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Heatstroke a danger to
pets during summer
July 24, 2008
I recently received an e-mail from someone who was counseling a
friend who witnessed a dog collapse from heatstroke while jogging
with its owner at a local park. The dog was rushed to an emergency
clinic but, sadly, it was too late to save him. This was a traumatic
experience for the friend who tried to help and, of course, an even
greater tragedy for the owner, who had no idea that the dog was at
risk and did not recognize the signs of heatstroke.
During days of stifling heat, pet owners have to make adjustments.
Our dogs will do everything possible to please us, spend time with
us and do whatever else we ask of them. They will be a willing
partner on a jog in the park or for other strenuous activities and
they will literally not stop, no matter the distress they may be
experiencing.
It is hard for owners to know what the animal is feeling, since he
or she can't stop and pat us on the shoulder and ask us to slow down
or give them water or take a pause to cool off in the shade.
The only way to exercise with pets during hot temperatures and high
humidity is to do so in the early morning hours or the late evening
hours. During hot months I take my dogs out for a walk after 8 p.m.
Being so close to the Mississippi River, we sometimes experience a
mild breeze on the levee and their paws are protected from being
burned on hot pavement. Along with adjusting the time of day you
exercise them, you should reduce the quantity of time. A 20-minute
walk is as stimulating to them as a longer walk.
Signs that your dog may be suffering from heatstroke are panting,
staring anxiously, refusing to obey commands, a rapid heartbeat,
high fever, warm and dry skin, excessive listlessness or
hyperactivity, vomiting, collapsing and seizures. The key to dealing
with heatstroke is to act quickly. The goal is to immediately cool
and hydrate the animal. Get the pet into air conditioning or, if you
are not near a building, into deep shade. Soak a towel or T-shirt in
cool water and wipe down the animal's body. Apply the wet towel to
areas where fur is thinnest, as well as the backs of knees, insides
of legs and throat, which will lower the pet's temperature quickest.
Give your animal cool water to drink. If the pet will not drink, use
a medicine dropper to drip cool water in the pet's mouth or let the
pet lick water from your fingers. And, most importantly, after doing
the above first aid, quickly get the pet to the nearest
veterinarian. There is nothing more painful than losing a pet, but
in the case of the very serious, and often fatal, condition of
heatstroke, we can definitely take steps to prevent this from
happening.
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Gloria Dauphin
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