13/06/2023
HEATSTROKE is DEADLY IN DOGS! - Recognise, Treat & Prevent it!
It occurs when a dog gets so dangerously overheated, it fails to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don’t sweat all over their skin like we do. They lower their temperature primarily through panting. If a dog cannot cool itself efficiently, it may suffer Heatstroke. A dog’s normal temperature is 38C-39.2 (100.5-102.5F). At 41.1C (106F) and above, physiological changes start to take place, resulting in irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain. :(
SYMPTOMS: Heavy panting and possibly dog will hyperventilate. Bright red tongue, drooling, pale, grayish sticky gums, rapid or erratic pulse. Dog becomes weak, confused and inattentive. It may circle, vomit and pass bloody diarrhoea. If it continues to overheat, breathing slows or stops and finally seizures or coma occur. The amount of damage a dog sustains will depend on the severity and duration of the Heatstroke episode. The longer and more severe, the worse the damage will be. :(
RECOGNISE THE SYMPTOMS AND RESPOND URGENTLY!
Get the dog into the shade at once. Apply copious cool water to the inner thighs and stomach, where there are many relatively superficial large blood vessels. Soak the pads of the feet too. The best method is to use a shower or hose. Try to keep the dog moving – encourage it to stand or walk slowly as it cools. Circulating blood can pool in certain areas if the dog is lying down, preventing cooled blood from circulating back to the dog’s core. Allow the dog to drink SMALL amounts of COOL water. Rapid drinking may cause vomiting or bloat. Cooling is the first priority, hydration is next. Don’t allow the dog to gulp water.
DO NOT SUBMERGE THE DOG in a pool or tub as this cools the dog too rapidly, and could cause heart attack or bloat. If necessary, stand the dog in a pond or pool, IN THE SHADE, up to its elbows, then cool its back, head and ears by pouring water over it from a suitable container.
DO NOT USE ICE OR ICED WATER – it SLOWS the cooling process, causing blood vessels to constrict. Cooling too quickly can cause the dog to suffer from hypothermia.
DO NOT PUT A TOWEL OR COVER ON THE DOG – it creates a sauna effect. The water must be able to evaporate.
DO NOT PUT THE DOG IN A KENNEL OR CRATE – it will restrict the airflow.
DO NOT GIVE HUMAN PERFORMANCE DRINKS – if the dog won’t drink water, try offering a thin chicken or beef broth.
If you are stuck away from home and your car has air conditioning, turn it on full and sit with the WET dog inside it, providing the car is shaded and not hot.
It is essential the dog sees the vet as soon as possible, once his temperature begins to drop. The vet will check if there is any damage to the kidneys and liver, and give advice for follow-up care.
The effects of Heatstroke can continue for 2-3 days or more, even if the dog appears to be back to normal. The most common cause of death following Heatstroke is from blood coagulating throughout the body. It can occur hours or even days after the episode. :(
PREVENTION IS THE BEST MEDICINE
Walk you dog in the early morning or late evening in summer – not during peak temperatures of daytime. If you cannot do this, don’t walk your dog. He does not need to be walked every day. If you park in the sun, before putting your dog in a car, open all the doors to allow the car to cool. If you keep a crate in the car, make sure it isn’t hot to touch, and so prevent the dog burning its nose. Keep minimal bedding in a car crate when it is hot. Dogs should have access to fresh water whilst travelling. :)
DO NOT leave your dog in a car when it’s sunny – even for a short period of time. It can become like an oven in no time and dogs simply bake to death in their owner’s car. If in doubt, leave your dog at home. :)
IF YOU GET STUCK IN A MOTORWAY TRAFFIC JAM and your dog is in the rear of the car with the sun shining through the rear windscreen, pull on to the hard shoulder and get the dog into the shade of the passenger compartment, unless you have fully-functioning air conditioning. :)
DO NOT play ball and fast games when it’s hot, or let children play with the dog in the heat. If you are wearing shorts and t-shirt to keep cool that is sensible but your dog can’t take his coat off!
DO NOT walk your dog on hot pavements/roads – hot tarmac burns their feet. If you can’t hold the palm of your hand on it comfortably for 20 seconds, it will burn your dog’s feet! ☹
You have my permission to copy this, and to download it - I keep a copy of it in my car, and if I see a dog left in a car, with the windows only a tad open, I put it through the window! If it's in supermarket car park, I take the reg no, go to Customer Service and get them to put out a call for the owner! xx
