101 birds, animals affected by heat

Mumbai: Nearly 101 cases of animals affected by heat, including dogs, cats and birds, have been recorded by the Bombay Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (BSPCA) in April alone. Further, nearly 525 such animals and birds have been admitted so far this year. The BSPCA has maintained that while the number of such cases in January and February this year was similar to the corresponding period for the past three years, there was a spike in March as compared to the last three years.

According to BSPCA, around 50 dehydrated birds were brought to the hospital in April alone. Also, of the total 525 cases reported this year, the major ones were of birds. Lt Col Dr J.C. Khanna, chief executive officer-in-charge, BSPCA, said, “Birds are more prone to heat wave conditions. This year, March recorded temperatures as high as 41 degree Centigrade, which is why the number of such cases rose that month. Most cases were those of pigeons.”

“The city has become a concrete jungle and birds cannot find a suitable place to rest. So, they keep flying mostly and lose more glucose in the process, which is why there are more cases of dehydration among birds. In case of dogs and cats, vomiting, diarrhoea and fever are common during the summer,” said Dr Khanna.

BSPCA said that most of the affected dogs and cats were pets. According to Dr Khanna, as a precautionary measure, pets should be walked early morning and after six in the evening during the summer. “Stray animals are always on the roads or in parks. Pets undergo sudden temperature changes when they come out after being in air-conditioned rooms. Hence, it is advisable to take them out in the evening. It is also important to give them food more frequently in smaller quantities so that food stored for longer durations does not make them ill,” said Dr Khanna.