Two dogs fall victim to heat, illness at shelter

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Duluth News Tribune

By Mark Stodghill

The recent heat wave may have played a role in the death of one of two dogs that died last week at the Duluth Animal Shelter.

An adult mixed-breed coon hound was euthanized Friday after suffering from an intestinal blockage and an adult Labrador mix died Thursday of what may have been heat stroke, said Duluth Deputy Police Chief Tim Hanson, after conferring with veterinarians.

Dr. Roger Pitts, a Duluth veterinarian, complimented the animal shelter staff and volunteers for the work they do there, but it wasn't enough to save the two dogs.

Pitts said he received a call Thursday from the animal shelter regarding a sick Labrador that showed symptoms of what could have been a virus or heat stroke. The dog's temperature was 106 degrees.

Pitts suggested using water to cool the dog down slowly and also giving it some fluids. If the dog could hold the fluids down, antibiotics could be started.

"But it was like within an hour the dog died in one of the volunteers' arms while they were cooling it down; that sounded to me like it was heat stroke," Pitts said.

Hanson said another veterinarian examined, treated and euthanized the coon hound but could not attribute its condition to the heat.

"The dog died from the effects of intestinal blockage," Hanson said. "(The vet) said heat is not normally a contributor to that kind of condition."

The animals that are kept at the shelter are stray or abandoned and picked up by the Duluth police animal control program or they are part of the Animal Allies adoption program, as these two dogs were, Hanson said.

"People who work there are trying to keep the dogs cool in a losing situation," said Melanie Grune, who walks dogs as a volunteer for Animal Allies. "They brought in a portable air conditioner and set up fans. They're trying their hardest to keep the animals cool."

The Duluth Animal Shelter shares a building with the Animal Allies adoption program at 2627 Courtland St. in West Duluth. The office area is air conditioned, but that cool air doesn't reach much of the kennel.

Kelly Higbee, an animal shelter technician, said the shelter would welcome the public donating fans, extension cords and kiddie pools for the animals to use.

The shelter is caring for 32 dogs and about 70 cats.

"We're doing all that we can to keep them cool," Higbee said.