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Heat stroke
in our furry companions is
never far from anybody’s mind when travelling with their dogs or
cats, but it’s easy to forget that in our area it doesn’t take
much to produce the signs and symptoms of heat stroke.
Heat
stroke can occur in any breed of
dog and is dependent on a number of different factors, including
environmental temperature and humidity, obesity, breed predisposition
(bulldogs and other brachycephalic breeds are more often affected),
and increased metabolic rate due to physical exertion.
Symptoms I’ve
seen heat stroke occur in dogs
that have simply gone for a short walk at mid-day on a 34 degree day.
The first signs owners typically notice are excessive panting,
increased salivation, listlessness, and muscle tremors. Vomiting and
diarrhea followed by staggering and collapse often follow, with loss
of consciousness in severe cases.
Treatment If you
suspect your pet has the
beginnings of heat stroke, it is imperative to bring down their body
temperature as soon as possible – this should be done by drenching
the dog with cool water and getting them into an air conditioned room
or in front of a fan. NEVER pour ice water over the animal, as this
can bring their body temperature down too quickly and precipitate
fatal intravascular coagulation. Once these steps have been taken,
it is important to get to the vet as soon as possible, as heat stroke
often requires intravenous fluids and sometimes even plasma
transfusions to treat successfully.
Prevention
As always, prevention is easier than a
cure. Be aware that bulldogs and similar breeds are not able to deal
with the heat as well due to their airways often being compromised. Use
common sense and always make sure your pet has access to plenty
of fresh water and shade.
Dr
Scott Davis
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