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Heat Stroke Signs to Tell Your Dog is in Distress

 

Who doesn’t love summer? The sun is soaring, high in the sky, beckoning us all out to the beaches, BBQs, and all the fun-filled vacation spots. You’re happy because work is slowing down. The kids are happy because school’s out. The dog is happy because all of a sudden, everyone’s home! But as we crank our A/Cs up and take cover in the shade, it’s important to watch out for dog heat stroke signs. A dog’s coat is suitable to keep a dog warm through the blistering winter, but many dogs are susceptible to heat stroke if we’re not careful.  

Dogs with squishy faces ( brachycephalic) like Pugs and Shar-Peis are extra sensitive to hot weather because of their anatomy. Nordic dogs with double coats like Pomeranians and Huskies may also have a hard time cooling off. Yet all breeds can be affected by heat stroke. When taking long walks or playing at the dog beach, watch for signs of heatstroke. If your dog begins to overheat there are some easy ways to quickly cool them down before things get out of hand.

Don’t let the sun keep you away from the summer fun! This article will show you dog heat stroke signs and the best way to prevent overheating.

What is Heat Stroke?

There are two veterinary risks to dogs exposed to an overabundance of heat. The first is hyperthermia, which is an elevation in body temperature that exceeds the accepted normal range. This is different than hypothermia, which is  when a dog loses more body heat than can be produced. A healthy dog’s body temperature floats between 101°  to 102.5° degrees Fahrenheit (38.3°  to 39.2°  Celsius). So any temperature reading over a 103° Fahrenheit (39° Celsius) is in the hyperthermia range.

Heat stroke is characterized as either non-fever hyperthermia that takes place when a dog’s heat regulating body mechanisms of the body cannot accommodate the excess body heat. Veterinarians state that a heat stroke sets in at 106° (41°C) or above. When a dog’s internal temperature gets this high this can lead to organ dysfunction or worse organ failure.

A fever hyperthermia develops with inflammation occurring in the body similar to the kind that a bacterial infection would produce. Non-fever occurs without signs of inflammation when a dog is overheated. All non-fever hyperthermia results from increased body temperature. Other causes of non-fever hyperthermia include excessive exercise, disproportionate levels of thyroid hormones, or lesions in the hypothalamus—a region in the brain that regulates the nervous system. The hypothalamus controls body temperature and other bodily mechanics.

Dog Heat Stroke Signs to Watch For

Heavy Panting

Every dog lover knows that instead of sweating a dog cools himself down by panting. Moisture is drawn from air passing over a dog’s tongue that circulates cooling down their body. Dogs do sweat through their paws to rid their bodies of heat but this is not the primary way of ventilating.

During the hot summers, a dog will usually pant regularly. There are stages of panting that show dog owners their dog is overheating. What pet parents need to watch for is excessive and heavy panting. Typical panting begins with a slightly parted mouth while your dog pants rhythmically. As their internal body temperature increases, the degrees of panting look more extreme. When a dog opens their mouth wide, with a swollen tongue hanging out to the side, this is one the first dog heat stroke signs. If your dog is salivating and drooling excessively this is also a red flag.

Fast or Irregular Heart Beats

Another sign your dog might be overheating is racing or irregular heartbeat. When a dog’s heart rate increases this is the body’s defense from the heat. The blood flow is pumped to the limbs away from any vital organs where damage can occur. If you need to check your dog’s heart rate on the spot without veterinary assistance put your hand to your dog’s chest. Count how many pulses you feel in 15 seconds, then multiply this number by four. A normal heart rate is between 60 and 140 beats per minute.

Dog Heat Stroke Signs Include:

  • Red Gums
  • Non-Production of Urine
  • Sudden Kidney Failure
  • Shock
  • Heart & Lung Failure
  • Vomiting Blood
  • Blood in Stool
  • Seizures
  • Lethargy
  • Muscle Tremors
  • Uncoordinated Movement
  • Unconsciousness

If you observe your dog showing any signs of heat stroke, get veterinary service immediately!

What Causes Overheating in Dogs?

Heat stroke is easy to prevent and the primary cause is severe environmental heat and humidity. This can happen when a dog is left outside all day, in a hot car, ventilated room, and a groomer drying cage. All these situations can be avoided and are a result of carelessness.

Another cause of heat stroke is upper airway disease which interferes with normal breathing. When airflow is constricted, this impedes a dog’s ability to circulate air to cool down. Other culprits of heat stroke are diseases like paralysis of the voice box (larynx), heart or blood vessel disease, and nervous-system disease.

Poisoning can also lead toward seizures and an abnormal increase in body temperature which are dog heat stroke signs. Poisonous compounds found in pesticides made with strychnine, which kills small vertebrates, are very harmful to dogs.

Lastly, any dog that is exercising in the heat needs to be monitored closely.  Heat exacerbates a dog’s temperature and when they are exerting themselves in hot temperatures they will need breaks to cool down.

Preventing Heat Stroke is Simple; Here’s How

Lucky for pet parents, like most dangers, heat stroke is easy to prevent. Before dog heat stroke signs even show up there are steps we can all take to keep our dogs safe.

The most common scenario of dog heat stroke is leaving a poor pup in the car on a hot summer day. Even with the windows cracked, car temperatures can reach life threatening sweltering conditions quickly. Pet owners should also make sure dogs aren’t overexposed to hot temperatures without access to fresh water and shade. Even long walks in the sun can be hazardous. Dogs that are more susceptible to temperature (the squishy-faced ones) like Pugs, Bull Dogs, Shih Tzu etc. will need plenty of ventilation.

