Heatstroke in Dogs
July 23, 2013I pulled the following excerpt from the internet, and thought it was good
information based on the heat this summer. It's important to pay close attention to our
dogs!
"Dogs pant to regulate body temperature, as dogs have fewer sweat glands
than humans, and most of their sweat glands are located along the base of their
feet. By panting, a dog can cool the mouth and tongue, along with blood which is circulated
through the head, keeping body temperature at a safe and normal level. Although dogs pant to control escalating
temperature, they cannot protect themselves against extreme heat, and pet
owners should carefully monitor their animals during warm weather to prevent
heatstroke. When dogs pant heavily
during hot weather, it may be a sign of distress.
The classic mouth open, tongue lolling posture
adopted when dogs pant helps to cool the mouth and tongue, but it also provides
a draft of cool air to the major blood vessels of the head, which surround the
nose. Dogs pant to cool these blood
vessels, keeping their brains from overheating and also circulating cooler
blood through the rest of the body. The
large surface area of the tongue provides a lot of area to cool through
evaporation, which is why dogs stick their tongues out when they pant. Panting also cools the respiratory system
through evaporation, although sometimes dogs pant so rapidly that they actually
start to hyperventilate, which can be dangerous.
The normal body temperature for dogs hovers between
101-102 degrees Fahrenheit (38-39 degrees Celsius). A temperature difference of merely three
degrees, to 105 degrees Fahrenheit (41 degrees Celsius) can lead to the early
signs of heatstroke, and at this point, even if dogs pant, they may not be able
to control their rising body temperature. At 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 degrees Celsius),
dogs can suffer from major organ damage and death if the condition is not
addressed immediately by a veterinarian.
Dogs pant after heavy exercise and during warm
days, and this is entirely normal. Pet
owners should watch out for other signs of heatstroke, which include
accelerated or abnormal breathing and heart rate, a dry mouth and nose, heavy
drooling, seizures, and pale or extremely dark gums. Make sure that your dog
has access to plenty of fresh, cool water, along with shade, and never leave an
animal or child in a car, even for a minute, as temperatures inside cars can
rise very rapidly.
If your dog is demonstrating symptoms of
heatstroke, cool him or her down immediately with cool or tepid water, and ice
packs behind the legs, where large amounts of blood circulate. Offer your dog
cool water, but not too much, and do not cover your dog, as this traps heat.
Bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible for additional treatment,
as some of the signs of heatstroke will only manifest after it is too late, and
only quick professional attention will save your dog's life."
Posted by Andrew Kronenberger. Posted In : Tech Talk