Heat Stroke in Dogs

It's summertime and the mercury is slowly and steadily rising every passing day. As the summer sets in one has to take preventive measures against heat stroke in dogs. Mother nature designed dogs to conserve heat and not to dissipate heat. Hence the dogs tend to get heated up rather quickly during summers especially if left in cars, excessive playing in the sun.  Normally, nature provides a delicate balance between gathering of  heat and dissipating heat in case of a dogs ( for that matter in all animals). The problem arises when the balance is disturbed. 

The dogs dissipate heat from their tongues by panting and sweat from their paws. (Yes, you read it right !) They have no other mechanism to cool off.  It is therefore extremely important to ensure that one accidentally  does not create situations that causes the dog to gather up heat quickly so much so that it overwhelms the mechanism by which it dissipates the heat. 

The signs of heat stroke are - increased temperature ( from the normal 101.5 F to 105 F), a panting that is so vigorous that you have perhaps never seen it before, thick viscid saliva, the dog lying down and not willing  / unable to get up, a disoriented and confused look, red gums, collapse etc.

If you suspect heat stroke and by the time you rush your pet to the vet or call him up one should initiate actions to reverse the situation. First of all, remove the dog from direct sunlight. Gently pour cool water in a mild trickle on the head. Dip a towel or two in cool water and wrap the dog for a few minutes and then remove them. Keeping them wrapped over the dog for far too long may actually be harmful as the towel may  trap the heat. Gently spray or dribble cool water on the body. Do not use ice or ice cooled water as it  constricts the blood vessels thus preventing the dissipation of heat. Use a fan, cooler or take the dog in an air conditioned room. Offer it a little water. Wipe its face with cool water. All the while keep talking to the dog in a gentle manner to reassure it. 

Nice to know

1. Never ever leave your dog alone in a car with or without the windows rolled down. Period. The dog can develop heat stroke on sunny as well as overcast days. By the way, it is a punishable offence in many states of the US. ( I agree we have to do a lot of catching up in India in this regard ). 

2. Avoid long runs or exercises during warm days.  See to it that the kids do not take the dog out and play fetch during warmer parts of the day. 

3. Some ailments including obesity compromise the heat dissipating mechanism of the dog. 

4. Pugs, Bull dogs are normally predisposed to heat stroke. 

5. Heat Stroke is preventable. Let's be smart and ensure it does not happen to our pet.