Heatstroke is very preventable in most dogs. When your dog is hot and tired, you need to stop. It sounds simple but many dog owners and the dogs are having too much fun and aren't paying attention to the first signs of heat stroke. It is also difficult to stop having what seems like a really good time until things suddenly go bad. But that may be too late. Heat stroke effects the organ systems and can cause irreversible damage and often death even after you think you have cooled your pet off.
Your pet is absorbing heat through the pads on its feet while walking on hot trails or roads. They also are not wearing a hat to prevent exposure to their heads. Even though they may be drinking water, they need to be able to wet their entire mouths with cool water to be able to effectively cool down. If they are panting warm air, they are not able to effectively cool off on a hot day. Digital thermometers are small and light and you may want to keep it in your day pack or fanny pack if you want to be certain of the temperature of your pet and weather it is at risk of heat stroke. It the temp is above 103 degrees it is time to stop and go home to a cool place. If it is 104 or above you need to drive your pet to the nearest available veterinary office for proper treatment. Once your pet is experiencing heat stroke it needs veterinary care.
Symptoms: Rapid or labored breathing, Loud panting vomiting, Diarrhea, Fast heartbeat, Refusal to obey commands, Staggering, Staring, , anxious expression, collapse, dry gums, & temperature above 104°
Treatment/Action
· Get the pet to a well ventilated area while getting towels or blankets wet with a garden hose, stream, pond, or pool, and wrap the pet in the wet towels.
· Continue to monitor Temperature. Do not over cool the animal. When pets temp is 103ο stop cooling methods.
· Offer a small amount of cold water to drink but don’t force it
· Transport the pet to a veterinarian immediately as organs can be effected even if pet has responded well.
