What happens
during a heat stroke:
Heat stroke happens when heat
gain exceeds the body's ability to dissipate heat.
High
temperatures cause chemical
reactions that break down body cells which lead to
dehydration
and blood thickening. This
puts extreme strain on the heart and causes blood
clotting and
subsequent death to tissue.
Liver, brain and intestinal cells are usually the
first to be affected and
this can occur quickly. Normal
body temperature for a dog is about 101 F to 102 F.
If his temperature reaches 106 F, he is in danger of
brain damage, vital organ failure and death.
Reducing body temp quickly is imperative. A dog who
recovers can still have organ damage and lifelong
health problems.
Temperatures above 106 F are
extremely dangerous.
Symptoms:
Rapid, frantic panting
Wide eyes
Thick saliva
Bright red tongue
Staggering
Diarrhea
Coma
First Aid
Heat stroke is deadly! Heat
stroke is an emergency! Cool the dog, in whatever
way you can and get him to a veterinarian
immediately! Hose him off, immerse him in cool (not
cold) water, use fans, take him to air conditioning,
or sponge the groin area, tummy area, wet his
tongue, place rolled up wet towels against his head,
neck, tummy, and between his legs. When his
temperature drops to 104 F or 103 F, stop cooling
efforts. Cooling too fast or too much can cause
other problems.
Treatment
If the
dog's temperature is still high when he reaches the
vet's office, they may give a cool water enema, cool
water gastric lavage (rinse the stomach), and IV
fluids, and draw blood samples. The dog will be
monitored for shock, kidney failure, heart
abnormalities, respiratory stress, and blood
clotting time. The dog may be given oxygen,
dextrose, cortisone, antihistamines, anticoagulants,
or antibiotics. Once he is stabilized, he may
require follow up treatment.
Prevention
Never,
ever leave your dog in a parked car! Not even for a
few minutes! Heat inside a parked car can build, in
just a few short minutes, to as much as 40 degrees
above the outside temperature. For instance, on an
80 F day, temperatures in a parked car can reach 120
F in as little as ten minutes, especially if the car
is in the sun. Leaving the windows cracked helps
very little and that's only IF there's a breeze.
Factor in humidity and the dog doesn't have a
snowball's chance!
For
outside dogs, provide shade, ventilation, wading
pool, and cool drinking water. Keep in mind that
shade moves as the earth rotates.
Make sure
water containers are large enough to supply water at
all times and secure so they cannot be turned over.
Make sure
that tied dogs cannot wind their tether around
something, preventing access to water. Caution:
Chains will wrap around themselves and shorten when
the dog runs in circles.
Crate only
in a wire crate.
Clip heavy
coated dogs to a one inch length. Leave one inch for
insulation, and protection against sunburn.
Allow dogs
unaccustomed to warm weather, several days to
acclimate.
Do not
exercise your dog on hot days.
Take
precautions for high-risk dogs when the heat index
reaches 75 F.The single most frequent cause for heat
stroke in dogs is overheating in a parked car. If
this article accomplishes nothing else, I hope it
educates readers on the importance of leaving Buddy
home, not only on hot days but on warm days as well.
Which dogs are at higher risk
of heat stroke?
•Brachycephalic breeds -Breeds
with short faces, such as Pugs, Pekingese, Mastiffs,
Boxers, and St Bernards are at higher risk of
overheating since their shorter airways do not cool
as efficiently as with other breeds.
•Dogs with
dark or thick coats -As we learned in elementary
school, light colors reflect heat and dark colors
absorb heat. Dark coated dogs such as black Labs,
Dobermans, and Rottweilers will have a harder time
dissipating heat than white coated dogs.
•Dogs with
respiratory diseases -Any dog that is coughing,
sneezing, wheezing, experiencing nasal discharge,
lung congestion, or any pulmonary disease will be at
greater risk of heat stroke.
•Overexerted dogs -Dogs who are not accustomed to
warm weather need time to adjust. Heat stroke
doesn't always occur in extreme temperatures. Some
dogs can have a heat stroke in an air conditioned
room if they become overexcited and active. Do not
work or exercise your dog on hot days or in the heat
of the day. And don't rely on the dog to know when
enough is enough.
•Sick
dogs, older dogs or puppies under 6 months
•Dogs with
fever -When temperatures reach 106 F and above, the
dog is in danger of heat stroke.
•Dogs on
certain medications -Dogs taking certain medications
such as diuretics are more susceptible to heat
stroke.
•Dehydrated dogs -Dogs unable to reach water can
become dehydrated quickly on hot days. Panting also
hastens dehydration.
•Dogs with
heart disease or poor circulation -Dogs whose
circulatory systems are not up to par cannot
dissipate heat efficiently.
•Overweight dogs -Overweight dogs may have lessened
breathing efficiency and tend to hold heat.
•Muzzled
dogs -Dogs wearing muzzles cannot breathe or pant
efficiently on warm days. Heat strokes have been
reported in dogs standing under a grooming parlor
dryer while muzzled.
•Dogs who
have had a previous heat stroke -If a dog has had a
heat stroke before, he will always be more
susceptible to another.If your dog falls into one or
more of these groups, take precautions when the heat
index rises above 75 F. Heat stroke is serious! Heat
stroke is much easier to prevent than to treat!
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