How to prevent heat stroke in dogs

During the summer months not only do we feel the temperature rise, our pets are also sensitive to this change. A walk too intense in the sun, or a few minutes waiting in the car without good ventilation are enough for the heat to make their own can take our dog to death. To avoid accidents of this kind, in .com we give you the keys so that you know how to prevent heat stroke in dogs and keep your pet always fresh and in perfect condition.

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Dogs are very sensitive to heat for a reason: they do not sweat, so they can not remove heat from their skin in the same way that we do. To cool down they only have the pads of their legs and with their tongue and breathing, however this procedure demands great efforts on the part of the organism of the animal without being effective enough, since the refreshing occurs more slowly and with less efficiency than the case of humans.

A few minutes of intense temperatures are enough in the case of some races to produce a heat stroke that leads to death. Brachycephalic dogs with respiratory problems, such as bulldog, pug or boxer, are the most likely to suffer from this condition, so we must be especially preventive in these cases.

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This condition is also more common in:

• Older dogs above the young, who eliminate heat better.
• Animals with heart problems, which are very affected by high temperatures.
• Dogs of dark and abundant fur, because they feel more heat than those with short and light hair.

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Before explaining how to prevent heat stroke, it is very important that you learn to recognize your symptoms:

• The dog begins to pant a lot, with a higher intensity than usual.
• The animal is weak and apathetic.
• Walk with difficulty and it may be difficult to maintain balance.
• In more serious cases the dog may faint and be completely unconscious. If this happens, emergency veterinary assistance is basic.

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Some basic measures to prevent heat stroke that you must follow are:

• Do not walk your dog during the hottest hours, it is best to do it in the early hours of the morning, at dusk or at night. This will ensure that your pet is moderately cool during the warmer months.
• During the rides, give your pet fresh water and, if it is very hot, avoid running or getting too tired. In the event that your pet has breathing problems should not run at all.
• Avoid as much as possible walking with your dog in a car if there is more than 30 ° C because it could suffer a heat stroke. Also, do not leave him alone for five minutes alone in the car, if you have no choice but to go out with him by car, then you must stop several times to give him water and make sure he is okay.
• Feed your animal in the hours of less heat, do not forget that digestion causes body temperature to rise, which can affect your pet.
• Make sure that if your dog lives in the garden have enough fresh water during the summer, you should fill your container more often because your pet will drink more. In this area there should be a shaded area in which the dog can rest during the hottest hours. If your garden does not meet these conditions it is better that your animal is inside the house.

Remember that the best way to prevent your dog from suffering a heat stroke is to keep it always well hydrated, in a cool place and not subjecting it to strong activities on the hottest days.

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But what do we do if we suspect that the dog has had a heat stroke ? These are some useful recommendations:

• If the animal has fainted you should transfer it to a veterinary emergency. If you are accompanied, someone should pour fresh water on the head, legs or neck of the animal to help its temperature down and stabilize.
• In case you are conscious, the first thing you should do is to separate it from the direct sun and the heat. Take it to a cool area, with shade or if possible to an air-conditioned space.
• Refresh your head, legs, neck and trunk with fresh water to make the temperature drop. If you have a shower or bathtub nearby you can moisten it completely with water, but keep in mind that it should not be cold but cool.
• Moisten your mouth too and if you want let him drink water.
• Place a fan near the animal or fan it to make sure it cools.

You should neither wrap the animal in towels or bathe it with cold water, as you could cause damage to your brain. When the dog stabilizes, take it immediately to a veterinary emergency service to ensure that it has not suffered any profound damage.