Heat Exhaustion!!!

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By Sharon Cobert-Groves

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How sweet the summertime is!

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We get to enjoy various outdoor activities and events; experience the many joys of nature; and travel near and far to exchange love, and celebrate family reunions.

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Not so fast!  Summer is not over yet.  Here in Arizona the heat can last well into October. So we all need to be aware of possible “heat exhaustion” in both ourselves and our pets.  First and foremost….never, ever leave a child, person or pet in a car! Second rule:  Follow the first rule!

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Heat exhaustion can develop after several days of exposure to high temperatures during which a person either doesn’t drink enough fluids, or doesn’t replace enough of the fluid he or she loses because of the hot weather.  It is milder than heat stroke. People at increased risk of heat exhaustion include the elderly, those with hypertension (high blood pressure), people who are overweight, children under 4 years old, and those who work or exercise in a hot environment.

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Warning Signs:
-heavy sweating  -paleness -muscle cramps -tiredness  -weakness   -dizziness -headache -nausea

or vomiting -fainting  -cool and moist skin -fast or weak pulse rate  -fast and shallow breathing

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Important: If heat exhaustion is untreated, it may progress to heat stroke, which is much more serious.  Therefore, if heat exhaustion symptoms get worse, or last more than one hour, immediate medical attention should be obtained.

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How do we treat possible heat exhaustion?
-drinking cool non-alcoholic beverages
-taking a cool shower, bath, or sponge bath
-being in an air-conditioned environment
-wearing lightweight clothing
-resting or a dip in the pool

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PLEASE, DON’T FORGET OUR FURRY FRIENDS.  Remember, they have fur coats so Rule # 1: Never, ever, leave a pet in a parked car, even with the window cracked!  This can be fatal!

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Remember, they have fur coats so Rule # 1: Never, ever, leave a pet in a parked car, even with the window cracked!  This can be fatal!

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Dogs are not as efficient at releasing heat as we are; dog fur is great protection against the cold, but can be a problem in hot weather.  This is because dogs eliminate heat by panting. When panting isn’t enough, their body temp rises. We may not be aware of the fact that a dog has become overheated until symptoms suddenly develop.   A dog is overheated if his temperature is 103 degrees higher. A temperature of 109 °F (42.8 °C) is usually fatal. Heat stroke in dogs is a very serious condition and its onset can be sudden, escalating into an emergency situation in a matter of minutes potentially causing organ or brain damage and death. Dogs that are elderly, obese, or have a history of heart disease or seizures are more likely to suffer from heat strokes and may have a lower tolerance for increased heat.

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Some initial symptoms include:

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Some initial symptoms include:
–Excessive or loud panting
–Extreme thirst
–Frequent vomiting
–A bright red tongue and pale gums
-Skin around muzzle or neck doesn’t snap back when pinched
–Thick saliva
–Increased heart rate

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Worsening signs are:
–Increased difficulty breathing
-Gums that turn bright red, then blue or purple
–Weakness and/or fatigue
–Disorientation
–Collapse or coma

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What should you do?
Remove the dog from heat.  Move indoors to an air-conditioned area.  Restrict their activity until danger of heat stroke has passed.  If you can, carry the dog rather than make him walk.

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Allow them to drink cool water.  Not cold water. Cold or ice water will slow the dog’s cooling processes. Keep quantity small at first.  Do NOT give animals human sports drinks.  Unsalted chicken broth is acceptable if they won’t drink water.  If the dog won’t drink on his own, wet his lips, gums, and tongue with water squeezed from a clean towel.

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Cool down the animal with water.  If it’s coming from a hose, make sure water is not hot.

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Do not submerge dog under-water as he can lose temperature too quickly and lead to other complications. Place cool water-soaked towels between his back legs and in his armpits, or contact a veterinarian or take to the emergency clinic.

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Do not cover or confine the dog. You can wipe the dog down with cool, damp towels, but do not drape the towels over him, as they can trap in the dog’s body heat. do not place the dog in a closed crate that will hold the heat from his body in around his body.

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Together, we can all beat the heat.  Pretty soon we’ll be back to our cooler sunny days and nights.