How To Combat Heat Stress In Dogs

Causes, symptoms, handling & Prevention

- Dr. R. Selvakkumar*

Summer in India starts in April and ends in June or July and in May, temperatures average around 32–40 °C (90–104 °F) in most of the interior.The hot summer months are uncomfortable and even dangerous for us and also for our pets. Hence, an idea about the heat regulation mechanism in pets and summer care and management of pets are helpful to come across the stressful summer period.

Heatstroke is defined as non-pyrogenic increased body temperature above 104°F (40°C), which is a common problem and it even leads to life-threatening conditions for pets during the summer months, especially in hot, humid climates. Dogs, irrespective of any age, breed, or gender, are prone to heatstroke during summer.

REGULATION OF BODY TEMPERATURE IN DOGS

We utilize sweating capabilities to regulate our body temperature during summer. But, due to the minimal sweating abilities (sweat glands are located only around the pads of the paw), dogs lose their body heat through an alternative mechanism like panting, which increases the peripheral blood flow and reduces physical activity.

PANTING:

Panting is a normal physiological behaviour for a healthy dog and it helps dogs cool themselves during summer. During panting, a dog rapidly inhales, humidifies, then exhales the air, which increases the evaporation of water from the dog's nose and lungs. The evaporation of water from the respiratory tract cools the body from the inside out.