What To Do If Your Dog Gets Heatstroke
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It's getting hotter and more humid in Singapore! That's why pet owners like you need to make sure your pets don’t end up getting heatstroke. Do also check out our article on heatstrokes in rabbits.
What is heatstroke?
If your dog overheats and can’t regulate/reduce his body temperature sufficiently by panting, he may develop heatstroke.
What does heatstroke look like?
Excessive and heavy panting
Excessive drooling
Staggering, lethargic and uncoordinated
Rapid heartbeat
Dark or bright red tongue & gums
Sticky or dry tongue & gum
Collapse or loss of consciousness
Bloody diarrhoea
Vomiting
Severe heatstroke can lead to death, so make sure your dog does not overheat.
Which dogs are prone to heatstroke?
Elderly dogs
Puppies
Dogs with thick, heavy coats, e.g. Chow Chows, Siberian Huskies, etc.
Brachycephalic dogs (dogs with flat faces or short snouts), e.g. pugs, bulldogs
Dogs with respiratory diseases
What can I do about it?
Comic credit Liz Climo
You can render some first aid by cooling your dog down gradually, using some of the methods below:
Move him to a shaded or cool area
Douse or hose down your dog with cool (not cold) water. Cold water might shock his system so don’t use that.
Place cool wet towels around his paws and head
Use a fan to cool him down
Feed him small amounts of cool (not cold) water
Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his breathing begins to settle back to normal. If your dog starts to shiver, stop dousing because you are overdoing it.
Always follow up with a visit to the vet right after cooling your dog down. This is to check if the heat has done any further damage that may need more extensive treatment.
Some Dos and Don'ts
Do refill your dog's water bowl more often to ensure he is hydrated throughout the day
Do walk on grass instead of hot concrete surfaces
Do ensure your dog gets some shade when outdoors
Do trim your dog's coat regularly so he is ready for the heat
Don't bring your dog out for walks in the middle of the day or under the afternoon sun
Don't put on doggy clothes for your dog on hot days