HEAT WARNING FOR YOUR DOG
IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO ISSUE A WARNING TOO OFTEN ABOUT THE DANGER OF HEAT IN THE SUMMER FOR OUR DOGS. THE HEAT CAN TURN DEADLY FOR YOUR DOG VERY, VERY QUICKLY.
Is Your Dog In Danger?
By Sarah Wilson & Brian Kilcommons
Published: August 21, 2005
Courtesy of PARADE magazine
On the evening of the Fourth of July, Hogar, a 16-month-old bulldog, went outside with his owner for a game of catch. It wasnt especially hot in their Detroit suburb. But, with the humidity high, Hogar panted fiercely as he chased a Frisbee (think stampeding canine cannonball).
After about 15 minutes, Hogar came inside, drank some water and flopped onto the floor. No one thought much of it. Then Vicki Hodgson (Hogars grandma, as it were) noticed that his chest was heaving, his mouth was gaping and his eyes were brick- red. Hogar was in serious trouble.
How Dogs Handle Heat
This summer, record high temperatures have zapped the energy from both people and their pets. For dogs especially, heat stroke is not uncommon. Once a dogs body temperature reaches 107, warns Dr. Eric Hartelius, a veterinarian in New York, the cells of the body start to come apart. There is hopeif we get to the animal quickly. But the longer they are hot, and the hotter they are, the less hope there is.
Why do dogs get so hot? They dont have an efficient system for handling the heat, and most dont realize that they should decrease their energy level as temperatures rise. While humans sweat all over, dogs pant to evaporate moisture from the tongue and inside the mouth. And since they pant ofteneven when not overheatedmost owners fail to recognize the problem.
Remember: A dogs mouth is his air-conditioning system. So the danger signals emerge as soon as he turns that air conditioner on high. Panting becomes very fast, and the mouth opens wide to allow maximum air flow. The tongue hangs low, widens and thins out to create as much surface area as possible (think slice of bologna), while the gums, eyes and tongue may turn brick-red as blood rushes to the area. Also look for wide, panicky eyes; stumbling; restlessness; unresponsiveness; and refusal of food and water.
Any dog can get overheated, but the most susceptible are overweight, have a heavy coat or a big body (bullmastiff, Rottweiler, some Labradors) or are excitable and anxious. Short-nosed breeds (bulldogs, boxers and pugs) have especially poor cooling systems.
We caretakers must be mindful of our dogs vulnerabilities. Every year, well-intentioned owners jog their dogs to death, says Beth Lockwood, executive director of the SPCA of Pinellas County in Florida. Dogs that can normally do the route get into trouble when the heat and humidity climb. We advise exercising dogs either very early or very late.
As we head toward fall and the heat begins to subside, be aware that the danger remainsespecially when your pet is in the car. Recently, a dog almost died in the parking lot of the Houston SPCA in Texas. It was the last thing that the owner would have wanted, says Patricia Mercer, president of the shelter. She parked in the shade with the windows cracked open. Still, in 10 minutes, it was 118 degrees inside the car. Swift action by the SPCA staff saved the dog.
Similarly, Grandma Vicki responded rapidly when she realized Hogar the bulldog was in trouble. I immediately got cold, wet towels and started wrapping him, she recalls. I switched the towels when they stopped feeling cold. I concentrated on his belly and around his neck and chest. Now and then, I scooped a handful of water and put it in his mouth.
Vicki may well have saved Hogars life. And your own care and caution may save your pet. Pay attention to the changes in your dogs habits and actions. Those behaviors can tell you a lot, now that you know the signs.
IF YOUR DOG IS TOO HOT:
Get him inside or in the shade. Your canine needs a cool location immediately.
Wet him down. Use a hose or wet towels. Get him really wetand focus on hairless areas, especially the belly and mouth.
Increase evaporation. Fans and air conditioning help. Do not put a hot, wet dog into a closed cratethat creates a sauna effect.
Think coolnot cold. Skip the ice. It will contract the blood vessels and, ironically, lock body heat in. You also run the risk of cooling him too fast.
Let him drink (frequently, in small amounts). If he wont drink, wet his mouth down often.
Get to a veterinarian! This is an emergency. At high temperatures, dogs can die. Theres no time to waste!
The authors are noted animal experts, trainers and lecturers.
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