Area temperatures to hover near century mark

With temperatures hovering at or near the 100-degree mark for the first part of the week, Churchill County residents will see a return to hotter weather for the weekend.

Fallon began the week on Sunday by setting a record at 106 degrees. According to the National Weather Service office in Reno, highs in the valley will gradually increase. Thursday is expected to have highs in the upper 90s, but the triple-digit temperatures return with 102 degrees on Friday, 104 on Saturday and 101 on Sunday.

Not only are residents advised to stay cool during those hot days, but are also being advised to take care of their pets. Although the July temperatures are near or at normal, city and county officials still encourage residents to hydrate and not to leave their pets in a vehicle.

Earlier last week, a person left nine dogs in an enclosed car in Las Vegas, and two puppies died. Nevada Revised Statue 202.487 addresses pets left unattended in a vehicle:  “A person shall not allow a pet to remain unattended in a parked or standing motor vehicle if conditions, including, without limitation, extreme heat or cold, present a significant  risk to the health and safety of the pet.”

Although it’s not a problem in Churchill County, both the city and county periodically receive reports during the summer of unattended pets left in vehicles. The Humane Society of the United States has guidelines for residents who have pets and taken them for a ride.

• Never leave your pets in a parked car: On an 85-degree day, for example, the temperature inside a car with the windows open slightly can reach 102 degrees within 10 minutes. After 30 minutes, the temperature will reach 120 degrees.

A dog’s temperatures should not reach over 104 degrees. If your dog's temperature does, treat for heat stroke.

• Limit exercise on hot days. Take care when exercising your pet. Adjust intensity and duration of exercise in accordance with the temperature. On very hot days, limit exercise to early morning or evening hours, and be especially careful with pets with white-colored ears, who are more susceptible to skin cancer, and short-nosed pets, who typically have difficulty breathing.

Asphalt gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws, so walk your dog on the grass if possible. Always carry water with you to keep your dog from dehydrating.

• Don't rely on a fan: Fans don't cool off pets as effectively as they do people.

• Provide ample shade and water. Any time your pet is outside, make sure they have protection from heat and sun and plenty of fresh, cold water. In heat waves, add ice to water when possible

• Cool your pet inside and out: Always provide water, whether your pets are inside or out with you. Keep your pet from overheating indoors or out with a cooling body wrap, vest or mat.

• Watch for signs of heatstroke. Some signs of heatstroke are heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid heartbeat, difficulty breathing, excessive thirst, lethargy, fever, dizziness, lack of coordination, profuse salivation, vomiting, a deep red or purple tongue, seizure and unconsciousness.

Animals are at particular risk for heat stroke if they are very old, very young, overweight, not conditioned to prolonged exercise, or have heart or respiratory disease.

Fallon Animal Control officers have responded to 15 Animal welfare checks, where dogs were left in hot cars since May 1.

• How to treat a pet suffering from heatstroke. Move your pet into the shade or an air-conditioned area. Apply ice packs or cold towels to their head, neck and chest or run cool (not cold) water over them. Let them drink small amounts of cool water or lick ice cubes. Take them directly to a veterinarian.

• Prepare for power outages. Before a summer storm takes out the power in your home, create a disaster plan to keep your pets safe from heat stroke and other temperature-related trouble.