How to treat heat stress in dogs?

In the sweltering summer, while we enjoy the coolness brought by the air conditioner, our dogs may be facing the severe challenge of heat stress. Dogs can't express their discomfort through language like humans do. This requires us to pay close attention to their condition and take practical actions to safeguard their health, ensuring they can stay safe even in high temperatures.

Dogs mainly dissipate heat through their paw pads and breathing, which is different from the way humans dissipate heat by sweating profusely. Their sweat glands are relatively underdeveloped, making it more difficult for them to effectively regulate their body temperature in a high-temperature environment. When the ambient temperature is too high and the heat generated by the dog's body cannot be dissipated in a timely manner, heat stress will occur. Many factors can increase the risk of heat stress in dogs. Short-nosed dog breeds, such as bulldogs and pugs, due to their short nasal cavities and narrow respiratory tracts, have inherently weaker heat dissipation capabilities and are more susceptible to heat stress. Obese dogs have more body fat, which is not conducive to heat dissipation and also belong to the high-risk group. In addition, very young or very old dogs have weaker physical functions and poor adaptability to high temperatures, and they are also prone to heat stress reactions.

It is crucial to understand the symptoms of heat stress in dogs so that problems can be detected at the earliest possible time. In the initial stage, the dog may show excessive panting, with rapid and heavy breathing. Its tongue will be clearly extended, and it will salivate profusely. At the same time, the dog will be listless and lose interest in its usual favorite toys and activities. As the heat stress worsens, the dog will show unsteadiness on its feet and may even experience vomiting and diarrhea. In the most severe cases, the dog will fall into a coma, and its life will be in great danger. Once these symptoms are found in the dog, the owner must take immediate action, otherwise, the dog's health will be seriously threatened.

If a dog shows symptoms of heat stress, the top priority is to quickly move it to a cool and ventilated place to prevent the dog from continuing to be exposed to the high-temperature environment. You can bring the dog indoors, turn on the air conditioner or fan to lower the temperature of the surrounding environment. Then, wipe the dog's paw pads, abdomen, inner ears and other parts with a wet towel. These parts are rich in blood vessels, and the evaporation of water can effectively take away heat. You can also provide the dog with an appropriate amount of drinking water to help them replenish the water lost due to panting and sweating. However, be careful not to force the dog to drink water to avoid choking.

While taking initial cooling measures, closely observe whether the dog's symptoms are relieved. If the dog's condition does not improve significantly or the symptoms continue to worsen, take it to a pet hospital immediately. During the process of taking the dog to the hospital, continue to physically cool the dog and maintain communication with the veterinarian. Describe the dog's symptoms and the course of the illness in detail to the veterinarian so that the veterinarian can make an accurate diagnosis and treatment.

Heat stress can cause various damages to the dog's body. In addition to directly threatening its life, it may also cause problems such as dehydration and electrolyte imbalance, and damage important organs such as the dog's heart, liver, and kidneys. Even if the dog recovers after heat stress, it may leave behind sequelae, affecting its quality of life in the future. Therefore, preventing heat stress in dogs is of vital importance.

In hot weather, try to avoid taking the dog out during high-temperature periods, especially between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., when the temperature is the highest. You can choose to walk the dog in the early morning or evening when the temperature is relatively low. If you must go out, provide the dog with sufficient drinking water and carry sun protection tools, such as a sun umbrella or a pet-specific sun hat. At the same time, pay attention to observing the dog's condition. Once you find that the dog is uncomfortable, take it home immediately.

The home environment is also important. Ensure that the indoor environment is cool and ventilated, and use an air conditioner or fan to adjust the temperature. Provide the dog with a comfortable resting place and lay a cool mat to prevent the dog from lying directly on the hot ground. In addition, regularly groom the dog's hair, which helps with heat dissipation. However, be careful not to shave the dog's hair completely, because the hair can play a role in heat insulation to a certain extent.

Dogs are the most loyal companions of humans, bringing us endless joy and companionship. In the hot summer, we should pay more attention to their health, understand the knowledge about heat stress, and take preventive and coping measures. When a dog suffers from heat stress, we should handle it calmly and provide timely help to ensure that it can safely get through the hot season and accompany us healthily and happily. Taking care of dogs is not only a responsibility but also a way for us to express our love. Let's protect the health of our dogs with our actions.