11/06/2023
**heat warning**
if your dog is showing signs of heatstroke remember these 3 key words
WET THEN VET
Right now dogs are especially at risk of heatstroke. We have just gone from some very mild weather into very hot weather. It takes about 14 days for dogs to adjust which means that days like today are a massive risk.
Very fluffy, elderly and short nosed dogs are at particular risk (frenchies, English bulldogs, pugs etc).
If your dog displays the following signs in the heat, it could be an emergency:
- Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
- Excessively drooling
-The dog appears lethargic, - drowsy or uncoordinated
Collapsed or vomiting
If your dog is showing these signs we need you to
Heat stroke is a time critical emergency, where minute counts.
As quickly as possible get the dog wet. Ideally with cool water (15c is ideally) but ANY water that is not hotter than the dog will be better than nothing. If all you've got on you is soft drinks, throw that on the dog (check no xylitol first, and avoid the head), getting them wet will encourage cooling via evaporation. Do this before you bring them but do not spend long doing it.
Next, call the vet and let them know what is happening and how long you will be, this enables (if there are not multiple other emergencies) the team to prep for your dog's arrival to give them the best chance.
DO NOT PUT WET TOWELS ON THEM - these trap the heat in, but cooling vests that work by evaporation are okay.
If they are not struggling to breathe you can offer small amounts of cool water but do not let them chug loads otherwise they may vomit.
To try to avoid heatstroke happening in the first place
1- try to avoid taking them out in the heat at all if possible
2- provide shade for them
3- cooling coats/ bandanas and vests can be useful but they must be kept wet/ damp as it is evaporation that they work off (aquamat sell chiller coats that stay cool for quite a while, other brands are available but not all are equal).
4- if no cooling coat is available consider getting them wet with a paddling pool or garden hose (paddling pool time should be supervised).
5- offer plenty of water, if your dog is bad at drinking consider using water additives such as orolade, doggyrade or freshk9 which all contain electrolytes which can help maintain hydration similar to lucozade in people [be aware for dogs with food allergies they all contain meat flavourings], bottles of orolade are available over the counter from the clinic if wanted.
6- add ice cubes to water if wanted, contrary to the popular myth, ice cubes in water are not harmful to dogs!
7- consider freezing some wet food to let them lick.
8- never leave dogs in cars in this weather, opening windows and parking in shade will not stop them getting heatstroke when it is this hot.
But again, if they are showing signs of heatstroke, it's always WET THEN VET
Picture of staff dogs posing in their cooling coats.
