Happy Tails Dog Behavior & Training
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Dogs and Heat exhaustion and Heat Stoke
Signs of heat exhaustion include :
heavy panting, hyperventilation (deep breathing),
increased salivation early then dry gums as the effects of over heating progresses, weakness, confusion or inattention, vomiting or diarrhea and
sometimes bleeding.
As the condition progresses towards heat exhaustion or heat stroke there may be obvious paleness or graying to the gums.
Shallow breathing efforts and eventually slowed or absent breathing efforts,
vomiting and diarrhea that may be bloody and finally seizures or coma.
Temperatures above 103 degrees Fahrenheit are dangerous, if you have a way of taking her temperature and you dogs temp is 102 or higher call your veterinarian immediately
The best approach to heat exhaustion is to prevent it by limiting exercise on hot days. Make sure there is access to water and to get your dog to air conditioned areas when signs of overheating first occur.
Do not leave your dog in a hot car. Greenhouse or similar environment
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke most commonly happen the first moderately hot days of the summer in active dogs who just go on being really active on these days
We also see problems here because people assume that if a
dog is in the water that the dog won't overheat. This just
isn't true when the water temperature gets much above 75 degrees if
the dog is working hard in the water.
When your dog is wet and she is in the sun it will raise her body
temperature. Wet fur does not function properly to keep your dog
cool. The water on the dog will increase in temperature much the
way water in a puddle will in full sun. If your dog is going
to be playing in water make sure she can get in the shade to dry.
The water temperature also should be cool, below 74.
If you dog is showing signs of serious distress from the heat it is
best to cool her immediately with cool or tepid water rather than
really cold water. If ice packs are available they can be applied
to areas where circulation is very good, such as the armpits, or
neck.
Blowing air over her with a fan as you cool her off with water can be helpful. As soon as she seems to be gaining some comfort proceed to your vet's.
Dogs who suffer from heat stroke can develop delayed complications that are really serious, including death, if they are not properly monitored and cared for.