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Summer…Just the word brings to mind so many images of fun in the sun. Summer is also the
one season that we tend to spend more time outside with our pets. It is also the hottest
season of the year and therein lies the potential danger. Your dog's normal temperature
is two to four degrees warmer than your own, they are covered with hair (generally) and
they can't sweat. This is a recipe for potential problems. But these potential problems
are almost always preventable.
One of summer's most life threatening situations for your pet is heat stroke or
hyperthermia (high body temperature). Heat stroke occurs when the surrounding
temperature out paces the body's ability to cool itself. Dogs and cats primarily cool
themselves by panting and through the pads of their feet. Panting is not terribly efficient
in hot, humid weather or for short nosed breeds. Imagine the following:
Scenario: Your pet is exhibiting severe signs of heat stroke.
Signs: Initially, your pet will show signs of distress with uncontrollable panting, foaming
at the mouth, body weakness and lethargy. Your pet's heart rate will be rapid with the gums
being brick red. Shortly thereafter, your pet may begin to exhibit agitation, vomiting,
seizures, loss of consciousness or coma and respiratory arrest. The gums although
initially brick red, will progressively become blue or gray as your pet's condition worsens.
Your pet's normal temperature should be between 100.4 degrees and 102.4degrees. A body
temperature, taken by thermometer, of more than 105 degrees is by definition heat stroke
and is considered life threatening.
Causes: Stress, lack of adequate shelter or shade, high temperature, humidity, having
suffered from heat stroke before and heart problems can all contribute. Most pet owners
think it will never happen to their pet, but it can. The mixture of high temperature and
high humidity can be deadly. Knowing the Apparent Temperature, which is the combination
of heat and humidity, can assist you in understanding the dangers for your pet. Look up
www.usatoday.com/weather/wheat3.htm for a color chart of the Apparent Temperature.
Pet First Aid Actions for Survival: Any pet that is in pain can and will bite and should
be muzzled. But muzzling takes away a pet's ability to cool itself, so you are then
responsible for cooling your pet down. If possible, move away from the heat source and
cool your pet with copious amounts of cool water-not cold. Rinse the pads, abdomen and
inside of legs because these areas will help cool the body the quickest. If you have a
limited water supply, place your pet in a cool, well ventilated space. Soak towels or
t-shirts in what water you do have and place over your pet and on the areas mentioned
previously. Cooling your pet's temperature down to 104.5 may take 10-15 minutes or longer.
Continue to monitor temperature, so as not to over cool your patient. Contact your
veterinarian for further advice prior to transporting. Do not give your pet anything
to eat or drink. Transport to the nearest veterinarian or pet emergency center as
quickly and safely as possible.
Medical Supplies: A muzzle is an absolute necessity; be prepared to muzzle regardless
of the pet's history. A digital thermometer is preferred because it is more accurate,
more comfortable for your pet and takes less time for a reading. Include a large blanket
or sheet for transporting your pet. Know a supply or access to cool water for cooling
your pet Be careful and check any water source for the appropriate temperature. Have
your pet's information and normal vital signs written down and in your first aid kit.
You pet's vitals should include; age, heart rate, breathing rate, weight and temperature.
Pet information should include vaccinations, known medical conditions, license number,
pet insurance policy information, phone numbers of veterinarian and emergency animal hospital.
Post Incident Care: The pet should fully recover depending on the length of heat exposure,
humidity, the breed and any other contributing medical conditions. However, once a pet has
suffered from heat stroke they have a predisposition of it happening again. Therefore, as
an owner you must be even more diligent in monitoring your pet's condition and activities
relevant to the apparent temperature.
Complications: Short nosed breeds such as St. Bernards, Bulldogs, Pekinese, Pugs, etc.,
have a greater sensitivity to heat because they don't have the ability to cool themselves
as efficiently as their big-nosed brothers. Heat stroke can lead to shock, which takes
away the body's ability to maintain temperature. This means that the pet could get too cool
or too warm, depending on the surrounding temperature. Over cooling the hyperthermic pet
also becomes a danger since the pet can not maintain a correct body temperature. Overweight
pets are more susceptible to over heating and it may take longer to get their temperature
down. Pets traveling from colder climates to warmer and more humid climates are not
acclimated to the heat and can suffer heat stroke much more quickly.
Prevention: Hyperthermia is almost always preventable with a little preparation and forethought.
Always travel with an adequate supply of cool water for you and your pet. Park your vehicle
in the shade so it won't be so hot. Know what level of activity is normal for your pet under
different conditions. Know when to say when.
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