27/11/2024
With hot weather ahead we see an increase in pets presenting to our emergency centres with heat stress. Heat stress is a sustained increase in body temperature that overwhelms the normal cooling mechanism. It is more common in dogs and guinea pigs.
The earliest sign of heat stress is increased panting that will not stop during or after exercise.
Top tips to avoid heat stress:
- avoid exercise in the heat of the day
- make sure your pet has access to plenty of water
- always provide shelter from the direct sun
- actively cool your pet after exercise by thoroughly wetting the coat with cool water on hot days.
Heat stress can be fatal, particularly in older, large breed dogs, or brachycephalic breeds such as French Bulldogs and Pugs.
If you suspect your dog has heat stress, immediately hose them so they are wet to the skin and place a fan on them in a cool spot. If this does not rapidly calm them down, seek emergency veterinary treatment as soon as possible. Our number at Kensington is 9092 0400 - our vets and nurses are available to help.
