Do you know the warning signs of heat stroke in dogs?
And do you know the necessary first aid to administer in the event of a heat stroke?
Robin had a bit of a scare after being outside the other day. This was after only 20 minutes outside with no strenuous activity. It can be that easy for dogs to be affected by heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Especially with record high and consistently rising temps.
Symptoms
Robin became lethargic, lost some color in his gums, and was drooling and panting heavily.
Other symptoms of heat stroke are vomiting, diarrhea, disorientation, collapse, and even muscle tremors and seizures. Dark red gums and pale gums can both be indicators.
First Aid
First aid includes moving the dog to a cooler area and maintaining air flow around the dog. Cool (never cold!) tap water can be poured on the dog’s face, belly, armpits, and legs. Wet towels may be used but must be replaced as they heat up. Offer water in small quantities at a time - avoid letting the dog chug. Rapid intake of water can lead to many other complications - water intoxication is a life threatening concern that is deserving of its own post. (Read about water safety here: https://www.canadacornerspets.com/post/water-safety-for-pets)
NEVER give ice or iced treats to a dog struggling to regulate body temperature! The key in heat stroke first aid is gradual and controlled reduction of body temperature. Ice can lead to shivering which leads to the body heating up - the opposite effect of what we want!
Once the dog is stable, monitor their temperature and hydration. Very often veterinary care is necessary after a heat stroke to keep hydration maintained with IV subcutaneous fluids. There can be serious internal complications following hyperthermia so be sure to follow up with your vet.
Robin got a quick rinse of his belly and feet in the shade initially and then we moved to a cooler area inside with a fan. The whole instance was probably 15 minutes from onset of symptoms to being back to normal.
Heat Stroke in the Dog Grooming Salon
Heat stroke is something with which I’m unfortunately familiar. Having worked in past grooming salons with poor air quality and hot hot hot working conditions, I’ve seen dogs struggling and have had to perform first aid for heat exhaustion multiple times.
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are the among the leading causes of injury during the grooming process. Many salons use heated cage dryers; even with timers on these dryers, the risk of malfunction leading to an overheated kennel is a terrifying prospect.
Make sure you communicate with your groomer about air quality within the salon and make sure they have safety protocols in place. You’d be surprised how many places don’t consider the risk of high temperatures and how it affects the dogs.
I keep a thermometer and humidity gauge in my grooming room at all times. I also have an air conditioning unit specific to my grooming room as well as multiple fans. Living in a home with no central air has made me very attentive to inside temperatures. With all of these precautions, I rarely have temps over 70° in the grooming room.
I’m constantly examining the dogs on my table - I check their heart rate, respiratory rate, gum color, and monitor for things like drooling, panting, fatigue, etc. Working with senior dogs and health compromised dogs has taught me to be vigilant about monitoring vitals throughout the session. The earlier you can catch and address a problem, the better!
As we continue to have rising temperatures, make sure you familiarize yourself with the risks and first aid to better prevent and address problems.
Attending a first aid and CPR class is one of the best things you can do for your pet so you know exactly how to handle emergency situations!
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