This entry was posted on 2020-09-07 by Pet Heaven Store.

South Africa is a hot country, and with global warming and climate change, it may be getting hotter. Which is why we need to be aware of the danger this poses to our pets. We have all heard about heat stroke or heat exhaustion, but how serious is it really?

Heatstroke is a term commonly used for hyperthermia or an increased body temperature. It occurs when dogs are too hot and are unable to reduce their body temperature by panting. Unlike humans, who regulate their body temperature by sweating, dogs only have a small amount of sweat glands in their foot pads, and therefore need to pant.

Generally temperatures above 39.4℃ are considered abnormal in pets. And temperatures above 41℃ without any illness, together with exposure to heat, is considered heat stroke. Although most dogs in our country can tolerate hot days fairly well, it is something to be aware of, as 50% of dogs that develop heat stroke will most likely die. And this is a very scary statistic! Which is why it's worth knowing what causes it and which dogs are at greater risk. Below are a few risk factors to take note of.

- Leaving a dog in the car, even for a few minutes, can be fatal
- You should never exercising your pet on hot days or at lunch time
- Purebred breeds are more likely to suffer than cross breeds
- Brachycephalic or flat faced breeds, which are currently very popular in South Africa such as the boston terrier, french bulldog and bulldog, are extremely susceptible. They often struggle to breath normally on fair weathered days, never mind hot ones
- Large breeds are more susceptible than small breeds
- Older animals are more susceptible than younger more energetic animals
- Dogs with thick double coats such as golden retrievers have an increased risk
- Dogs with underlying health conditions such as heart disease are less able to regulate their body temperatures
- Similarly, dogs with hyperthermia due to disease (fever) are more at risk

From the above list it is clear that many dogs of all ages, shapes and sizes are at risk of developing heat stroke. The bottom line is rather safe than sorry. Think before you take your pet out into the sweltering hot sun. And always provide shade and water for your pet when you are away because your pet is more at risk of developing heat stroke than you are.

What are the symptoms of heatstroke

Earliest symptoms of heatstroke are subtle and include:

- Your dog panting excessively
- Being restless or distressed, with a glazed look in its eyes
- Rapid noisy breathing, barking or whining
- Excessive thirst and drooling
- An increased heart rate
- These can then progress to incoordination and dizziness
- Gums that turn dark blue or red, and a longer than normal tongue
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Collapse, and a seizure or fit

Note that not all of the above symptoms will occur in every dog. But if you are at all concerned, even if your dog is just panting too much on a hot day, it is worth consulting your veterinarian as the earlier hyperthermia with potencial heat stroke is treated, to better the outcome.

What to do if you suspect your dog has heat stroke

- Heat stroke is a medical emergency and you need to seek veterinary advice immediately
- In the meantime, you should try cooling your dog's body temperature straight away
- If your pet is in the sun, move it into shade.
- Pour cool water (not cold) over its head, armpits, tummy and feet
- If available, get a fan and blow air onto your dog
- Allow it to drink small amounts of water, but don’t let them drink excessive amounts as this will just cause your pet to vomit
- Ideally don’t cover with towels as this may trap heat in

Once you have arrived at the veterinary practice:

- Your vet will continue to monitor your pet’s rectal temperature
- Place it on intravenous fluids
- Mildly sedate it if needed
- Supply low concentration oxygen to it
- And administer any other medical treatments that may be needed

The outcome of a dog with heat stroke depends on a few factors, such as, how high your dog’s body temperature was raised, how long this high body temperature persisted for and the physical condition your dog was in, before the incident occurred. In mild cases of heat stroke, where the body temperature wasn’t too high for very long, many pets will recover if treated immediately. However, in other cases, pets may develop permanent organ damage and may die from such complications, which sometimes only reveal themselves at a later stage. Pets that have previously suffered from heat stroke are always at greater risk of developing it again. And extreme care must be taken in these situations.