Summer is on its way and its almost time for some fun in the sun! However, this also means you need to watch out for your dogs for heatstroke – for some breeds its more likely than others. The bottom line is rather safe than sorry. Think before you take your pet out into the sweltering hot sun. And always provide shade and water for your pet when you are away because your pet is more at risk of developing heat stroke than you are.
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or an increased body temperature. This is when dogs are too hot and are unable to reduce their body temperature by panting. As people, we regulate our body temperature by sweating, but dogs only have a small amount of sweat glands in their foot pads. This is why they pant. Heatstroke can be fatal, so it is essential that all dog owners know how to avoid/treat it.
What can cause heatstroke?
- Leaving a dog in the car, even for a few minutes, can be fatal
- You should never exercising your pet on hot days or at lunch time
- Purebred breeds are more likely to suffer than cross breeds
- Brachycephalic or flat faced breeds are extremely susceptible. They often struggle to breath normally on a daily basis, so you can imagine how much more they can struggle on hot days
- Large breeds are more susceptible than small breeds
- Older animals are more susceptible than younger more energetic animals
- Dogs with thick double coats such as golden retrievers, huskies, etc. have an increased risk
- Dogs with underlying health conditions such as heart disease are less able to regulate their body temperatures
- Similarly, dogs with hyperthermia due to disease (fever) are more at risk
What are the symptoms of heatstroke
Earliest symptoms of heatstroke are subtle and include:
- Excessive panting
- Being restless or distressed, with a glazed look in its eyes
- Rapid noisy breathing, barking or whining
- Excessive thirst and drooling
- An increased heart rate
- The above can progress to incoordination and dizziness
- Gums that turn dark blue or red, and a longer than normal tongue
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Collapse, and a seizure or fit
Note that not all of the above symptoms will occur in every dog. But if you suspect heatstroke at all, seek immediate medical attention from a vet.
What to do if you suspect your dog has heat stroke
If your dog is showing these symptoms, take then to the vet immediately! If there is any delay in the ability to access the vet, put them in the shade where possible, increase the ventilation for them (perhaps using a fan) and apply cool water and a cool towel. Do NOT apply ice. This causes the blood vessels to constrict and takes longer for the dog to cool down. Seek medical treatment immediately. Keep reapplying the cool towel to your dog and ensure they have water nearby (without forcing them to drink it).
The outcome of a dog with heat stroke depends on:
- How high your dog’s body temperature was raised,
- how long this high body temperature persisted for and the physical condition your dog was in, before the incident occurred.
- In severe cases, pets may develop permanent organ damage and may die from such complications, which sometimes only reveal themselves at a later stage.
- In mild cases of heat stroke, where the body temperature wasn’t too high for very long, many pets will recover if treated immediately.
- Pets that have previously suffered from heat stroke are always at greater risk of developing it again. And extreme care must be taken in these situations.
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