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Protect Dogs From Deadly Heatstroke

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By KRISTEN LEVINE, Tribune correspondent

Published: September 22, 2007

The calendar may say summer is almost over, but pets around Tampa Bay are still in danger of heatstroke.

I just learned of a very sad story about a dog that passed away a couple of weeks ago after succumbing to the devastating effects of heatstroke.

The saddest part: His caretaker took him in-line skating in the middle of the day. The dog later collapsed, was rushed to the hospital in very bad condition and could not be saved.

Since most of us are thinking about cooler days to come and not about our continuing heat, it's a good time to remind pet owners of the precautions they need to take to keep their pets safe.

When it comes to our pets, we need to remember it's hotter for them than we think. After all, they have a fur coat and aren't able to perspire like us.

We also tend to forget that it can be much hotter than the thermometer reads.

For instance, on that day the dog died from overexertion and heat exposure, the temperature topped at 91 degrees and humidity was about 85 percent. But the heat index was actually between 113 and 121, according to the NOAA's National Weather Service. (Go to www.nws.noaa.gov/om/heat/index.shtml to determine heat index.)

The good thing is that heatstroke can be prevented. The key is understanding the risks and taking precautions to avoid them.
Heatstroke happens when a dog's body absorbs more heat than it can dissipate, either through exercise or exposure, says Eddie Garcia, a veterinarian and clinic director at Veterinary Medical Clinic in South Tampa.

It is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment.

'Heat exhaustion is a result of a dominolike effect resulting from high temperatures and humidity,' Garcia says. 'Heat has a detrimental effect on body proteins resulting in the death of cells. Dehydration thickens the blood causing slowed circulation and subsequent lack of oxygen. This ultimately leads to severe organ damage or failure.'

But you can prevent these problems.

Common causes of heatstroke in pets include overexerting themselves in hot, humid weather, being left in an unattended vehicle or being left outside without water on a sunny day.

Even simple activities such as direct sun exposure or leisurely walking can cause the same medical crisis.

Our pets' heat tolerance is much different from ours.

'A dog may be susceptible to heatstroke under conditions that may not seem uncomfortable, much less life threatening to humans,' Garcia says. 'One reason dogs are more susceptible to the effects of heat than humans is because their skin is different.'

Humans have a distinct advantage over pets when it comes to coping with heat. Our bodies are cooled when thousands of glands under the skin produce sweat, which cools blood temperature as the moisture evaporates.

Dogs and cats only have sweat glands in their noses and pads of feet. Very little cooling takes place with minimal evaporating surfaces, so they rely on panting to cool down. To rid themselves of excess heat, panting allows air to move through the nasal passages, which picks up excess heat from the body. As it is expelled through the mouth, the extra heat leaves with it.

It is an efficient means of controlling body heat, but it is severely limited in areas of high humidity or when the animal is in close quarters.

A dog or cat's coat also plays a role in cooling. Fur offers protection from heat by insulating the body and providing a buffer from direct sunlight.

Cats are less likely to suffer heatstroke because people don't typically walk or jog with their cats. Outdoor felines also are pretty smart about seeking out cool areas.

'If a cat suffers from heat exhaustion, it is usually a case where the cat was trapped in a hot area from which it could not escape,' Garcia says.

Pets Can Have Special Challenges

Like people, very young or elderly pets will have a more difficult time regulating body temperature. Overweight pets are also at greater risk of heatstroke because their extra layers of fat act as insulation.

Garcia also points out that dogs with small heads and short noses are more susceptible to heatstroke. Pugs, Pekingese, boxers, Boston terriers and bulldogs are poorly built for cooling because their short noses cannot exchange air as effectively.

Limit Activity On Sweltering Days

Here are some precautions you can take:

•Limit activity, and maintain pets at a healthy weight. Keep walks at a gentle pace, and if your pet seems tired, rest a bit or stop the activity. Limit longer walks to early morning or evenings when the sun is not direct and temperatures are more comfortable. Never exercise pets in the middle of the day.

•Don't leave your pet or child in the car! Not only is it against the law, but it's also very dangerous. The sun can raise the temperature inside your car to 120 degrees or higher in a matter of minutes, even with the windows down.

•Keep pets inside on hot days. Even if your yard has shady areas, they can shift throughout the day.

•Whether inside or out, be sure your pet has clean, cool water to drink at all times. Check the bowl several times a day, and keep it filled. If you go for a walk or an outing, take along plenty of water.

•Keep pets well-groomed. This helps their fur do what it is intended to do: protect from sun and insulate from heat. If the coat is matted and tangled, the fur may actually trap heat.

Here are some danger signs to look for:

•Rapid or excessive panting

•Bright red or purple tongue

•Red or pale gums

•Glazed eyes or staring

•Anxious or restlessness

•Depression or weakness

•Confusion

•Trouble standing or walking

•Collapse

•Vomiting

•Diarrhea

If you suspect your pet has heatstroke, you must act quickly and calmly. Immediately get it indoors or into a shady area. Reduce the animal's body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the body. Offer the animal small amounts of cool water. Get your pet to your veterinarian immediately.

Write to pet-lifestyle expert Kristen Levine at Fetching Communications, P.O. Box 222, Tarpon Springs FL 34688; e-mail kristen

@ fetchingcommunications.com; or fax to (727) 934-6451.

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