Posted: Thu Jul 27, 2006 12:17 pm Post subject: WARNING - HEAT STROKE IN DOGS THE FACTS..Know the signs!
IF IN DOUBT PHONE YOUR VET IMEDIATELY AND START THE COOLING PROCESS AS SOON AS YOU SUSPECT HEAT STROKE, IT MAY SAVE YOUR DOGS LIFE
HEAT STROKE
Heat stroke is an emergency that requires immediate recognition and prompt treatment. Dogs do not tolerate high temperatures as well as humans. They depend upon rapid breathing to exchange warm air for cool air. Accordingly when air temperature is close to body temperature, cooling by rapid breathing is not and efficient process. Dogs with airway disease also have difficulty with excess heat.
Common situations that predispose to overheating or heat stroke in dogs are:
1. Being left in a car in hot weather.
2. Being confined on concrete runs; chained without shade in hot weather.
3. Being of a short-nosed breed, especially a Bulldog or Pug.
4. Being muzzled while put under a dryer (this can happen in a grooming parlor).
5. Suffering from airway disease or any condition that impairs breathing.
Heat stroke begins with rapid, frantic, noisy breathing. The tongue and mucus membranes are bright red, the saliva is thick and tenacious and the dog frequently vomits. Its rectal temperature is high, sometimes over 106 degrees F. The cause of the problem usually is evident by the typical appearance of the dog; it can be confirmed by taking its temperature.
If the condition is allowed to go unchecked, the dog becomes unsteady and staggers, has diarrhea that often is bloody and becomes progressively weaker. Coma and death ensue.
Treatment: Emergency measures must begin at once. Mild cases respond to moving the dog to a cooler surrounding, such as an air-conditioned building or car. If the dog's temperature is over 104 degrees F, or if unsteady on its feet, the dog should be cooled by immersion in a tub of cold water. If this is impossible, hose your dog down with a garden hose. For a temperature over 106 degrees F, or if the dog is near collapse, give a cold water enema. A more rapid temperature drop is imperative. Cool to a rectal temperature of 103 degrees F.
Heat stroke can be associated with swelling of the throat. This aggravates the problem. A cortisone injection by your veterinarian may be required to treat this.
Prevention:
1. Do not expose dogs with airway disease or impaired breathing to prolonged heat.
2. Restrict exercise during the heat of the day in summer.
3. Breed dogs in air-conditioned quarters.
4. Crate a dog only in an open wire cage.
5. Provide shade and cool water to dogs living in outdoor runs.
Taken from doctordog.com
Last edited by Littlelab on Sun Jul 27, 2008 9:39 am; edited 3 times in total
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
Just reading up on this I had a real fright the other day with Doobs - and I thought he had a bug! He woke ok, but mid morning he started vomiting, for about 30 mins and it ended up being all phlegm. He was panting rapidly, he was wandering around looking like he wasn't aware of his surroundings.....I was so worried that I called the vets. They said I couldn't get him in for an appointment for another few hours. They said he must have eaten something! Anyway, the two hours passed and he just dozed in a cool corner - with quick trips outside as he had diorreah (sp?). He was ok by the time he was due to go to the vets so I cancelled.
Could this have been the start of HS? If I had known the symptons I would have got him up the vets straight away - but thankfully he was fine.
Now, thanks to this thread I will know if it happens again.
I think Mommy was gonna post some links as well which would be really helpful.. I beat her to the Main Post
Its just so important, I never knew how quick this thing hits!!
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
Neither did I - one min he was ok - next he was acting very strangely. Like I said, HS didn't even occur to me at the time. I was worried - but the vets didn't
Nat's story shows the speed that HS attacks. It is hard to tell apart your pups normal panting to regulate his/her own temperature from the onset of HS but the link below may help by giving you other signs to watch out for.
On the subject of wet towels....these are used for ' normal ' conditions, ie: helping to keep your pup cool but shouldn't be usd if overheating starts or the onset of HS as the towels trap the heat in.
Obviously I am not endorsing any particular company etc but look at these.....as a preventative......
Nat and Philippa, so sorry to hear of these lost pups to HS, but I bet there have been many more, their temp only has to rise a few degrees and they are in extreeme danger. Many owners will be unaware and assumng panting is just normal.......tis a scary thing......everyone watch your pups.....
Also have to say I have found out that as soon ss your pup's temp gets to within 1-2 degrees of normal to slow down the cooling off else you can't stop the speed of descent and they can go the other way into shock...now I haven't had this confirmed as yet ( although it makes some sense ) or maybe Kayc / Johnw knows......
____________ Natalie x
LAB LINK RESCUE Co ordinator and Forum Administrator for my sins
Jack, Molly & Maia, watched over by Tara Banana from the Bridge
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beat me to it Nat.....shall copy mine here too 
