During Summer and early fall outings, heat-related illness should be front of mind
Dogs can begin to overheat quickly in high temperatures — especially in an excited environment like a summer hunt test, or the first hunt back in early fall. Dr. Jennell Appel is a Georgia-based veterinarian who travels cross-country to retriever hunt tests and field trials every summer with a mobile sports medicine practice. She said heat-related illness is one of the more common issues she treats.
“It’s such a fine line,” she said. “The difference between a dog staying at a normal temperature and starting to overheat might be just an extra minute or two, where the dog can’t find a mark and has to put on a longer than normal hunt or something like that.”
Normal body temperatures for dogs are slightly higher than humans — between 101 and 102.5 degrees. This will increase slightly during heavy activity, but things start to get dangerous if they creep into the 106-107 range. At 109 degrees or above, they’re in big trouble.
It’s easy to let the idea of heat stroke keep you indoors when temps are high, and there are certainly times when it’s best to just stay home from a training session or early season hunt — but with some decent planning, the right equipment and a touch of common sense, dogs can continue to run and train safely as the temperatures rise.
Here are some tips to help you take the heat out of summer and early fall outings:
- Monitor your bird dog for signs of heat stress and dehydration, including excessive panting, unsteadiness/lack of coordination and lethargy or refusal to move.
- Do not put them away hot. Always let your dog cool down before putting them back in their kennel.
- To slow dehydration, a dog should be given small amounts of water every 15 to 20 minutes when working, especially during events lasting longer than 60 minutes.
- Cool your dog by periodically squirting him or her with a spray bottle or mister — moisture on the coat has a cooling effect as it evaporates.
- Always give cool water to an overheated dog rather than ice water, which could cause him or her to cool down too quickly; ice water can cause blood vessels to constrict, which slows blood flow to the brain.
- To boost water consumption, try baiting water with low-sodium chicken broth to encourage drinking. Or try mixing a few pieces of food with water and add chicken broth.
- Use running water — a faucet or hose — to wet down a dog’s body; avoid submerging your dog in water, especially a warm pond on a hot day, which could only exacerbate overheating.
- After working, make sure your dog has access to water, but wait until his or her panting slows down before allowing them to drink a large volume.
The number one rule to follow in high temps? Know your dog. Signs of heat stroke can be obvious — weakness, disorientation, seizures. But a dog that’s beginning to overheat might show much more subtle signs. A heavily curled tongue is a good example, but the number one sign is disinterest or a change in behavior.
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“If the dog is looking around aimlessly, not paying attention to your signals or just not able to focus, that’s a huge indicator,” Appel said. “They’re telling you that they’ve had enough.”
If you suspect your dog has overheated, time is of the essence. At the first signs, stop the activity and contact your veterinarian while taking action to enhance the cooling process. Give your dog some water and rub cool water on his or her abdomen. While transporting your dog to the veterinary clinic, position him or her in front of an air vent and allow cool air to move around his or her body. It’s important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible, because the longer the dog is exposed to high temperatures, the more damage you can cause.