How to Treat Heat Stress in a Dog

Unlike humans, dogs can't sweat to relieve themselves from excess heat. They regulate their temperature through respiration but some dogs are less able to do so than others. Older dogs, dogs suffering from obesity and short muzzled breeds are less likely to be able to regulate their body temperature through respiration and they may suffer from existing respiratory difficulties that place them at risk.

Dogs must be left free to move about and shouldn't be restrained as being unable to move can increase the danger of heat stress. A leashed dog or a dog constrained in a pen or car is at high risk to succumbing to heat stroke. Restrictive conditions can cause heat stress to rapidly escalate into a life and death situation.

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Indications that a dog may be experiencing heat stress include a dry and hot tongue, redness in the mucous membranes, a rapid heartbeat and dry skin. The dog will become lethargic and confused and may even become unconscious. The longer the dog is exposed to heat, the less the chances of recovery and the higher the risk of irreversible damage.

If you think your pet has been exposed to extreme heat and is exhibiting signs of heat stress you need to take immediate action. Take the dog to a cool environment immediately. Call your vet and notify him of the situation and take your dog to the clinic as quickly as possible. Your vet will tell you what to do in order to stabilize the dog on your way to the clinic.

If you're unable to get to the vet you should take some emergency actions at home. Immerse your dog's body in cold water to bring down his temperature but be careful the dog doesn't collapse and drown. Massage his skin and legs to stimulate cooled blood flow to the heart and brain. Take your dog's rectal temperature every 10 minutes. It should not fall below 103 degrees Fahrenheit (39.4 degrees Celsius). Once the dog's temperature has reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit you should remove him from the water but keep checking his temperature every 10 minutes for the next hour.

If the temperature rises again place the dog in cold water again. Stabilizing the dog's temperature is crucial before attempting to take him on a long drive to the vet. Once the dog's temperature is stable you can take him to the vet for further treatment. The dog will require medication to prevent complications that arise from heat stress.

How to Treat Heat Stress in a Dog

Mickey Samy is a freelance writer and customer service expert who has owned and loved horses, dogs and other animals most of her life. Mickey is available for all your pet and animal related outsourcing work whether it be article writing, SEO articles or even customer service and can be found on Odesk: http://www.odesk.com/users/~~0faf91524e250261

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SPAYING YOUR DOG