Do you know that dogs like English Bulldogs can also suffer from heat stroke? Yes, heat stroke is common among dogs with brachycephalic skull, a skull which is relatively broad and short. Brachycephalic dogs as well as cats are very sensitive to high temperatures thus made them more at risk to temperature or climate related issues such as heat stroke. Some dog breeds considered brachycephalic are bichon frise, boxer, lhasa apso and english bulldogs as well as their ancestors, pug and mastiff.
If you happen to own a dog that is sensitive to high temperatures, it is important that you are well aware of the care and protection needed to keep your dog from overheating. The first step to combat this problem is to recognize the danger signs that could indicate dehydration or overheating. Symptoms that your dog is suffering from heat include but not limited to excessive panting, having dry gums that may be dark red or pale, body temperature of 104 degrees or more and vomiting. If the dog is in the final stages of heat stroke, he may collapse and may result to coma.
If your dog is showing any of these symptoms and you strongly suspect that heat stroke is on the way, the emergency solution is to move your dog to a cool place such as an air conditioned room. You can also put cool water on his nose or if possible, get him in a tub of cool water. You can also wipe your dog’s paw with cool water since the paw is the only part of a dog that can sweat. You can also allow your dog to drink some cool water if he likes, but don’t force him to do it if he doesn’t want. Contact your vet immediately if there is no improvement within 20 minutes.
To avoid your dog from overheating, it is best practice to have easy access to fresh water especially during summer. When you are about to start an intensive physical activity or before going out into a hot day, you may want to wet your dog especially the stomach and groin areas as well as the paws. However, you should not allow your dog to drink excessive water after strenuous exercise as this may lead to vomiting. Wait a few minutes after the activity is over and allow frequent yet small drinks every few minutes.