Heat Stroke After Math

[RexsMom]

Rex experienced a heat stroke today. It was the hottest day of the year & he was acting funny from coming inside. At first I thought he was just hot because he did the classic *flop* on the cold tile & panting. But it soon turned into excessive drooling, vommiting, eyes bulging, what looked like a mild seizure, etc.
It immediately clicked in my head that he was having a heat stroke because I've read so much on the breed before bringing one home. I just remembered always reading "Dobermans are very prone to heat stroke." over and over in so many different places. But I never really thought to prepare for one or "it won't happen to him, we live in Canada!". It was super scary to see (as is anything bad to your Dobie), and I really wish I was more prepared. Little things I saw online like wrapping them in a cold towel would have been very helpful. I never even knew it was fatal at the moment, but thankfully Rex pulled through after about 20-30 mins yet felt like hours.
I had offered him water which he refused. Then I totally forgot how much he loves ice cubes, so I placed one in front of him. He chomped it right up & he started to calm down. I honestly think it saved him.

My main question is for any of your dogs who have had heat stroke, was there any after math that came along with it? Any neurological conditions?

Please stay safe & educated! If you have any tips for helping prevent it too, let me know!

 

[jazzies mum]

That's super scarey! I haven't had any experience with heatstroke as such but am very careful as there are so many weeks of over 40c in the Australian summer.
Some one else had a recent scare that was also probably heatstroke. @Lizbeli I think? And there were quite a few informative comments in the thread. Including how to administer fluid under the skin for quick rehydration. Wish I could remember the name of the thread.

 

[Oh Little Oji]

I've had my Dobe exhibit shocking effects of a lot of exercise in heat, but I think it was actually a heart condition. What happened to him was different from what you describe.

 

[MyBuddy]

Well, that certainly was scary! We've had some above 90° temperatures for almost 2 weeks and at Buddy's age I've worried about that. I don't leave him out for very long even when he's just laying out in the grass and seems comfortable. If I see him get up, I bring him in. It's just been so hot and humid it's hard to breathe. I'll have to remember the Ice Cube trick and a wet towel. I don't know if I've ever given much thought to heat stroke in my dog. I've worried more about his heart. Thanks for the heads up and I'm so glad that Rex is okay!

 

[Antman408]

If that ever happens next time and you’re at home throw him into the bathtub and run cold water on him to cool his body down.

As far as any lasting conditions or anything he should be good but I believe he may be more prone to them now. Not sure the science behind it but that’s what I was told.

A cool down routine after exercise/play/training might be a good idea.

after hard work on a hot day my boy gets to lay in the ac for 10-15 minutes in the car on our way home. Then when we get home he gets a cold bowl of water mixed with an electrolyte solution (k9go powder) however non flavored pedialyte mixed with the water works great too. Then a 30 minute cool down in his crate with his crate fan running on high.

 

[Rits]

If that ever happens next time and you’re at home throw him into the bathtub and run cold water on him to cool his body down.

Working at the vet, I was taught not to do this for a dog actively suffering heat stroke. The idea is that the cold water restricts the blood vessels making cooling off by convection even harder. Also, the sudden extreme in temperature can send them into shock. You should gradually bring their temperature down. A good way to do this is we would cool the feet. Keep them moving too, at least standing or walking slowly. You want their blood to circulate well to help cool the body.

Keep a close eye on him for the next 24hrs. Be on the lookout for nausea, lack of appetite, diarrhea. It's a good idea to have the vet check him over to make sure there aren't any lasting effects on him as heatstroke can cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

If you want to read more about heatstroke from a veterinary standpoint, how to cool, check temp, and what could happen: Providing Care for Dogs with Heatstroke

How is Rex doing today?

 

[NamVetJoe]

I pray all turns out well. I am a few hours south of you and the heat has been a real issue affecting our walks

 

[Antman408]

Working at the vet, I was taught not to do this for a dog actively suffering heat stroke. The idea is that the cold water restricts the blood vessels making cooling off by convection even harder. Also, the sudden extreme in temperature can send them into shock. You should gradually bring their temperature down. A good way to do this is we would cool the feet. Keep them moving too, at least standing or walking slowly. You want their blood to circulate well to help cool the body.

Keep a close eye on him for the next 24hrs. Be on the lookout for nausea, lack of appetite, diarrhea. It's a good idea to have the vet check him over to make sure there aren't any lasting effects on him as heatstroke can cause damage to the kidneys and liver.

How is Rex doing today?

I said cold water not ice bath. Cold tap water isn’t cold enough to constrict.

Cold water immersion up to the neck is the most effective cooling modality for patients with [exertional heat stroke].

Sheets dipped in cold tap water and wrapped will work great as well.

