What to do if You Think Your Dog has Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is dangerous, and it’s important to be vigilant about keeping your dog cool this summer.

While most cases of heat stroke are caused by negligence, in dogs that have a higher risk of heat stroke, it can happen to even the best dog owners. That’s why, in addition to taking preventative measures, it’s also important to know what to do if you think that your dog may have heat stroke:

#1. Put your dog in cool water.

Place your dog in the bathtub and cover his or her body in cool, not cold, water, focusing the most on their neck and the back of their head. If you cannot get your dog in the tub, you could also use a garden hose to cool him or her off.

#2. Give your dog cool water to drink.

Allow your dog to drink as much cool water as he or she wants. You can also add a very small amount of salt to the water. This will help to replace the minerals your dog lost when he or she was panting.

#3. Massage your dog’s legs.

Vigorously massaging your dogs can help to restore normal circulation and reduce his or her risk of going into shock.

#4. Place a cold pack on your dog’s head.

Place a bag of frozen veggies or another cold pack on the back of your dog’s head. This will help to lower his or her body temperature.

These are the immediate steps you should take if you think your dog has heat stroke. Stay tuned for our North Bellmore veterinary clinic’s next blog to learn about the next steps you should take.

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.