HEAT STROKE:
First, what is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a condition arising from extremely high body temperature (rectal temperature of 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit), which leads to nervous system abnormalities that may include lethargy, weakness, collapse or coma. Abnormally high body temperature (also called hyperthermia) develops after increased muscular activity with impaired ability to give off heat due to high heat and humidity or respiratory obstruction. Allowing a dog to remain in a car with closed windows on a hot summer day is probably the most common cause of heat stroke.
Who are at risk?
Animals at greatest risk for heat-related illness include:
# Puppies up to 6 months of age
# Overweight dogs
# Dogs overexerted during exercise
# Dogs that are ill or receiving certain medications
# Brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short, wide heads like pugs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers)
# Dogs with obstructive airway diseases
# Dogs with pre-existing fever
# Dogs that are dehydrated
# Dogs with heart disease
# Dogs with poor circulation due to cardiovascular or other underlying disease
# Older pets (large breed dogs over 7 years of age, small breed dogs over 14 years of age)
# Pets with a history of seizures
Signs that your dog is suffering from Heat Stroke
# Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction
# Excessive panting
# Bright red mucous membranes (gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)
# Weakness
# Collapse
# Coma
# Altered mentation
# Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages on the gums and/or skin)
TREATMENT
Intensity of treatment depends upon the cause and severity of the heat illness.
# Mildly increased temperature (less than 105 F) may only require rest, a fan to increase air circulation, fresh water to drink and careful observation.
# Temperatures of 105 to 107 F should be hospitalized on intravenous fluids and other medications.
# Markedly increased temperature (greater than 107 F) must be treated more aggressively. Cooling can be promoted externally by immersion in cool water, or internally by administering a cool water enema.
# Underlying aggravating conditions, such as upper airway obstructive diseases, heart disease, pulmonary disease and dehydration may be treated with appropriate medications, supplemental oxygen or fluid therapy.
# Treatment with cortisone-like drugs such as short-acting forms of dexamethasone or prednisone may be recommended.
Call veterinarian immediately
Home Care and Prevention
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Check your dog's temperature rectally if you suspect heatstroke. Normal body temperature in dogs is higher than in humans (99.5 to 102.5 F as compared to 98.6 F). If your dog's temperature is over 105 F, call your veterinarian and remove your dog from the heat source immediately.
Meanwhile, place a cool, wet towel over your dog or place him in a cool water bath. Do not use ice because it may cause skin injury.
There are several things you can do to prevent heat related problems for your dog:
# Monitor outdoor temperature and minimize your dog's activity on hot, humid days.
# Limit sun exposure during the hours of 11 AM to 3 PM on hot days.
# Walk or exercise your dog in the morning or evening.
# Keep your dog in a comfortable environment (air-conditioned room or partially open windows with a breeze) during extremely hot weather.
# NEVER leave your dog in a car (even with the windows partially rolled down) for any reason at any time. Leaving dogs in a car during warm weather is the most common cause of heat stroke.
# Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water and plenty of shade. Take extra care with puppies, pets with medical problems, obese pets and senior pets.
# If possible, allow your dog to acclimate gradually to high temperatures. Heat illness is common in the spring when the animal has not had sufficient time to acclimate to the warmer temperatures.
# After traveling to a warmer climate, allow your dog several days to become acclimated before allowing any vigorous exercise.
Place the animal in a tub of cool water. Or, gently soak the animal with a garden hose or wrap it in a cool, wet towel. Do not overcool the animal. Stop cooling when rectal temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bottomline, Heat Stroke is highly preventable, it only takes a lot of common sense and awareness.
Just two things. Always leave your dog with fresh, cool, clean water.. and never leave them in a very
hot environment. Yun lang napakadali. Most cases dogs die due to heat stroke because of one thing...
Negligence
First, what is heat stroke?
