logo
  • 0208 674 7342
  • ONLINE BOOKING
  • REGISTER YOUR PET
  • Home
  • Locations
    • Abingdon
    • Blackheath
    • Corner
    • Croydon
    • Grove Park
    • Mayow
    • Mitcham
    • Parish Lane
    • Streatham Hill
    • The Animal Clinic
    • Wimbledon
  • About us
    • Supporting Ukraine
    • Why Choose Us
    • Awards and Accreditations
    • What Our Clients Say
    • The London Vets Blog
  • Services
    • Surgery & Medicine
    • BOAS Grading Clinic
    • Keyhole Surgery
    • Preventative Healthcare
    • Nurse Consultations
    • Health Checks and Clinics
    • Hospitalisation
    • Pet Travel Advice
  • VIP Plans
    • Dog VIP
    • Cat VIP
    • Bunny VIP
    • Puppy Little VIP
    • Kitten Little VIP
    • Bunny Little VIP
  • Offers
    • Recommend a Friend
    • 0% Finance
    • Free Puppy & Kitten Health Checks
    • 5 Weeks Free Pet Insurance
  • Emergencies
  • Jobs
    • Vet Opportunities
    • Nurse Opportunities

Heatstroke In Dogs

Date: 09 Jun 2021
By: admin

Now that the weather is finally warming up for Summer, we need to be careful that our furry friends don’t over-exert themselves in the heat. Heatstroke is very common in dogs, particularly in the brachycephalic (‘squashed face’) breeds such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers as they have more difficulty in oxygenating themselves properly when they exercise, however, all dogs are at risk.

Unlike humans, dogs do not sweat from their skin and instead rely on panting to reduce their body temperature. On hot days, if panting is not enough to maintain a normal temperature, dogs can quickly overheat and be at risk of developing Heat Stroke. It can take dogs up to 60 days to acclimatise to an increased temperature, and an increase of only two degrees of their core temperature can lead to heatstroke. If left untreated it can rapidly lead to organ failure and death, so prevention and recognition of it are crucial.

This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is labrador-3397551_1920-1.jpg

Simple tips to help prevent the risk of heatstroke:

  • Exercise your dog early in the morning and late in the evening, when it is cooler.
  • On particularly warm days, limit the amount of exercise your pet receives. Remember that they love to play, and they love to please you! So, a dog will easily over-exert themselves to the point of exhaustion playing fetch in hot weather without even realising it.
  • Avoid any dog jackets or coats in hot weather.
  • Never leave your dog in a parked car or restrained in a place without shade and ventilation.
  • Take water with you on walks and give dogs small, frequent drinks.
  • Take your dog swimming or spray them with water when out on walks.
  • Avoid long car trips and ensure there is good air conditioning or good ventilation in the car.

Signs to watch out for:

  • Heavy panting
  • Faster panting
  • Reluctance to exercise
  • Staggering or collapse
  • Drooling a lot more than normal
  • Drinking a lot more than normal
  • A confused or dazed face, or glassy eyes.
  • Vomiting
  • Seizures or unconsciousness
This image has an empty alt attribute; its file name is dog-816296_1920-2.jpg

If you are concerned that your pet may be suffering from heatstroke, immediately stop any exercise and move your pet to a shady place.

Offer small sips of water and wet your dog with water to cool it down (do not use icy or very cold water as it causes constriction of vessels in the skin which actually retains more heat.).

Contact us as soon as you notice the symptoms and bring your friend straight down to the surgery so that our vets can check the temperature and commence any further treatment required for your pet or even just pop in for a friendly bowl of water and a treat!

Search Blog Articles


Blog Categories

  • Advice From Your Vets (114)
    • Kittens (6)
    • Pet Healthcare (25)
    • Puppies (17)
    • Seasonal Tips (9)
    • VIP Healthcare Plans (8)
  • Covid-19 News (15)
  • Weekly News (63)

Like Us On Facebook

Recent Posts

  • The Stories: Spring Highlights.
  • December News Round Up
  • Halloween Photo Competition Results
  • How to prepare your pets for fireworks
  • National Black Cat Day & why suspicion around black cats rises around Halloween

Archives

  • April 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019

Join our surgery by registering your pet online Register now

Register now

What Our Clients Say

Very polite, straight forward, genuinely care about what they do. Excellent service and advice
Jack Billing
The service was amazing
Byron Watson
Great service, will go out of their way to do anything they can to help your pets. Would happily recommend.
Sharon And Michael
Wonderful Caring and Helpful very Pet Friendly.
Amanda
Caring and loving support with end of life treatment of my best friend Bernie x.
Miss M And Dusty
© London Veterinary Surgeries | Designed & Developed by Damian Qualter
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie policy
  • CCTV and Audio Policy
We use cookies to track usage and preferences. By continuing to use this website you are consenting to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy