During the hottest days of summer, which have been many recently, our pets are vulnerable to overheating. Most dogs love to play and run, thicker coated dogs may run into overheating due to not being able to properly cool down. Here are a few suggestions to keep your furry family members safe.
Why do dogs overheat?
When a dog's temperature goes up, blood will rush into the tongue, gums and membranes to help let off the excess heat. Dogs do not sweat, they have very few sweat glands, therefore they open their mouth and begin to pant. Dogs will inhale, cooler, drier air through their nose, exchanging the air in the lungs for warm, moist air, this where evaporating, cool air takes place. Their breath will increase from 40 to 400 within a minute, then a quick deep breathe. The saliva they excrete is then expelled from their body.
Warning signs of overheating.
The very clear warning signs of overheating in dogs:
Frantic panting
Extreme salivation
Bright-red membranes
Labored breathing
A metabolic meltdown may happen quickly when dogs can no longer cool themselves as their temperature rises to over 106 degrees Fahrenheit, at this point they can no longer cool themselves. Overheated dogs may gasp for air, and the entire mouth will become grayish to purple because of the unmet oxygen. Their saliva may begin to thicken and vomiting may occur. If this happens go immediately to an emergency veterinarian, organs can shut down quickly.
Why some dogs overheat more than others
Keep a close eye on double-coated dogs when summer temperatures rise, when traveling, or when there’s an unusual heat wave in your area. Double coated dogs will have a better insulation in winter, however double coats can make a dog more vulnerable to overheating. Black and other dark-colored coats also absorb heat faster in the sun.
Brachycephalic dogs — dogs with shorter muzzles and flatter faces — tend to be more heat-sensitive. Their airways may be less efficient at moving air in and out of the lungs, making the dog more vulnerable to overheating. Dogs such as Pugs and bulldogs, are more sensitive to the heat and owners should pay close attention to overheating. Anything that causes excessive breathing, exercise or heat, can cause stress on a Brachycephalic dog.
How to keep them from overheating
When going for an outing be sure to bring cool water, cooling mat, and water to spray, always having them on hand, especially in the summer months. Long walks and exercise should be done in the early morning or later in the afternoon when the sun is not as hot.
In case of overheating
If you see your dog overheating, spray them down with cool water, not ice cold, this will constrict the surface blood vessels, this decreases heat quickly.
Immediately take your dog to a shaded area
Never leave your dog in a hot vehicle in the summer, the temperature rises quickly and a dog can perish quickly.
Pay careful attention to senior dogs or those with health problems.
If leaving them in an RV or trailer, ensure the air conditioning is working properly and will not malfunction.
If you notice signs of overheating, don't wait to seek medical attention, go quickly to an emergency veterinarian.
These are the items I use when travelling with dogs.
Cooling Mat- https://amzn.to/4bGgXY9
Spray Bottle- https://amzn.to/3S2Ye1M
Travel bowl with food and water- https://amzn.to/3xHDE0h
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