Dealing with a Heat-Related Emergency

We lose more dogs to heat-related emergencies than almost any other. If you take preventive measures before heading out to the field, there’s much less of a chance your dog will get into trouble. But when a dog starts to show signs of heat stress, knowing how to deal with it can make the difference between a scare and a tragedy.

Preemptive hydration is critically important. Give your dog every chance to drink as much as possible early in the day, and then make sure to carry as much water as you can for whatever period you’re going to be out. Most of the time, this is all it takes. In extreme conditions, though, stuff happens and you need to be ready to handle it.

When I’m teaching canine handlers and emergency medical responders how to care for and treat dogs in emergency situations, the one item I tell them to carry in their emergency kit is a simple thermometer. In fact, I carry two of them. That’s because if you reckon your dog is in trouble due to overheating, taking its temperature will tell you what treatment steps to take.

You don’t need a specialised thermometer. The digital models found for cheap at your local shop or pharmacy are fine. The only difference is you take a dog’s temperature rectally, so you don’t want to mix it up with your home thermometer. It’s a great joke to break the ice. I ask my clients, “How do you tell the difference between your human thermometer and a dog’s? The taste!” Digital thermometers are the best. I recommend the ones with flexible tips, so if the dog jumps a bit, you don’t have to worry about hurting the dog.

If your dog is acting lethargic, it might be because it's running a 42°C temperature and is on the edge of going into heat exhaustion. So, what next? First, consider the humidity. You'd treat a dog differently in a humid area than you would a dog that's in a drier state, like Arizona, where humidity levels are low and water evaporates much faster.

Rubbing alcohol is a life-saver in hot, sticky conditions. It's got a couple of uses for emergency care. You can clean wounds with it, and it's handy for cooling down the dog. In places where water's scarce, you can use rubbing alcohol by putting it behind the dog's ears and on its belly or the pads of its feet. Rubbing alcohol cools the dog quicker than water 'cause it evaporates much faster, and that helps to draw the heat out of the dog.

Of course, proper hydration and taking care not to push your dog beyond what’s reasonable in hot weather keeps you from getting into this situation in the first place. Always remember that anytime your dog’s temperature gets above 39.2°C, which is the high end of what’s considered 'normal,' you want to start to cool it down. I’ve seen dogs spike up to 41 or 41.3°C, but given a break, shade and water, they cool down pretty rapidly.

If you check a dog's temperature and it's 41, no need to panic. You've got to start cooling them down. Retake their temperature every 3 to 5 minutes. If you see it dropping, you're on the right track. But if the dog isn't under 39 within half an hour, you need to head to the vet, and fast. That's why it's vital to have that thermometer handy, so you can tell if you're dealing with a bit of overheating or full-blown heatstroke that requires professional care.

Overheating is one of the most common emergencies in hard-working dogs, so it pays to be vigilant. There are plenty of other problems you need to be prepared for, and in my next article I’ll discuss my take on the first aid items that you should be carrying on every training or hunting trip.