24/01/2019
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=10157029467324630&id=801544629¬if_id=1548318571568314¬if_t=notify_me&ref=notif
HEAT STROKE IN DOGS - Dead in Minutes
Even very fit, athletic dogs can suffer heat-related illnesses during the sizzling days of summer, and with the heat wave just about to hit Melbourne in the next few days, this is a timely reminder for you.
Dogs have a higher body temperature than people and they don't cool down as efficiently as we do. Your canine buddy is designed more for insulation from the cold than for cooling down.
You have sweat glands all over your body, but your dog's sweat glands are confined to his nose and the pads of his feet. A dog that is heating up can only normalize his body temperature through panting, which just doesn't get the job done under extreme conditions.
In a very short period of time, an overheated dog can suffer critical damage to their brain, heart, liver and nervous system.
Dogs at Higher Risk
If your dog is one of the following, you'll need to be extra vigilant about keeping him or her safe from heat-related illness:
Dogs with flat faces and short noses, also known as brachycephalic, like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekinese, Boxers, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus – these breeds don't pant as efficiently as breeds with longer noses
Older dogs
Puppies
Sick dogs and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease
Any healthy dog left outside in hot weather
Dogs that are over-exercised or are allowed to overexert themselves in the heat.
Overweight dogs
Here are some common sense strategies to protect your dog during a heat wave:
Keep him inside during the hottest part of the day if possible
Scale back vigorous outdoor exercise and remember the temperature on concrete foot paths and roads. Only a 25 degree day can make path and road surface temperatures 52 degrees. It will burn your dogs feet! My own rule is - if I can't walk barefoot on it, neither can my dog.
Never leave your dog in a parked car on a hot day, not even for a minute
Always provide clean water and shade for your dog
Shell pools in the shade are good if your dog likes water and they have to be left outside
The following poster is a quick reference for Heat Stroke in dogs. Please feel free to share.
And don't forget if your dog has had recent surgery and is shaved, they are very susceptible to sun burn!
Take care everyone!
