Tuesday, August 21, 2012

First Aid Treatments for the Dog's Heatstroke

By Jerry Welsh


As soon as the snow thaws and the weather warms up, people would discard their cold weather gear in favor of lighter clothes. Dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke because man's best friends wear their fur coats all year long. Dogs do not sweat like humans because their very few sweat glands are located in the paws. To be able to regulate body temperature, dogs would pant. Panting though is not an efficient method of normalizing body temperature. Dogs therefore can overheat very easily.

Heatstroke or hyperthermia is a very serious condition that can happen to a dog instantly. Not many dog owners realize that heatstroke or hyperthermia can occur if the dog is confined in a car with closed windows or if the dog is left chained in the yard under the heat of the sun. This condition occurs when the body can no longer dissipate the heat that is being gained. The breakdown of cells caused by high temperatures will thicken the blood and result to dehydration. Apart from causing the blood to clot, a dog's temperature that reaches 106F will have a quick and very serious effect on the heart, liver, brain and other vital organs. Death of the dog is imminent if nothing is done to quickly bring down the elevated temperature.

Heatstroke is an emergency situation thus to be able to apply the necessary first aid methods, a dog owner has to have the ability to recognize the symptoms of this deadly condition. Rapid panting is one of the first signs of heatstroke. Sticky and thick saliva on a bright red tongue is another indication of this deadly concern. Affected dog would either have a pale or very red gums. A dog owner has to watch out for vomiting, diarrhea and signs of weakness. Death is imminent if urgent treatment is not given to the pet.

The dog has to be taken to a shady or cool area. The elevated temperature of the dog must be urgently reduced. This can be done by soaking the dog in cool water. Temperature can be dropped immediately by hosing the dog's body.

Rolled towels soaked in cool water can be placed on the dog's head and neck. Ice packs on the dog's feet and sponging the groin area will help in cooling the dog. Ice cold water must not be used in lowering the dog's temperature as the cold will constrict blood vessels making it hard for the heat to escape. The cooling efforts must be stopped when the dog's temperature has dropped to 103F.




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