THERE’S no denying that summer is here as temperatures have been hitting 30 degrees and higher in the UK.
While it might seem like a dream come true to many of us, one vet has warned that it could be dangerous for your dogs.
In a bid to educate the masses and make sure no one’s furry friend is left suffering or ends up in a fatal situation, PetLab Co. has shared an informative clip.
Outline three life-saving steps to take to help a dog with heatstroke, they shared: “Overheating could cause major organ damage!
“So, if your pup’s body temperature is higher than 105 Fahrenheit or 40 Celsius, take immediate action.”
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The first thing you can do to help them cool off is to wipe them down with a wet cloth.
You can also “put a fan on or open a window in a car,” to help them deal with the heat.
“Apply rubbing alcohol to their paws to take some heat away,” they wrote as their third point.
They added: “Also, do visit your vet to make sure your pup is definitely okay! Protect your pup.”
In the caption, TikTok user @petlabco shared: “Overheating could be very dangerous for your pup!”
According to the RSPCA, warning signs of a dog suffering from heatstroke include:
- Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
- Excessive drooling
- The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
- Collapsed or vomiting
The best chance of survival is to gradually get the dog’s body temperature down and their first piece of advice to achieve this is by moving the pooch to a shaded and cool area.
Pouring cool water over the dog is the second step they recommend, making note not to confuse this with cold water as it could shock the dog.
“In a true emergency, any water is better than nothing,” they added.
While they said placing a wet towel under the dog can be beneficial in mild circumstances, they should never be placed over them as it could “trap heat”.
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They also suggested the owner allows the dog to drink small amounts of cool water and continue to pour cool water over them until their breathing begins to normalise.
But be careful not to overdo it to the point where they start shivering.
They continued: “Dogs that have lost consciousness will stop panting, despite still having a very high temperature, these dogs require urgent aggressive cooling as a priority.
“Throughout the treatment of heatstroke try to avoid pouring water on or near your dog's head, as there is a risk of them inhaling water which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced and unconscious dogs.”
Once the dog has cooled down, the RSPCA says owners need to get them to the nearest vet “as a matter of urgency”.
