Summer Safety: Preventing Heatstroke

Identifying the Risks: Who is Most Vulnerable?

While any dog can suffer from heatstroke, certain factors and situations significantly increase the risk:

• Brachycephalic (Flat-faced) Breeds: Breeds like Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, and French Bulldogs have compromised airways that make panting less effective for cooling. They are extremely high risk.
• Older Dogs: Like older people, senior dogs may have underlying health conditions (such as heart, lung, or kidney disease) or may not regulate their body temperature as efficiently.
• Puppies: Young puppies are still developing their ability to regulate body temperature.
• Overweight or Obese Dogs: Excess body fat acts as insulation, trapping heat.
• Dogs with Thick or Long Coats: While coats offer some insulation from the sun, thick coats can make it harder to dissipate heat, especially if matted.
• Dogs with Underlying Health Conditions: Respiratory problems, heart disease, neurological conditions, or any illness causing weakness or fever can increase vulnerability. Some medications (like diuretics) can also alter the body’s ability to cope with heat.
• Dogs Not Used to Hot Weather: Dogs need time to acclimatise to warmer temperatures, although this is less pronounced in dogs than humans. A sudden heatwave is particularly dangerous.
• High Energy Levels: Dogs that are highly active or play intensely generate more metabolic heat.

Certain situations are inherently high risk:

• Being Left in a Car: This is one of the leading causes of heatstroke fatalities. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a car can rise to deadly levels very quickly.
• Intense Exercise in Hot Weather: Running, fetch, or strenuous walks during the heat of the day.
• Lack of Access to Shade or Water: Being tethered or confined outdoors without protection from the sun and a supply of fresh, cool water.
• Hot Surfaces: Walking on hot tarmac, concrete, or sand can burn paws and increase body temperature.
• Poor Ventilation: Being in a poorly ventilated kennel, shed, or even a stuffy room without air movement.

Recognising the Signs: Early Detection is Crucial

Knowing the signs of overheating can be life-saving. Be vigilant, especially during warm weather or after exercise.

Early Signs of Heat Stress/Exhaustion:

• Excessive panting: Much heavier or more rapid than usual for the level of activity.
• Seeking shade: Actively trying to lie in cooler spots.
• Increased thirst: Drinking more frequently or for longer periods.
• Lethargy or weakness: Seeming tired, less responsive, or unsteady.
• Drooling: Excessive or thick saliva.
• Darker tongue or gums: Can appear bright red or even bluish/greyish in severe cases.
• Glazed eyes: Eyes may look unfocused or glassy.
• Cool, clammy skin: Despite being hot internally, the skin might feel cold and clammy in some cases of heat exhaustion.

Signs of Heatstroke (Medical Emergency – Seek Immediate Veterinary Care):

• Collapse or inability to stand: Dog is unable to get up or walk.
• Staggering or incoordination: Unsteady on their feet.
• Vomiting or diarrhoea: May contain blood.
• Seizures: Uncontrolled muscle activity.
• Confusion or disorientation: Acting strangely, unresponsive.
• Body temperature above 40°C (104°F): Measured rectally.
• Rapid, strong pulse initially, potentially becoming weak later: Pulse may be very fast.
• Dry, sticky gums: Instead of clammy skin, some dogs may have dry, flushed skin in heatstroke.
• Lack of sweating: Inability to cool down.

If you see any signs of heatstroke, this is a medical emergency. You must begin cooling immediately and transport your dog to the nearest veterinary practice at once.

Prevention is Paramount: Keeping Your Dog Safe

The best way to manage heatstroke is to prevent it from happening. Proactive steps are vital during warm weather.

