I recently did a dog walk with Ty a sweet Border Collie/Queensland healer, and realized that the weather was changing.  I was sweating and could really feel the heat.  That reminded me of when I lived in Mesa, Arizona and had to walk my dog Nikki before 6:30 am or after it got dark due to the excessive heat.  It could be over 90 degrees by 7:00 am!  I’m glad I’m back in California.

Sweet Ty

It’s getting to be that time when we have to rearrange our walking schedule so we don’t over heat our dogs and cause them to have heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

What is Heat Stroke (Hyperthermia)?

Heat stroke is when a dogs body temperature is severely elevated over 104 degrees.  This usually occurs in the Spring and Summer months when the temperature is warmer and your dog isn’t used to the weather yet.  This condition can be fatal, so please take your pet to the veterinarian as soon as possible if they exhibit any of the follow symptoms.

What are the symptoms of Heat Stroke?

• Body Temperature is over 104 degrees

• Your pet collapses

• They are acting like they’re depressed or in a stupor

• They have bloody diarrhea or are vomiting

• Their capillary refill time is to quick.  When you press your finger on your pets gums they will turn white.  Take your finger off the gum and they should turn pink again.  This should take 1 to 2 seconds. If less than 1 second or over 3 seconds, it is deemed an emergency.

• Difficulty breathing or panting

• Increased Heart Rate – Puppies 1 year and younger should have a heat beat of 120-160 beats per minute – Small dogs, 30 pounds or less should have a heartbeat of 100-140 beats per minute and larger dogs, more than 30 pounds should have a heartbeat of 60-100 BPM.

• Increased Respiratory Rate – Normal breathing rates should be between 10 to 30 breaths per minute.  When panting heavily, it could go up to 200 breaths per minute.

• Check their gums and inner eyelids.  If they are redder than usual, or if you see blue, pale, yellow, dark red, white or brown, it’s an emergency.

• Heavy Salivation

Thanks Buddy, the water feels good!

What can you do?

• Take your dog’s temperature  – should be under 104 degrees

• Spray your dog with a garden hose for a minute or two, but make sure you run it for a while so that you’re not spraying him with hot water.  Take his temperature again.

• Soak towels in cool water and apply them to his head, neck, feet, chest and abdomen.

• Run 70% isopropyl alcohol on his paws, however do not use more than one pint as it might be toxic if they lick their paws and ingest the alcohol.

• Turn on a fan and let the breeze flow over your dog.

• Take your dog to the nearest veterinarian even if you get your dogs temperature down.  The effects can lead to sever medical conditions such as kidney failure and neurological problems to name a couple.

Other Tips for keeping your dog cool in the Summer months

• Make sure you have plenty of fresh water on hand.  Dogs can only get rid of heat by panting and through the pads of their feet as they do not have sweat glands.

• Never leave your dog in a car even with the windows cracked.  In Summer months, the car can reach temperature of over 120 degrees and can be fatal to dogs and people alike.

• Short snouted dogs such as Bulldogs, Boxers and Pugs can get heat stroke at much lower temperatures.  Always walk them in the early morning or later at night.
  

  Man, it's hot out here!

• Make sure your dog gets acclimated to warmer weather.  Running and exercise that you used to do in the Winter may not be a good idea with higher temperatures.

• Make sure your dog has ample shade and/or shelter if left outside with plenty of water.

• If appropriate, shave thick coated dogs in the Summer months.

• Dogs with a history of seizures, upper airway, heart or lung disease may be more susceptible to heat stroke.

• Consider getting dog booties if you have to walk on concrete.

• Don’t forget your sunscreen for dogs.  They can burn just like people do especially if they have short coats with exposed skin.

Dogs, fun and Summer go hand in hand, but adding a little caution into the mix is a can’t hurt.

Chris L Wagner

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