How to spot heat stroke in flat-faced dogs & keep them cool on walks?

You are a great pet owner for being concerned about this and planning ahead! In the oppressive heat, heat stroke can happen very quickly. Some dogs can learn to adapt to the heat and are better able to handle it (think dogs that work as partners for soldiers in Iraq or Search and Rescue dogs). Signs of heatstroke include: Increased heart rate Excessive panting Increased salivation Bright red tongue Red or pale gums Thick, sticky saliva Depression Weakness Dizziness Vomiting (sometimes with blood) Diarrhea As heatstroke progresses, it can cause seizures, coma, cardiac arrest, and death. Exercising early in the morning during the cooler hours, providing lots of fresh cool water and finding places to exercise in the shade (like a nature trail hike) can help keep your dog cool. Several companies make Cool Coats that reflect heat and funnel it away from your dog. Also, find other ways for your dog to get exercise or even exercise their mind. You would be amazed at how tiring this is for dogs- take a Nosework class and your dog can learn to find different scents and you can practice at home in the house. Pick up a few puzzle toys and let your dog learn to find food and treats in the puzzles. Also, you could see if your dog might enjoy a swim-- even a little splash pool at home can be fun for the dog or some hose play- Don't overdo a dog's can get very sick if they drink too much water when playing.

Hi, thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! Goodness! I think that you should shorten the walks or only walk him in the early morning or evening when it is cooler out. His breed (or any smooshed faced) breed can have significant problems breathing, especially on hot, humid days. If he is coughing and/or vomiting after a walk that is serious and may be a sign of heat stroke. You may want to discuss airway surgery with your Vet: stenotic nares, over long soft palpate and everted saccules. Dogs of his breed that have significant breathing abnormalities may benefit from surgery. Also keeping him thin and lean helps with their airway problems. Otherwise, hose him down with cold water and put him in front of a fan. I wish you and King Midas the best!

Absolutely, in fact I would advise doing this to minimise the risk of heatstroke. Heatstroke is a life threatening emergency andany dog experiencing it should be taken to see a veterinarian immediately. Signs of heatstroke include; •shade seeking •difficulty breathing •panting •bright red tongue •weakness •depression •vomiting or diarrhoea •coma •shock With Heatstroke cases the sooner a dog is seen the better the outcome. The vet will cool the dog down, provide shock doses of fluid therapy, provide oxygen, and treat complications such as kidney failure. I hope that this answer is helpful!

Heat stroke in dogs is characterized by drooling, reddened gums, vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, ataxia (wobbly gait) or even collapse. Any combination of these symptoms should be addressed immediately by your veterinarian or at the nearest veterinary ER. That said, some dogs do not do well in the heat. These dogs should be kept indoors and have a supply of fresh water available. Exercise or activity outdoors should be limited to just leash walks for elimination.

Hello and thank you for contacting Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Symptoms of heat stroke are usually apparent within a few hours from exposure to high ambient temperature. The most common symptoms are lethargy, weakness, panting and vomiting. Development heat stress symptoms 6-8hrs after a walk is rather unlikely but definitely possible. Ideally you should to take Maisie's temperature (human thermometer is fine, but it has to be measured in the rectum) and if it is above 104F, it will be heat stress. In that case you should cool her down and take her to your local vets.

Hello and thank you for reaching out to Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Keeping fans on to circulate the air and providing plenty of water are great ways to help keep Scout and Benny as cool as possible. I recommend opening any windows as well so that any breezes can help circulate air too. If you do these things, they should be safe to keep in the house in temperatures up to about 90 degrees. I would not play with them or exercise them in this heat as this can cause them to overheat. As a reminder, pets cannot sweat so they have to cool off by panting. If you think either of them are too hot, you can lay cool/wet towels over them and place them in front of a fan to try to actively cool them off. I would monitor them closely for excessive panting, especially if they are laying down and panting for prolonged periods. You can also examine their gum color and if it appears bright red, this can be a sign of heat exhaustion. If you see any of these signs, I would recommend having them evaluated by a veterinarian who can address their potential heat stroke. I hope this is helpful!

If you walked MehMeh for a long distance in hot weather, then she may be suffering from heat stroke. This is a deadly problem in dogs, and can easily be caused in brachycephalic dogs due to their shortened muzzles. This is a medical emergency and she needs veterinary attention now. Dogs too often die from heat stroke, and the symptoms you described are indication of it. This is a medical emergency, please take her into a vet now.