Recomendations from Veterinary advisor

 

The couple of heat stoke cases I’ve seen in practise have taken several hours to get there temperature back down & staying with the normal range because as much as you try to cool them externally & internally (with cool intravenous fluids) they are panting like made which creates body heat, distressed which makes them move around which generates heat & the environment temperature are all fighting against you cooling the dog. 

 

Heat stroke signs:

 

Mild/initial signs:

Rapid breathing

Lack of energy

Decreased urine production

Salivating

Rapid heart rate

Staggering gait

 

Severe/signs progress to:

Bulging eyes

worried facial expression

very long dark red coloured tongue

Collapse

Vomiting

Diarrhoea

Seizures

 

Male dogs, dark coat colour, thick coated dogs, brachycephalic (short faced), pre-existing respiratory problems, unfit or obese animal are at higher risk then an average dog. 

 

First aid advise is: move to shaded/cool area; luke warm/cool but not cold water over the dog (hosepipe, bucket, damp towel etc) especially neck, abdomen & inner thighs as there are big blood vessels close to the skins surface & less hair in these areas (cold/frozen water would cause the skins blood vessels to construct which reduces heat loss and could lead to shivering which will increase body temperature as the muscle contractions produce heat); reapply water once it’s evaporated from the skin; allow to drink luke warm/cool water; use a fan/air con to get air movement to help evaporation. Take to the vets once first aid is administered as 39-50% of heat stroke cases are fatal due to internal organ damage. 

 

 

 

Hope some of this is helpful