by Heatstroke can be deadly for a dog, and you need to know how to keep your dog safe from heatstroke – and understanding it is critical to their health.
Important temperature levels and danger
A dog’s body functions properly only within a narrow range of temperature, usually 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat stroke occurs when a dog’s body either produces, through exercise, or absorbs, from the hot environment, more heat than it can dissipate.
When a dog’s body temperature reaches 109 degrees Fahrenheit or more, a heatstroke occurs, and the cells of the body begin to die quickly.
What can happen to you dog
Brain swelling can cause seizures, lack of blood supply to the stomach and intestines, causes ulcers, and dehydration leads to permanent kidney damage, all within a matter of minutes.
Dogs are more susceptible to the effects of heat than humans are in part because their skin is different. When the human body becomes overheated, the glands produce sweat and the blood in the capillaries cools as the sweat evaporates.
Dog skin on the other hand is designed more for insulation against the cold than for cooling and they have neither the sweat glands nor blood cooling capillaries.
Dogs cool themselves by panting, allowing cooler air to enter the logins and dissipate their body heat. Blood vessel supplying the tongue in their mouth they’re cool as a dog saliva evaporates. Some heat can also be eliminated from the dogs’ body through urination.
Dogs with small heads and short noses are poorly built for cooling by panting so they are greater risk for heatstroke. Older dogs, puppies, sick dogs, and dogs poorly acclimated to warm weather are especially at risk, but even healthy dogs who live outdoors may be susceptible to heat stroke during severe hot weather or as a result of excessive exercise.
What is the heatstroke danger zone for dogs?
When a dog enters the danger zone, the point at which they can no longer properly cool himself, they begin to show signs of heat stroke. Loud and excessive panting, profuse salivation, and restless pacing are early signs.
The tongue and the inside the mouth become dry and purple or dark red. The dogs’ eyes become glazed, and they have trouble walking or standing.
When the body temperature approaches 109 Fahrenheit they begin to gag and vomit. Soon, they go into shock as their body pulls all available blood to their most necessary internal organs, the heart, liver, kidneys, brain, and lungs. Swelling in the brain and ensues causing seizures and unconsciousness.
The dog’s blood may also begin to clot, a condition known as disseminated intravascular coagulation. They quickly run out of blood factors necessary for clotting and instead begin to bleed uncontrollably.
When this happens, small and large purple’s blotches appear all over their body as blood seeps into the tissue beneath the skin. Unfortunately, at this point death is imminent.
Actions to take if you suspect heatstroke
If you think a dog is suffering heatstroke, don’t hesitate to take action immediately. First, get them out of the heat and into a shady area where indoors as quickly as possible.
Then assess their condition to determine what actions need to be taken. Is your dog standing, still conscious and painting? If they’ve just began to suffer the effects of heat stroke, move your dog into a cool area and offer them frequent small amounts of water.
Take their temperature and if their body temperature is 104 or lower keep them in a cool environment, while watching them closely, and continue to offer sips of water to your dog.
Don’t let your dog drink a large volume, because they will only vomit which will further contribute to dehydration. Once they have cooled down, call your veterinarian to discuss when the dog needs to be examined.
If the dog is unable to stand, unresponsive or experience seizures, provide immediate care. Check to see if your dog is breathing and feel their chest to determine whether their heart is beating.
Have someone contact a veterinarian hospital and make arrangements to take them there immediately while you move them into a cool area and take their temperature.
If it is above 104 Fahrenheit immediately begin cooling them by soaking their body with cool not cold water. Use small wash towels or a spray hose, and concentrate on their head and neck, and the areas underneath the front and back legs. You can carefully rinse the cool the tongue taking care not to let water run down their throat, where it might enter into their lungs.
After only a few minutes, stop and take their temperature again. Once it has cooled to 104, stop the cooling process. Further intentional cooling may lead to a blood clotting or even low body temperature, since your dog is unable to properly control his thermal system. Take them to the veterinarian hospital immediately, even if they appear to be recovering.
Keep in mind to always be careful in the heat or when they are playing or exercising excessively, and know the signs of heatstroke before it’s too late to keep your dog safe from heatstroke.
