How to recognize heat stroke in dogs
Summer is a great time of year for people and their pets to enjoy the great outdoors and soak up some sun. Dog owners must take steps to protect their four-legged friends when bringing them outdoors.
Dog owners who routinely take their pets outdoors in summer must learn how to protect canines from heat stroke and how to recognize its symptoms.
What is heat stroke?
Dogs suffer from heat stroke when their body temperatures exceed 104 F and the built-in mechanisms they rely on to cool themselves – including panting — cease to function properly. But any temperature 103 F or above is considered abnormal. According to PetMD, heat stroke is a form of non-fever hyperthermia that can lead to multiple organ dysfunction.
Heat stroke can overwhelm dogs quickly, so dog owners should be especially diligent and bring their dogs inside immediately after noticing such symptoms.
What are the symptoms of heat stroke?
According to the American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation, signs that a dog is overheating include:
• Panting followed by disorientation and fast, noisy breathing
• Collapsing or convulsing
• Bright red or blue gums
• Vomiting and diarrhea
Vomit and diarrhea connected to heat stroke may contain blood. In addition, the eyes of dogs suffering from heat stroke may be glazed-over and such dogs may be unresponsive to commands, or their replies to commands may be slower than usual.
• Alter routines. Walking can be great exercise for dogs, but on hot days dog owners should walk their dogs in the early morning hours or evenings when the sun is setting or has already set.
• Limit play time. Dogs generate heat when playing and exercising, and their body temperatures may rise considerably on hot summer days. To reduce dogs’ risk of heat stroke, limit play time on hot days.
