Heat Stroke

[Hounder-]

Hey there all, quick question about heat stroke in dogs


I have a 6 year old walker male. He got heat stroke when he was about 2 then again when he was 5 and now two days ago he got it again.

I'm wondering because of the dogs history is he more susceptible to it now? I have been trying to avoid running this dog in heat, and I thought when I turned him out two nights ago it wasn't too hot (stuff hes ran in before fine) but he sure came out not in good shape.

Also, I was told once to give a dog honey when he has heat stroke, has this worked for any one else?

Finally, I know it depends on the dog but any opinions on how long I should wait to run him again? (obviously a cool day etc.)


Thanks for the help
-Hound

[Spokerider]

Dogs don't sweat [ like humans ] and loose heat via respirations [ panting ] and through the pads on the feet, capilaries in the ear flaps and other areas.

When the ambient air temp is hot, these cooling methods become less effective leading to "heat exhaustion" which is a prelude to "heat stroke".

Any dog can get heat exhaustion.......as it is a product of excersise and air temp.

You can prevent heat exhaustion by not running the dog in hot / humid temps. If he's "had it" three times, you should be getting a pretty good idea as to when too hot is too hot......

If the dog develops heat exhaustion, bringing the core temp down by letting the dog stand in a pool of water [ loosing heat through the foot pads ], wetting the ear flaps, providing shade, oral hydration, halting exercise. Do not dunk the dog in water, as this brings the core temp down too quickly.

Heat stroke can easily lead to shock. Once the dog is in shock, it may not be possible to reverse the effects and may die. Cells denature, blood pressure plummets, organ failure begins, system failure leads to death. Shock kills.

Prevention is obviously the best course to take.

My dog had it once, chasing trash on a hot day. Now I don't even take him out on a hot day for a hike.

[Hi Tech]

One of my young females just had this happen (heat exhaustion) to the point of walking four or five steps then falling out. I cooled her in a creek and got her to the vet. Her blood reading was off the chart. It doesn't appear that she abstained any damage.
The vet told me to carry honey with me to keep their sugar up. I also know that if a dog has a heat stroke, they are more likely to have another if hunted in the humid weather. I hope this doesn't effect my dog, I wont be able to tell because I can't hunt her again until we get her blood count back to normal.