Dog Heatstroke is SeriousA dog heatstroke occurs when normal body mechanisms cannot keep the body's temperature in a safe range. Animals don't have efficient cooling systems (like humans who sweat) and get overheated easily.
In the summer there are lots of outdoor activities, lots of sun, and lots of nice hot weather.
The summer heat can be dangerous to your furry friend. When exposed to high temperatures without relief, or when exercised in hot weather, dogs are susceptible to heat stroke.
Be sure to exercise your pets early in the morning or late in the evening. If your pet is outside for any significant length of time in the summer, make sure he has shade and fresh water at all times.
Dogs cannot tell you when their temperature rises and it is our responsibility to ensure that our pets have sufficient shelter from the sun, adequate water to drink, and a way of cooling off when the summer sun rises.
Elderly and overweight dogs, particularly brachycephalic breeds such as English Bulldogs, Pugs, and Boston Terriers, are especially vulnerable to the heat. These pets should never be left outside unsupervised on a sunny day. They generally need an air-conditioned environment in the summer and should go outside only for bathroom duties.
For a severe dog heatstroke, transport your pet to the veterinarian immediately. If you are more than five minutes from the veterinary hospital and your dog is conscious, lower his temperature to at least 106ºF before going to the hospital.
Use a hose, shower, or tub full of cold water to wet down your dog. Keep him watered down with cool water until his temperature drops.
Do NOT use extremely cold or iced water. This will cause blood vessels to constrict and will stop the heat from escaping.
Do NOT cover your dog, even with a cold towel. This will prevent the heat from escaping.
Check your dogs temperature every ten minutes and stop the cooling process once his temperature reaches 103ºF. There is the danger that your dog can become too cold. Monitor the temperatures and stop the cooling process as soon as your dog's temperature reads 103ºF.
For moderate heatstroke, water down your dog and move him into a cool environment. Give him a children's rehydration fluid or water.
Continue on to the veterinarian clinic, your dog may still be in serious condition!
At your veterinarian clinic your dog will be given fluids, monitored for shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure, and other complications.
A moderate dog heatstroke often will not cause complicating health problems.
Severe dog heatstroke can cause organ damage that might need ongoing care such as a special diet prescribed by your veterinarian.
Dogs who suffer from heatstroke once increase their risk for getting it again and steps must be taken to prevent it on hot, humid days:
Do not leave your pet in the car, muzzle him, confine him without shade, or confine him to concrete or asphalt surfaces. Restrict exercise, provide constant access to water, and keep your pets with breathing problems indoors.
Pets left in parked cars, even for a few minutes,will rapidly develop heat stroke, even with the windows cracked open. The temperature in a parked car in the sun rises to dangerously high levels rapidly (up to 120 degrees Fahrenheit in as little as ten minutes).
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