The two easiest ways of keeping your dog’s temperature in a healthy range are providing cool water and shady areas.

Pet Care for an Overheated Dog

If you begin noticing dog heat stroke signs get your dog into a cooler environment immediately. Contact a veterinarian and in the meantime, there are steps you can take to get their temperature back to normal.

Put your dog in a cool bath tub or run hose water over their coat. Take care to make sure your dog’s head is thoroughly coated with water. If your dog is unconscious ensure water does not enter their nose or mouth. If needed you can apply a frozen pack to their head only. Make sure the water is cool but not cold. Overly cold water will actually counteract a dog’s cooling process, but a package of frozen veggies on their head helps.

Massaging your dog’s legs is also helpful. Rubbing their legs will stimulate blood circulation which will prevent shock. Of course, during all these steps, let your dog drink as much fresh water as he wants. Adding a small pinch of salt to his dog bowl will also replace any minerals he’s lost while panting.

Veterinary Care

If your dog’s heat stroke case is severe a vet treatment will replace lost fluids and minerals. This will be done through intravenous fluid therapy. A vet will also most likely check for secondary complications like kidney failure, brain injury, abnormal clotting, changes in blood pressure, and amount of electrolytes.

Play Safe!

Keeping our dogs safe is an easy task because they’re so cute and we love them so much! On hot days, simple common sense is the best way to prevent heat stroke. Teach your family to spot dog heat stroke signs so you all can enjoy the summer!

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The Damage of Training Dogs to Walk on Their Hind Legs

Viral Videos of Dogs Walking on Hind Legs Stirs Controversy and Spreads Misleading Training Techniques

For the past few months, a barrage of videos showing dogs walking on their hind legs have been going viral all over the internet. The most famous of these is a brown Poodle wandering around China’s Sichuan province. The dog is dressed in girl’s clothing. The reactions in the video mirror the ones posted online. Many think the video is precious without knowing the real implications behind this kind of dog training.

Another video from Toronto that was also widely circulated on the internet shows a professional dog walker dragging a dog by his hind legs. The dog was in a harness and was being lifted by a leash. Just as disturbing is that the same dog walker had other dogs walking beside him without a leash. The dogs were walking and jumping in the streets with oncoming traffic close by. The city’s municipal licensing and standards committee have since taken actions to tighten up regulations for professional dog walkers.

Are Dogs Walking on Hind Legs in Medical Danger?

Most veterinarians agree, that yes, a dog walking on hind legs is not natural. The posture can be harmful if the dog walks like this for a prolonged period of time. “If it’s chronic that they’re on their legs like that, then it’s not a natural posture for a dog to be in, so it does produce more wear and tear on the joints,” Dr. Patrica Alderson tells GlobalNews. “This can lead to muscle and joint disease.”

Many aging dogs like German Shepherds and Golden Retrievers are already predisposed to diseases that cause limb weakness and in bad cases, paralysis in the hind legs.  Canine degenerative myelopathy (DM) usually occurs in dog’s over five-years-old. A dog will begin to lose muscle coordination, balance, and will develop paralysis in the hind legs that can spread forward. Training dogs to walk on their hind legs can exacerbate this.

Unnecessary pressure on joints and ligaments can cause inflammation and tearing. Senior dogs can develop osteoarthritis which will prevent them from getting into the car or climbing up stairs. A great way to prevent this is by providing foods packed with nutrients found in dog broth like glucosamine. These compounds act like hormones when ingested—stimulating cells called fibroblasts that lay down collagen in joints, tendons, and ligaments.

These Poor Dogs are Most Likely Abused

A 15-minute video found within a pen-drive in a shopping mall in Malaysia shows graphic footage of a man beating a Poodle into standing on her hind legs. This video and others have surfaced alongside the cutesy videos showing what is more than likely the truth about the situation behind a dog walking on hind legs.

Many animal rights activists have released statements condemning the dog owners in these videos. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, commonly known by their acronym, PETA, are controversial leaders in animal rights. PETA takes fringe stances on many issues but videos surfacing that actually show the abuse can’t be ignored.

“Dogs have four legs for a reason,” says Elisa Allen, director of PETA.  They don’t naturally walk on two—and certainly not over long distances—because it can be uncomfortable and cause them physical injury. There are many ways that people can have fun with their dogs which are respectful and don’t involve ridiculing them.”

One of the dog owners from these videos has come forward stating that his dog, Dou Dou, has a congenital condition and has been walking on hind legs since she was a puppy. We at Splash and Dash hope that this is true. We have expectations that dog owners are using humane training with positive reinforcements and are careful not to overburden their dogs. Sadly this is not always the case.

Cool Tricks that Aren’t Harmful

Why potentially injure your dog when there are so many other cool tricks out there? Many advanced dog training tricks are movements that your dog can perform naturally. Best of all you don’t need an agility course, or even need to hire a dog trainer to show your dog how to pull these tricks off. You only need a few treats, some patience, and your dog!

Cool Tricks:

  • Kiss
  • Bark/Speak on Command
  • Shake Hands
  • Fetch
  • Roll Over
  • Play Dead
  • Spin
  • Roll Over
  • Leave It

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