Heat Strokes in Dogs – Be Best Prepared for the Upcoming Hot Days

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What are heat strokes in dogs?

We all know what follows the summer days – humid weather and high temperatures. During the summer days, heat strokes in dogs or heat exhaustion are highly prevalent. In this article, you can learn what is heat stroke, what you have to do to prevent it, and if it happens how to treat it.

Heat Strokes in Dogs –The Meaning

heat strokes in dogs

It is known that dogs have a less advanced thermoregulation system, slightly different than humans. Unlike people, dogs’ thermoregulation system is better for preserving energy, rather than releasing it.

This is one reason why dogs are capable to heat up faster than a human. Hyperthermia is a term used for increased body temperature above the normal threshold.

We are familiar with two types of hyperthermia: a non-fever and fever hyperthermia. The hyperthermia that is followed by fever indicates some kind of inflammation, while the non-fever one most commonly indicates heatstroke.

Canine Heat Stroke Symptoms

  • Accelerated breathing – panting
  • Increased body temperature – over 40°C
  • Mental status changes
  • Excessive drooling
  • Reddened gums and mucosa
  • Dehydration
  • Fast heart rate
  • Irregular heart rate
  • Vomiting

How to Prevent Heat Strokes in Canines

There is a list of things that we need to be aware of so we can prevent a heat stroke:

  • We should always take care for the freshness of the dogs’ drinking water
  • Provide shaded areas if the dog spends time outside
  • If your dog has health issues, like respiratory problems, heart disease, or it is an elderly dog, you should schedule the physical activities for cooler days. Also, you should keep it in the shade and have limited exposure to the sun. These precautions also refer to obese dogs
  • You should NEVER, under any circumstances leave your dog in the car! – This is one of the most common reasons for heat strokes and heat-related deaths of pets
  • You should skip the idea for accompanied jogging with your dog on a hot summer day
  • On a hot summer day, you should also avoid using a muzzle on your dog. The muzzle prevents proper ventilating, which leads to obstructed thermoregulation.
  • You should also consider avoiding the places with hot concrete, asphalt or send
  • If you are on the beach, let the dog in the water to cool down. After the swim provides a shaded area for your pet.
  • If your dog is home during the hottest days, even if you are not in the house, always keep the air conditioning on.

What to do in Case of Heat Strokes

Dog first against heatstroke starts with relocating your dog from the heat! It is advised to move it to an area with lower temperature and air conditioning. It is helpful to pour fresh water, at room temperature on your dog. Freezing water is not an option.

heat stroke sign

Try offering your dog fresh drinking water, but if it isn’t capable of drinking on its own, don’t force it. Again offering your dog freezing water is not an option.

Avoid using wet towels to cover your dog, this will lead to trapping the heat. Instead, you can place wet towels under your dog, this will help to cool it down.

It is necessary to take your dog to the vet. Supposedly you’re not a professional, your dog should be examined by a certified veterinarian and if there are indications for dehydration it should be treated with some IV fluids.

We hope you gained useful information from this article. Keep your pets safe! Get some insights on what to do with your pet when planning a vacation! Read here

DISCLAIMER: This post was originally published on July 15th, 2017.

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