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Author Topic:   FYI
Deus
Member

Posts: 136
From:CT.
Registered: Nov 2003

posted 02-13-2004 04:19 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Deus     Edit/Delete Message
FEATURE ARTICLE By APRL

WHAT IS HEAT STROKE AND HOW TO PREVENT IT


Dr. Henry De Boer
Working K-9 Veterinary Consultation Service

Question:
A friend of mine lost his dog early this spring to heat stroke.
What is heat stroke and how should it be prevented or treated?


Answer:
In my experience as a veterinarian and as a working dog trainer
and handler, I have attended to far more cases of heat stroke
in the spring or fall than I have during the summer months. Most
people are conscious of the risks and predisposing causes of
heat stroke in the summer and take appropriate precautions.
Many people, however, drop their guard during other seasons,
which can lead to a possible disaster. Heat stroke is most likely
to occur when we are less conscientious about how heat,
muscular exertion and confinement can affect our dogs.

Heat stroke occurs when the dog's ability to regulate its body
temperature is lost. A dog regulates body temperature primarily
through respiration. When the respiratory tract cannot evacuate
heat quickly enough, the body temperature rises. Normal body
temperature is less than 103F, but once the temperature goes
over 105F a number of physiologic events can occur that make
it even more difficult for the animal to regain control of its
temperature. At this time, oxygen delivery to the system cannot
keep up with rapidly elevating demand. If the temperature
exceeds 108F, cellular damage starts to occur in a number of
organ systems including the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract,
heart and brain. The extent of the cellular damage depends on
the magnitude and the duration of the temperature elevation.
Clearly, this can be a life-threatening situation, but for those
animals that survive there is the possibility of long term problems
after the occurrence.

There are a number of predisposing factors for heat stroke.
Some of the most significant are listed here.

Heat
Humidity
Muscular activity
High body mass
Anxiety
Poor ventilation
Dehydration
Obesity
Antihistamines
Phenothiazines (some medications for vomiting)
Brachycephalic breeds (short-nosed breeds)
Increased age

To read more on heat stroke and how to prevent it please go to http://k9power.com/deboer_heatstroke.htm


I know its a little early for this but I thought it was worth a read.


Keep us posted
Deus

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