cool, clean, fresh water to prevent dehydration. Also, if out in public, bring some hydration options for your animal and avoid using shared/communal water bowls.
2) An animal’s ability to tolerate heat varies.
An animal’s age, breed, type of coat, and health history can all affect its ability to tolerate the heat. To help them stay comfortable, ensure they can access shade, fans, misters, pools, cooling mats, and air-conditioned spaces. Watch your pet for signs of heat stress, such as increased panting, drooling, or lethargy. If these signs are present, move it to a cooler area immediately. Consider talking to your veterinarian for specific guidance on handling your animals in hot weather.
3) Test surfaces to make sure they won’t burn paws.
Surfaces like asphalt, concrete, and sand can heat up in the sun, burning paws or making a walk uncomfortable. To test if a surface is too hot, touch it with the palm of your hand. If it is too hot for you, consider taking a different route, mostly grass, or waiting until the evening when everything has had a chance to cool.
4) Avoid harmful algal blooms (HABs) in bodies of water.
HABs form due to the rapid growth of cyanobacteria, also called blue-green algae, naturally found in lakes, rivers, and ponds. To prevent illness in animals, keep them out of areas with scum or discolored water, rinse them off after contact with any lake water, and bring clean, fresh water for them to drink. Call your veterinarian immediately if an animal becomes sick after contact with a suspected HAB. Animal illness due to HABs is reportable to the DACF. To report cases, submit a Reportable Disease Form. In addition, to report a potential algal bloom, send an email to [email protected].
5) Parked vehicles are not places to park pets (or kids)
Even when temperatures feel more moderate, vehicles can heat up quickly, creating dangerous conditions for the animals left inside. Leaving windows cracked open and parking in the shade does little to improve the situation. In these conditions, it is best to leave pets at home when you need to go out and about.
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