Post-monsoon heat leaves Mumbai's animals distressed, vet hospitals see rise in cases in October

The heat after the monsoon is now visibly affecting animals in the city. At the Bai Sakarbai Dinshaw Petit (BSDP) Hospital for Animals in Parel, 25 dogs, 10 cats, 38 kites, 47 pigeons and 15 crows were brought in this month alone because of the high temperatures. Only one death was recorded among them.

According to Dr Mayur Dangar, managing doctor of the BSDP hospital, 20 to 30 per cent of all cases at the hospital this month were heat-related. "Such cases always come in summer and in October, but the temperature is higher this year, so an increase is visible," he said. "Dogs and cats in the city that had drunk contaminated water were also brought in with jaundice."

Private veterinarians also report a spike in cases, particularly in October. Senior veterinarian Dr Shailesh Pethe said, "There has been an increase of about 25 per cent in patients brought in because of heat stress, and the first week of October was especially bad."

Dr Pethe explained that non-native breeds of dogs with thick fur can be affected more. "Heat takes a toll on health even when they are taken out for walks," he said. "Dogs also drink less water, and heat can cause dehydration and kidney problems. If pet owners pay attention in time, these problems can be dealt with."

Doctors say the heat affects animals big and small. Hitesh Swali, a veterinary doctor in Andheri, said, "Many animals living in slums are distressed. Animals that always live in air-conditioned rooms are developing joint pain. Animals are also being brought in with watering eyes because of pollution."

Private doctors said their clinics usually saw fewer patients from October to December, but the situation has changed in the last few years. Dr Deepa Katyal Engineer, a veterinary doctor and pain specialist in Chembur, said, "The effect of heat is not always direct. Parasites and cultures multiply faster at higher temperatures, so we are seeing many cases of infection."

She added, "People take dogs to pools instead of walks, and they pick up ear and skin infections there. In air-conditioned homes, animals drink less water, which leads to constipation, urinary tract infections and mobility problems. Animals may not get heatstroke directly, but the effect of the heat persists."

Dr Mini Aravindan, senior director of veterinary services at PETA India, said that in the summer months PETA India handles at least one serious heatstroke case every day, and more during heat waves. "Air pollution is now also seriously affecting animals and adding to our emergency cases," she said. "Bad air can cause irritation of the eyes, nose and throat, coughing, nausea, wheezing and difficulty breathing."

According to Dr Swali and Dr Pethe, they are receiving five to seven suspected heat-related illness cases every day. Dr Pethe said one or two of these are usually linked to heatstroke, whereas such cases would normally number three to five. A private veterinary doctor said, "I usually see about 50 pets a day, but with the rise in temperature the number has gone up to about 70."