As a 10 year old child, I watched helplessly one hot August
day as my beloved boxer, Duke, died in my arms. Four decades
later, I still have that memory painfully etched in my mind. We
didn't learn until after the fact that Duke had died of a heat
stroke. Even more painful was the realization that, had we known
what to look for, we could have taken measures to possibly
prevent his death. In honor of his memory, I want to share vital
information that may keep your dog from suffering Duke's fate.
What is heat stroke?
Too much time exposed to the dangerous combination of
increased temperature and humidity can lead to a heat stroke. A
mammal's body (and that includes humans, too) can only tolerate
temperatures up to about 107 degrees before cells start dying.
The higher the temperature, the faster this occurs. The longer
the body remains at an elevated temperature, the less chance
there is for recovery. Heat stroke can occur very quickly, given
the right set of circumstances, and if too much time has
elapsed, even your best efforts may not be enough to keep your
dog alive.
Is my dog at risk for heat stroke?
Any dog can fall victim to heat stroke, but hot weather is
especially hard on puppies and older dogs, (they have a harder
time regulating their body temperature), short-nosed breeds,
(like pugs, pekes, boxers and bulldogs), overweight dogs, those
with heart or lung problems, and dogs recently moved from a
cooler climate. These risk factors increase if your dog doesn't
have enough water, if he's in an enclosed space or is exposed
too long to direct sunlight.
How can I recognize heat stroke?
Heat stroke causes dogs to pant rapidly and heavily, the
body's defense in an effort to lower the core temperature. Their
eyes may be open abnormally wide, and they may appear to stare
blankly, ignoring your commands. They may drool excessively and
stagger weakly. The gums will appear pale and dry and
eventually, if left untreated, the animal will collapse into
unconsciousness.
What should I do if my dog has a heat stroke?
If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke and
you're close to a vet or animal hospital, put him in the car,
crank the air conditioning all the way up and get him there as
soon as possible. They're the ones best equipped to handle your
dog's recovery. If that's not possible, you must try to reduce
your dog's temperature yourself. Get him to a shady area and
either put him in a tub of cool (not cold) running water, or
spray him with a hose. Be sure the water penetrates his coat and
wets the skin beneath. Run it over his tongue and mouth, inside
the legs and on his stomach. Remember that small dogs will cool
down more quickly than larger breeds. Take your dog to a vet as
soon as you can.
Hopefully your dog will never suffer a life-threatening heat
stroke. If he does, at least now you know the signs and symptoms
to be aware of, and the measures you can take that will offer
him the best chances for a full and total recovery.