Singapore is experiencing a heat spell right now so we hope that everyone is keeping well and cool! Just like us, dogs (and other animals) can also be affected by the heat.
Heatstroke has always been a risk in our climate, but is an even bigger risk now given the current temperatures so it is important to recognize the signs of heatstroke in your dogs and how to treat it.
Heatstroke is the condition when the internal body temperature rises above a certain degree and usually occurs when high ambient temperature overcomes the body's ability to get rid of the excess heat. It is a very dangerous condition in dogs that can be fatal so it is crucial to recognize the early warning signs and treat them as soon as possible to try and bring the dog's temperature back to normal levels.
Dogs pant to cool off, but if you notice your dog panting heavily and rapidly, then this may be a sign that heat stroke is starting to set in. This may be accompanied by excessive drooling. The gums and tongue may also appear bright red as the blood vessels dilate to try and dissipate the heat, and the tongue may also appear enlarged. The skin is hot to the touch and heart rate is increased at this point and the dog may have problems maintaining their balance. If nothing is done to try and reduce the dog's temperature, then the dog may start to exhibit signs of shock. They may experience muscle tremors, urinate or defecate uncontrollably, and even collapse and become comatose.
Some dogs are more susceptible to heatstroke, such as dogs with thick fur, as well as the short-nosed breeds. If you suspect that your dog is showing the early signs of heatstroke, immediately take your dog to a cool and well-ventilated area. You can try to further lower the temperature of your dog by sponging them with cool, but not cold, water. Do not plunge them into a cold bath as the sudden drastic change in temperature is dangerous.
Give your dog water but in small increments to prevent further dehydration. Take your dog to the vet immediately if they do not seem to be getting better after a few minutes as they may require fluids, oxygen and other medical support to regulate their vitals.
As in most conditions, prevention is better than cure, and this is much more so for heatstroke as it is a completely preventable situation.
Here are a few tips on how you can keep your dog cool and safe:
1) Walk your dogs earlier in the mornings before the heat has set in, or later in the evenings, after the ground has time to cool down. If you have to take your dogs out during the day, make sure to keep the walks short and try to stick to the grassy areas as concrete can get really heated and it is not only uncomfortable to walk on, but can actually cause burns on your dog's paws.
2) The home can also get hot during the day so make sure that while at home, there is lots of airflow and ventilation in the home and that your dog always has access to clean, cool water as dehydration is a real risk.
3) Never, ever, leave your dog in a car without the aircon turned on. This is regardless of whether there is a heat spell or not as the interior of a car can quickly heat up.
Met Service has forecasted that the high temperatures are likely to carry on for the rest of April so we hope everyone and their pets stay cool and hydrated!
