Heat Stroke In Dogs
Graphic Credit: Unchained Greensboro
Heat Stroke In Dogs is Serious.
There is no time to waste if you believe your pet is struggling with heat. My senior dachshund can stay outside only a couple of minutes before he is showing signs of distress in the heat! We make a quick potty break in the shade and head back inside until temps cool down.
Even with early morning appointments or evening appointments, I am struggling to tolerate the heat index, and humidity and the dogs just seem to be resistant to participating. I don’t blame them.
I see too many people walking dogs outside in the heat and humidity. I saw a senior dog walking at 5pm on the beach the other night, it was still HOT and humid, and he seemed to be struggling. The owner was oblivious to the dog’s distress. The owner carried no water.
Cooling Down and Overheated Dog
This is a medical emergency and you should make immediate contact with your vet. They may advise you to begin the cooling process.
Body Heat and internal temp is the immediate concern. Cool them down as quickly as you can. Do not be concerned with using cold water if that’s what you have! While you cannot cool too fast — you can cool the body too far below normal temp. This creates a whole new crisis and added risk. So it is important to check temperatures during the cooling process. You’ll need a Digital Thermometer in your first aid kit. The normal canine temp is 101.
If you don’t have a thermometer be sure to stop your cooling efforts after 5-10 minutes, monitoring your dog’s response and follow your vet’s instructions.
Treatment For HeatStroke In Dogs
Pour Water Over Your Dog — head to toe. Avoid their mouth when pouring and be sure to protect their airway, as they cannot control it themselves when under distress. Soak the dog to the skin.
You may hear folks tell you not to use ice water or extremely cold wet towels — do it anyway — keep pouring cold water or wringing towel over them, or place them ON a cold towel and try to bring that body temp down.
Submerge the body, but not the head in cool water if possible.
You can use cool ice towels, ice chips, etc to their gums, but if they are excessively panting they cannot control taking in water or their airway at this point. If they are not attempting to drink, it may be more important for you to work on the larger body area.
If you have a fan or breeze, use it to your advantage.
Apply cold packs in the groin or arm pits — use additional ice packs as a rub down
Only when panting has become more controlled should you offer drinking water.
Tips To Avoid Heatstroke In Dogs:
Supervise. Eyes on, Fully aware of your pet. Especially your puppies and seniors.
Keep water available in your car at all times if you’re on an outing.
Take water bottles with you on your walks.
Keep A First Aid Kit With You
Avoid walks in the heat!
Have the emergency vet # stored in your phone. If someone suggests to you your dog may be in distress — don’t the “that guy” who tells them to mind their business - -they have your dog’s best interest at heart.
Help educate others.
For those of you who travel with dogs, consider the Waggle temp monitor that notifies your phone if temps in your car or RV are reaching concerning levels, even if you are just making a potty stop! Order Your Waggle Here: http://waggle.refr.cc/danabrigman No meal or shopping experience is worth the risk of heat stroke
Heatstroke in Dogs is very common at the beach, many visitors don’t realize how quickly it may happen and are not always prepared during their excursions.