06/21/2024
HEAT
Wow is it HOT!
Heat not only affects humans adversely, it also affects our pups. Some breeds, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are more tolerant of heat than Siberian Huskies because they originated in Africa and not Alaska. There are lots of ways we can keep our dogs safe in extreme heat, just like we keep ourselves safe. Here are a few tips for you to do just that.
Shade | even resting under a large tree in the grass allows your dog to cool off. Make sure they have shade if they are outside during the hottest hours of the day (generally 10AM - 6PM). If possible, bring them inside an air conditioned space during these times.
Water | make sure it’s kept cool, but not cold, and there is a lot of it. You can also pour water on your dog to help cool them.
Exercise before 8AM | The hottest part of the day is around 2PM; and after the sun has risen the heat starts accumulating. Even if the day is cloudy, heat still accumulates over time. Hardscape surfaces, like sidewalks, driveways, roadways will hold the heat longer than natural surfaces. Walking your pup in a park with lots of natural trails and grass would be better too.
Paw protection | Dogs sweat, but they sweat a bit differently than humans. Dogs have two types of sweat glands: merocrine glands, which are similar to human sweat glands, and apocrine glands. Merocrine glands are located in dogs' paw pads. Sweating through their paws helps dogs cool down. So, if you are walking on a sidewalk or other hardscape surface make sure it’s not too hot for the paws. RULE OF THUMB – If you cannot lay your hand on a surface for more than 7 seconds because it’s too hot for you then it is also too hot for your dog.
Never leave your dog in a parked car, even with the windows down. On an 80-degree day, the temperature inside a parked car can reach 100 degrees in 10 minutes. On a 90-degree day, it can reach 110 degrees in 10 minutes—and 130 degrees in 30 minutes. This can be fatal.
Heat Exhaustion / Stress | Dogs do experience heat stress, exhaustion or even heat stroke just like humans. Because dogs primarily pant rather than sweat, they are much more sensitive to heat than humans are. Reference: https://www.noahsarkvet.com/11-symptoms-of-heat-exhaustion-in-dogs
How to detect heat exhaustion.
1. Excessive panting or difficulty breathing. If your dog is panting constantly or faster than normal (hyperventilation), they could be overheated. Dogs with flat faces like pugs are more susceptible to heat exhaustion because they cannot pant as efficiently.
2. Dehydration. Signs of dehydration include dry nose, visible tiredness, excessive panting, and sunken eyes.
3. Excessive drooling. Keep an eye out for lots of drool, or drool that is thicker and stickier than usual.
4. Fever. If your dog’s nose is dry and hot instead of wet and cool, they could have a fever. A body temperature above 103°F is considered abnormal.
5. Bright red, gray, purple, or bluish gums. If your dog’s gums are a different color than normal, they could be dehydrated.
6. Lack of urine. If your pet has trouble producing urine, they could be dehydrated or overheated.
7. Rapid pulse. The easiest way to take your dog’s pulse is to place your hand on their chest near their front elbow joint. If their pulse seems elevated, they could be overheated. (Normal pulse rate depends on the size of your dog—bigger dogs tend to have slower pulses, while small dogs and puppies have very quick pulses.)
8. Muscle tremors. If your dog is shivering or shaking regardless of outside temperature, it may be caused by heat exhaustion.
9. Lethargy or weakness. Overheating can cause dogs to nap more than normal or having trouble standing up or walking.
10. Vomiting or diarrhea. Abnormally soft stool, or stool with blood in it, is a big warning sign for heat exhaustion.
11. Dizziness. If your dog seems to have trouble walking in a straight line or keeps bumping into furniture, they might be lightheaded from dehydration or heat exhaustion.
How to treat Heat Exhaustion
1. Take your dog to a cooler area (preferably indoors) immediately.
2. Lower their body temperature by wetting them thoroughly with cool water. Do not use cold water! It seems counterintuitive, but cooling too quickly can actually be just as dangerous as heat exhaustion. For very small dogs or puppies, use lukewarm water instead of cool.
3. Apply more cool water around their ears and paws. This helps reduce fever.
4. Put them in front of a fan to dry off. If you have a pet thermometer handy, check their temperature every few minutes (note: don’t use a glass thermometer that your dog might bite and break). Once their temperature drops to 103 degrees (F), remove the fan and stop applying water.
5. As they continue to cool down, provide them with small amounts of lukewarm or cool water to drink. Again, not cold water, and no ice!
6. Call your veterinarian as soon as possible. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, they may need to be monitored for shock, dehydration, kidney failure, and other possible complications of heat exhaustion. Your vet will be able to advise you about next steps.
If your dog loses consciousness or seems severely ill (vomiting, seizing, etc.) get to a veterinary hospital immediately.
Reference: https://www.noahsarkvet.com/11-symptoms-of-heat-exhaustion-in-dogs
Have fun with your pups this summer, but also keeping them safe from the heat will make it even more fun.
Stay tuned for July 4th tips coming next week.
