What are normal vitals for dogs?
Just to talk about heat stroke a little bit, I'm going to talk about normal vitals first. Right now, you see Canon panting. This is a normal pant for dogs. He's comfortable, relaxed, and pretty cool right now. His gum color is nice and pink. He doesn't like it when I look at his teeth because I do it all the time, but for a normal dog, the gums are usually nice and pink.
A normal temperature for dogs is about 99 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. They do run a little hotter than humans. If you take your dog's temperature and it's 102 degrees, don't fret. That's within the normal range.
What are the signs of heat stroke in dogs?
Signs of heat stroke can include heavy panting, heavier than what Canon was doing a minute ago. Their gums may become very red or even a muddy purple color. Their eyes may also look very red and inflamed.
A lot of times, they'll just be lying there and heavily panting. They may be aware of what's happening but not really reacting normally to stimuli. Sometimes, if it's severe enough, they'll even experience watery diarrhea with some blood in it. Sometimes they will also vomit. Those are some things to look for.
What exactly is heat stroke in dogs?
Heat stroke is when the body gets dangerously hot. We're talking about a significantly elevated core temperature, which can reach 105, 106, or even 107 degrees Fahrenheit in severe cases.
What should you do if your pet has heat stroke?
If your pet is experiencing signs of heat stroke, you need to begin cooling them and get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. If your pet is out in the sun, the first thing you want to do is get them into the shade or another cooler environment so the cooling process can begin and the sun isn't continuing to heat them.
If you have a fan handy, you can use it to help with cooling. You can also use cool water, not ice-cold water, to wet your pet while you're preparing to leave for the veterinarian. On your way to the veterinarian, it's a good idea to put them in the car with the air conditioner running. The important thing is to begin cooling them while getting them to veterinary care as soon as possible.
What will happen at the veterinary hospital?
Once you get your pet into the hospital, the doctors and technicians will take a core temperature, which usually means a rectal temperature. Ear thermometers are great, but in an emergency situation like this, we need an accurate core temperature to see where we're at.
The staff will continue controlled cooling and closely monitor your pet. Depending on the situation, we might place an IV and start fluids. The doctor will also likely want to take a blood sample and evaluate whether the heat stroke has affected the organs. The exact treatment will depend on your pet's condition.
Why should you use cool water and not ice-cold water?
Earlier, I discussed using cool water and not ice-cold water. We don't want to take a dog or cat that's experiencing heat stroke and dunk them in an ice bath. Extremely cold water can cause blood vessels near the skin to constrict, which can interfere with the cooling process.
Anytime your dog is experiencing a heat stroke episode, remember to use cool rather than ice-cold water, begin cooling them, and get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible. Hopefully, with prompt treatment, your friend recovers, does well, and gets to go home.
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