When the first warm stretches of spring arrive, pets and people alike head outdoors, eager for fresh air after a long winter. While a brisk run or country drive can sound invigorating to a dog owner, it can be dangerous for a dog, says Dr. Brent Von Schaumburg, a resident in emergency and critical care medicine at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign College of Veterinary Medicine. In an interview with News Bureau biomedical sciences editor Liz Ahlberg Touchstone, he discussed how dogs can develop heat illness even on the earliest of warm spring days.
Why should a dog owner be concerned about heat-related illness when it's only just getting warm out?
Heat-related illness occurs when a dog is unable to effectively dissipate heat at the same rate it is generated. Dogs primarily regulate body temperature through panting and subsequent evaporative heat loss. Sometimes the environment itself is simply too hot or humid for a dog to safely regulate its body temperature, which we usually think about in the summer months. Yet many heat injuries occur during the first warm days of spring or early summer.
Dogs need time to adjust to warmer temperatures. They have inherent mechanisms that help protect against elevated internal temperatures at the cellular level, but these protective mechanisms can take weeks to reach their full capacity. They're stimulated by gradual exposure to warmer temperatures, a process known as acclimatization. Subsequently, dogs are at risk for heat injury in the first spring days after a long Illinois winter.
What kinds of factors might place a dog at higher risk for overheating?
Dogs that are not accustomed to warm weather are more likely to overheat during the first warm days of the season. While any dog can suffer heat-related illness, some are especially vulnerable.
Dogs with short, flat faces - such as bulldogs, pugs and Boston terriers - are at particularly high risk because their airway structure makes it harder for panting to cool them off efficiently. Puppies and senior dogs may also struggle to regulate temperature effectively. Other risk factors include obesity, thick or long coats, and medical conditions that affect breathing, such as collapsing trachea or laryngeal paralysis.
What are the signs of overheating that a dog owner could recognize?
Heat-related illness often progresses along a spectrum. Early signs can be subtle and easy to miss.
In the earliest stage, sometimes called heat stress, dogs may pant more than usual but will still stop panting briefly if distracted with something exciting, such as a favorite toy or treat. You may notice them seeking shade, losing interest in play, or sticking out their tongue long and wide, shaped like a small paddle.
As the condition progresses to heat exhaustion, panting becomes uncontrolled. In other words, they will not stop panting if distracted with something exciting. Dogs may vomit, develop diarrhea, stumble or respond more slowly to commands.
At its most severe, this condition becomes heat stroke, the most dangerous form of heat-related illness. Heat stroke is marked by neurological symptoms. Dogs may become disoriented, collapse, have seizures or lose consciousness. This stage is a true medical emergency.
What should a dog owner do if they see their dog exhibiting signs of overheating?
If you suspect your dog is overheating, the most important step is to stop the heating process immediately: Move your dog out of the sun and into a cooler environment, offer free access to drinking water and begin gently cooling the body by pouring or spraying water over the dog. Air conditioning or fans can help accelerate cooling.
Then call your veterinarian for guidance. If you suspect heat stroke, head to the nearest veterinary hospital immediately. Extreme heat can damage nearly every organ system in the body, veterinarians may need to monitor breathing, circulation, blood clotting and gastrointestinal health for several days. Many dogs with severe heat stroke arrive at the hospital in shock and require aggressive treatment to stabilize them.
How can pet owners prevent their dogs from becoming overheated during warm spring days?
Heat-related illness can develop quickly, but it is also highly preventable when owners stay aware of their dog's limits. The first step is simply knowing your dog's risk level. Dogs with breathing issues, flat faces or thick coats may need stricter limitations during warm weather.
Gradual acclimatization helps your dog to adjust to the warming temperatures and increased activity. Gradually work up to greater amounts of activity and more time outdoors.
Owners should also avoid leaving pets in confined spaces such as cars. Even on a mild day, the temperature inside a vehicle can climb rapidly - often rising 20 degrees Fahrenheit in just 10 minutes and up to 40 degrees within an hour. Cracking the windows or parking in the shade does not prevent this dangerous buildup of heat.
Watching for early signs of overheating, limiting activity during hot weather and providing access to shade and water can help keep dogs safe all summer long.
