heat stroke in dogs

It feels like summer has already arrived here, in Arizona, even though it's officially not here till June 21st. We have had some crazy temps lately, including hitting 100° last week and then rain and high winds a couple of days ago. It even snowed up north this past weekend. 

As we all know, the sizzling months of the Arizona summer can be deadly for our animals, and unfortunately, we’ll continue hearing stories of people leaving dogs in their vehicles as they run into the store for just five minutes, or even outside in the blazing heat without any shade or water. Short-snout dogs have it the worst during our summer heat. The top 5 are the Pugs, Pekinese; Bulldog; Shih Tzu; and the Boston Terriers. 

In Phoenix, Arizona, it is against city code (PCC 24-54) to walk dogs on trails when the temperature reaches 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. Violators could face a class one misdemeanor, including a fine up to $2,500 and six months in jail. This law is in place to protect dogs from heat stroke, pavement burns, and other heat-related illnesses

To keep your dogs safe during the summer, follow these tips:

● If you see a distressed dog in a locked vehicle or on a patio, immediately call 911. A dog found locked in a vehicle, even for 10 minutes when the outside temperature is 90 degrees, will heat up to 109°, and in twenty minutes, the temperature inside the car will be 119°. If the outside temperature is 95 degrees and the dog is in the vehicle for an hour, the temperature inside the vehicle will reach 140 degrees

● Walk your dog early in the morning or late at night, when the sun is down

● If you must walk your dog in the middle of the day, try to locate a patch of grass or walk on a greenbelt

● To see if the sidewalk is too hot, place the back of your hand on it, and if you're unable to hold it more than 5 seconds, then it's too hot for your dog's pads

● Dogs can burn their pads severely on the hot asphalt/sidewalk. Try doggie sandals or booties

● If your dog is an outside dog, make sure they have plenty of shade and fresh water at all times. Clean out their water bowls daily. After all, if you wouldn't drink it, why would you force your dog(s) to drink from it. I have seen several dog houses with built-in ac units

● If you have an all dirt backyard, place blankets on the ground for them to lie on, this also works during the cold months with keeping their body temperature regulated

Heat stroke, or hyperthermia, is when an animal’s temperature is over 106 degrees. Heat stroke, again, is basically cooking of the organs, where it can lead to death if not dealt with quickly. Dogs pant to cool themselves, but in extreme temperatures, they’re unable to control it. To keep your animals safe during the summer, here is what to look for and treatment from heat exhaustion and heat stroke:

Signs and symptoms:

● Heavy panting or difficulty breathing

● Collapse or Ataxis (dog walks like he/she is drunk)

● Increased heart rate and respiratory rate

● Foaming at the mouth

● Bloody diarrhea or vomit

● Gums are bright red

● Capillary Refill Time is less than 1 second

● Thick, sticky saliva 

● Seizures or even coma

Treatment:

● Get the animal immediately out of the environment (into a cooler place or shade)

● Take a rectal temperature to get an accurate core temperature

Cool slowly with wet towels to be placed on the brachial & femoral arteries, head, feet, abdomen, and chest of the animal

● Fan the animal, or provide shade (if outside) by using an emergency blanket

● Use a water bottle to spritz the animal

● Transport immediately to the nearest veterinarian--it could mean life or death

Let’s keep our furry friends safe this summer; after all they’re our family.

Always have on hand:

● Your veterinarian phone #

● Two important Poison Control Hotline numbers you need to have program in your phone:

Human: 800-222-1222

Animal: ASPCA 24/7 Poison Control Hotline at 888-426-4435 or the Pet Poison Helpline at 855-764-7661.

● 3% Hydrogen Peroxide (when you are told by your vet or PC to induce vomiting)

#1 RULE: Safety Always

My name is Teri Ann, and I offer Human * Equine * Pet CPR & First Aid Training. I am a former EMT, WEMT, and attended the EAMT Academy through the AZ Humane Society & have been teaching over 14 years.

Learn lifesaving skills by becoming the First Responder for humans and animals...you just may save a life! Go to our website to registered for a lifesaving class or more information on our classes:

Comfy Pets of AZ