What is heat stroke?
It’s a condition marked by fever and often by unconsciousness, caused by the failure of the body’s temperature-regulating mechanism when the animal is exposed to excessively high temperatures.
Signs of heat stroke:
- Increased heart rate
- Excessive panting
- Bright red tongue
- Red or pale gums
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Depression
- Dizziness
- Vomiting (sometimes with blood)
- Diarrhoea
How can heat stroke be prevented?
- Keep pets with conditions like heart disease, obesity or old age and breathing problems in cooler spots or the shade.
- Provide access to water at all times.
- Do not leave your pet in a hot car, even when parked in the shade or for a short period of time. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly reach up to 140 degrees.
- Make sure outside dogs have access to shade.
- On a hot day, restrict exercise and don’t take your dog jogging with you.
- Do not muzzle your dog.
- Avoid places like the beach and especially concrete.
- Wetting your dog with cool water or allowing him to swim can help maintain a normal body temperature.
Importantly, as heat stroke progresses, it can cause seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death.
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