Heatstroke
a danger for your dog!

This kind of symptom heat stroke , manifests in dogs exposed to heat for a long time , or subjected to stressful situations (animals locked in a small space, such as a car). The individuals most easily affected by heatstroke are obese dogs or older dogs , animals with cardiovascular problems and all those of the brachycephalic type (Boxer, Pug and all those with crushed noses).

Heatstroke causes fever , the body temperature then rises between 41 to 43 ° C. Normally the dog's body temperature is between 38.5°C and 38.7°C . The consequence of this sudden rise in heat is the alteration of all the systems and apparatus of the organism. We find the dog in a state of collapse (state of collapse, drop in pressure), panting with drool at the edge of the mouth, it will not even be possible for the dog to stand up on its legs.

What to do in case of heat stroke

Quickly, the first action should be to try to bring down the fever as quickly as possible. Put the dog in the shade or in a cool place. Cover the animal with blankets or cold water towels. If you had the idea of watering the dog suffering from heatstroke with the garden hose, run the water at least 1 minute before spraying the canine so that the water is cold and put the jet under form of mist.

Secondly, we suggest that you clean the oral cavity and the nasal passages, in order to facilitate breathing, which will result in an improvement in the evacuation of heat. It is important to leave as much air as possible for the animal.

After practicing these first aid measures, lay the dog down in a quiet, stress-free place.

It is also important to put the dog in a cool and well-ventilated place.

Read also:  The temperature inside your car in summer

How to avoid heatstroke

In summer, in hot and humid weather, never leave your dog locked in the car, or in confined and poorly ventilated places. During activity bring plenty of water to hydrate your dog. Take poses in the shade where there is a breeze. Let your dog jump into the water if he wants.

Be reasonable if you yourself are hot, your dog also suffers from this situation, the thermoregulation system is less efficient in canines than in humans.

Did you know :

• The normal dog body temperature ranges from 38.5 to 38.7°C.
• His normal breathing ranges from sixteen to eighteen strokes per minute.
• His resting heart rate is usually between 70 and 130 beats per minute

The following graphic clearly demonstrates why the camel is the king of the desert.

Amount of water (% of body weight) required to maintain a constant core temperature when the ambient temperature is 40°C (double logarithmic scale) according to Folk (1966).