With a cool spring behind us it didn’t take long for the heat to show up. Fields dried, and hay is being cut. Oh, the summer is upon us. So, Cooper and I wanted to take a minute and talk to you about heat stroke in animals. Cooper is my furry companion.
Dogs are the ones we see the most affected with heat exhaustion and heat stroke. The differences are a matter of severity of course. You must treat early enough to make a difference so before you head to the park with their Frisbee or ball, make sure you know a few of the early signs. It can mean the difference between life and death. Oh, and it’s a myth that long-haired dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke.
Detection
Some signs that your pet is overheating include:
- Excessive panting and drooling
- Difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate
- Mild weakness
- Stupor or actually collapsing
- Seizures
- Bloody diarrhea
- Vomiting
Short-nosed animals (e.g., Persian cats, pugs, boxers, and bulldogs) are more susceptible to heat stroke than their longer-nosed counterparts. Because of the shape of their faces, they are less effective at panting. Pets who are overweight, elderly, or have heart or lung diseases should be kept in air-conditioned rooms or in front of fans as much as possible. The temperature difference from outside air temperature verses in a barn, on the side of the house, or in any unventilated area can be huge. So, don’t base it solely on the thermometer.
People often associate heatstroke with high temperatures, although it can also occur when humidity levels are high, despite the temperature. To avoid problems, remember a few things.
- Never leave your pet in the car
- Take your daily walk or run with your dog in the early morning or evening, when temperatures are less extreme. Touch the sidewalk with the palm of your hand—if it feels too hot for you, it’s also too hot for the pads of your pet’s paws.
- Give your pet an indoor break or at least shade and plenty of water. Some horses won’t drink water if it’s too hot.
- Fresh water should always be available for your pet, and be sure to use a sturdy bowl, especially if you’ll be away from home for a while. A water bowl that has tipped over is of no use to your thirsty pet.
As soon as you see signs of heatstroke in your pet it is imperative that you begin a cooling method. Soak towels in lukewarm water and wrap your pet in them. It may feel counterintuitive to use lukewarm water, but never use cool or cold water because if the cooling happens too rapidly it can be detrimental to your pet. When you get here we can manage the drop-in temperature. You can also place your pet in front of a fan to help reduce their body temperature or use cotton balls saturated with rubbing alcohol on the pads of their paws and them and get to your veterinary hospital quickly.
Cooper and I want you to have a great summer. Keep cool and don’t forget the pets.
Dr. Buck VanTrease is at Van Zandt Animal Care Center and practiced for 35 years
He can be contacted at 21449 U.S. Hwy 80, Wills Point, Texas 75169 903-873-4100