Winters around here can be long and harsh, so we can all be forgiven for wanting to revel in the heat of summer. However, when we are outdoors enjoying these dog days of summer, as animal caretakers, we need to take a minute and think about our actual dogs. Heat stroke is a serious, and possibly fatal, condition that luckily is completely avoidable.
There are two main types of heat stroke: environmental and exertional. Basically environmental heat stroke is seen when an animal gets left in a hot environment, whereas exertional heat stroke is brought on by exercise.
Hopefully at this point all of us know that it is not safe to leave a pet in a car during the summer — PERIOD. It is well-documented that even with the windows open, cars get to dangerously high heat levels within a few short minutes. There are multiple cases of dogs dying because an owner left them in the car with the air-conditioning running but then the air-conditioning stopped. DON'T LET THIS BE YOU. Environmental heat stroke also comes from dogs being left outside without adequate shade and water. Think of it like this: If you can't sit outside in the direct sun comfortably, don't make your furry friend do it.
Exertional heat stroke may be something that people are less familiar with. While I have the utmost respect for dogs' intelligence, I will say that dogs sometimes make the wrong decisions. Most of us will usually realize when we are pushing ourselves too far when exercising (except maybe those crazy marathoners or triathletes), but many dogs do not. And don't forget that while we are able to change our clothes to tank tops and shorts, our pet friends are doing everything in fur coats! Too often I have seen a well meaning owner, in a very small amount of clothing, standing in the shade while playing fetch with their dog who is running through the hot sunshine.
As many know, dogs are unable to sweat effectively so their cooling mechanisms are limited to seeking cool spaces and panting. When there are no cool spaces, the only way for a dog to cool down is by panting. This is a very important thing to remember, particularly for those of us who have a "squished face" breed in our lives (pugs, Bostons, Frenchies, etc). Because these cute little gremlins already have "special" faces, their ability to pant is compromised, making them more susceptible to heat stress.
So here are ways to avoid being the cause of your beloved companion's suffering and possible death when you are out enjoying the summer weather. First, pay attention to the level and type of panting. If your dog is panting hard — lips pulled back to expose as much mouth as possible with their tongue hanging far out — it is time to stop and seek cooling measures. Another sign is if they are drooling a lot, and the drool is becoming thicker. Also, if you notice your dog seeking shade or lying down more frequently, it's time to get out of the heat.
TOO HOT TO WALK?
Remember that pavements get very hot in the summer. Before taking your pet friend out, test the pavement temperature by holding your bare hand against it for a minute. If it's too hot for your hand, it's too hot for their paws!
And remember that some dogs are enjoying their time with you so much that they may not notice their personal health. If you miss these early signs, the next ones are much more severe and include stumbling, stupor and collapse.
If you notice your dog showing signs of heat stress, there are a few cooling measures you should take right away. First, get them to a cool area. You can offer small amounts of cool water to drink. Start active cooling by soaking them in cool (not cold) water and pointing a fan at them, or bring them into an air-conditioned space. If they continue showing signs of stress, call your vet right away and start heading to the clinic. Minutes can save lives!
Sara Shaw is a small-animal veterinarian who lives and works in the Spokane area.
