Dog Heat Stroke

In fact, the only few sweat glands that they have are on the pads of their feet. You can say that dogs don’t have a very efficient cooling system. As such, they do not tolerate high temperatures as well as we do.

To lower their body temperature, dogs pant. But as you can imagine, if the environmental temperature is very high, panting is not the best way to cool down! So it is extremely important to keep our dogs cool in hot summer days to avoid heat stroke.

Causes of Dog Heat Stroke

It’s easier than you think for dogs to have a heat stroke. There are quite a few situations in which dogs get overheated and succumb to heat stroke. Some situations include:

• Having the dog exercise strenuously on a hot humid day.
• Leaving the dog in a car with windows closed on a hot day.
• Confining the dog on concrete or asphalt surfaces.
• Leaving the dog outside without shade and fresh water on a hot day.
• Putting a muzzle on the dog while using a hair dryer on the dog.

In addition, some dogs are at higher risk of having heat stroke. They include:

• Brachycephalic dogs (short-muzzled dogs) such as Pugs, Bulldogs, Shih Tzu and Boston Terriers.
• Dogs with a thick coat.
• Obese dogs.
• Dogs having a high fever.
• Puppies.
• Older dogs.
• Dogs with a heart or lung disease that causes respiratory problems.
• Dogs suffering from seizures.

Symptoms of Dog Heat Stroke

A dog suffering from heat stroke starts with heavy panting and difficulty breathing. Other symptoms associated with dog heat stroke includes:

• Thick and tenacious saliva.
• Bright red tongue and mucous membranes.
• The rectal temperature can go up to 104°F to 110°F.
• The dog will likely vomit.

If quick treatment is not received, the dog starts showing signs of unsteadiness. He may also pass bloody diarrhea.

He then will suffer from shock and his lips and mucous membranes will turn gray. This will be followed by collapse, seizures, coma, and eventually death.

Treatment of Dog Heat Stroke

Heat stroke in dogs requires quick and emergency treatment.

Immediate measures to cool down the dog are essential to avoid brain damage which can occur rapidly – usually in just a few minutes.

If your dog is showing signs of heat stroke, move him out of the source of heat immediately, e.g. into an air-conditioned room.

Take his rectal temperature and monitor his temperature every 10 minutes.

If the rectal temperature is over 104°F, lower the dog’s body temperature immediately by spraying him with water or immersing him in a tub of cool water for up to 2 minutes.

You may also wipe the dog’s paws with cool water and apply cool packs (e.g. bags of frozen vegetables) to his groin area.

Continue the above cooling process until the rectal temperature falls below 103°F.

Then stop the cooling process and dry off the dog. If the dog is cooled down further, he may develop hypothermia (low body temperature) and shock.

It is essential to take your dog to the vet for a thorough physical check-up after an episode of heat stroke to make sure there is no permanent damage caused by the heat stroke.

Prevention of Dog Heat Stroke

As always, prevention is better than cure! There are quite a few things that can be done to prevent heat stroke in dogs, for example:

• DO NOT leave your dog in a car with the windows closed, especially on a hot summer day.
• Allow your dog to exercise only moderately on a hot summer day. Encourage your dog to drink plenty of water during breaks.
• Outdoor dogs whould have their resting place in a shady area to avoid the heat from the sun, and should have access to fresh water at all times.
• Dogs with respiratory disorders should be kept indoors with the fan or air-conditioner on during the hottest time of the day.

Cooling Vests to Prevent Dog Heat Stroke

Check out cooling vests that can keep your dog cool on a hot humid day and prevent him from getting heat stroke: