Heat Stroke Prevention Warning Signs and Treatment
Dogs can overheat due to exercise in warm weather and due to being confined in a hot environment with no way to get out of the heat or cool off. People do not realize dogs can also overheat in rather cool temperatures because of mental stress and anxiety.
Evaporative cooling is the most efficient means of cooling. We are able to sweat over our entire body, dogs can’t because of their hair. Panting is the primary means of evaporate cooling for dogs. High humidity quickly multiples the concerns of summer temperatures. Similar to us when the humidity is high dogs have difficulty keeping cool and are more prone to overheating and heat stroke. Overweight dogs and dogs that are physically fit have even a tougher time with weather extremes. Overheating can cause organ and heart failure, it can be fatal so knowing how to prevent and treat heatstroke could save your dogs life.
Preventing Heat Stroke
Knowing how your dog normally behaves in warm or humid weather is the first step to recognizing warning signs. Most dogs’ normal temperature is 101 to 102. It is not uncommon for dogs that are nervous or scared to have temperatures of 102.5. (Temperature can be taken rectally with a normal human thermometer.)
Preventing heat stroke is easier than treating a dog after it has overheated.
· Know your pets’ normal temperature
· Providing clean cool water to keep them hydrated
· Heat + Humidity can be Deadly very Quickly
· Exercising early morning / late evening
· Walking dogs on grass or dirt rather than cement
· Feed smaller meals
· Be aware of what is “Normal Behavior” for your dog
· Work in coolest part of day
· Make the dog rest frequently out of sun
· Know your vets’ policy on emergencies
· Know the location and phone number of the nearest 24 hour emergency clinic
Signs of Heat Stroke
Dogs can exhibit multiple signs of overheating. The first signs can be subtle continuing to get more serious as the condition worsens. Most agree that a temperature of 103 is high. A temp of 106 to 107 indicated the dog is in immediate danger.
· Tip of tongue changes shape
· becomes Wider to aid in cooling
· Scoop Shaped as dog becomes hotter
· Panting excessively - panting can turn loud and raspy
· Slower to respond to commands
· Squinting or Glazed eyes
· Weakness - most notice in rear legs first
· Wobbly, Lack of Coordination
· Disorientated
· Gums and /or tongue becoming bright red or blueish
· Vomiting
· Diarrhea
· Lethargy
· Loss of Consciousness
If caught early simply offering cool water to drink and cooling the dog off with cool running water on its stomach, legs and paws will help lower their temperature.
Putting a dog in a tub of water, allowing it to stay there is not as effective as running water over the dog or having the dog get in and out of water.
When a dog is immersed in a tub of water the water trapped in the hair will get warm acting as an insulator against the cooler water.
Just getting a hot dog wet is not the point.
You want the water to be cool - taking heat from the body away from the dog and allow the water to evaporate which aids in cooling.
Placing the dog in front of a fan or in air conditioning will help with evaporation.
Rubbing Alcohol on dog’s pads and inner thighs is another method of cooling.
CAUTION
If the dog is alert offer cool water but only allow a few laps of water at a time.
Swallowing lots of water and panting excessively could lead to the dog swallowing air which could result in the dog bloating.
Do not force your dog to drink which could result in water getting into its lungs.
Monitor the dog’s temperature every 3 minutes.
As soon as the dog’s temperature begins to drop monitor closely- stop cooling efforts once the temp gets to about 103 and breathing is normalized, continue monitoring.
Dry the dog off, keeping him in a quiet, cool environment. If you continue cooling you may cause the temperature to drop to low. Once the dog’s temp is normal and panting has slowed, the dog can be offered more water allowing it to rehydrate itself. Monitor the dog, allowing small drinks often.
Dogs don’t lose electrolytes thru exercise like we do, oral replacements are not effective. If the dog does exhibit heat stoke there are physiological changes that make intravenous fluids and electrolytes necessary.
Do Not confine a dog to a crate that has had recent exercise, even if they appear fine. This is especially true of wet, warm dogs. The crate will act as sauna. The cool skin and wet hair restricts the blood flow to the dog’s skin and forces the heat inward. - Again raising the dogs temperature.
A crate restricts air flow preventing evaporative cooling.
Contact your veterinarian if you are concerned about your dog.
RISK FACTORS
While All dogs are at a certain risk for overheating there are some breeds that have a higher risk.
· Brachycephalic breeds (those with short noses and flat noses) shih tzus, pugs, boxers, bulldogs…
· Overweight dogs
· Those of compromised health – breathing problems, heart conditions, very young or old dogs
· Extremely active dogs – hunting and herding breeds. Some of these dogs will keep going till they drop so it up to you to have them take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off.
· Environmental factors can place a dog at risk ie no shade, confined in sun, high humidity
· Extremely active dogs – hunting and herding breeds. Some of these dogs will keep going till they drop so it up to you to have them take frequent breaks to hydrate and cool off.
· Environmental factors can place a dog at risk ie no shade, confined in sun, high humidity