Dead in Minutes: Dogs and Heatstroke

Even very fit, athletic dogs can suffer heat-related illnesses during the sizzling days of summer.

Dogs with compromised health are at even greater risk.

Common sense strategies to protect your pup during a heat wave:

• Keep him inside during the hottest part of the day
• Scale back vigorous outdoor exercise
• Never leave your dog in a parked car on a hot day, not even for a minute

If you see an animal left in someone else's parked car in the heat, notify a store employee right away.

If the pet's owner isn't located immediately, call animal control or the police. A dog can suffer permanent damage or death in a very short time when left in a parked vehicle on a hot day.

Dr. Becker's Comments:

The heat-related death of a beloved pet is a tragic, completely preventable situation.

There are no statistics on how many dogs die every year from heat exposure, because the majority of cases go unreported. But estimates are several hundred pets suffer this slow, agonizing and unnecessary fate every summer.

The loss of a dearly loved pet is difficult enough when death is expected and the passing is painless. But losing a canine member of the family to an avoidable case of heatstroke is an event many pet owners never forgive themselves for.

Leaving a pet unattended in a vehicle in extreme heat or cold is currently a criminal offense in 14 states and several municipalities. Most of the statutes have rescue provisions which allow certain individuals – for example police officers, firefighters, animal control officers, store employees -- to do whatever is necessary to rescue an animal trapped in a vehicle in extreme temperatures.

No matter where you live, if you see a pet confined in an unattended vehicle in extreme weather, I recommend you call law enforcement. Even if you don't live in one of the 14 states on the list, there could be other laws in your city and state that address this type of animal cruelty.

Signs and Symptoms of Heatstroke

On an 85-degree day it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of your parked car to climb to 102 degrees. In a half hour, it can reach 120 degrees.
Leaving windows partially open doesn't help to cool things down inside the vehicle.
To make matters worse, dogs have a higher body temp than people and they don't cool down as efficiently as we do. Your canine buddy is designed more for insulation from the cold than for cooling down.
You have sweat glands all over your body, but your dog's are confined to her nose and the pads of her feet. A dog that is heating up can only normalize her body temperature through panting, which just doesn't get the job done under extreme conditions.

In a very short period of time, an overheated dog can suffer critical damage to her brain, heart, liver and nervous system.

Symptoms of overheating include:

• Heavy panting
• Excessive thirst
• Glazed eyes
• Vomiting and bloody diarrhea
• Bright or dark red tongue, gums
• Staggering
• Elevated body temperature (104ºF and up)
• Weakness, collapse
• Increased pulse and heartbeat
• Seizures
• Excessive drooling
• Unconsciousness

If your dog's body temperature gets to 109ºF or higher, heatstroke is the result. The cells of the body rapidly start to die. The brain swells, causing seizures. Lack of blood supply to the GI tract creates ulcers. Dehydration leads to irreversible kidney damage. All these catastrophic events take place within a matter of minutes.

In the early stages of a heat-related illness it can be difficult to assess your dog's condition, since it's normal for him to pant when he's warm or while exerting himself.

I recommend you learn from your dog's vet how to take his temperature (rectally – I'm sorry), and invest in a digital thermometer that you designate for doggie use only. It could come in handy if you're ever concerned your dog is overheated and need to know his body temperature.

I can't stress enough how important it is for dog owners to take every precaution to keep their pets from getting overheated.

By the time a dog is exhibiting symptoms of heatstroke, it's often too late to save him.

Dogs at Higher Risk

If your dog is one of the following, you'll need to be extra vigilant about keeping her safe from heat-related illness:

1. Dogs with flat faces and short noses, also known as brachycephalic, like Pugs, Boston Terriers, Pekinese, Boxers, Bulldogs, Shih Tzus – these breeds don't pant as efficiently as breeds with longer noses
2. Older dogs
3. Puppies
4. Sick dogs and those with chronic health conditions like heart disease
5. Dogs not acclimated to warm weather
6. Any healthy dog left outside in hot weather
7. Dogs that are over-exercised or are allowed to overexert themselves in the heat

What to Do If Your Dog Gets Overheated

If you think your dog (or any dog) is suffering from heatstroke, you need to take immediate action:

• Move him immediately to a cool area – either into the shade or preferably into air conditioning.
• Assess his condition – is he able to stand? Is he conscious and panting? If so, offer him small amounts of water to drink and take his temperature if possible.
• If he's at 104ºF or lower, remain with him in a cool environment, watch him carefully and keep offering small drinks of water. A large volume of water all at once might cause him to vomit, which will add to the risk of dehydration.
• When he seems more comfortable, call your veterinarian for next steps. The doctor may want to evaluate your dog even if he seems fully recovered.
• If your pet is unable to stand on her own, is unresponsive to your voice, touch or the sight of you, or is having seizures, check for breathing and a heartbeat.
• At the same time, have someone contact a veterinary hospital (or make the call yourself if you're alone with your pet) to let them know you'll be bringing her in right away. It's important to alert the clinic you're on the way so they can prepare for your arrival.
• Begin cooling procedures by soaking her body with cool water – cool, but not cold. Use a hose, wet towels or any other source of cool water that is handy. Take her temperature if possible.
• Concentrate the cooling water on her head, neck and in the areas underneath her front and back legs. Carefully cool her tongue if possible, but don't let water run into her throat as it could get into her lungs. Never put water in a dog's mouth that can't swallow on its own. Put a fan on her if possible – it will speed up the cooling process.
• After a few minutes, re-check her temperature. If her temp is at or below 104 degrees, stop the cooling process. Further cooling could lead to blood clotting or a too-low body temperature. Get her to a veterinary clinic right away, even if she seems to be recovering.

How to Keep Your Dog Safe from the Heat All Summer Long

Dogs can dehydrate very quickly, so make sure yours has plenty of fresh, clean water available at all times. If he'll be outside on warm days for any length of time, he should have access to complete shade.
Give your dog a shorter summer 'do. A long-coated dog can be shaved to a one-inch length to help him weather the hot temperatures. Don't go any shorter than an inch, though, because his fur protects him from the sun. If you don't want to cut your dog's coat, regular brushing, bathing and grooming will help prevent problems caused by excessive heat.

Exercise your pup early in the morning or after the sun goes down, during the coolest parts of the day. Stay in the shade if possible, and if it's 90 degrees or hotter, your dog should be kept indoors.

Play in the sprinkler with your dog or hose him down with cool water if he must stay outside and can't avoid temperatures over 90 degrees.

Don't overdo exercise or play sessions, regardless of the time of day. Over exertion in hot weather -- even after dark -- can bring on heat-related health problems.

Don't allow your dog on the hot pavement – it can burn his paws and the heat rising from the concrete or asphalt can quickly overheat your low-to-the-ground pet.

And, of course, never leave your dog alone in a parked car on a warm day. Leave him where he's cool, hydrated, and eagerly awaiting your return.


Originally published by Healthy Pets.