2nd bout of HGE and overheating

[BaxtersMom]

I have an 18 month old Sheltie mix - very high energy! He likes to run and run hard - no issues last summer, but this year seems to be overheating easily. The first episode had him stumbling and literally falling over like his legs wouldn't work. He used to carry the ball back from the park in his mouth which we realized didn't allow him to pant properly, but has still been wobbly once or twice since us not allowing that. I realize I shouldn't run him so hard in the heat - but am wondering if this can be in any way related to hge. He suffered his first bout in April and just had another this week (not even 3 months later). After the first bout I switched him to a lower protein food (switched from Acana to Blue) and do give him a lot of dried liver treats (have cut back after this second bout). Any advice or insight would be greatly appreciated!

 

[trini]

I am assuming your dog was hospitalized for each bout of HGE? I do know that stress and hyperactivity are considered possible triggers...as well as some bacteria. We have only once had a dog go through a bout of HGE and our vet recommended a diet fairly low in both fat and protein.

The staggering you are seeing post hard play in warm weather is probably heat exhaustion...and that can be deadly. I would definitely find some other means of occupying him that doesn't include all out running on hot days...mental activity is actually as exhausting for dogs as physical...so intense ob training or trick teaching could replace running in hot weather.
And make sure your dog is drinking lots of water as dehydration can quickly lead to shock.

One last thought...take a video of one of these staggering bouts if it happens again and show it to your vet...there is a very small chance you are seeing some form of seizure.

Trini

 

[Caro]

I think the biggest contributing factor in all this is the ball chasing. HGE is often caused by dehydration and heat exhaustion can make a bout of HGE difficult to treat. It may take time for the HGE to eventually appear so you won't see it straight after a bout of exercise, but it is likely the result of too much physical exertion.

Many dogs don't have an off switch, esp when they're young, it's your job to stop them over doing it. If your dog is panting so much that carrying the ball is impeding is panting then already has heat exhaustion.

Dogs are not designed to do long sessions of over exertion. A herding dog may have a spurt of activity, then rest, then another spurt, but they don't go on and on and on. So a long sessions of ball chasing can cause all sorts of physical issues. Dogs also do not think about the consequences of their action. So they don't go, 'if I chase this ball too much I'll get sick', instead they are driven by the adrenalin that increases with ball chasing and over-rides logical choices. That's why it is up to the owner to manage the ball chasing, to make the right choices. You need to make sure he has regular rests, that he is not panting too much, that he stops and drinks water at regular intervals. Let him chase the ball a few times and then have a break and get his panting down before having another session. In between chasing the ball have some one-on-one play time with your dog - you and him interacting - it will be just as much fun for him as ball chasing. His life will not be over if you reduce his ball chasing, but it could if you don't.

Please, please be careful. HGE is deadly and can also cause long term damage.