Detect & Prevent heat stroke in the dog

Protect your dog from sunstroke or heat stroke in summer. Here you can find out how you can prevent overheating and how you should act in an emergency.

Recognize signs and provide first aid

It is actually well known: Cars parked in the sun heat up quickly and can become a deadly trap for humans and animals. Yet every year dogs die because their owners underestimate the danger in the car. Can you even leave your dog in the car? What is heat stroke and how do you react if a dog is suspected of having heat stroke?

Heat stroke in dogs - what is it?

In contrast to many other animals, dogs have almost no sweat glands. The few existing sweat glands are on the nasal mirror and on the paws. Dogs therefore regulate their body temperature by panting. With this they get some cooling with the tongue and regulate the normal body temperature of approx. 38 ? C to 39 ? C. This cooling uses a lot of energy and, above all, water - so the dog has to drink constantly.

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From a body temperature of 41 ? C to 43 ? C it becomes life-threatening for the dog.

Even at an outside temperature of around 30 ? C, it can be difficult for dogs to cool the body sufficiently. Breeds with short snouts or very thick fur are particularly susceptible. Excessive exertion can also become problematic (exertion-related heat stroke). If the dog's own cooling is insufficient and the body temperature rises, the brain expands as a result. Since the skull bone does not give way, the pressure on the brain increases. In addition to pain, there are also symptoms of failure: the dog becomes apathetic, stumbles and can no longer stand after a short time. Heat stroke is followed by heat collapse and, in the worst case, multiple organ failure. The body's own protein is destroyed from a body temperature of around 42 ? C. This can be fatal.

How do I recognize heat stroke or sunstroke?

The classic symptoms of heat stroke are:

Heavy panting
Possibly. increased salivation
An elongated neck
A tongue hanging out
Hot and reddened insides of the ears
Dry, reddened mucous membranes
Quick and shallow breathing
Incoordination
Racing heart
Vomiting or diarrhea
Cardiac arrhythmias

This situation in itself is more than worrying. There is an acute danger to life. Rescue measures should be initiated immediately and a veterinarian should be consulted. In the worst case, the following circulatory collapse ultimately leads to the dog's death: the mucous membranes become pale, sticky and sometimes bluish due to the lack of oxygen. The dog is shaking and having convulsions. Loss of consciousness, coma and respiratory failure are the result.

First aid tips against heat stroke in dogs

If you suspect your dog has heat stroke, it is important to keep calm. You should have a calming effect on both the dog and other people, such as the owner if necessary. Immediately move the dog into the shade and slowly begin to cool it down. Important: keep the dog on a leash. In the worst case scenario, in shock, he could run away disoriented. First, cool the paws with damp cloths or water from the garden hose, then the body. Offer him water, but make sure not to instill it. The dog must not be cooled down too quickly with plenty of cold water. The sudden cold causes blood vessels to narrow and symptoms worsen. The temperature drop must not be abrupt. Use lukewarm water rather than ice cold water.

Slowly cool the dog down!

Damp towels get warm quickly and have to be changed constantly. Heat stroke or even circulatory shock is always a medical emergency that must be treated immediately. Immediately transport the dog to the vet in a cool car. Call the vet so they can prepare for the dog's treatment. At the doctor's, your dog will be given all the necessary infusions and emergency medication. Is the animal emergency service on the way to you? Then check whether the airways are free and bring the dog into the stable side position.

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Best help: this is how you avoid heat stroke in your dog

Not only the car is dangerous for the dog in warm temperatures. Exertion in the heat, such as running on a bike or long hiking tours, can lead to heat stroke, even if the temperature still seems bearable for the owner. Staying in stuffy, overheated rooms is also dangerous.

Take care of your dog when it's hot and move all activities to the cooler hours of the morning and evening. A cool place in the shade and opportunities to rest should be included in the walk. Always take enough drinking water with you. A water bottle and a small drinking bowl for on the go are ideal. Even better: a swim in a cool lake or river.

Keep in mind that most dogs are much less able to tolerate heat than humans. Never leave your dog alone in the car in summer, not even for a short time. Dogs shouldn't exert themselves in the heat, but rather rest in the shade or, even better, in a cool house. Make sure you have plenty of fresh drinking water. If your dog has a thick coat, talk to your vet. Especially with older or sick animals, a shear can make life easier for dogs in summer. When taking a walk in the cooler morning and evening hours, fresh water to drink is mandatory. If you have a water rat, you can choose to cool down and make the walk even more exciting for your loyal companion. This will prevent your dog from suffering from heat stroke and will also survive the warm days of the year unscathed.