Heat stroke is a condition arising from extremely high body temperature (rectal temperature of 105 to 110 degrees Fahrenheit), which leads to nervous system abnormalities that may include lethargy, weakness, collapse or coma. Abnormally high body temperature (also called hyperthermia) develops after increased muscular activity with impaired ability to give off heat due to high heat and humidity or respiratory obstruction. Allowing a dog to remain in a car with closed windows on a hot summer day is probably the most common cause of heat stroke.
Who are at risk?
Animals at greatest risk for heat-related illness include:
# Puppies up to 6 months of age
# Overweight dogs
# Dogs overexerted during exercise
# Dogs that are ill or receiving certain medications
# Brachycephalic breeds (dogs with short, wide heads like pugs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers)
# Dogs with obstructive airway diseases
# Dogs with pre-existing fever
# Dogs that are dehydrated
# Dogs with heart disease
# Dogs with poor circulation due to cardiovascular or other underlying disease
# Older pets (large breed dogs over 7 years of age, small breed dogs over 14 years of age)
# Pets with a history of seizures
Signs that your dog is suffering from Heat Stroke
# Noisy breathing that may indicate upper airway obstruction
# Excessive panting
# Bright red mucous membranes (gums, conjunctiva of the eyes)
# Weakness
# Collapse
# Coma
# Altered mentation
# Petechiae (pinpoint hemorrhages on the gums and/or skin)
TREATMENT
Intensity of treatment depends upon the cause and severity of the heat illness.
# Mildly increased temperature (less than 105 F) may only require rest, a fan to increase air circulation, fresh water to drink and careful observation.
# Temperatures of 105 to 107 F should be hospitalized on intravenous fluids and other medications.
# Markedly increased temperature (greater than 107 F) must be treated more aggressively. Cooling can be promoted externally by immersion in cool water, or internally by administering a cool water enema.
# Underlying aggravating conditions, such as upper airway obstructive diseases, heart disease, pulmonary disease and dehydration may be treated with appropriate medications, supplemental oxygen or fluid therapy.
# Treatment with cortisone-like drugs such as short-acting forms of dexamethasone or prednisone may be recommended.
Call veterinarian immediately
Home Care and Prevention
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency. Check your dog's temperature rectally if you suspect heatstroke. Normal body temperature in dogs is higher than in humans (99.5 to 102.5 F as compared to 98.6 F). If your dog's temperature is over 105 F, call your veterinarian and remove your dog from the heat source immediately.
Meanwhile, place a cool, wet towel over your dog or place him in a cool water bath. Do not use ice because it may cause skin injury.
There are several things you can do to prevent heat related problems for your dog:
# Monitor outdoor temperature and minimize your dog's activity on hot, humid days.
# Limit sun exposure during the hours of 11 AM to 3 PM on hot days.
# Walk or exercise your dog in the morning or evening.
# Keep your dog in a comfortable environment (air-conditioned room or partially open windows with a breeze) during extremely hot weather.
# NEVER leave your dog in a car (even with the windows partially rolled down) for any reason at any time. Leaving dogs in a car during warm weather is the most common cause of heat stroke.
# Provide your dog with plenty of fresh water and plenty of shade. Take extra care with puppies, pets with medical problems, obese pets and senior pets.
# If possible, allow your dog to acclimate gradually to high temperatures. Heat illness is common in the spring when the animal has not had sufficient time to acclimate to the warmer temperatures.
# After traveling to a warmer climate, allow your dog several days to become acclimated before allowing any vigorous exercise.
Place the animal in a tub of cool water. Or, gently soak the animal with a garden hose or wrap it in a cool, wet towel. Do not overcool the animal. Stop cooling when rectal temperature reaches 103 degrees Fahrenheit.
Bottomline, Heat Stroke is highly preventable, it only takes a lot of common sense and awareness.
Just two things. Always leave your dog with fresh, cool, clean water.. and never leave them in a very
hot environment. Yun lang napakadali. Most cases dogs die due to heat stroke because of one thing...
Negligence