With the heat index creeping above one hundred degrees here in Chicago, our bulldogges (like all brachiocephalic breeds) are at risk for heat stroke. With this in mind, it is critical to know what signs to look for with your dogge and how to respond.
Signs of a Heat Stroke
- Recognize the symptoms of heat stroke in a dog. React quickly if you notice that your dog is dehydrated or is suffering from some or all of the following heat stroke symptoms:
- Unusual breathing - rapid and loud
- High rectal temperature (see how to take this below)
- Extreme thirst
- Weakness and/or fatigue
- Frequent vomiting
- Disorientation
- A bright red tongue and pale gums
- Skin around muzzle or neck doesn't snap back when pinched
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse or coma
- Thick saliva
- Increased heart rate.
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2
If you suspect that your dog is overheated, immediately take them to a shady spot or into a cool indoors room. Removing the heat source is an important immediate response. If possible, take them into a building such as a room with air conditioning. If circulating the air through air conditioning is not possible, see if you can locate a fan.
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3
Cool the dog down. Depending on what you have available to you, do your best to cool down your dog quickly. Some possible ways to approach this include:[2]
- Pour cool water water over the dog's head and body.
- Drape wet towels over your dog. Don't leave wet cloths in place for too long though, as the fur will get damp.
- Gently hose them using a very gentle stream of water, preferably a dribble or light spray (do not use it at full strength).
- Where it is possible, submerge your dog in a bathtub or tank of cool (not cold) water.
- Never use ice water or ice––this will close the skin pores, shrink the skin's surface vessels and can exacerbate the heat stroke. It can lead to shock or even cause hypothermia.[3][2]
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4
Fan the dog and spread their fur open using your fingers. It will help to fan your dog as you cool them with water, and run your fingers through the coat to lift it up and help the air to flow through. Fur acts as an insulating blanket trapping heat, so opening it up and exposing the skin underneath to air can help the dog to cool down faster.
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5
Take the dogs temperature. A dog suffering from heat stroke will have a temperature of 103ºF (39.5ºC) or above. Ideally, don't try taking the temperature until you have removed the heat source and tried to cool them down. Moreover, only take their temperature if it's not likely to disturb or upset them. Use a rectal thermometer to take the dog's temperature:
- If you're using a mercury thermometer, you will have to reduce the mercury to below 94ºF (34.4ºC) by shaking it lightly.
- Lubricate it with a lubricant such as petroleum or KY jelly.
- Ask a helper to hold the dog by holding the head and front part of the body.
- Locate the rectum and lift the tail for access.
- Carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum about one inch (2.5cm); do not let go of it.
- Wait two minutes for a mercury thermometer, or until a digital one beeps. When this happens, carefully remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- A normal rectal temperature is about 100.5ºF - 102.5ºF (38.6ºC to 38.9ºC). If the dog's temperature is above this, heat stroke is likely.
- Keep tabs on the dog's rectal temperature as they recover. If it returns to a normal level (below 103ºF/39.5ºC), you can stop the cooling techniques; however, keep the dog in a cool area and make sure they have water. Once body temperature reduces to normal, the cooling will continue naturally provided the dog is in a cool place.
-
6
When your dog comes around, try to give them a small quantity of water to drink. It is also okay to try and give them pediatric electrolyte solution, repeating as often as they want to drink it.[2]
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7
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Contact an emergency vet clinic. As you cool the dog, call any emergency vet clinic for advice on treating the dog's heatstroke. As soon as the rectal temperature is at an appropriate level, bring the dog to an (emergency) vet clinic. Be aware that even if the dog does not appear to be suffering from any issues, there may be internal damage. It's best to have a check-up to be reassured of the all-clear.
- Unusual breathing - rapid and loud
- High rectal temperature (see how to take this below)
- Extreme thirst
- Weakness and/or fatigue
- Frequent vomiting
- Disorientation
- A bright red tongue and pale gums
- Skin around muzzle or neck doesn't snap back when pinched
- Difficulty breathing
- Collapse or coma
- Thick saliva
- Increased heart rate.
2
If you suspect that your dog is overheated, immediately take them to a shady spot or into a cool indoors room. Removing the heat source is an important immediate response. If possible, take them into a building such as a room with air conditioning. If circulating the air through air conditioning is not possible, see if you can locate a fan.
3
Cool the dog down. Depending on what you have available to you, do your best to cool down your dog quickly. Some possible ways to approach this include:[2]
- Pour cool water water over the dog's head and body.
- Drape wet towels over your dog. Don't leave wet cloths in place for too long though, as the fur will get damp.
- Gently hose them using a very gentle stream of water, preferably a dribble or light spray (do not use it at full strength).
- Where it is possible, submerge your dog in a bathtub or tank of cool (not cold) water.
- Never use ice water or ice––this will close the skin pores, shrink the skin's surface vessels and can exacerbate the heat stroke. It can lead to shock or even cause hypothermia.[3][2]
4
Fan the dog and spread their fur open using your fingers. It will help to fan your dog as you cool them with water, and run your fingers through the coat to lift it up and help the air to flow through. Fur acts as an insulating blanket trapping heat, so opening it up and exposing the skin underneath to air can help the dog to cool down faster.
5
Take the dogs temperature. A dog suffering from heat stroke will have a temperature of 103ºF (39.5ºC) or above. Ideally, don't try taking the temperature until you have removed the heat source and tried to cool them down. Moreover, only take their temperature if it's not likely to disturb or upset them. Use a rectal thermometer to take the dog's temperature:
- If you're using a mercury thermometer, you will have to reduce the mercury to below 94ºF (34.4ºC) by shaking it lightly.
- Lubricate it with a lubricant such as petroleum or KY jelly.
- Ask a helper to hold the dog by holding the head and front part of the body.
- Locate the rectum and lift the tail for access.
- Carefully insert the thermometer into the rectum about one inch (2.5cm); do not let go of it.
- Wait two minutes for a mercury thermometer, or until a digital one beeps. When this happens, carefully remove the thermometer and read the temperature.
- A normal rectal temperature is about 100.5ºF - 102.5ºF (38.6ºC to 38.9ºC). If the dog's temperature is above this, heat stroke is likely.
- Keep tabs on the dog's rectal temperature as they recover. If it returns to a normal level (below 103ºF/39.5ºC), you can stop the cooling techniques; however, keep the dog in a cool area and make sure they have water. Once body temperature reduces to normal, the cooling will continue naturally provided the dog is in a cool place.
6
When your dog comes around, try to give them a small quantity of water to drink. It is also okay to try and give them pediatric electrolyte solution, repeating as often as they want to drink it.[2]
7
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