Symptoms of heatstroke in dogs

1. The dog has reduced appetite, lacks energy, and looks very sleepy. Even if you call it, it will be very slow. If it is an old dog, it may be a little slow due to poor hearing, so you need to observe it particularly carefully.
2. It is found that dogs have symptoms of dehydration. Insufficient water can cause various injuries to the body. Even slight signs of dehydration should be checked carefully.
3. The dog’s body temperature rises, usually exceeding 41.5 degrees.
4. If the temperature is too high, the blood vessels around the dog’s body will expand extremely, causing the blood pressure to drop rapidly. Therefore, the blood flow through the lungs will be seriously insufficient, and the dog will have symptoms of panting, excessive heartbeat, and hypoxia, because long-term panting will cause throat edema, especially short-mouthed dogs, such as pugs, Boston terriers, etc.
5. Blood spots appear on the skin because dehydration causes the blood circulation function to decrease. The water content of the blood decreases and the viscosity increases, which can easily block the capillaries on the body surface and cause blood spots to appear.
6. Dogs with severe heat stroke may cause epilepsy, tremors, and coma due to brain hemorrhage and edema.

First aid measures for dog heat stroke

1. If your dog’s body temperature is too high, it is likely to have heat stroke. In addition to a high body temperature (over 105-110 degrees Fahrenheit), other symptoms of heat stroke include a rapid pulse, difficulty breathing, bright red gums or eyelids, apparent fatigue, collapse, unconsciousness, or sudden onset of illness. Remember: Once your dog shows any of the above symptoms, take him to a cool place immediately.
2. If possible, put the dog in a basin filled with cold water or wrap the body with a wet towel soaked in cold water. Note: It is best not to use cold water or ice, as they will constrict the dog's blood vessels and prevent the body from dissipating heat. Owners must treat their dog's heatstroke as an emergency and seek veterinary help as soon as possible.

Three key points to avoid heatstroke in dogs

1. Never let your dog stay in a car without air conditioning. Even if you're parked in the sun for just a few minutes, the temperature inside your car can rise dramatically to a point that can cause harm to your dog. If you must leave your dog in the car, even for a short time, make sure the air conditioning is on.
2. Provide your dog with a cool resting area. This area needs to be ventilated and cool. If it's the hottest part of the day, an air-conditioned area is best for your dog.
3. Ensure that dogs can easily drink cool, clean water. It is best to keep the water in a cool place and it must be changed frequently, otherwise it will easily breed bacteria and even insects. When you travel with your dog, make sure you always have water (measured in 1 gallon per day) and a dish for your dog to drink from.