What Are Some Dog Heat Stroke Symptoms?
Dog heat stroke symptoms that you should be aware of inside your dog are not really subtle. These are more of an overall change in your dog’s state of mind, confusion, dizziness, paralysis, seizures, coma, and eventually death. The dog’s nervous system has become compromised beyond repair. If this happens to your dog, it can mean that he’s either suffering from a mild case or a fatal emergency.
There are two main components to dog heat stroke symptoms. The first is extreme physical exhaustion. This can appear as lethargy, a loss of appetite, decreased energy levels, lack of coordination, fatigue, and weakness. The second is a psychological component, where the dog loses his ability to think, and reason properly, to distinguish between real or imaginary dangers, starts to hallucinate and even begins to believe that he is in a dream state. This last component is often referred to as the post-stroke effect.
Most of us take our dogs for granted. It’s only once that we start to notice some obvious dog heat stroke symptoms like vomiting and swelling of the face, eyes, mouth, and nasal passages. These symptoms need immediate attention, especially if they are new, as they could be the first signs of an impending heart attack or neurological collapse. So how should you approach this problem?
It’s important to understand the difference between dog heat stroke symptoms that are caused by actual physiological problems and those that are psychological in nature. In reality, the majority of dog illnesses are caused by parasites, bacteria, and viruses. Parasites are common in hot and humid climates. The higher risk comes when dogs are kept in these conditions for extended periods.
Dogs that are exposed to extreme temperatures for long periods will be at a higher risk for heat stroke. Symptoms include extreme exhaustion, dehydration, an increase in body temperature and constant licking of the lips and nose. If your dog has excessive drooling and begins to gurgle, then this is also considered a symptom. In both of these situations, excessive licking and panting will eventually lead to excessive acidemia. Excessive salivation, constipation, and diarrhea are also possible dog heat stroke symptoms.
Dogs that have an illness such as viral meningitis can also show dog heat stroke symptoms of excessive salivation and gagging. This is caused by inflammation of the brain and spinal cord. Dogs that develop brain cancer are also more susceptible to heat exhaustion than normal dogs.
When it comes to cooling your dog down, you should never leave him outdoors. Just because you think your dog will feel better if you take him out for a walk in the cool evening, does not mean he will. While most dogs will adjust to cooler temperatures, some will not be able to do so. It is best to keep them inside during cooler times of the day, and allow them to stay cool inside their leased areas. This allows them to remain protected from the elements, while still allowing them to enter and cool off in cool weather.
When it comes to dog heat exhaustion there are two different types of symptoms. The first is known as vasoconstriction, where the blood vessels constrict due to high temperature. The second is called hypovolemia where the body cannot produce adequate amounts of the thyroid hormone. When a dog has either of these conditions, he will begin to lose fur and show other signs of heat exhaustion. When he sweats, he will likely become weak and depressed. If left untreated he may die.
One of the more common causes of overheating is excessive saliva production. Dogs often lick their genitals when they are excited or are experiencing heat stroke because of their increased saliva flow. It is important that you watch for signs of excessive salivation such as panting, because it can signal dehydration.
Other signs of heat stroke include limping and lethargy. Limping occurs because the affected dog’s heart is trying to work harder to circulate the cool blood through the body. If this condition is not treated, it can lead to cardiac arrest. Limping is also a sign of dehydration, so it is important to treat your kiddie pool or outdoor dogs accordingly. Some of the other heat stroke prevention tips include taking your dog to the vet for routine checkups, giving him plenty of filtered water to drink, and avoiding drafts and direct sunlight.
Some of the more dramatic dog heat stroke symptoms include vomiting and bleeding gums. This is typically caused by blood not being able to get to the tissue to stop the evaporation process. Some of the other symptoms include bright red gums that are usually warm to the touch and swollen red lips. These symptoms typically occur after the dog has been out of the water for a long period of time.