Summer management of Dogs

"Summer is here and you need to do extra care with necessary precaution to protect your dog from heat stroke .

As you need air conditioners and coolers to cool your body temperature, sunglasses to protect your eyes, sunscreen to protect your skin, cold water and food to lower body temperature in summer, So in the same ways your Dogs also need such contrivances in summers which prevent them from dehydration and sunburn.

If Dog parents can't do extra care with necessary precautions during high temperature in summer their Dog may suffer or even die due to heat stroke or organ failure when temperature of Dog reaches above 43°C

"KEEP THINGS IN MIND THAT WHAT NOT TO DO WITH YOUR DOGS IN SUMMER"

            1. Don't leave your Dog in vehicle even if it is parked in the cooler place.

2. Always provide fresh,clean adequate amount of water to your Dog.

3. Always travel with your Dog in well ventilated vehicle and avoid travelling in the middle of the day when temperature is too high.

4. Avoid excessive running and exercise during day time when temperature is too high.

"KEEP THINGS IN MIND THAT WHAT TO DO WITH YOUR DOGS IN SUMMER"

1. Keep your Dog inside home with proper air conditioning or fans to provide sufficient amount of air circulation.

2. Always provide two bowls of water in case one is knocked over.

3. Always provide unrestricted access to fresh, clean water sources and added few ice cubes in it so that your Dog will remain hydrated.

3. Wet Dog food can help in increasing water intake during summers so  you can feed wet Dog food to your Dog.

4.   Exercise your Dog early morning or evening when the temperature is cooler.  

TYPES OF DOGS SUSCEPTIBLE TO HEAT STROKE

1. Brachycephalic breed ( pushed in nose) like Pugs, Bulldogs, Boston Terrier with Golden Retrievers and Labrador which are prone to laryngeal paralysis are also susceptible to heat stroke as well.

2. Dogs which are suffering from cardiac and respiratory diseases. 

3. Geriatric(elderly) or ill Dogs. 

4. Obese Dogs.

5. Dogs which are recently transferred to hotter climates.

6. Dogs which are caged or under poor ventilated areas.  

7. Dogs which do excessive running and exercise in high temperature.

8. Dogs which are suffered previously with heat stroke could be at higher risk of getting heat stroke again. 

DOGS VS HUMANS

1. "The only effective method of cooling/thermoregulation in Dogs is panting. Humans who sweat almost from everywhere because they have sweat glands, called apocrine glands, associated with every hair follicle on their body but Dogs only produce sweat on areas not covered with fur, such as the nose and paw pads." 

2. Dogs can't ask about feeling a need to drink to you when they are too hot.

3.They won't stop playing until there body can't take any more because Dogs are so eager to please their parents.

SYMPTOMS OF HEAT STROKE

1. An anxious expression or staring appearance

1. Heavy panting and raspy breathe

2. Excessive salivation

3. Elevated rectal temperature

4. Skin feels warmer than usual

5. Bright red gums

6. lying flat on cool surfaces

7. Collapsing, stumbling or falling down

8. Vomiting

9. Seizures

HEAT STROKE EFFECTUATE

1. Brain damage (Temporary or sometimes permanent).

2. Muscle Damage. 

3. Bleeding disorders.  

4. Organ failure if body temperature exceeds than 43°C

5. Lungs, liver and kidney failure.

6. Ulceration of stomach and intestine.
7. Death 

THINGS YOU CAN DO AT HOME IF YOU SUSPECTED THAT YOUR DOG HAS HAD HEAT STROKE 

TREATMENT BY VETERINARIAN

1. Cold water enema
2. Intravenous fluid (isotonic crystalloid at shock dose i.e. 90 ml/kg for dogs).
3. Seizures should be treated with appropriate anticonvulsants (diazepam, phenobarbital, propofol). 
4. Cerebral edema may be treated with mannitol or corticosteroids. Corticosteroids also would benefit a patient with upper airway edema.
5. Antibiotic therapy should be instituted to protect gastrointestinal tract.
6. Avoid non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. 

OUTCOMES

The key to successful management and treatment includes rapid recognition with protocols aimed at rapid cooling and support of the affected body systems. Heat stroke can result in multi-organ dysfunction that can be life-threatening.