SUMMER HEAT CAN BE DEADLY FOR PEOPLE AND PETS

It's time again for the summer solstice. Saturday was the first day of summer and with it comes summer heat.

Summer heat can be dangerous, and in a normal year 175 Americans die from overexposure to heat.

People and animals lose water through the skin and glands. When the body heats up, the heart pumps more blood and the blood vessels dilate to accommodate the increased flow, which is circulated closer to the skin's surface.

Normally, excess heat evaporates off the skin's surface, but heat disorders occur when the body can't shed the excess heat. This can lead to heat in people and animals.

Linda Brown, emergency room nurse at St. Francis Medical Center, said many people feel sick before getting heat stroke.

"People may have heat exhaustion before heat stroke actually sets in," she said. "We don't normally see those with heat exhaustion in the emergency room."

Brown said there are symptoms of heat exhaustion that should be treated to prevent heat stroke from overcoming the body.

"A person may feel lightheaded," she said. "They will feel thirsty."

Those who have these symptoms should get into a cool place, drink plenty of fluids (plain water preferred), and remove excess clothing to avoid more serious complications.

Brown said those who work outdoors or do summer activities should never drink caffeine for thirst.

"Caffeine dehydrates the body more and acts as a diuretic," she said. "You should avoid products that contain caffeine and just drink cool water."

Brown said those that end up in the emergency room experience the symptoms of heat stroke.

Those who have ignored their thirst or just forget to drink, and those who have worked outdoors too long are candidates for emergency care.

"They are very hot to touch and emotionally responsive or tearful and confused," she said. "They may have blurred vision and become convulsive."

Brown said the severity of heat stroke depends on the general overall health of the patient.

"The very young and the elderly are especially prone to heat stroke."

Those who are experiencing symptoms of heat stroke should be taken to emergency care.

Prevention is the defense against heat stroke.

"Being aware of your overall state of health and know your limitations," said Brown. "Prevention is a whole lot easier than treating symptoms of heat stroke."

In high temperatures and humidity, furry friends can also get heat stroke.

"If an animal is breathing really hard and is warm to the touch they may have a strong possibility of being a victim of heat stroke," said Cape Girardeau veterinarian John Koch.

Emergency measures may be used immediately on animals.

Koch said an animal can be placed in a tub of cool water or hosed off with cool water to bring its body temperature down.

"Keep the animal submerged, except for its head, and add ice until it shivers," he said. "Then take them out and towel them off."

Koch said family pets, mainly dogs, are overcome with heat stroke following their masters while jogging or biking.

Short-nosed dogs are more likely to get heat stroke.

"Short-nosed breeds, such as English bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers, do not have the ability to stand heat at all," said Koch. "They have a limited ability to transfer heat from the body to the outside."

He said this breed of dog cannot pant as well as other breeds. Panting is a mechanism dogs and other animals use for releasing heat.

Koch warned that black dogs become victims of heat stroke frequently because they absorb more heat.

Never leave a dog in the car.

"It is the kiss of death for anyone who is left in a car," said Koch. "In 10 minutes the temperature in a car, on a sunny day, can reach over 180 degrees."

He said leaving the car window down a crack will not let all the heat in the car escape.

Koch said brain damage can occur when body temperatures reach an excess of 120 degrees.

Emergency care measures for heat stroke victims include:

-- Remove clothing and spray body with cool water to cool the body temperature down

-- Place cool water-soaked rags under armpits, back of neck, forehead and groin area.

-- Don't give anything by mouth until victim is seen by emergency care workers

Animal heat stroke prevention tips include:

-- Keep animal in the shade

-- Provide plenty of fresh cool water

-- Never leave animal or anyone in a parked car

-- Don't exercise pet in the heat of the day

-- Remember pets get sunburn, too

-- Know signs of heat stroke such as panting, hot skin, twitching muscles and a dazed look

-- Cool pets quickly if they become overheated