The weather is getting warmer by the day, so we have put together everything you need to know about heat exhaustion in dogs
Did you know that dogs don’t sweat? Instead, they get rid of their heat from panting. They do have some sweat glands in their footpads, but these don’t help that much with getting rid of body heat. When panting is not enough, then your dog’s body temp will rise which can be fatal if not corrected quickly!
We care about your precious pooches, it’s why we created pet cover so great you could cuddle it and why we write blog posts like this so that you can be the awesome pet-parent of your dreams and help cool your fur baby in situations like heat exhaustion.
What are the symptoms of heat exhaustion in dogs?
- Excessive panting
- Seeming uncomfortable
- Unable or unwilling to move around
- Drooling
- Red gums
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Seeming disorientated
- Collapsing
- Losing consciousness
What is the cause of heat exhaustion in dogs?
Any kind of hot environment can cause heat exhaustion in dogs, but the most common cause of it is when a pet parent is careless and leaves their dog in the car or forgets to give them water and shade if left outside.
Some dogs may be more prone to getting heat exhaustion, especially older dogs or dogs with flat faces such as Bulldogs and Pugs and dogs with thick coats (the thicker the coat, the hotter they get – imagine wearing a very thick jacket in mid-summer heat – no fun). That is why it is so important that you are aware of the temperature outside and make sure your dog is comfortable and always has access to water and shade.
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How to treat heat exhaustion in dogs
Remove them from the heat immediately. If your dog has lost consciousness (passed out), make sure no water enters their nose when you perform the following:
- Put your dog in the bath or find a hose and submerge them (not their head) in cold water.
- If you cannot get them to the bath, then place a cold and wet towel over them.
- Run a cool shower over them.
- Always make sure their head is elevated.
- Call your vet and make sure he or she knows you are on the way (he or she will give you more points on how to care for your dog before you get there).
- Let your dog drink water but don’t force them.
The below steps then need to be taken:
- Check for signs of shock (ask your vet about this).
- Take your dog’s temperature every 5 minutes and continue to run cold water over them until their temperature is below 39.4°C.
- Go to the vet immediately, travel with the aircon on full blast and the windows open.
How will the vet look after my dog?
Your vet will probably replace your dog minerals and fluids that have been lost through a drip or liquids. Heat stroke can often lead to other conditions such as kidney failure, abnormal clotting, blood pressure changes, and abnormalities in your dog’s electrolytes. Your vet might have to monitor your dog to make sure none of these arise and treat them if they do.
Related: The price of not having pet insurance: can you afford it?
How to prevent heat exhaustion in dogs
It is often difficult to escape the heat of a hot South African summer, but there are some things you can do to make sure your dog tries to stay cool:
- Make sure you never leave your dog in the car.
- Make sure your dog has water at all times.
- Make sure your dog has shade with left outside.
- When driving with your dog in a car, ensure the aircon is on or the windows are slightly open (not wide enough for them to jump out).
Of course, having pet insurance that pays you before you see the vet helps immensely in situations like this, but we hope that you and your precious pooch stay cool this summer and beat the heat together!
Your Pet Insurance Family,
Oneplan
