If you think your dog may have heat stroke, there are many things you can do to help him or her.
If you haven’t already, check out our Levittown veterinarian’s last blog to learn about the immediate steps you should take if you think that your dog has heat stroke. However, just because you’ve completed those steps, it doesn’t mean that you are finished. There are a few additional things you’ll need to do to ensure that your dog is safe, regardless of whether they appear to be well or not:
#1.Watch out for signs of shock.
The signs of shock include:
- Weakness
- Collapsing
- Convulsions
- Depression
- Loss of Consciousness
- Pale Lips, Eyelids or Mouth
- Sudden Cooling of the Mouth, Legs or Skin
- A Pulse That is Rapid and Weak
- Rapid Breathing
- Dilated Pupils
- A Fixed Stare
#2. Check your dog’s temperature.
Throughout the water cooling process, check your dog’s temperature every five minutes. Once his or her temperature drops to around 100 degrees Fahrenheit, your dog is in much less danger.
#3. Seek immediate veterinary attention.
Even if you think that your dog has fully recovered from heat stroke, it’s still important to get him or her checked by your veterinarian. There are many complications associated with heat stroke, including brain swelling, blood clotting and kidney failure. Make sure that the air conditioning is on or the windows are open when traveling to the veterinary clinic.
Now that you know the signs of heat stroke, what causes it and how to treat it, you need to learn the most important part — how to prevent it! Stay tuned for our next blog to learn how to prevent heat stroke.