Just as human athletes must take
additional precautions during the "dog days of summer", we as
dog owners must watch over our canine athletes. Canine heat
exhaustion, however, is not limited to canine athletes, every dog is a
potential victim.
The leading cause of heat exhaustion, and its advancing into heat
stroke; is leaving a dog in a hot car. Even on a mild day (75-80
degrees F), the temperature inside a car can raise up to 130 degrees
rather quickly. Leaving a window slightly open will not prevent
heat build-up. Leaving a dog in a car on a warm day is a risk to
the dog's life.
Dog's do not sweat. Their only means of reducing built-up body
heat is by panting. Long coats also hold in body heat.
Clipping a dog's coat a little shorter for the summer will help to keep
the dog cooler. Be sure not to clip the hair too short or shave
the dog - the dog's coat protects him from sunburn and is additionally
an insulator. The best thing to do in the summer for a long coated
dog is to comb or brush the coat regularly. It will remove the
shed hair, helping the skin to breathe and by reducing the excess
hair the coat will tend to trap less heat. The color of your dog's
coat also has an impact on your dog's ability to reflect the sun's rays.
Black dogs absorb more of the sun's rays than do dogs with
lighter-colored coats.
There are many variables in triggering a dog to experience heat
exhaustion; the dog's physical condition, its age, its coat length, its
breed, and its climatization to heat. An older, couch-potato,
"snuggle the air conditioner" dog will have less tolerance to
the heat than a young, romp outside all day, adolescent. Both the
very young and very old dogs are among the highest risk categories.
Brachycephalic (short muzzled) dogs, in general, are high risk on hot
humid days.
The first signs of heat exhaustion:
a) Excessive panting
b) The skin on the inside of the ears
becomes flushed and red.
Heat Exhaustion
can progress in to Heat Stroke,
as indicated by :
a) Weakness
b) Staggering
c) Fainting - loss of consciousness
Heat stroke is an emergency situation. If your dog shows signs of
heat stroke, you must cool him down as rapidly as possible. Don't
wait for veterinary treatment. Heat Stroke is an Emergency - Treat
the dog NOW ! Hose the dog down with
cool water. Apply an ice pack to the dog's head. If your dog
is small enough to move - hold him in a tub of cool water. Do not stop
treatment until your dog's body temperature is approaching normal.
As soon as the dog's internal temperature has
stabilized at a near normal level transport the dog to your vet.
Heat stroke can leave permanent damage.
Many dogs will
play until they drop. You must supervise the games, and determine
when it is time to stop. During hot weather limit your dog's time
outside. Be sure that there is a shaded area for your dog to rest
in and that your dog has a constant supply of clean water.