 

[strykerdobe]

On very hot days and training days we put plain Pedialyte (the Clear one Non Flavored) in their water. Just read the label and make sure there are none sugar free ingredients like Xylitol in it.

Will help replace electrolytes.

 

[strykerdobe]

 

[Rits]

I said cold water not ice bath. Cold tap water isn’t cold enough to constrict.

Depends. The water that comes from our tap comes from a well and it's very cold! Better to clarify than have someone cause more harm as cold can mean different things to people. It's all good. Cool water, not cold. And pour, don't soak.

 

[Kaiser2016]

We use a Hurtta cooling vest on hot days where he’s out on the field and can’t really get out of the heat. This is pictured dry.

Always warm up and cool down the dog like you would for yourself when exercising.

 

[RexsMom]

Thank you so much everyone! Little update.
Late last night Rex had his first drink in 12 hours, it was a big relief. Although he still refused to eat, which I expected. This morning we just went for a small walk to get his early sniffs in (what I call his mental exercise ) & have a couple pees. No poop since it had been 36 hours since he last ate. We got home & I feed him 30 mins afterwards & I've never seen him gobble up his food like that! Now he's just going to town on his toys. Will still keep a close eye on him & will be extra careful from now on.

 

[LifeofRubie]

Yikes! Glad to hear he's much more himself.

I have been super dooper diligent about keeping an eye on these two since we've had temps over the 90s for going on two weeks now with heat indexes near 100 and little relief in sight.

When we go outside to play, it's short bursts. Our walks are much shorter and later in the evenings and we walk very slow (much to Moo's dismay) and will stop several times in the shade. Moo and I did some agility exercises and weave poles for maybe 5 minutes in the shade the other day. We limit Rubie from chugging water or running around outside before and after meals (more of a bloat thing).

They pant but it's the staggering, looking uncomfortable, being dazed, gum color symptoms that we're hyper aware of.

My immediate course of action if we did suspect something would be a cool, damp towel on the stomach and armpits to get the body temp down without shocking the system. And now I know the feet, too! Thank you @Rits !! I suspect that's why Moo, and even Rubie, will do a random pass through the kiddy pool when we're outside

 

[MyBuddy]

.

A good way to do this is we would cool the feet.

I remember something similar to that with horses. Not necessarily with heat stroke but just to cool them down they say to start at the feet and lower legs. That alone cools the blood in the extremities and carries it up to the rest of the body. Cooling it a little at a time. I think it's sort of like when we go into a pool. We stick our feet in first to get used to it before going up to our torso.

A lot of good advice here! I'm glad Rex is feeling better! That had to be worrisome that he didn't eat.

 

[Lizbeli]

Oh, how scary. Sounded like it was pretty serious. Yes, my guy did have a scare not long ago. Still not entirely sure if it was heat related. I still believe the issue I had was caused by gulping water. Your situation definitely was more serious. And seizures are not fun to watch. My past dog had epilepsy and it was almost a daily thing at one point. Each time I cried. Awful.

My guy got fluids under the skin when we took him to the vet. I really need to call the vet and see if they will write him a prescription for subcutaneous fluids. Maybe this would help you guy too if this becomes a reoccurring thing.

Honestly, I haven’t been doing nearly as much exercise with Jasper now because of heat. I work nights and getting up before the heat is almost impossible for me. Thankfully on my days off we can be busy all day. Jasper is an easy keeper which I am thankful for. He enjoys the AC and a frozen bone lol!

Hope you don’t have to go through this again.

 

[Ravenbird]

We use a Hurtta cooling vest

Are you pleased with this vest? Do you have to keep it wet for cooling?

@RexsMom - So sorry you had to experience this, but thanks for sharing so we can all learn together!

 

[Rits]

Are you pleased with this vest? Do you have to keep it wet for cooling?

I have this vest but it's a coat and I won it in a contest. Since you live in a dry climate it will probably be ok. If you live anywhere it's humid, it does heat up, quick. Would you be interested in mine? It was big on Java and Paige so not sure if it's the size you need. The size says 55cm. Used only twice and then we realized it wasn't working in our humid temps!

 

[Ravenbird]

I have this vest but it's a coat and I won it in a contest. Since you live in a dry climate it will probably be ok. If you live anywhere it's humid, it does heat up, quick. Would you be interested in mine? It was big on Java and Paige so not sure if it's the size you need. The size says 55cm. Used only twice and then we realized it wasn't working in our humid temps!

If you could message me a photo (coat not vest?) & measurements I may be interested! Our humidity has been 8 to 20% the last few weeks. Dry as it can be! Way way hotter than norm. Today was 96F. Rains usually start the first week of July, but not a drop yet.

 

[JanS]

Wow that's extremely scary and I'm glad he's better now.