We’re in the midst of the summer months and in most states across the United States the temperatures can rise to sweltering proportions for our pups!
The Puppy Academy Students, Mari (left) and Maia (right)
Many of us are huge fans of summer!
Swimming, camping, hiking, or just enjoying being out in your town! As puppy owners, we want to include our pups in many of these activities with hot weather though, there are certain concerns for puppies developing heatstroke. Unfortunately, puppies and dogs are notoriously susceptible to changes in temperature. In this blog, we’ll teach you what signs of heatstroke in your puppy to look out for, how to treat it in an emergency, and how to prevent heatstroke from happening in the first place!
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What is Heatstroke?
The normal body temperature rate of a dog is 101.5F but when it reaches 105F or higher, your puppy is experiencing heatstroke, a fever also called Hypothermia. Any common environment can produce heatstroke in a puppy. Closed cars are notorious situations where many puppies and dogs across the United States have developed near-fatal heatstroke.
Our pups only have a few limited ways to naturally cool off. Panting helps release moisture from their tongues, nasal passages, and the lining of their lungs. This process helps them cool down as the cool air passes over the moist tissue. Also, the pads of their paws can sweat but this isn’t enough to help them regulate their internal temperature.
Heatstroke will occur when the exterior temperatures are too high, overcoming your puppy’s ability to adjust and receive new, fresh cool air.
What Can Contribute to Heatstroke?
Aside from the obvious--high hot temperatures--there are other factors that can contribute to your puppy developing heatstroke. Your puppy’s breed, age, fitness, weight, existing medical conditions, environment, and water are all important components to consider.
Certain short-snouted or long, thick-coated breeds are susceptible to high hot temperatures. Young puppies, as well as old dogs, have a higher propensity to develop heatstroke. Environmental elements such as being in a car or even a prolonged amount of time on black asphalt will be conducive to the development of heatstroke. Lastly, your puppy’s ability to drink cool water or have consistent access to water is highly important in order to help them regulate.
What are the Signs to Look Out for?
When it comes to heatstroke, early detection and treatment can help save your puppy’s life from serious long-term damage or death. Here are the signs to be aware of next time you take your puppy for an outing in hot weather conditions:
Heavy panting
Rapid breathing
Excessive drooling
Bright red tongue and ears
Hot to the touch
High heart rate
Any prolonged exposure to high hot temperatures can make any or all of these symptoms worsen. A puppy may start to experience hyperventilation and dehydration. You may also notice that your puppy’s pupil will dilate, their gums may appear blueish, and muscle tremors. In serious situations, puppies could also be unable to pee or eliminate, collapse and become non-responsive.
How to Treat Heatstroke?
We never want our pups to experience something frightening or life-threatening but knowing how to quickly react is vital to saving their life, or help someone else’s pup! The main goal is lowering your puppy’s body temperature. Remove them from the location or activity and carry them to a shaded, cool, and ventilated location. At this point, you can spray or sponge down your puppy with cool (not cold) water, especially on their belly.
Cold temperature water is not recommended as the immediate change from high heat to cold can produce shock in a puppy. If available, keep a fan blowing cool air on them until their temperature gradually starts to lower. Lastly, check on your puppy’s condition using a rectal thermometer; if their body temperature is 105F or higher, you should consider this an emergency and take your puppy to the veterinarian as soon as possible. Try to lower their body temperature and after a few minutes recheck with the thermometer.
Note: Try to reduce your puppy’s body temperature to approximately 103F but don’t try to rapidly reduce it any lower. Doing so could cause their internal temperature to decrease too quickly and into dangerous levels. Once your puppy’s at around 103F bring them to your vet. In serious cases, your puppy may require fluids, medication, and oxygen.
Be Prepared and Prevent Heatstroke!
When it comes to raising and training a puppy, planning for every situation makes all the difference. Preventing heatstroke is no different in that you can save your puppy’s life by having a little foresight into where you are going, what your puppy will be doing, and preparing supplies you may need.
Choose to take your puppy out during the coolest times of the day, either early morning or later in the afternoon or evening. Keep their outside training and playtime short and provide them rest time inside. If you do plan to be out, your puppy should have easy access to shaded and cool areas and readily available cool water at all times. In situations when you can’t be sure if you can provide those things for your puppy, it’s always the best option to leave your puppy safe and cool at home.
Do you want to learn about some safe and fun activities to plan with your puppy this summer? Join us every Wednesday at 1 pm PT on @thepuppyacademy Instagram for our live trainer Q&A!
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