Overheated Dogs Need Help

[Penny's Aunt]

Since it's starting to warm up everywhere but here in WA (where it's still raining), I thought I'd post a few notes on what to do if your dog gets overheated. Read it now & it may come back to you if you need it.

If he's really hot & panting, just hose him down with the garden hose or bathtub hose. Then let him take it easy the rest of the day (no ball chasing). If you're really worried, take his temperature.

Don't have a dog thermometer? Get one: just a regular human rectal thermometer; lubricate it with Vasoline, etc. Take his temperature every few minutes until it comes down to about 102 F. A dog's normal temp is about 101 to 102. (I'd mark it as the dog's, for obvious reasons.)

If the dog is UNCONSCIOUS, he's in real trouble, & needs medical attention. BUT YOU HAVE TO DO SOMETHING FIRST!

While someone is calling the vet to make sure he's there, you need to be getting him wet. Hosing him down with a garden hose is the simplest. Or immerse him in a large bucket of cool water, or the kids' wading pool or the fish pond or the kitchen sink. KEEP HIS HEAD UP -- DON'T DROWN HIM!

If you're the only one home, wet him down FIRST, then call the vet.

Got some frozen plastic bags of corn or peas in the freezer? Grab one or two, whack them on the floor or counter to make them flexible, then pack them around the dog's HEAD ONLY.

NEVER PACK ICE NEAR THE DOG'S HEART -- YOU CAN PUT HIM INTO CARDIAC ARREST.

The vet's in? Wet down a bath towel & wrap him in it. Keep the ice bag on his head, & run for the vet.

I have seen dogs that have been in locked cars in the summer come in with temperatures as high as 112 F. Yes, they were unconscious. Yes, they died.

Keep your eye on your dogs in hot weather. One of the dead 112 F dogs was locked into the owner's car by small neighborhood kids. He thought he was going for a ride.

[Mark]

Sonya,

Thanks, so much for these words of wisdom. I hadn't thought of the frozen vegetable idea for the "kids", although we've used that idea in the past for ourselves. They are predicting a hot, dry summer in Michigan . . . so knowing these things could be very important. I've printed your message and will keep it handy in the "doggie pantry". http://dachsie.org/ubb/rolleyes.gif

And thank goodness the 24 hour specialists clinic is only 20 minutes away (10 if it's an emergency http://dachsie.org/ubb/biggrin.gif ).

Thanks again,

Mark

[This message has been edited by Mark (edited May 04, 2000).]

[loving two dachsie's]

Thanks for this post, it is great information. I saw this happen to a freinds dog before, they were able to save the dog, but it was a close call.

We get some really hot and humid days here in Jersey, and it does not take long for a dog in a car to become very sick if not worse in the heat!

Linda

[weenie]

Thanks for the helpful information. Many people forget the simple heart of the matter though. If it is too hot for you, it is too hot for your dog. If you don't need to take him with you, leave him at home when the weather is hot.

Unfortunately last summer, mom and I were shopping and we parked next to a car with a poor panting boxer in it. The windows were barely cracked and the poor thing was panting pretty hard. I went into the store and asked them to make and announcement to try to find the owner. While I was in the store, the owner came out and my mom tried to talk with her. My mom said "Boxers have problems breathing as it is" the lady totally ignored her and got in the car and left. Made my blood boil http://dachsie.org/ubb/angryfire.gif

It was one of those 90+ degree days with 90% humidity. Some people don't deserve pets.

[pluto'slanie]

Excellent information. When I'm on a long trip alone with just Pluto as company, I only stop for rest room stops - very quick. I was surprised how a small basically hairless dog can feel the heat. During the summer I leave the air conditioning on for Pluto when I go to work and curtail his walks unless the morning is cool and cloudy.

[Wienergal]

Boy, I am the typo queen today!! I meant to use the thumbs-UP symbol, not the thumbs-down... http://dachsie.org/ubb/eek.gif

Penny's Aunt, thank you SO much for the great advice! I really would not have known what to do, so, like Mark, I've printed out your tips and will keep them close at hand at home.

It's SO important that people understand how dangerous it is to leave a dog in a car on a hot day! Alas, here in the Chicago area, every summer brings at least one report of an infant who died from being left in a car, if you can imagine such a thing. Some people don't deserve to have children... http://dachsie.org/ubb/mad.gif

Lanie, you've got the right idea about road trips. If you're traveling alone with your dog in warm weather, take food with you, so that you don't have to stand on line at a highway restaurant. For bathroom breaks (for you, not for the dogs), choose a rest stop instead of those "hospitallity areas." The rest stops usually have lots of trees; park in the shade, open the windows as much as you can, and HURRY! It doesn't take long for your dog to suffer heat stroke if it's really hot.

[This message has been edited by Wienergal (edited May 04, 2000).]

[Penny's Aunt]

I was driving back to California from Nevada once, & the A/C died in the truck. It was blasting hot, well over 100 F. My dog was miserable.

Finally I had the idea of wetting down a bath towel (I always keep a couple in the truck), wringing it out, & laying it over the dog. It worked fine. After several minutes, he stopped panting & went to sleep. Of course, everytime I slowed down, he popped up to see what he was missing, & sat there peeking out from under his damp towel.

See a dog in a hot car with the windows rolled up? Call the police & give them the license plate. Even if the owner comes out before they get there, they may follow it up. For some reason, most people pay more attention to a police officer than to you.