Watch dogs for signs of hyperthermia, heat stroke

July 5, 9:20 PMDenver Pet Health ExaminerMaria Devore

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Captain at the Cherry Creek Dog Park

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• Canine hyperthermia
• The Pet Center - heat stroke

Dogs do not tolerate high temperatures as well as humans. Unfortunately, furry coat jokes aside, people too often fail to notice symptoms of canine hyperthermia. Dogs need hydration, ventilation, and cool air to remain safe in hot weather. Humans sweat; dogs pant to exchange hot internal air for cooler external air. If the external air temperature is too close to a dog’s body temperature, his ability to thermoregulate is compromised. All dog owners should learn how to most importantly, prevent, but also recognize symptoms of hyperthermia and how to treat it.

Heat exhaustion
Signs of heat exhaustion include heavy panting, increased heart rate, hyperventilation, and drooling. The tongue widens and lengthens to increase surface area for heat dispersal.

Heat Stroke
Symptoms progress to weakness, confusion (sometimes misidentified as inattention), vomiting, diarrhea, and dry pale or grey gums. The dog’s breathing becomes shallow and slow and may stop altogether. Vomit and diarrhea may contain blood. Seizures and coma may result if the dog is not treated. A body temperature above 105 degrees Fahrenheit requires immediate medical attention. As most people don’t carry thermometers around, it is crucial to observe a dog’s physical symptoms.

Prevention
Common sense measures are the best way to prevent heat exhaustion and stroke. Dogs shouldn’t be worked or exercised in hot weather and should always have access to plenty of cool water. It is often helpful to have a bottle or container of frozen water so the dog will have small amounts of cool water as the ice melts. Dogs should NEVER be left in vehicles, even for a short time. Cracking the window does not provide enough air to cool the vehicle or the dog. Working dogs should be slowly acclimated to exercising in the heat and handlers should pay careful attention to their behavior to prevent heat exhaustion from developing and/or progressing.

Treatment
Remove the dog from the heat at once. Provide cool drinking water for a heat-exhausted dog. A child’s swimming pool or bathtub can be used to soak the paws; cooling the feet can provide quick relief. If symptoms have progressed to heat stroke, seek medical attention while treating the symptoms. Cool the dog with cool or lukewarm water, not cold ice water. Either place the dog in a shallow amount of water or place water-soaked washcloths on the dogs “armpits”, head, and/or neck areas. If available, a fan is useful for circulating the air as the dog is cooled with water. Gently massage the dog’s limbs and torso to increase circulation.

It is important to cool the dog carefully and not submerge him in ice water or cover him with ice packs. Once the dog’s internal temperature has reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit, the dog should be dried and cooling measures stopped. Again, since most people don’t have thermometers on hand, the cooling procedures should take place while the dog is being taken to a veterinarian.

If you see a dog in a parked car, call 911 and wait to direct the police the vehicle. Enjoy the summer safely with your dog.