P.P.A.H.
Heatstroke - Prevention & Treatment
Introduction
Living in the desert, our dogs are exposed to conditions which can lead to heatstroke. While this might be very apparent during our hot summers, conditions exist in more moderate temperatures which can cause this dangerous situation. Heatstroke is serious and can be fatal. The purpose of this article is to make you aware of how to recognize it, prevent it, and treatment recommendations.
Recognizing Heatstroke
Here are the classic signs of each stage of heatstroke:
- Early Stage:
o Heavy panting
o Rapid breathing
o Excessive drooling
o Dark or bright red gums and tongue
o Standing straight legged in an attempt to maintain balance
- Advanced Stage:o White or blue gums
o Bloody diarrhea
o Vomiting
o Lethargy, unwillingness to move
o Uncontrollable urination or defecation
o Labored, noisy breathing
o Shock
Avoiding Heatstroke
Most people are aware that leaving a dog in a locked car on a 100 degree day
would be dangerous. What is less obvious is the danger of doing so during milder
days in the spring and fall. Leaving your dog in the car on an 85 degree day
can heat the interior of the car to 120-130 degrees in 30 minutes or less –
even with the windows “cracked”.
Certain breeds are also more susceptible to heatstroke. These include “short
faced” dogs such as Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Japanese Chins, and Pekinese.
They have a difficult time in the heat as they do not pant as efficiently
as “longer faced” dogs. Also at risk are large, heavily coated dogs and those
with heart or respiratory problems. Keep all these dogs inside in the air
conditioned environment for the best prevention.
Here are some general tips to avoid heatstroke:
- If you take your dog jogging, keep in mind that while you are able to reduce the clothing your wear, they are stuck with their natural “coats”. They will have limited ability to cool themselves via panting and sweating thru their foot pads. Change the timing of your jogging to the early morning or late evening.
- If you keep your dog outside always provide plenty of cool, fresh water and a shady spot for them to get out of the sun. Ensure that your dog can reach them if they are tethered to any objects. Consider hosing them down before work, at lunch, or whenever you can to provide extra cooling. A child’s wading pool can also provide fresh water for the dog to cool off in. Avoid the use of a doghouse as they can trap heat.
- Avoid strenuous exercise or play outside on hot days.
- Avoid prolonged exposure to hot asphalt or sand, which can burn your dog’s paws.
Treatment Recommendations
If you suspect that your dog is showing signs of heatstroke immediately seek veterinary attention. In the interim, you can also use the following tips to bring down your dog’s temperature:
- Use cool, not ice water, to reduce your dog’s temperature. Very cold water can actually impede cooling!
- Do not aid cooling below 103 degrees. Some animals can actually be over-cooled and may get hypothermic.
- Offer ice cubes for the dog to lick until a veterinarian can see them.
- Apply rubbing alcohol to the dog’s paw pads
- Apply ice packs to the groin area
- Hose the dog down with water
Please note! Even if you
have successfully cooled down your dog and they appear to be OK, do NOT assume
everything is fine. Internal organs can be damaged
by blood temperature elevation. Only a veterinarian's examination and blood
tests can assess to what extent your dog has been affected.