How to Recognize and Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs

How to Recognize and Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs: Essential Tips for Pet Owners

wangvivien

February 20, 2025

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How to Recognize and Prevent Heatstroke in Dogs: Essential Tips for Pet Owners

As temperatures rise, it is crucial for pet owners to stay alert and ensure the health and safety of their dogs. Certain breeds, especially short-nosed or thick-coated dogs, may be more susceptible to discomfort in hot weather. This blog will guide you in identifying the symptoms of heatstroke in dogs.

Recognizing the early signs of heatstroke in dogs is essential for ensuring their well-being. Immediate intervention can save your dog's life.

Dangerous Temperature: Anything above 24°C is considered risky for dogs.

Safe Temperature: Temperatures below 22°C are generally safe for most dogs.

Here are the common symptoms of heatstroke at various stages:

Early Stage Symptoms:

Excessive Panting: The dog's tongue will extend far beyond the usual length and will appear wider, often twice its normal width.
Shallow, Loud Breathing: The dog will breathe rapidly and noisily, often with their mouth wide open.
Increased Salivation: Dogs may drool excessively due to overheating.
Intense Thirst: They may appear very thirsty and drink water more frequently.

Mid-Stage Symptoms:

Swollen Tongue: After moderate heatstroke, the dog’s tongue may expand to more than two and a half times its normal size.
Color Change: The tongue’s color, which is usually pink and moist, may darken to a deeper red shade as heatstroke progresses.
Sticky Saliva: Excessive, gel-like saliva may drip from the dog's mouth, becoming sticky and forming long streams down both sides.
Increased Panting: Breathing becomes more pronounced, possibly accompanied by coughing. The dog may lie down and appear lethargic.
Unsteady Movements: The dog may experience dizziness and walk unsteadily due to weakness in its legs.
Bloodshot Eyes and Mouth: Blood vessels in the eyes and mouth may appear more pronounced.

Severe Stage Symptoms:

Severe Tongue Swelling: In extreme cases, the dog's tongue may swell up to three times its normal size or more.
Color Change to Purple: The tongue may turn dark purple or deep reddish-purple, resembling the color of liver.
Disorientation and Seizures: The dog may not recognize its owner, may experience convulsions, and may crash into walls or other obstacles.
Vomiting and Diarrhea: Vomiting, diarrhea, and even blood in the vomit or stool may occur.
Loss of Coordination: The dog may stumble, collapse, or fail to stand up.

These symptoms represent the different stages of heatstroke, ranging from mild to life-threatening. If any of these signs are noticed, it is critical to take immediate action to avoid irreversible damage.

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Comments

Such an important and informative read! I never realized how quickly heatstroke can escalate in dogs. The detailed breakdown of symptoms at each stage is really helpful—especially the part about tongue swelling and color changes. Definitely a must-read for all pet owners, especially those with short-nosed or thick-coated dogs. Thank you for sharing these lifesaving tips! 🙏🐶🔥