When the temperature starts to climb, our furry friends are especially susceptible to the heat. Breeds like goldendoodles that have curly, heavier coats may find the heat and humidity especially harsh. Knowing the signs of heatstroke in dogs can help you not only act fast in the case of an emergency, but can also be helpful in preventing the worst from even taking place. Thanks to the dogchannel.com, here are some tips in recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke, what to do in an emergency, and how you can prevent heatstroke from taking place.
Symptoms
The three major symptoms of heatstroke are a high fever, extreme panting or suddenly stopping panting, and shock or loss of consciousness. While a dog’s normal temperature is around one hundred degrees, a dog suffering from heatstroke can have a temperature climbing as high as one hundred and eight. As you probably already know, dogs don’t keep cool by sweating, like humans do. Rather, panting helps keep their body temperature down. When their panting runs into overdrive or worse, it stops altogether, this is a sign that something is wrong. Finally, much like humans will faint from heatstroke, so will dogs.
Emergency Treatment
The first steps of emergency treatment include getting the dog to a cooler place and slowly immersing him into a bath of cool water. When enough cool water isn’t available, packing the dog in ice is an acceptable substitute. You’ll also need to get the dog to an emergency veterinarian as soon as possible. Under the veterinarian’s care, the cool baths will continue as well as administering liquids intravenously. In some cases, the veterinarian may also administer steroids or antibiotics in order to ward off infection.
Prevention
In order to keep your dog from going through this dramatic emergency, take a few precautions to prevent heatstroke from taking place. Avoid the heat of the day by exercising with your dog early in the morning or in the evening when the sun is going down. Carry water not just for your dog, but for you as well. Be sure to take frequent breaks to cool off and have a drink. Also be ready to take a break if your dog seems to be panting heavier than normal or having difficulty continuing to play or run. Finally, be sure to find a place out of the sun to relax, as the heat of the sun will also cause your dog’s temperature to rise, thanks to his coat.
