Summer is in full swing, which means there should be one mission on every pet owner’s agenda: keeping your dog cool. Because while people love to soak up the sunshine and stay outdoors for hours upon end, our beloved furry companions need a little extra TLC to beat the heat. So as the temperatures rise, remember that means the risk of your dog having a heat stroke does too. That’s why it’s essential to take extra precautions as a pet parent during this time of the year.
To learn more about heat strokes, we spoke with Veterinarian Molly Brinkmann , Emergency Veterinarian Marcus Dela Cruz and ER/ICU Registered Veterinary Technician Geoffrey van Zijl . They tell Parade that heat strokes are particularly hazardous towards dogs.
“Heat strokes usually occur in the summer and result when a dog’s body heat is elevated, which causes them to overheat,” Brinkmann explains.
Van Zijl tells Parade that they are extremely serious and can be life-threatening , saying, “They are so dangerous that a dog can pass away from having one in as fast as one hour!”
To help dog moms and dads recognize what some of the signs of a heat stroke are and ways they can be prevented, keep reading.
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Are There Different Types of Heat Strokes?
“There are actually two forms of heat stroke a dog can experience: an exertional heat stroke and a non exertional heat stroke,” Brinkman tells Parade .
Dela Cruz breaks down the difference between both, explaining, “Nonexertional heat strokes occur when a dog experiences one from exposure to a hot or humid environment. For example, this can occur when a dog is left in a parked car on a hot day or when a dog is left outside without access to shade and water. Exertional heat strokes result from strenuous exercise and can occur when a dog goes on a long run or hike.”
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One Dangerous Sign of a Heat Stroke in Dogs, According to Veterinarians
Brinkmann says besides breathing and drooling heavily, there are other more unique/standout warning signs that pet parents can look out for to help them know something isn’t right, like a dog’s gum color.
“If you notice your dog’s gums (AKA mucous membranes) aren’t pink anymore, that’s not a good sign,” she tells Parade . “When a dog is experiencing a heat stroke, their gums can turn a different color. They can start looking pale/white in color, or even change into a muddy or blue shade.”
Dela Cruz reveals the reason behind this has to do with blood circulation. “Mucous membranes are normally pink in color, which is partly due to the amount of blood flow and perfusion within the tissue. However, a dog having a heat stroke loses their ability to supply blood to the mucous membranes and therefore we can see changes to the color of that tissue,” he notes. “In severe cases, dogs can start to experience spontaneous bleeding, which means their gums can appear to have petechiae or ecchymoses and look like they have small splotchy bruises on them.”
Although, because every dog and situation is different, our experts say that it doesn’t automatically mean your pet is experiencing a heat stroke if their gums change color. “There isn’t ‘one’ specific sign that indicates your pet is having a heat stroke,” van Zijl clarifies. “There are more-so a combination of symptoms and circumstances that occur.”
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8 Other Signs of Heat Strokes To Look Out For
When it comes to heat strokes, some dogs are more likely than others to have them. “Flat-faced dogs, like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, French Bulldogs and Shih Tzus are more likely to experience exertional heat strokes because they have a harder time regulating their temperature,” Brinkmann explains. “These dogs tend to have more narrow airways, making it more difficult for them to cool off than other breeds, which is why they have a higher chance of experiencing heat strokes.”
Dela Cruz says that extra fluffy breeds and certain colored pups are more likely to experience heat strokes too. “Heat strokes are also prevalent in dog breeds with thick coats that are not able to dissipate heat effectively like Newfoundlands, Akitas and Chow Chows. Dogs with dark coat colors are also more at risk because they are more affected by hot environmental temperatures.”
To help you know what signs you can look out for so you can tell if your furbaby is experiencing a heat stroke, check out the list from our experts, below.
- Your dog can start to pant heavily and have a difficult time breathing, coupled with exhaustion, when having a heat stroke.
- Watch out for hypersalivation (excessive drooling) as it is one of the most common clinical signs of a heat stroke.
- Ataxia can occur, which results in your dog wobbling, or displaying drunk-like behavior.
- Your pet can become immobile or unresponsive, as well as display weakness and even collapse.
- Be aware of tachycardia, which is when your dog’s heart rate increases to over 100 beats a minute.
- Vomiting can be a sign that your dog is having a heat stroke as well.
- Seizures, which are uncontrolled muscle tremors, can also take place when a dog is having a heart stroke.
- Another sign is if your dog has blood in its stool.
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What To Do if Your Dog Has a Heat Stroke
If you suspect your pup is in the early stages of a heart stroke, vets say you need to act fast.
“It is important to start transporting your dog to the hospital if you think they are having a heat stroke,” Dela Cruz states. “While in transit, you should ideally turn the air conditioning on high (cold), or in a less ideal situation have the windows rolled down during your ride there. It can also be helpful to mist your dog with cool or room temperature water and place them in front of the fan/vent.”
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5 Ways to Help Prevent Your Dog from Getting a Heat Stroke
1. Switch Up When You Bring Them Outside
“During summer months, the most important thing pet parents can do to help prevent their dog from having a heat stroke is to acclimate to warm weather,” Brinkmann tells Parade . “This includes changing up when you walk your dog by bringing them out earlier in the morning before it starts getting hot and restricting how much time they spend outdoors throughout the day.”
2. Limit Exercising in the Heat
While you may be tempted to bring your pup to the dog park in the summer or to take them for a run with you, our experts say it’s not the best idea. “During the warmer summer months, it is best to keep exercise like walks shorter, or even consider eliminating them all together during times of peak heat,” van Zijl explains.
To help get their energy out, he suggests it’s best to find other ways, like playing indoors.
3. Avoid Leaving Them in Your Car
“To help keep dogs from overheating, don’t leave them in your car. Even if you’re just planning on being gone a short amount of time to run an errand, it’s not safe for them and can cause them to quickly overheat,” Brinkmann reveals.
Van Zijl agrees and points out, “Anything around 70°F or higher outdoors can result in extreme temperatures inside a car, which can cause your dog to have a heatstroke.”
4. Ensure There Are Shaded Areas if You Venture Out
If you have to take your dog out when it’s hot, search for areas that have shade provided. “Make sure that your dog always has plenty of cool areas available if they are outside,” van Zijl stresses.
5. Always Have Water
“Make sure your dog drinks plenty of water in the summer and has access to it when you’re outside to help keep them cool in the heat,” Brinkmann says.
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