1. Provide Constant Access to Fresh Water: Always have cool, fresh water available for your dog, both indoors and outdoors. When going for walks or outings, carry water and a portable bowl with you. Encourage them to drink frequently.
2. Ensure Ample Shade: If your dog spends time outdoors, they must have access to shaded areas throughout the day. Trees, tarpaulin covers, or a shaded patio are essential. Remember the sun moves, so ensure shade is available at all times.
3. Limit Exercise During Hottest Times: Walk, run, or play with your dog during the coolest parts of the day – typically early morning and late evening. Avoid strenuous activity from late morning to late afternoon. Adjust the length and intensity of walks significantly as the temperature rises.
4. Check the Pavement Temperature: Place the back of your hand on the tarmac or concrete for five seconds. If you can’t hold it there comfortably, it’s too hot for your dog’s paws, and their body will absorb heat from the ground. Stick to grass or shaded trails, or simply don’t go for a walk if it’s too hot.
5. NEVER Leave Your Dog in a Car: This cannot be stressed enough. The temperature inside a parked car, even with windows slightly open, can rise to deadly levels within minutes, even on seemingly mild days. Cracking the windows is not sufficient ventilation ¹. Leave your dog at home if they cannot come inside with you.
6. Utilise Cooling Aids:
   • Cooling Mats: Pressure-activated gel mats your dog can lie on.
   • Cooling Vests/Bandanas: Soak in cold water to provide evaporative cooling.
   • Paddling Pools/Sprinklers: Many dogs enjoy wading or playing in shallow cool water. Ensure it’s clean.
   • Frozen Treats: Ice cubes in water, frozen Kongs stuffed with dog-safe food, or homemade pupsicles can help cool them down from the inside.
7. Cool Down Your Home:
   • Use air conditioning if available.
   • Use fans to create air movement. Direct a fan towards your dog’s resting area.
   • Keep curtains or blinds closed during the hottest part of the day to block out direct sunlight.
   • Open windows in the cooler parts of the day (morning/evening) to create a cross-breeze, but ensure security.
8. Adjust Grooming (Carefully): For double-coated breeds (like Huskies, Labradors), their undercoat actually helps insulate them from the heat and cold and helps regulate temperature. Shaving them down can interfere with this natural temperature regulation and expose their skin to sunburn. Regular brushing to remove dead undercoat is the most effective way to help them stay cool. For single-coated breeds or those with continually growing hair, keeping their coat a manageable length can help, but discuss the best approach for your specific breed with a groomer.
9. Be Mindful of Vulnerable Dogs: If your dog falls into a high-risk category (brachycephalic, senior, overweight, etc.), be extra cautious. Their ability to cope with heat is reduced, meaning risks appear at lower temperatures or with less exertion. Short, very early morning or late evening toilet breaks might be the extent of their outdoor time on hot days.
10. Monitor Your Dog Closely: Pay attention to their body language and breathing. If their panting seems excessive, if they’re lagging behind on a walk, or constantly seeking shade, it’s time to stop and cool down.

Actioning Overheating: What to Do

If you suspect your dog is overheating, prompt action is critical.

If you suspect Heat Exhaustion (milder signs like excessive panting, seeking shade, lethargy):

1. Move to a Cooler Area: Get them into deep shade, an air-conditioned building, or near a fan immediately.
2. Offer Water: Provide fresh, cool water. Don’t let them gulp down huge amounts too quickly, especially if they are panting heavily.
3. Begin Gentle Cooling: Wet a towel with cool (not ice-cold) water and place it over their body, focusing on areas with less fur like the belly, groin, and paws. You can also use a fan directed at the wet areas to increase evaporative cooling.
4. Monitor: Watch their symptoms closely. If they do not improve rapidly within 10-15 minutes, or if symptoms worsen, contact your vet for advice.

If you suspect Heatstroke (severe signs like collapse, staggering, vomiting, seizures, confusion):

THIS IS A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. TIME IS CRITICAL.

1. Start Cooling IMMEDIATELY: Do not wait to get to the vet to start cooling. Move the dog to the coolest area possible. Apply cool (not ice-cold) water to their body. Focus on the belly, groin, armpits, and paws. You can use wet towels, a hose on a low-pressure spray, or even submerge them up to their chest in a tub of cool water if available.
2. Use Airflow: If possible, place a fan near them while applying water to help evaporation.
3. Transport to the Vet: As you are cooling, arrange immediate transport to the nearest veterinary practice. Call ahead if possible to let them know you are coming with a suspected heatstroke case so they can prepare.
4. Stop Cooling When Temperature Reaches ~39.5°C: If you are able to take their rectal temperature, stop active cooling when it reaches approximately 39.5°C (103°F). Their temperature may continue to drop slightly afterwards, and overcooling can cause hypothermia. However, if you cannot take their temperature, continue cooling during transport and let the vet assess upon arrival.
5. Do NOT Use Ice or Ice Water: Ice or ice-cold water can cause blood vessels to constrict (vasoconstriction), which actually traps heat in the core of the body and can worsen the situation. It can also cause shivering, which generates metabolic heat, and thermal shock. Use cool water.
6. Do NOT Force Water: Do not try to force your dog to drink if they are collapsed or unresponsive, as they could inhale the water.