Heatstroke in Dogs

Hyperthermia is an elevation of body temperature out with the normal range.
Heatstroke is a form of hyperthermia (non-fever) that usually occurs in the hotter weather but it can happen at any time.

There are some predispositions to heatstroke:

• Brachycephalic (short nosed, flat faced) breeds like pugs, shih tzus, bulldogs, boston terriers etc. are more at risk than other dogs purely due to the shape of their face making breathing more difficult
• Very young or very old dogs
• Obesity
• Heart and lung disease
• Dogs with a thick, heavy coat
• Dehydration

All of the above have an increased risk of developing heatstroke.

Things that can cause heatstroke:

• Excessive heat - may be due to weather conditions or being shut in an unventilated area
• Being left outdoors in hot weather without adequate shade and/or water source

Symptoms of heatstroke:

• Panting
• Excessive salivation
• Red gums
• Thick saliva
• Muscle tremors
• Weakness
• Ataxia (uncoordinated gait)
• Vomiting
• Shock
• Coma

What to do if you suspect your dog has heatstroke:

• Contact your Vet ASAP, your dog will need to be seen
• Cool your dog down in transit, don't use ice or ice cold water.  Wet some towels and cover your dog with them, put a fan on them
• Don't force water into their mouth but have drinking water available in case they want a drink

Prevention is better than cure:

• Don't leave your dog in a car - doesn't matter what time of year it is, dogs pant and they can cause a car to heat up real quick
• Don't exercise your dog when it's warm outside.  My own gets walked in the morning when it's cool and then she doesn't get walked again until later in the evening - toilet breaks only during the day
• Make sure your dog has plenty of drinking water
• If your dog is in your garden, make sure they have the ability to get back inside or some form of shelter

This is just some basic info I wanted to put out there as we usually see a lot of dogs in work with Heatstroke at this time of year.

Summer's almost here

Yes, it's not a book review but I decided I'd write this to try and remind people that their pets can suffer in the warm weather, just the same as us.

If you're taking your dog on a walk to the beach or the park because the weather's lovely. Remember to carry fresh water for your pooch to drink so they don't become overheated. Just because they're running around having fun doesn't mean they're not burning up, hyperthermia (heatstroke) is a big worry and can be fatal. These things are great, they have the drinking trough attached so you don't need to carry a seperate bowl and you don't have to worry about the water leaking.

If you decide you need to pop into the shop and leave the dog in the car, even if you park in the shade and think "I'll only be 2 minutes", leave the windows open. And more than just a crack! I hate walking by cars and there's a dog inside with the windows either closed or open the tiniest little bit. Another great thing to get a hold of if you have a dog is this. Pop them in the gap of your window, stops your dog from escaping and also gives a bit of security.
Or, even better, don't leave your dog in the car at all. Think ahead, if you need to go into a shop or somewhere then leave your dog at home.

If you have a white or light coloured pet or a pet with white/light ears or nose, then apply sun cream before leaving the house. They can get sun burn just the same as we can. You can use any non-toxic waterproof sun block or get a specific Pet Sunscreen.

Make sure rabbits and guinea pigs have somewhere shady to go if they're running about. Also make sure they always have access to fresh water.
A big problem with rabbits in the summer is something called Fly Strike. This occurs if the hutch and rabbit aren't kept clean. Rabbits generally look after themselves but in the summer get into the habit of checking their rear ends for dirt and make sure to keep them clean.

Have fun with your pets in the summer but remember to be safe!

The black and white pets photo and the photo of the dog in the car came from 123rf, royalty free stock photos.
The rest of the photos are my personal pictures of my own pets.