First Alert: How To Recognize And Address Early Signs Of Heatstroke In Your Dog

Posted on: 15 July 2016

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While you and your family may enjoy summer's revelry in the great outdoors, those dog days of summer are not dog's best friend. Heat stroke, which is also known as hyperthermia, is an emergency situation that will claim the life of your dog if timely treatment is not implemented. Be proactive by learning how to recognize the early signs of heatstroke and what you can do to save your dog's life when the mercury rises.

Your Dog's Temperature

The normal body temperature for a dog ranges between 100 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dog cannot sweat to regulate his body temperature, which means that when the environmental temperature soars, your dog's body temperature elevates as well. Dogs will pant, and their bodies will release some heat through the paw pads in attempts to cool down, but these responses in not effective in extreme heat. As your dog fails to cool himself down, dehydration and heat stroke occur. Organs begin to shut down, and death will result if emergency treatment is not administered at the first signs of trouble.

See the Signs

When spending time outdoors with your dog on those hazy, hot and humid days of summer, be sure to monitor his activities and be alert for early warning signs of heat stroke. These signs include the following:

  • Excessive and heavy panting
  • Bright red color to the gums
  • Drooling
  • Appearance of being disoriented or dizzy
  • Body temperature above 104 degrees Fahrenheit when checked with a rectal thermometer

If you observe any of these signs in your dog, it is imperative to act quickly to reduce his body temperature before the problem escalates further and he loses consciousness.

How You Can Help

If your dog is exhibiting the early signs of heatstroke, relocate him indoors at once, preferably to a bathroom. Place your dog into the tub or stall, plug the drain and run a shower of cool water over his entire body, especially on the back of his head. Do not use cold water. If your dog is too weak to sit or stand in the tub, be sure to prevent water from entering his nose or mouth, which can result in aspiration pneumonia. Holding an ice pack in place on his head will also be helpful in reducing his body temperature. A bag of peas from your freezer is a perfect alternative to an ice pack. Once your dog starts to recover from the heavy panting, offer him as much cold water to drink as he wants. Never attempt to force feed water to an unconscious animal. During this entire cooling down process, take your dog's temperature every five minutes until the thermometer registers less than 103 degrees Fahrenheit. If your dog starts to exhibit pale gums or loses consciousness, bring your dog immediately to the nearest veterinarian or veterinary emergency center. Take the ice pack along to keep on your dog's head, and blast the air conditioning in your car.

Let the Vet Take Over

Once you have successfully brought your dog's temperature down from dangerous heights, bring him to a veterinary hospital for an examination to confirm that no internal damage was sustained. Your veterinarian may also administer fluid therapy to restore hydration. While en route to the veterinary hospital, run the air conditioner in your vehicle. Heat stroke can wreak havoc on your dog's body, so it is essential to have your dog seen by a veterinarian right away, even if your dog appears to be fully recovered.

Prevention Begins At Home

There are things that you can do to help prevent heat stroke from striking your furry friend. First, know whether your dog is particularly susceptible to heat stroke. Heat stroke can occur in any dog, and precautions should always be taken. Be especially mindful of your dog's heat exposure if he belongs to one of the following groups:

  • Brachycephalic breeds, or dogs with pushed in faces, such as bulldogs, pugs, shih tzus, Pekingese and boxers
  • Active breeds, such as Labrador retrievers, Weimaraners, English springer spaniels, golden retrievers, border collies and Jack Russell terriers
  • Cold climate breeds with thick, heavy coats, such as Bernese Mountain dogs, chow chows, Great Pyrenees and Newfoundlands
  • Obese dogs
  • Puppies and seniors
  • Dogs with histories of heart disease or respiratory problems

There have been too many tragic news reports of dogs succumbing to heat stroke when left in hot cars while their owners were shopping or dining. Never leave your dog alone for any length of time in your car. Cracking the windows open has little effect in combating the extreme heat that builds within the confines of those glass windows. Other tips to prevent heat stroke include the following:

  • Always provide your dog with plenty of fresh, cool drinking water to prevent dehydration.
  • Make sure that your dog has a cool or shady place to retreat when outdoors.
  • Do not allow your dog to run and play outdoors on a hot day without supervision.
  • Provide your dog with a kiddie pool filled with cool water to splash around in.
  • Keep your dog indoors during the hottest period of the day.
  • Consider taking your longhaired dog to the groomer for a summer trim.

Remember that sprinklers are not just for kids to play in, and fans and air conditioners are not just human comforts. Providing these cooling devices for your dog will help to keep the entire family comfortable and safe during the scorching days that Mother Nature throws your way. To learn more, contact an animal clinic like Animal Emergency Clinic