PETS

Heat stroke in the dog: how to recognize it and what to do

In times of intense heat, not only we humans are in danger, but also our four-legged friends. Especially our dogs may have some problems since, physiologically, they cannot sweat.

Furthermore, despite a very strong bond, it is sometimes difficult to realise when our dog is about to feel sick from the heat. Heatstroke is in fact more frequent than we think in dogs.

Are there any visible symptoms that can tell us that our four-legged friend is suffering from heatstroke? Are there remedies and treatments, and in general a way to help him? Yes, there are, and we now show you which ones.

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Dogs and heat stroke: what to do on hot days
In times of intense heat, not only we humans are in danger, but also our four-legged friends. Especially our dogs may have some problems since, physiologically, they cannot sweat. Moreover, despite a very strong bond, it is sometimes difficult to realise how ill our dog is going to feel from the heat. Heatstroke is in fact more frequent than we think in dogs. Are there any visible symptoms that can tell us that our four-legged friend is suffering from heatstroke? Are there remedies and treatments, and in general a way to help him? Yes, there are, and we now show you which ones.
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Early signs of heat stroke
Wheezing and accelerated breathing, coupled with excessive salivation, dry mucous membranes, bright red gums and tongue, skin that is warm to the touch and an elevated heart rate are the first and most obvious symptoms of heatstroke in dogs, in addition to hyperactivity and difficulty maintaining balance.
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The types of dogs most at risk
Dogs that are most likely to suffer from heatstroke are brachycephalic dogs that cannot pant effectively (such as pugs and bulldogs), those in an obese condition or those suffering from conditions such as hypothyroidism and heart disease. Puppies and the elderly are also particularly susceptible.
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The odds however are not that high
It is also true that it is not so common for a dog to experience truly devastating heatstroke. Instead, this can happen very easily under certain conditions: for example, if you leave your dog in a car in summer, even with the window down, temperatures can rise very quickly to over 40 degrees Celsius. Other causes of heat stroke can be keeping the dog locked in a box or enclosure without adequate fresh water and exposed to direct sunlight.
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The temperature of the nose
To assess our dog's current physical condition, one can check the temperature of his nose, which should always remain cold and moist, even in summer. If, on the other hand, it is hot, it means that there may be problems. For example, the dog may have a fever, be dehydrated or hot.
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How heat stroke occurs
Dogs can only sweat from their paws and therefore only have two alternatives to stay cool: panting and dilating blood vessels. When you see a dog panting, it is actually helping the evaporation of moisture from the tongue, nasal passages and lining of the lungs. The vasodilation around the ear canals and the face, on the other hand, conducts the warmer blood closer to the surface, thus allowing it to cool down. And heat stroke usually occurs when the high ambient temperature exceeds the dog's ability to dissipate heat.
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How to avoid heat stress and suffering
Actually, all that is needed to avoid heatstroke in dogs is attention and common sense on the part of their owners, and yet these phenomena have been on the increase recently. If you suspect heatstroke, or otherwise realise that the animal is suffering, take him immediately to a shady area and give him cool water to drink. Bathing him on the body is fine, but with water at room temperature, not ice-cold. Very important, you should never immerse the dog in cold water or feed it ice if its body temperature is already too high.
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