HEAT STROKE

HEAT STROKE 

HEAT STROKE IN DOGS

What is heat stroke?
• Heat gain exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate heat
• High temperatures cause chemical reactions that break down body cells which lead to dehydration and blood thickening
• This puts extreme strain on the heart and causes blood clotting and subsequent death to tissue
• Liver, brain and intestinal cells are usually the first to be affected and this can occur quickly
• A dog who recovers can still have organ damage and lifelong health problems

Heat stroke is deadly! Heat stroke is an emergency!

Symptoms
• Rapid frantic panting
• Wide eyes
• Thick saliva
• Bright red tongue
• Vomiting
• Staggering
• Diarrhoea
• Coma

What can you do to help?
1. Remove the dog from the heat
2. Allow the dog to drink cool water
3. Cool the dog with water by submersing sheets in cool water and place over the dog
4. Contact the vets
5. Do not cover or confine the dog. Do not use ice. Do not use ice-cold water(Cooling an overheated dog too quickly can cause its blood vessels to constrict which will slow down heat dissipation)
6. Apply wrapped cold packs to the groin area (inside rear leg/s) and to the paw pads

Keep your brachycephalic (short-nosed) dog safe this summer!Brachycephalic dogs suffer what’s known as brachycephalic airway syndrome or BAS for short. BAS causes a dogs breathing to be inefficient meaning they struggle to pant and are therefore unable to cool themselves down properly. This places short-nosed dogs at a higher risk of developing heat stroke or heat exhaustion. 

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