24/06/2024
🥵HEATSTROKE SYMPTOMS🥵
Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered gradually for the best chance of survival.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
🔹Move the dog to a shaded and cool area. (Tiled floors not in direct sunlight are great)
🔹Immediately pour cool water over the dog. Tap water (15-16°C) has been found to be the most effective at cooling dogs with heat-related illnesses. (In a true emergency, any water is better than nothing.)
🔹Create a breeze, use a fan or aircon
Wet towels placed over the dog can worsen the condition, trapping heat. In mild cases towels can be placed under the dog, but NEVER OVER!
🔹Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water
🔹Continue to pour cool water over the dog until their breathing starts to settle, but not too much that they start shivering
🔹Dogs that have lost consciousness will stop panting, despite still having a very high temperature, these dogs require urgent aggressive cooling as a priority.
🔹Throughout the treatment of heatstroke try to avoid pouring water on your dog’s head, as there is a risk of them inhaling the water which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced and unconscious dogs. The back of the neck, onto the tummy or the dogs back are recommended.
🔹Once the dog is cool, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.
Heatstroke can affect any breed of dog. However some types of dogs are more prone to heatstroke, like very old or young dogs, dogs with thick, heavy coats or dogs with very short flat faces like pugs and bulldog types. Dogs with certain diseases or on some types of medication are also more at risk.
