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Avoiding Heat Related
Injuries in Dogs
by Nate Baxter DVM, Lebanon, OH
The first thing that needs to be understood is that dogs and people are
different enough that most of the info cannot cross lines. I do not
profess to know what the appropriate procedures for people other than
what I learned in first aid.
Dogs do not lose enough electrolytes thru exercise to make a difference,
but if the dog gets truly into heat stroke the physiology changes will
make them necessary. BUT oral replacement at that point is futile; they
need IV and lots of it.
Cooling: Evaporative cooling is the most efficient means of cooling.
However, in a muggy environment, the moisture will not evaporate so
cooling does not happen well. I cool with the coldest water I can find
and will use ice depending on the situation. The best way is to run
water over the dog, so there is always fresh water in contact. When you
immerse a dog in a tub, the water trapped in the hair coat will get warm
next to the dog, and act as an insulator against the cool water and
cooling stops. If you can run water over the dog and place it in front
of a fan, that is the best. Misting the dog with water will only help if
you are in a dry environment or in front of a fan. Just getting the dog
wet is not the point, you want the water to be cool itself, or to
evaporate. For MOST situations all you will need to do is get the dog in
a cooler environment, i.e. shade, or in the cab of the truck with the
air conditioning on (driving around so the truck does not overheat and
the AC is more efficient).
Up to a couple of years ago, I was very concerned about my dogs getting
too hot in the back of my black pickup with a black cap. New white truck
fixed a lot of that problem. When I had one dog I just pulled the wire
crate out of the car and put it in some shade and hopefully a breeze.
But having 2 dogs and running from one stake to another, that was not
feasible. So I built a platform to put the wire crates on, this raises
the dog up in the truck box where the airflow is better. Then I placed a
3-speed box fan in front blowing on the dogs with a foot of space to
allow better airflow. I purchased a power inverter that connects to the
battery and allows the 3-speed fan to run from the truck power. It has
an automatic feature that prevents it from draining the battery. When I
turned that fan on medium I would find that the dogs where asleep,
breathing slowly and appeared very relaxed and comfortable in a matter
of 20 minutes or less, even on very hot muggy days.
Alcohol: I do carry it for emergencies. It is very effective at cooling
due to the rapid evaporation. It should be used when other methods are
not working. You should be on your way to the veterinarian before you
get to this point. We recommend using rubbing alcohol, which is
isopropyl alcohol, not ethyl, for those of you not aware. So do not try
to drink it. Alcohol should be used on the pads and lower feet area
where there is little more than skin and blood vessels over the bones.
Use a little bit and let it evaporate, you can use too much as some is
absorbed through the skin. There are concerns about toxicity, but you
have to get the temperature down.
UPDATE
NOTE-alcohol has fallen out of favor with ER specialists, use it only as
a last ditch effort if nothing else works.
I purchased those cooling pads, but found that the dogs would not lie on
them. I would hold them on the back of a dog that just worked to get a
quick cool, but have not use them for years. I also bought a pair of
battery-operated fans but found them pretty useless. Spend your money on
the power inverter and get a real fan.
Watching temperature: If you feel your dog is in danger of heat injury,
check its temp and write it down. Keep checking the temp every 3
minutes. I recommend getting a "rectal glass thermometer. The digital
ones from the drug store I have found to be very unreliable, Don't
forget to shake it down completely each time, sounds silly, but when are
worried about your companion, things tend to get mixed up.
This is VERY IMPORTANT**once the temp STARTS to drop, STOP ALL COOLING
EFFORTS. The cooling process will continue even though you have stopped.
If the temp starts at 106.5, and then next time it drops to 105.5, stop
cooling the dog, dry it off, and continue monitoring. You will be
amazed how it continues to go down. If you do not stop until the temp is
102, the temp will drop way too low. I cannot emphasis this point
enough.
When the dog is so heated that it is panting severely, only let it have
a few laps of water. Water in the stomach does not cool the dog; you
just need to keep the mouth wet so the panting is more effective. Do not
worry about hydration until the temp has started down. A dog panting
heavily taking in large amounts of water is a risk of bloat. Due to the
heavy panting they will swallow air, mixed with a large amount of water
they can bloat. Once the temp is going down and panting has slowed to
more normal panting then allow water. The dog will rehydrate it self
after temp is normal. If the dog has a serious problem and even though
you have gotten the temp normal, get the dog to a vet, as it can still
need IV fluids and some medication.
Also, a case of heat stroke can induce a case of hemorrhagic
gastroenteritis (not parvo), with a ton of very bloody diarrhea and a
lot of fluid and electrolyte loss. These cases need aggressive
treatment. The best method of treatment is prevention. Learn to watch
your dog, and see the changes in the size of the tongue, and how quickly
it goes down. Learn your dog’s response to the different environments,
and be careful when you head south for an early season hunt test or
trial. I have been to Nashville at the end of May, only 5 hours away,
but the difference in temp and humidity did affect the dogs as they were
used to more spring weather in Ohio. Try different things in training to
help the dog cool and learn what works better.
Another very important point.. Do not swim your hot dog to cool it then
put in put in a box/tight crate. Remember, evaporation cannot take place
in a tight space, and the box will turn into a sauna and
you will cook your dog. Carry a stake out chain, and let the dog cool
and dry before putting it up. I know this is a bit long, but hopefully
this is easy to understand and helps provide some useful information.
Remember:
Prevention, learn your dog. It is worth the time and effort.
                            
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