Every year we seem to hear about dogs dying of heat stroke and the upsetting thing is that in most cases it needn’t have happened.  The most usual case is the dog left in a car on a hot day.   Even if the outside temperature is only pleasant, the temperature in the car can rise incredibly quickly and within a surprisingly short time it can be as high as 110-115 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dogs can’t lose heat through their skin by sweating, like humans, and they are permanently wearing a fur coat.  If they get too hot they pant and lose heat through their tongues and the pads of their feet.  The normal temperature of a dog is between 101 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (38.3 and 38.9 Celsius) but even when it rises to 103 degrees Fahrenheit there can be problems and anything above that can be very serious indeed.

It is important to recognize the signs of heatstroke which include:

• Heavy panting
• Dark red gums
• Heavy saliva and as the situation gets worse the gums may dry
• Dehydration
• Disorientation
• Unwilling to get up or move
• Rapid heartbeat
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Collapse
• Rectal temperature of 104 degrees or above (but don’t wait to find a thermometer if you see the above and the dog has been in a hot place)

To check for dehydration: Use your thumb and forefinger to gently pull up the skin on the back of your dog’s neck.  As soon as you let go it should fall back into place immediately.  If it is very slow in going back then the chances are he is dehydrated.  Get your vet or your veterinary nurse to show you how to do this.

Treatment

• Move him to a cooler position in the shade, if possible with a cool breeze or use a fan.
• If he wants to drink let him have some water but not too much.
• Cool him with cool water, possibly by hosing him down, immersing him in a bath or water butt.
• Use wet towels or cool sponges, especially around his neck, on the pads of his feet, on his tummy and between his back legs.
•  Remember not to leave the towels on too long as they will become warm and don’t cover him with wet towels.
• Do not use very cold water as it can make matter worse.
• If possible keep monitoring your dog's temperature with a rectal thermometer and once it returns to normal stop cooling him down.
• Don’t let him get cold as this can cause problems as well.
• Take him to your vet for a checkup.

 Preventing Heatstroke

• Don’t leave dogs in cars even on warm days.
• Make sure your dog has plenty of water and shade if left outside on hot or humid days.
• Don’t exercise heavily in the heat of the day.  Exercise first thing in the morning or later in the evening.
• If being left alone during a hot day make sure there is a flow of cool air or a really cool place that your dog can get to.
• Leave windows open.
• Make sure there is plenty of cold water available at all times.
• If travelling by car make sure you have the air conditioning on or leave your dog at home.
• If your Setter is obese or has a problem with his breathing for any reason then he is more likely to suffer from heatstroke.
• Be aware that puppies and older dogs are more at risk.
• Have fun in the garden with either a toddler's paddling pool or the hosepipe.

Make iced treats for your dog:

• Frozen chicken soup cubes
• Blend some of his favourite foods together and freeze into cubes
• Freeze dog treats in a disposable cup for something bigger and longer lasting (Don’t forget to take out of the cup before giving it to him)
• Freeze some of his favourite fruit or vegetables