Essential Tips for Dog Heatstroke Prevention & Care

Dogs are highly susceptible to heat, as they are not equipped to handle warm temperatures well.

Since dogs do not sweat and do not stop moving due to heat, their bodies cannot regulate temperature on their own. They are also unable to take care of themselves by staying hydrated. Dogs' sweat glands are located on their tongues, which is why you might notice them panting heavily. This is a sign that they are overheating and need water to cool down or to rest and stop their activities.

Brachycephalic breeds, such as those with short noses, are even more prone to overheating and have a harder time dissipating heat compared to dogs with longer snouts.

In hightemperature environments or during humid,闷热weather, a dog's body system can衰竭and potentially die within as little as 20 minutes. Therefore, heatstroke poses the greatest threat to a dog's health during the summer or any hot, oppressive weather.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include:

Wideopen mouth breathing, with noisy breaths and drool on the lips. Lethargic walking, with an unbalanced gait. Weakness and confusion.

When a dog shows signs of heatstroke, the owner should act quickly and not wait for veterinary assistance. The most crucial step is to lower the dog's body temperature as soon as possible.

This can be achieved by rinsing the dog's body with cool water or placing them in a cool bath. It's essential to get the dog to a veterinary clinic as fast as possible.

Since dogs may not drink water when they are overheated, it's important to administer intravenous fluids and other treatments to rapidly rehydrate them.

Heatstroke incidents involving dogs occur every year, so pet owners must be vigilant and take precautions to prevent such tragedies from happening.