A cool shady place to rest after a run…..

A dog’s normal internal body temperature is between 100 and 102 degrees Fahrenheit. If it rises to 105 degrees or so, the dog can suffer from heat exhaustion, which can lead to heat stroke. Overheating in dogs is very serious and can rapidly result in death. Runners can reduce the risk of canine heat exhaustion in the summer months by running in early morning when the ground and air are cooler and less humidity persists. Early morning dew on the grass and lawn sprinklers are a bonus to help keep your four footed friend cool.

Heat exhaustion, like in humans, comes on quickly as body temperature continues to rise at a faster rate than the dog can displace it. Dogs reduce body heat in three ways: panting, evaporation from a wet body and through the pads of their feet, although hot sidewalks can cause thermal gain through the pads of their feet. Dogs can burn their pads on hot streets and walkways in the mid-day summer sun.

A dog who is overheatingto a dangerous level will be panting heavily in fast repetition with the tongue hanging out and curling at the end in cup form. The mouth is dripping and they may have a glazed look in the eye. Often they show signs of a staggered gait or they may simply stand fixed.

Get the heat exhausted dog to the coolest area out of the sun you can find. Get water in the dog. If you have a sports drink like Gatorade, use it. You must reduce body heat. Saturate the dog with cool water. Slowly apply cooler water. Don’t hit the dog with ice water initially. Of course, transport your dog to the vet as soon as possible. But this can be a problem when you are some distance from home and a vet and you must act immediately. At the animal hospital they may administer oxygen, cortisone and dextrose to help protect the traumatized cells. The staff can provide proper cooling measures and monitor the dog’s temperature, heart rate and provide oxygen, which some evidence indicates may help protect stressed body cells. Intravenous fluids and anticoagulants will likely be given as well.

Any single sign of heat stress/exhaustion is not to be ignore:

* Rapid breathing/panting
* Fatigue
* Heavy salivation
* Glazed eyes
* Staggered gait
* Pale or bluish gums
* Agitation
* Muscle tremors
* Lagging back

What to do at the first sign of heat stress/exhaustion: Take your dog to a cool shady place. Submerge your dog in cool water or apply cool water to his head, neck, paws, and groin/underbelly. (Do not apply ice as this constricts blood flow and does not effectively lower core temperature.) Give him small amounts of water to drink. He may vomit if you give him too much. Fan him using cardboard or a blanket to speed evaporation. Evaporation cools body temperatures very effectively. If your dog calms and returns to normal within 10 minutes after cooling, stop the day’s activities and take your dog home to rest. If his condition has not improved within 10 minutes, he may be going into heat stroke. You need to take action immediately. Even if you only suspect this might be happening, go quickly to a vet. This condition can cause fatal complications very quickly.

Signs of heat stroke – Only one of these symptoms has to be present to indicate your pet may be in trouble:

* Shallow breathing
* Brick-red or pale gums
* Diarrhea
* Vomiting
* Convulsions
* Semi- to complete unconsciousness

What to do: Heat stroke is the deadly progression of heat exhaustion to stroke when the body no longer can cool itself. This is a true medical emergency and time is your enemy. Death will follow soon without immediate medical care. There is no time to waste when you find your dog in this position. If possible, submerge your pet in cool or tepid water as you are heading to the vet or place water soaked towels on his head, neck and groin/underbelly and simultaneously briskly fan him to speed evaporation while transporting him. (Do not apply ice as this constricts blood flow and does not effectively lower the animal’s core temperature.) Do not spend a lot of time looking for water to cool him if it is not readily available as every minute counts when dealing with heat stroke, but definitely use it if it is available.

If it is after regular business hours, your vet’s office should have an emergency clinic referral number on their recording. Call them and get there as quickly as possible.