How To Spot Heatstroke In Dogs And Save Your Pet’s Life!

As the UK heats up again, it is vital to know how to spot heatstroke in dogs. Heatstroke can cause serious illness and become fatal fast.

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Dogs, like us, can really struggle in the heat.

Unlike us, they mostly cool off by panting. This is nowhere near as efficient as human sweating in the hot weather, and dogs have a fur coat to contend with too!

Heat can kill.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs:

• Panting

• Dribbling and foaming at the mouth

• Red gums

• Shivering

• Confusion and Dizziness

• Vomiting and diarrhoea

• Weakness

• Seizures and fits

• Collapsing

• and eventually – Death

If you notice your dog developing symptoms of heatstroke:

• Keep them calm if possible

• Take them to a shady area or somewhere cooler than where they currently are – Carry them if necessary.

• Give them a drink of cold water.

• Ring your vet immediately and make arrangements to get your dog to the vet, or the vet to your dog.

• Keep air flowing around them – perhaps use a fan?

• Wet a towel with cold water and lay them on it

• Use cold 10-20c water and wet their head, paws, tail, body. Use a flannel and you can dribble water from the container over them too.

• In a life or death situation, ice cold water of 1-3c can be used (reference Dr. David Marlin). Heatstroke in dogs is an emergency and the faster they are cooled down the better.

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Precautions

Be mindful of how hot your dog is getting, as the weather warms up and actively look for ways to keep them cool and comfortable. Heatstroke in dogs is dangerous, but can be avoided with sensible precautions.

• Do not walk them in the hot sun, and always check the temperature of the path by holding your flat hand against it for five seconds.

• NEVER leave them alone in the car, especially when the weather is hot.

• Ensure water and shade are constantly available.

• Do not encourage rowdy play and vigorous exercise.

• Walk early in the morning or late in the evening, away from the hot sun.

Remember – if it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog.

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