Know the signs of heat stroke in dogs

June 01, 2011

Have you ever been outside on a hot summer day and suddenly felt faint, flushed, and confused, and perhaps had an increased pulse rate and trouble walking? If so, you were exhibiting symptoms of heat stroke, a condition that occurs when the body becomes unable to control its temperature, which then rises rapidly. Untreated, heat stroke can quickly lead to brain damage or death.

Dogs, too, can suffer heat stroke. In fact, they are even more susceptible to this life-threatening condition. Think about it: Dogs don’t sweat like we do; instead, they depend upon rapid breathing to exchange warm air for cool air. When air temperature is close to their body temperature, the process becomes less efficient, leading in an increase in the animal’s body heat.

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