[ SHOWGSD-L ] Fw: Heat Stroke in Dogs - great article
- From: MORGAN LEWIS <shadowland22000@xxxxxxxxx>
- To: gsd showlist <showgsd-l@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 31 Jul 2009 16:48:00 -0700 (PDT)
Morgan and His Angels
Precious, OFA
Princess, CGC, TDI, GSDCA Health Award
"RAW" fed, No Vaccinations
--- On Fri, 7/31/09, Louise Cauthen <cauthenl@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:
From: Louise Cauthen <cauthenl@xxxxxxxxx>
Subject: Heat Stroke in Dogs - great article
To:
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009, 2:39 PM
A friend sent this to me... a lot of information here..
***********************************
Dog Heatstroke Survival Guide
Know how to treat and prevent this dangerous condition. Robert Newman
.
What is heatstroke?
.
In simple terms, heatstroke occurs when a dog loses its natural ability
to regulate its body temperature. Dogs don't sweat all over their bodies
the way humans do. Canine body temperature is primarily regulated
through respiration (i.e., panting). If a dog's respiratory tract cannot
evacuate heat quickly enough, heatstroke can occur.
.
To know whether or not your dog is suffering from heatstroke (as opposed
to merely heat exposure), it's important to know the signs of
heatstroke.
.
A dog's normal resting temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees
Fahrenheit. Once a dog's temperature rises above 105 degrees,
physiological changes start to take place, and the dog begins to
experience the effects of heatstroke. At 106 to 108 degrees, the dog
begins to suffer irreversible damage to the kidneys, liver,
gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.
.
If a dog is experiencing heatstroke, you may observe excessive panting;
hyperventilation; increased salivation; dry gums that become pale,
grayish and tacky; rapid or erratic pulse; weakness; confusion;
inattention; vomiting; diarrhea; and possible rectal bleeding. If the
dog continues to overheat, breathing efforts become slowed or absent,
and finally, seizures or coma can occur.
.
The amount of damage a dog sustains when stricken with heatstroke
depends on the magnitude and duration of the exposure. The longer and
more severe the exposure, the worse the damage will be.
.
What to do
.
1. Pay attention to your dog. Recognizing the symptoms of heatstroke
and responding quickly is essential for the best possible outcome.
.
2. Get into the shade. If you think your dog is suffering from
heatstroke, move it into a shaded area and out of direct sunlight. Apply
cool water to the inner thighs and stomach of the dog, where there's a
higher concentration of relatively superficial, large blood vessels.
Apply cool water to the foot pads, as well.
.
3. Use running water. A faucet or hose is the best way to wet down
your dog's body. Never submerge your dog in water, such as in a pool or
tub - this could cool the dog too rapidly, leading to further
complications, including cardiac arrest and bloating.
.
4. Use cool - not cold - water. Many people make the mistake of using
cold water or ice to cool the dog. When faced with a dog suffering from
heatstroke, remember that the goal is to cool the dog. Using ice or
extremely cold water is actually counterproductive to this process
because ice and cold water cause the blood vessels to constrict, which
slows blood flow, thus slowing the cooling process.
.
5. Don't cover the dog. One of the keys to successfully cooling your
dog is ensuring the water being placed on the dog can evaporate. Never
cover an overheated dog with a wet towel or blanket. This inhibits
evaporation and creates a sauna effect around your dog's body. Likewise,
don't wet the dog down and put it into an enclosed area, such as a
kennel. Any air flow during the cooling process is helpful in reducing
the dog's body temperature. Sitting with the wet dog in a running car
with the air conditioner blowing is an ideal cooling situation. .
6. Keep the dog moving. It's important to try to encourage your dog to
stand or walk slowly as it cools down. This is because the circulating
blood tends to pool in certain areas if the dog is lying down, thus
preventing the cooled blood from circulating back to the core.
.
7. Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water. Cooling the dog is
the first priority. Hydration is the next. Don't allow the dog to gulp
water. Instead, offer small amounts of water that's cool, but not cold.
If the dog drinks too much water too rapidly, it could lead to vomiting
or bloat.
.
8. Avoid giving human performance drinks.
Performance beverages designed for humans are not recommended because
they are not formulated with the canine's physiology in mind. .
If you can't get an overheated dog to drink water, try offering chicken-
or beef-based broths.
.
See a veterinarian
.
Once your dog's temperature begins to drop, cease the cooling efforts
and bring the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Your dog's
temperature should be allowed to slowly return to normal once cooling
has begun. A dog that's cooled too quickly may become hypothermic.
Even if your dog appears to be fully recovered, the veterinarian needs
to check to determine if the heatstroke caused any damage to your dog's
kidneys and liver. The effects of heatstroke can continue for 48 to 72
hours longer, even if your dog appears normal.
William Grant, DVM, a veterinarian for 20 years and former president of
the Southern California Veterinary Medical Association, has treated
hundreds of cases of heatstroke, ranging from mild to fatal.
.
According to Grant, the most common cause of death following heatstroke
is disseminated intravascular coagulopathy (blood coagulating throughout
the body), or DIC, which can occur hours or days after the heatstroke
episode.
DIC can also be caused by pyometra or septicemia, but Grant says
heatstroke is the most common cause. "Once a dog develops DIC, it may
bleed in the thorax, abdomen, nose and intestine," Grant says. "Once the
blood-clotting factors are consumed, there is an inability of the blood
vessels to prevent leaking; the condition is almost always fatal." For
this reason, follow-up veterinary care is essential following a
heatstroke episode, even if your dog seems to be completely fine.
.
Prevention is the best medicine
The best treatment for heatstroke is prevention. .
Especially during the summer months, it's essential to be aware of the
potential for heatstroke. Knowing the signs of heatstroke, and taking
the necessary steps to prevent it, will ensure your dog can have a safe
and active life year-round.
.
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