heat stroke..

[sammy101]

does anyone know the signs of heat stroke?I live in Texas so it gets pretty hot and humid in the summer.i take Kodie for walks twice a day and i need to know the signs so i know if theres something wrong with him!

[stacwase]

I got this from www.vetinfo.com:

Death from heat stroke can occur pretty quickly. The shortest interval between exposure to high
heat extremes and death is about 20 minutes, based on our practice experience, but these have
been "closed car" cases. It is probably more common for dogs to experience heat stroke in the
first few days they are acclimating to heat and for it to occur in conjunction with excitement or
exercise. Most dogs probably take an hour or more to develop heat stroke in these
circumstances but if they were struggling with the heat prior to exercising it is possible that the
problem could develop more quickly. Any illness that is contributing to an increase in body
temperature can also shorten the time period for signs to become severe.

The most common clinical signs of heat stroke are weakness, loss of balance, excessive panting,
roaring breathing sounds, excessive salivation, decrease in mental awareness, collapse and
death. Any time that heat stroke is suspected it is best to get an immediate rectal temperature
reading and to begin treatment immediately if the body temperature is over 106 degrees
Fahrenheit or to stop all activity and move indoors if the temperature is less than this but
elevated above 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperatures over 107 degrees Fahrenheit are
a critical emergency, because organ damage can occur at this temperature and at higher
temperatures.

Treatment consists of cool water (not cold water) bathes or rinses. If the water is too cold, or if
ice is used to cool a heat stroke victim it can cause a decrease or loss of skin circulation, which
can delay cooling. This should be done immediately for a few minutes and then the dog should
be taken to the veterinarian's office or to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Most dogs
will not drink water at this stage of heat stroke and it is not a good idea to spend time trying to
get them to. Just go to the vet's as quickly as possible. The veterinarian may want to use cool
water enemas, cool water gastric lavage (rinsing of the stomach), corticosteroids and
specialized intravenous fluid therapy using colloids to maintain blood pressure. If there is any
evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), intensive therapy for several days
may be necessary if a successful outcome is possible.

[lv4dogs]

Originally posted by stacwase
I got this from www.vetinfo.com:

Death from heat stroke can occur pretty quickly. The shortest interval between exposure to high
heat extremes and death is about 20 minutes, based on our practice experience, but these have
been "closed car" cases. It is probably more common for dogs to experience heat stroke in the
first few days they are acclimating to heat and for it to occur in conjunction with excitement or
exercise. Most dogs probably take an hour or more to develop heat stroke in these
circumstances but if they were struggling with the heat prior to exercising it is possible that the
problem could develop more quickly. Any illness that is contributing to an increase in body
temperature can also shorten the time period for signs to become severe.

The most common clinical signs of heat stroke are weakness, loss of balance, excessive panting,
roaring breathing sounds, excessive salivation, decrease in mental awareness, collapse and
death. Any time that heat stroke is suspected it is best to get an immediate rectal temperature
reading and to begin treatment immediately if the body temperature is over 106 degrees
Fahrenheit or to stop all activity and move indoors if the temperature is less than this but
elevated above 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperatures over 107 degrees Fahrenheit are
a critical emergency, because organ damage can occur at this temperature and at higher
temperatures.

Treatment consists of cool water (not cold water) bathes or rinses. If the water is too cold, or if
ice is used to cool a heat stroke victim it can cause a decrease or loss of skin circulation, which
can delay cooling. This should be done immediately for a few minutes and then the dog should
be taken to the veterinarian's office or to an emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Most dogs
will not drink water at this stage of heat stroke and it is not a good idea to spend time trying to
get them to. Just go to the vet's as quickly as possible. The veterinarian may want to use cool
water enemas, cool water gastric lavage (rinsing of the stomach), corticosteroids and
specialized intravenous fluid therapy using colloids to maintain blood pressure. If there is any
evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), intensive therapy for several days
may be necessary if a successful outcome is possible.

Thats great info, just wanted to add that you can also pour rubbing alchohol on the dog
here's another good link:
http://personal.uncc.edu/jvanoate/k9/heat.htm