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Recognise signs and provide first aid
It is actually known that cars parked in the sun heat up quickly and can become a deadly trap for humans and animals. Nevertheless, dogs die every year because their owners underestimate the danger in the car. Can you leave your dog in the car at all? What is a heat stroke and how do you react correctly if a dog is suspected of having a heat stroke?
Heatstroke in the dog – what is it?
Unlike many other animals, dogs have almost no sweat glands. The few sweat glands that are present are located on the nose mirror and on the paws. Dogs regulate their body temperature by panting. This gives them some cooling via the tongue and regulates the normal body temperature from approx. 38 ° C to 39 ° C. This cooling uses a lot of energy and above all water – so the dog has to drink constantly.
From a body temperature of 41 ° C to 43 ° C, it becomes life-threatening for the dog.
Even at an outside temperature of approx. 30 ° C, it can be difficult for dogs to cool the body sufficiently. Breeds with short snouts or very thick fur are particularly susceptible. Excessive exertion can also become problematic (exertion-related heat stroke). If the dog’s own cooling is insufficient and the body temperature rises, the brain expands as a result. Since the skull does not give way, the pressure on the brain increases. In addition to pain, there are symptoms of failure: the dog becomes apathetic, stumbles and can no longer stand after a short time. The heatstroke is followed by a heat collapse and, in the worst case, a multi-organ failure. From a body temperature of around 42 ° C, the body’s own protein is destroyed. This can have fatal consequences.
How do I recognize a heat stroke or sunstroke?
The classic symptoms of heatstroke are:
- Heavy panting
- Possibly. increased salivation
- An elongated neck
- A tongue hanging out
- Hot and reddened inner ears
- Dry strongly reddened mucous membranes
- Fast and shallow breathing
- Coordination disorders
- Racing heart
- Vomiting or diarrhoea
- Irregular heartbeat
This condition alone is more than worrying. There is an acute danger to life. Rescue measures should be initiated immediately and a veterinarian should be consulted. The following circulatory collapse ultimately leads to the death of the dog in the worst case: The mucous membranes become pale, sticky and sometimes bluish due to the lack of oxygen. The dog trembles and has cramps. The result is a loss of consciousness, coma and apnea.
Sunstroke versus heat stroke
| Sunstroke | heatstroke |
| Local overheating of the brain (head, neck) | Overheating of the whole body |
| Danger from direct sunlight | Danger from the ambient temperature, direct sun is not necessary |
| The temperature can be in the acceptable range | The ambient temperature is too high |
| The dog is walking in the blazing sun | The dog is left in the car on a hot day |
Panting is no longer enough for the dog to cool down in both cases. Not every dog shows all symptoms. Keep a close eye on your four-legged friend in summer so that possible signs can be recognised as quickly as possible and remedied
First-aid tips against heatstroke in the dog
If you suspect a heat stroke in your dog, it is important to keep calm. You should have a calming effect on both the dog and other people, such as the owner if necessary. Immediately put the dog in the shade and start to cool it slowly. Important: keep the dog on a leash. In the worst case, he could run away disoriented. First, cool the paws with damp cloths or water from the garden hose, then the body. Offer him water, but don’t pour it in under any circumstances. The dog should not be cooled down too quickly with plenty of cold water. Sudden coldness causes the blood vessels to narrow and the symptoms worsen. The temperature drop must not be abrupt. Use lukewarm water instead of ice-cold water.
Slowly calm the dog
Wet towels get warm quickly and have to be changed constantly. A heat stroke or even circulatory shock is always a medical emergency that must be treated immediately. Immediately transport the dog to the vet in a cool car. Call the veterinarian over the phone to prepare for the dog’s treatment. Your dog will be provided with all necessary infusions and emergency medication at the doctor. Is the animal emergency service on the way to you? Then check that the airways are clear and put the dog on its side.
Best help: this way you avoid heat stroke on your dog
Not only the car is dangerous for the dog in warm temperatures. Efforts in the heat, such as walking on a bike or longer hiking tours, can also lead to heat stroke, even if the temperature still seems tolerable to the owner. Staying in stuffy, overheated rooms also poses dangers.
Protect your dog when it is hot and move all activities to the cooler morning and evening hours. A cool place in the shade and opportunities for relaxation should be included in the walk around. Always take enough drinking water with you. A water bottle and a small drinking bowl for on the go are ideal. Even better: a swim in a cool lake or river.
Keep in mind that most dogs tolerate heat much less well than humans. In summer, never leave your dog alone, even briefly, in the car. Dogs should not exert themselves in the heat but rest in the shade or even better in the cool house. Provide plenty of fresh drinking water. If your dog has thick fur, talk to your veterinarian. Especially in the case of older or sick animals, shearing can make life easier for dogs in summer.
When walking in the cooler morning and evening hours, freshwater to drink is a must. Those who have a water rat can head for a cooling option and make the walk even more exciting for the loyal companion. This will prevent your dog from suffering a heat stroke and surviving the warm days of the year unscathed.
