Heat Stroke |
| Q: I have been hearing about dogs dying from the heat this summer. My dogs are outside during the day and I am concerned. What steps should I take to prevent a problem from happening? James, Harker Heights. A: You are correct regarding animals suffering and even dying due to the extremely hot weather. "Heat stroke" , "heat prostration", or "hyperthermia" as it may be called is a very common occurrence this time of year. Certain factors predispose an animal to this problem such as: the amount of heat, length of exposure, activity level of the animal, breed of dog, and pre-existing problems the animal might have. Breeds with short muzzles such as boxers, bull dogs, and pugs are more at risk as they can't cool themselves as effectively. In addition, animals with upper respiratory problems or heart problems are more susceptible. My advice would be to keep your animals inside during the day if at all possible. If they can not be inside, make sure they have plenty of shade, fresh water, and possibly a fan. Do not chain your outdoor pet as it is very common for animals to become tangled in their chains and unable to reach shade or water. If you notice your dog is acting sick after being outside in the heat, get him to your veterinarian as quickly as possible. Animals can die very quickly from this type of heat exposure so time is of the essence. During transport, wrapping the pet in cold, wet towels can help bring their temperature down. |
