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Hot Dogs are Not Happy Dogs
Monday, August 04, 2008 — As we enter the final leg of summer, many Americans will be flocking to the beach for vacations of fun and sun. Others might choose to save money on gas and host a picnic in their own backyard. However we spend our summer days, pets are often included in the trips and festivities. In an effort to promote pet safety, the Red Cross has launched the Dog Days of summer campaign, urging pet owners to learn how to prevent and treat heat stroke in dogs, especially during the hot summer months.
Gia the pug loves to play outside but during the summer has to stay inside during the warmest hours of the day to avoid heat stroke.
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Heat stroke (hyperthermia) occurs when a dog severely overheats- most commonly in the spring and summer months- when the weather turns warm. The good news is if the heat stroke hasn’t advanced too far (with body temperature of less then 104◦F), you can help your dog recover.
It is important to know if your dog has a predisposition to heat stroke which is true of dogs with short snouts such as bulldogs, pugs and many other breeds. Other common causes of heat stroke include: a previous episode of heat stroke, dog left in a parked car, excessive exercise in hot humid weather (this may be exercise that your dog can usually handle but not in warmer weather), lack of appropriate shelter for an animal outdoors, thick-coated dogs in warm climates and underlying disease such as upper airway, heart or lung disease.
Never leave your pet in a parked car! Even with the windows cracked, your pet can quickly suffer heat stroke – and even die. Temperatures can exceed 120◦F in parked cars.
Unlike humans, dogs do not have sweat glands, so they can dispel heat only by panting and through the pads of their feet. Make sure your pet has plenty of cool water and shade during the hot weather.
Signs and symptoms of heat stroke include: collapse, body temperature 104◦F or above, bloody diarrhea or vomit, depression stupor, seizures or coma, excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart rate, salivation.
If you suspect heat stroke, you should get your dog out of direct heat, check for shock, take your dog’s temperature, spray your dog with cool water then retake temperature, place water–soaked towels on the dog’s head, neck feet, chest and abdomen, turn on a fan and point it in your dog’s direction, rub Isopropyl alcohol (70%) on the dog’s foot pads to help cool him but don’t use large quantities as it can be toxic if ingested, and immediately take your dog to the nearest veterinary hospital.
The goal is always to decrease the dog’s body temperature to 103◦F in the first 10-15 minutes. Once 103◦F is reached, you must stop the cooling process because the body temperature will continue to decrease and can plummet dangerously low if you continue to cool the dog.
Even if you successfully cool your pet down to 103◦F in the first 10-15 minutes, you must take the dog to a veterinarian as soon as possible because consequences of heat stroke will not show up for hours or even days. Potential problems include abnormal heart rhythms, kidney failure, neurological problems and respiratory arrest.
If you are interested in more information on pet safety, check out the Red Cross Dog First Aid guide with DVD. To order a copy, visit the Red Cross online store. Now through September 30, 2008, you can receive 10 percent off by entering the coupon code: WOOF. Cat First Aid guides with DVDs are also available. When you shop at the Red Cross online store, up to 15 percent of your purchase benefits your local Red Cross chapter.
In addition, many Red Cross chapters across the country offer classes with hands-on training in pet first aid procedures. A list of some of these chapters can be found here.
The Red Cross is also encouraging dog owners to cool off during these dog days by diving into the American Red Cross Pet Photo Pool. Get your camera ready and sniff out these instructions to enter our Dog Days of Summer photo contest. Two pet owners will receive a free copy of the Dog First Aid guide and DVD.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and counsels victims of disasters; provides nearly half of the nation's blood supply; teaches lifesaving skills; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a charitable organization – not a government agency – and depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its humanitarian mission. For more information, please visit www.redcross.org or join our blog at www.redcrosschat.org.
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