Gosh Heat Stroke - such a worry!

labgirl · May 30, 2009

You can tell I'm new to dogs, I didn't realise they could get heat stroke so easily, but thankfully I've got a lot of more experienced people around me and they've been giving me lots of advice, and with the majority of Britain going through a mini-heat wave at the moment its a good job.

But, me being me, I'm worrying myself about it. Just made Cadbury come in (which he wasn't very impressed with) after soaking him with the hose.

How do you deal with dogs in the heat? I've read something about a bandanna they can wear that cools them down?

Are little dogs (shelties) more likely or less likely to over heat than bigger dogs (labs)?

MisfitBrian · May 30, 2009

I always make sure Max has plenty of water & make him rest every once in a while. With it hovering around 100 during the summer here in Texas, I always keep a close eye on him. :wink2:

davemize · May 30, 2009

In my experience, large dogs have more problems with extreme heat. Those big bodies have a lot of surface area to rapidly collect heat from the sun, plus they generate a great amount of internal heat through natural processes. They also have the same limited cooling system of smaller dogs. Mind you, I think that dogs as a group can handle normal outdoor heat very well, when they have unlimited water and a bit of shade.

Given a choice, though, mine have usually preferred the air conditioning, just as I do. Duncan has already learned to sit on air conditioning vents in a sunny room.

Caro · May 31, 2009

We had a shocking summer this year - too many over 40degree days. I always fill their water bowl with ice and after being outside or walking I give them some icecream (I often make my own yoghurt icecream for the dogs) and that helps cool them more quickly. Outside I have a little wading pool - altho I dont think they used it this year - but it helps them cool down if they can cool down their feet. For training I have some small portable fans so they can get a little breeze under their coats. Ans yes, I also set the aircon for the fluffy ones.

It is really important to brush out as much coat as you can when it gets very hot. Although Sheltie fur protects them from the sun, it does trap heat. Getting out the loose fur helps the air circulate under the coat better if there is a breeze.

The neck is not a particular area of heat loss for a dog (esp not a sheltie given their manes) so I doubt the bandanas would help. I did buy a cool mat but mine didn't like it.

labgirl · May 31, 2009

Thanks for the replies, I have a feeling you guys are getting hotter weather than I will ever experience over here. Yesterday it was about 19/20 degrees C and everyone was complaining about the heat and talking about bringing the dogs in. And I got sunburnt

So it seems if a sheltie can survive a Texan or Australian summer they haven't got much to worry about here! :lol:

Oh dear, you see us Brits just aren't used to 'nice' weather, everyone keeps talking about when it will rain again.

As for stripping dead hair from a coat, I've got a Furminator, it was recommended to me by a lady with a wolf-spitz (very very fluffy dog) so I imagine that would be quite good?

BarbV · May 31, 2009

labgirl said:
Thanks for the replies, I have a feeling you guys are getting hotter weather than I will ever experience over here. Yesterday it was about 19/20 degrees C and everyone was complaining about the heat and talking about bringing the dogs in. And I got sunburnt

So it seems if a sheltie can survive a Texan or Australian summer they haven't got much to worry about here!

Oh dear, you see us Brits just aren't used to 'nice' weather, everyone keeps talking about when it will rain again.

As for stripping dead hair from a coat, I've got a Furminator, it was recommended to me by a lady with a wolf-spitz (very very fluffy dog) so I imagine that would be quite good?

This is very funny! We're having an awful spring in Ontario, Canada. 20C would be bliss compared to what we've been getting. No danger of heat stroke here! And no danger of heat stroke at 20C either. Summer in Ottawa is 25-35C with high humidity, normally!

I also tried a cool pad for Timber a couple of years back and he really did not take to it. Just keep pup out of the hot sun and offer lots of water. I bring the water to them sometimes because I'm not sure if they are aware enough that they need it.

Terric · May 31, 2009

Kiddie Pool

When it gets really hot here I have a hard plastic kiddie pool I put about 6 inches of water in that all the dogs will go get in. I have one that will lay down & sleep with his head on the edge.

corbinam · May 31, 2009

Cooling jacket

At the agility trial this weekend it got a little warm (not too bad since it was at night). Here in Charleston it's between 90-100 during the summer during the day.

Anyways, a woman at the trial with her sheltie had a cooling jacket on it which helps them perspire correctly. It pulls the warm temperature from the body and replaces it with cool temperature created by the jacket. I don't see the exact one she was using, but it's similar to this:

http://www.amazon.com/Cool-Evaporative-Cooling-Jacket-Vest/dp/B000PJYO9O

Seems like a great idea, especially if doing agility or anything outside

labgirl · Jun 1, 2009

This is very funny! We're having an awful spring in Ontario, Canada. 20C would be bliss compared to what we've been getting. No danger of heat stroke here! And no danger of heat stroke at 20C either. Summer in Ottawa is 25-35C with high humidity, normally!

My cousins have just come back from a trip to Canada and they visited Ontario, I have a feeling they said the weather was not at its best. We are only just reaching the 20C now, couple of weeks ago it was heavy rain and the heating went on! Perhaps all the British rain is on holiday with you at the moment (ooh, mustn't speak too loudly in case it decides to come back :wink2:

)

Anyways, a woman at the trial with her sheltie had a cooling jacket on it which helps them perspire correctly. It pulls the warm temperature from the body and replaces it with cool temperature created by the jacket. I don't see the exact one she was using, but it's similar to this:

Thanks for the link I like that jacket a lot, might have to think about getting one if this summer turns out to be a scorcher as they predict.