Heat stroke, burned feet, and infections from seeds.
Summer is a great time to work with our puppies and dogs. But it also can be very dangerous. Playing, exercising, or working with our puppies in the heat can cause very serious and potentially fatal complications.
Heat stroke (heat prostration, hyperthermia) occurs when normal body mechanisms cannot keep the body’s temperature in a safe range. People have very efficient cooling systems, such as sweating, but dogs do not. The only way they cool themselves is by panting. Normally, a dog’s temperature is 100° to 102°. Moderate heat stroke can occur when the dog’s temperature is 104° -106°, and becomes severe when the temperature is over 106°. The most common sign is vigorous panting. The dog is likely to be lying on its side, unable to stand, but some may only become restless and agitated. There may be thick, ropy saliva in the mouth, or froth coming from the mouth and/or nose. The gums and tongue can become bright red, but occasionally are pale or “muddy.” Often the dog will become rigid, extending its head, neck, and legs.
The first, and most important action is to get the dog out of the sun! Move to the shade and if possible direct a fan on the dog. If possible, use a rectal thermometer to determine the dog’s temperature. Next use lukewarm water to gradually cool the dog. When the dog’s temperature is 103°, the cooling process should be stopped.
Second, the dog must immediately be taken to a veterinarian. Severe heat stroke affects every system in the body. Simply lowering the body temperature fails to address the potentially catastrophic events that can accompany this disorder, so any dog suffering from hyperthermia should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.
Burned feet are an extreme hazard. Asphalt and concrete are not things found in nature and they can get incredibly hot! People don’t notice it because we’re wearing shoes. We also walk upright and don’t feel the heat radiating from the ground. Dogs aren’t so lucky. While their pads are tough, they are not tough enough to handle prolonged exposure to hot surfaces without being burned. Because your dog’s body is only a short distance from the ground, it is exposed to much more of the heat that rises from the ground. The simplest way to determine if the surface is a safe temperature is to place the palm of your hand firmly on the ground…Can you hold your hand there without it hurting? If not, then it’s too hot for your dog to withstand for any extended period of time. Dog boots can be used when necessary to prevent exposure of the footpads, to these high temperatures. However, when a dog’s pads are burned, they can blister and peel, which is extremely painful, and even worse, the feet could become infected. The health of our service dog’s feet is very important.
Foot infections are common from dry seeds or seed covers. This wet spring has provided ideal conditions for grass and weeds. Now that the heat-is-on, those plants are going to seed and dry out. The resulting burrs, foxtails, and grass seeds (awns) create another potential hazard for our dogs. They can penetrate the skin, especially between the toes, and migrate deep into the tissues and create abscesses. The abscesses usually show up as red inflamed areas, which may also have pus draining from them. A veterinarian will need to treat this condition. Prevention is simple — avoid the weeds. Of course, this is easier said than done. But, if you examine your puppy’s feet frequently, you can find and easily remove the seeds.