Heat Stroke and Your Dog
Yes, dogs can get heat stroke too.
We all suffer in the heat of the summer including our dogs. The main thing you want to avoid with your dog is heatstroke. Heatstroke, heat exhaustion or hyperthermia, is when the body overheats thus certain organs can shut down and death can occur. Heatstroke mainly occurs when dogs are locked in cars during the summer, kept in small unventilated areas and it can occur in outside dogs as well.
Dogs do not have sweat glands. They keep themselves cool by panting and sweat via the pads on their feet and their nose. They also keep cool by licking their paws.
It is very important to keep your dog hydrated, providing plenty of fresh drinking water daily. If you are exercising your dog outside in the heat of the summer bring a frozen bottle of water with you and give him small amounts at a time as it melts, this will help cool him off. Limit your time outside. It isn’t wise to play a 30 minute game of Frisbee or fetch in the heat of the summer like you would in the cooler months.
Your dogs’ normal body temperature is between 101 and 102 degrees. If your dog has heatstroke his temperature will go up to 105 degrees and higher. This is a dangerous body temperature for your dog as the cells in his body will start to die causing his body to shut down.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEATSTROKE
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Dark red gums, vigorously panting, dry or tacky mucus membranes (gums), thick saliva, lying down and no will to get up, collapsing, loss of consciousness, disorientation and appears dizzy and increased rectal temperature.
IF YOU SUSPECT HEATSTROKE
- Immediately remove your dog to a cooler place out of the sun
- Cool your dog down. Place cool wet towels on their foot pads and on the back of their neck. CAUTION: DO NOT USE ICE COLD WATER; the cooling down process needs to be slow. If your dog is cooled down too quickly (hypothermia), his blood vessels can constrict, restricting blood flow thus causing his core temperature to rise even more.
- When your dog’s rectal temperature is at 103 degrees, you can stop the cooling down process
- Offer your dog cool water NOT ice cold water. Don’t force him to drink or pour it in his mouth.
- Take your dog to the veterinarian immediately
PREVENTING HEAT STROKE
- NEVER leave your dog in a locked hot car during the heat of the summer
- Make sure he has plenty of fresh water every day
- Limit outdoor activity
- Stay out of direct sunlight, always make sure your outside dog has shade
Brachycephalic breeds (short nose breeds like Pugs and Pekinese and bulldogs), obese and older dogs tend to be more susceptible to heatstroke.
All breeds of dogs can get heatstroke. Just remember, if it’s hot for you when you go outside, it’s twice as hot for your dog.
REMEMBER: If you have to travel with your dog in the car during the hot summer months, please make sure you have your air conditioning on. If you don’t have air conditioning, make sure your windows are roll down (not all of the way to prevent your dog from jumping out of a moving car). Never leave your dog in a car with the windows rolled up. Limit the time your dog is in the car with you. Just take him to the veterinarian and back if you have to take him with you.
Indoor dogs must have some type of air conditioning as well or a fan that is blowing for them to be able to cool off. If you don’t have either, please open your house windows so your dog can receive fresh air.