Veterinary: Who hasn't feared at least once their dog was hit by excessive heat? On the other hand, the risk is real and dangerous, especially when summer approaches. A series of simple to follow precautions will help the hunter in the prevention of heatstroke.
By now we have understood it: many of the problems that annoy man, also affect animals, especially the dog, since with man, since the world began, he is faithfully accompanied. Of particular interest for this period are all those diseases and annoyances that are reconnected to the climate and the season, to put it more simply all those diseases that we could define summer.
What worries hunters, lovers of their animals, these days, with the spring that will at times give way to a sultry summer, should be especially heatstroke. To cause it are mainly the high temperatures, the high humidity or the torrid air which in more than a day of hunting or training could jeopardize the health of the loyal hound.
The ideal body temperature for the four-legged friend is normally around 38,5 degrees, and when the 39 is exceeded you can speak, without fear of making a mistake, of feverish states. Heatstroke will induce a dangerous increase in heart rate that will put even the toughest animal at risk.
In general, therefore, we can say that what is called heat stroke in the jargon is a strong and sudden increase in the body temperature of the four-legged friend, exactly as it can happen to humans. Unlike humans, however, the dog will not complain with the word, but showing a series of symptoms that should warn the owner.
The main ones, which should immediately alert you are:
a strong panting;
hyperventilation;
He retched;
diarrhea;
convulsions;
in the most advanced and severe cases, coma and subsequent death.
As we often say, the best cure is prevention. For example, it will be inadvisable to leave your dog indoors under a scorching sun, even if for a few minutes, or take him to training in the late morning sun.
The golden rules for preventing your dog from being hit by excessive heat are different:
mainly he must always have fresh water available to drink, possibly in the shade;
the dog must never be left locked in the car under the sun;
the most stressful physical activity should be avoided between 12,00 and 16,00; it is essential that the animal maintains its ideal weight, and that during the summer season it does not consume too demanding and caloric meals.
But despite having taken all the precautions dictated by common sense, if the dog presents the symptoms described above, there are actions to be taken immediately:
in the first place it will be essential to cool it. You can decide to cover it with a damp cloth, or you can use water directly to decrease its body temperature. The important thing is that you do not get cold too quickly, the risk you run in that case is in fact of cardiocirculatory shock.
Ice is therefore banned in all its forms; immediately afterwards you will have to contact your trusted veterinarian, taking the animal to the clinic and letting the specialist give him the necessary care.
Needless to say, the dogs most at risk of "heatstroke" are hunting dogs. The reasons are many: first of all they are called to a daily and tiring physical exercise that often takes place in the hottest hours of the day, and it is difficult for them to supply themselves with enough water. Hunting dogs are immediately followed by those who are left in the garden without the possibility of sheltering under any shadow area, by elderly dogs, by dogs with respiratory problems and above all by obese ones.
Prevention and attention for the symptoms will protect you and your faithful four-legged friend from unpleasant experiences.