Barbara
J. Andrews,
TheDogPlace
Publisher
How to diagnose heatstroke or sunstroke
and emergency treatment instructions for
your dog.
If
you suspect your dog is having heatstroke scroll down.
Otherwise, let's talk about prevention and
note that dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke and sunstroke
than
humans.
Dogs can't sweat like people and horses; hard panting is how his
thermostat works to keep vital organs functioning.
The best treatment for heat or sun stoke is knowledge and
prevention.
On a hot, muggy summer day, you sweat to cool your
body. Your dog can only pant to dissipate heat and when
humidity is high, he has to work even harder. Human or
canine, the body’s thermostat uses a lot of energy. A
heavy coated dog has to work even harder to keep cool because he
can’t strip down to shorts and a T-shirt.
Do you
get grouchy when it's oppressively hot? Just a little bit
peevish? So does your dog. The dog must be
sainted because he's less likely to be short tempered
with those he loves than you are after a "bad day" and a long
hot drive home from work. Even so, give him some emotional
space on "dog days".
Don't
freak out if he digs a cool damp bed in your manicured lawn,
especially if he is double coated. And remember, the darker his coat color, the more of the sun's heat it
will absorb.
Heatstroke
Happens At Outdoor Events
If
you insist on showing at outside summer shows, for goodness sake, have
pity on him. Take a big ice chest. Not for your
beverages. For the dog. If you want ice for your
drinks, take a smaller one for yourself. Pack an old bath
towel. Keep it in his ice chest.
Wring out the towel and drape it over him for that long wait at
ringside.
Take a spray bottle of plain cold water and an ice bucket.
If he's heavy coated, put cold packs under his crate pad
or pan.
Treat him better than you would your child in severely hot
weather because he can't tolerate heat and humidity as well as
your child can! Better yet stay home.
One more thing about summer
shows. Direct summer sun will burn that gorgeous dark coat,
turning it rusty.
Avoid oily coat dressings in summer. Hot sun will "fry"
his coat. Drape him with a damp towel while standing
ringside.
What's
worse than walking the fairgrounds or event with your dog?
Putting him in the car!!! Never
leave him unattended. Surely you would rather mercifully
shoot him than torture him to death in a car which you
thoughtfully parked in the shade – until the sun moved and
15 minutes later, your car was an oven. Don't ever leave him in the van or motor home
with the air conditioner running. If the engine becomes
overheated and shuts off, your dog can die in less than twenty
minutes.
Only a
"few minutes" of ringside chat or goodbyes can kill your best
friend. Despite all the warnings and the presence of
professional dog people, one or more show dogs die from heat
prostration every summer.
Preventing Sunstroke - and Sunburn
Build a roof. Provide access to the
garage or utility room, if necessary, install a window air
conditioner but do not lock him in! If the power goes out,
your dog will die. Better yet, install a doggy door which
allows him access to your cool kitchen floor and the central
air conditioning.
Add a
little ice to his fresh water; he'll love it just as much as you
look forward to a cold drink. If he hasn't been wormed
since fall, now is the time to make sure both
internal and
external parasites are under control.
Shedding? No doubt. A good bath, regular brushing,
and flea control will make his summer a lot easier and avoid vet
bills for "skin problems" and summer doldrums.
More
Heatstroke Prevention For Your Dog
Don't hose him on a hot
day because unless he stays out in the sun long enough to dry
completely (and no dog would do that) the dampness trapped next
to the skin is likely to erupt into moist eczema otherwise known
as a "hot spot."
Do not
ever, ever, ever do a mating in the heat of the day. And
never give him a "nice, big cool drink" immediately following
any sort of vigorous exercise or a heavy meal, even on a cool
day. Give ice cubes to satisfy his thirst and cool him
down.
Change
his summer diet. Don't you naturally cut back on heavy gravies,
sauces and fats during the summer? Sure you do. Your
dog would too if he could select his own food. It's a
shame dog food companies haven't come up with a summer diet but
until they do, shift him to one of the lower protein mixes made
for older or overweight dogs. Not a cheaper grocery food,
but a lower fat formula. Always avoid corn-based foods but
particularly in the summer. Corn is “hot” food, ask any
horseman. Add a bit more rice and veggies.
With puppies, it doesn't matter so much because they are going
to burn off the fat and protein, just like small children do.
Diagnosing Heat Stroke
If your
dog is panting excessively, has labored breathing, is weak,
staggering, disoriented (doesn't respond normally when you call
his name) has a bright red tongue but gums are pale, his pulse
(heart rate) is rapid, or he has thick saliva, especially in the
back of his throat which further impedes breathing, he needs
immediate help. He may have any or all of
these symptoms.
Run the
hose until cold water comes out. Then wet him down paying
attention to groin and underarms. Don't use ice water
because cooling your dog too quickly can cause his blood
blood vessels to constrict and that can actually slow down the
cooling process. Have someone fetch a rectal thermometer
and check his temperature. If it is
over 105 notify the vet you are on the way as organ damage will
occur. If it is below, use your best judgment
depending on his symptoms. The goal is to drop his
temperature to 103 F.
Normal temperature for dogs is 101.5.
Emergency Treatment For Heat Stroke
If he
still seems shocky, disoriented, and/or is having trouble
breathing after you've cleared his airway of sticky slobber,
regardless of his temperature, get him to the vet.
Re-wetting him with cold water and ice packs will help him
make it to the vet.
If his temperature is under 105 but he
is responding to you, move him out of the sun, hose him gently,
try ice packs for just a few minutes, etc. Do NOT leave a
wet towel over him, it will slow the cooling process. If
possible, set up a fan to help dissipate his body heat.
Monitor his temperature, his awareness of you, and his
breathing. If it any point, he seems to be going into
shock, call the vet and get moving!
