⚠️ Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. ⚠️
If you think your dog is experiencing one right now: move them out of the heat, apply cool (not ice cold) water and go to your vet immediately.
Heat stroke usually appears in summer, when the heat is very intense. Some of the most common cases happen when dogs are locked inside a car. It can also appear when they do not have shade or when they are in small, poorly ventilated rooms.
Which dogs are most at risk?
Large breed dogs are more vulnerable since their body surface area is smaller in relation to their mass, as well as brachycephalic dogs due to the common obstruction of the upper airways.
Senior dogs and/or dogs that have neurological disorders are often more prone to heatstroke. Poor physical condition, obesity, diseases such as diabetes, epilepsy, respiratory problems and Addison’s syndrome are other predisposing factors to heat stroke.
How dogs regulate body temperature?
Dogs can only eliminate heat through 3 mechanisms:
▶️ Panting (the rapid breathing typical of the dog).
▶️Through sweat ONLY through the pads of the feet and hands, and in contact with cold surfaces.
▶️Through areas with little presence of hair, such as the abdomen.
Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs:
The first symptoms you will see will be:
🔹Very fast and forced breathing.
🔹Difficulty of movement.
🔹Wobbling.
🔹Alteration of salivation.
🔹Blue tongue and mucous membranes.
Heat stroke is an EMERGENCY, go to your veterinarian as soon as possible!
First aid: what to do in the first minutes
In general, the first measure to be taken is to cool the animal’s body. The most important thing we must do is reduce body temperature. Ice water should not be used as it will cause peripheral vasoconstriction that will make heat dissipation difficult and therefore the temperature will decrease.
Moisten the dog and place it in a place protected from the sun. Ideally, wet a towel and place it over the body, a small towel that allows the animal to ventilate and not retain body heat; put a fan; Moisten the chest, armpits, groin and anal area with fresh water.
