Don't kill your dog - the dangers of heatstroke.
Mort Smith talks about the recent deaths of two police dogs left to die in a police car.
The recent incident where two police dogs died when left unattended for hours in a vehicle on a hot day has prompted much discussion amongst my dog training clients and friends. As a retired police dog handler I am astounded that a professional dog handler or organisation can allow such a tragedy to occur especially as we had a stark reminder of the consequences of such neglect when a similar incident happened in Nottinghamshire only a couple of years ago. In my day (I retired from the Dog Section 5 years ago) the welfare of your dog/s was paramount and was considered before any other priority. There is no good reason why this policy should have changed and no excuse for the actions of those involved.
Dogs do not disperse excess body heat in the same way as us humans. Our skin is covered in pores which excrete a fluid (sweat) which evaporates as the air passes over our bodies. This cools the skin and disperses the excess heat. Virtually all dogs are covered in fur for the purpose of retaining body heat - a throwback to times when dogs were not housed in centrally heated homes as pets. The dog's excess body heat is dispersed via its paws (pads), nose and relies largely on the passage of cool air over the tongue to facilitate the heat exchange process as the dog pants.
This works well for the dog as long as cool air is available. So cars are not the best environment to aid this process. Cars are mobile conservatories in which heat can build up to an intolerable level for the dog very quickly. Conservatories and cars can become very warm even when the outdoor temperature is relatively low so you should think seriously before leaving a dog in a car even on a sunny day in winter, not to mention spring, summer and autumn! Leaving a window open will make you feel better about leaving the dog in the vehicle but will be of little use unless the dog can get it's head out into the flowing air. Even then the build up of heat trapped in the vehicle is likely to far outweigh the amount of body heat the dog can disperse.
I have witnessed a dog suffering heat exhaustion in a vehicle as early in the year as March, so do not fall into the trap of thinking it will be OK because the outside temperature is only 14 degrees (Celsius) or so. Also, do not just associate heatstroke with vehicles. Many houses have conservatories; ensure your dog does not have access to the conservatory when left at home. And consider this: Some years ago on a warm summers day a friend took his dog for a walk then left the dog in the garden and went indoors to get on with some DIY. Although there were plenty of shaded areas in the garden, the dog chose to rest in a sunny spot, fell asleep, overheated and was dead by the time my friend returned to the garden an hour or two later. So do check on your dog regularly at home too.
So, my advice would be:-
1). Think twice about leaving your dog in a vehicle for any length of time particularly in Spring, Summer and Autumn.
2). Park in complete shade and remember your shady spot will change as the sun moves across the sky.
3). Secure your dog in a crate and leave the tailgate open. Place something over the vehicle/crate to create shade over the dog. Also open windows to allow a good flow of air through the vehicle. If you are worried about security use scissor type grills on the windows. You can buy a security bolt which will allow you lock the tailgate open by about 6 inches.
4). Leave your dog with plenty of water.
5). Be prepared to check your dog very regularly to make sure it is OK.
Treatment for Heatstroke in Dogs
Immediately move the dog to a shaded area (but not indoors unless air conditioned).
Cool the dog by placing it in a bath of cool water (tepid - very cold water will inhibit the cooling process by constricting the blood vessels) or pouring the water over the dog. You can use a hose pipe as long as the water is not too cold. Carefully pour water over its head as well as it's body. If you use towels soaked in water do not leave the towels draped over the dog as they may serve to trap the excess heat in the dog's body. Having commenced the cooling process call your vet for further advice.
For more information on Mort dog training or to speak to Mort, follow this link..
Other pet services in Telford you might need
Vets - Pearl Vets is a highly professional and friendly veterinary practice here in Telford.
Pet Grooming - Groom Zone is the place to get your pooch looking lovely.
