Don’t be a victim of heatstroke in dogs. Know the symptoms and how is it treated. Heatstroke is very dangerous, especially for small dogs like Morkies. Heatstroke in dogs and in people, occurs when it’s so hot out, the body can no longer cool itself. As it gets hotter and hotter, internal organs are damaged and start to fail. Kidneys can suddenly give out. Severe enough, and your little dog will die.
Hyperthermia, or high body temperature, can happen to dogs more easily than us, because they can’t sweat to cool down like we can. Instead, dogs eliminate heat by panting. (Some sweat glands in the dog’s footpads can help with heat dissipation, but only minimally.) When panting isn’t enough, their body temperature rises.
Signs of heatstroke in dogs
At first, a dog with heatstroke seems very anxious, won’t settle down and pants a lot. Sometimes he might drool or vomit. As he gets hotter, you may see lethargy, muscle weakness, inability to stand and seizures.
Take your dog’s temperature*
To find out if your Morkie has heatstroke, take his temperature. If it is above 104 degrees (40 C), then he has heatstroke and the situation is serious.
Download this handy temperature guide, in Celsius and Fahrenheit
First aid for heatstroke
Don’t overdo the cooling though… never wet down your dog and then put him in front of a fan or air conditioner, for example.
Offer him water but never force it down his throat.
It’s suggested that you rub the dog’s legs vigorously, to encourage circulation and reduce the risk of shock.
Always get medical help ASAP to ensure that the internal damage has been stopped. Unseen damage can continue even though your dog’s temperature is down. Swelling of the brain, and abnormal blood clotting are just two examples.
How to Avoid Heatstroke
- Always have plenty of fresh water available
- Avoid exercise during the hottest parts of the day
- Keep your Morkie at a healthy weight
I hope it goes without saying, never ever leave your dog in a car, even in the shade. Cars really are like ovens: when it’s 72 degrees Fahrenheit (22 Celsius) outside, in a car it can reach an unbearable 117 degrees F (47 C) degrees within the hour.
Be especially careful of very young or older dogs. They’re more susceptible. Don’t forget – It’s that time again – dogs in hot cars
Heatstroke can cause unseen problems, such as swelling of the brain, kidney failure, and abnormal clotting of blood. On the way to the veterinarian, travel with the windows open and the air conditioner on.
Should my Morkie have short hair in summer?
Not necessarily. Since Morkies have hair, not fur, there’s no heavy undercoat to make them super hot. And the hair protects your Morkie’s skin from sunburn and insect bites.
*How to take your dog’s temperature
Ideally you already have a digital thermometer meant for dogs. It’s used rectally, after you’ve applied a thin layer of Vaseline. In a pinch, you can use a regular baby thermometer.
Download this handy temperature guide