Vigilant Heat Stroke in Your Dog.

Did you know that dogs do not regulate body heat loss by sweating like humans? this is because the dogs only have a small number of sweat glands are found on the soles of the feet. But the dog's body heat setting is physiologically mainly done by panting (increased respiratory rate) were seen with the way the dog stuck his tongue. Unfortunately, this mechanism is less effective to compensate for the speed of heat dissipation when body temperature is high considering the limited ventilation when compared to men who can allocate 70% of body heat loss through the sweat glands. That's why the dog's body heat increases faster than humans. As a result, dogs are also more prone to hyperthemia (high body temperature), which can lead to the occurrence of heat stroke.

In addition because of the limited ventilation, other factors that may influence the occurrence of hyperthermia in dogs include the hot sun, exercise (exercise), the thickness of dog hair, obesity, limited supply of drinking water, disease, even if the dog's temperament itself is quiet or too excited. Type of brachycephalic dog breeds (short snout) as pug, bulldog, Pekingnese also have a higher tendency to experience hyperthermia.

Normally the dog's body temperature range in 380C-39.20C. While the body temperature above 39.50C hyperthermia can be categorized as a condition that can be caused either due to physiological factors such as exercise and a high-temperature environment, as well as pathological factors such as the presence of disease. Generally physiological hyperthermia may progress to heat stroke when the body temperature reaches 410C where the dog can not balance the speed of heat dissipation to keep the body's normal body temperature, so it can continue to damage the body's cells and results in dehydration. Even more damage can occur permanently when it reaches a critical temperature of 42.70C were initiated mainly by the death of liver cells, brain and intestinal to have an impact on mortality.

Several cases of heat stroke often occurs generally due to negligence pet owners, such as leaving a dog in a car without adequate ventilation during hot weather, put the dog in the yard during hot weather without access to drinking water, excessive exercise even when the weather is hot.

Because heat stroke can take place very quickly, for that you need to know first aid measures to do if you suspect your dog is exposed to heat stroke.

symptom

- Panting (rapid breathing)

- Skin feels warm and dry

- Pale mucous membranes

- Saliva (spit) thickens and vomiting

- Stagger - diarrhea

- Limp into unconsciousness

- Coma.

therapy
 

The principle of treatment is heat stroke primarily immediately lower the temperature of the dog's body temperature to normal. The way to do them; Move the dog to a cool room temperature, compress the dog's body with cold water, especially in the head, abdomen and legs, flush the dog's body with cold water, especially in thick-haired dogs, massaging the body especially the legs to the blood flow to perform an enema (water entering cold through the anus). Handling should not use ice packs (ice cube) as it can result in the occurrence of overcooling (extreme drop in temperature).

The dog must be immediately taken to a veterinary clinic or a local vet to get treatment and the provision of drugs that prevent organ damage more than to monitor the patient's condition until the condition is stable. After the animals recovered condition no further treatment may be necessary in accordance with the conditions of the animal.

prevention

- Do not leave your pet alone in a car in the parking lot even if only briefly.

- For dogs that are kept in the open air, provide shelter and adequate water supply at all times

- For a dog on a chain make sure that the chain is long enough so that the animals could reach drinking

    (Remember the chain will be shorter if the dog is always running round in one direction)

- Make sure your animals to drink a large enough, stable and not easily reversed

- For thick and long furry animal should be shaved during the dry season.

- Do not train your animals when the weather is hot