This poor dog just collapsed on Remsen Street in Brooklyn Heights, and its owners said they believed it was heat stroke. They said the dog wouldn't drink any water so they were trying to cool it off with ice wrapped in a towel.
Their car was parked down the street and they were planning on driving the dog to the vet. I don't know how it worked out. If anyone knows these people or their dog, please let us know.
According to Dr. William Fortney, because of the way dogs cool themselves, they are more susceptible to heat exhaustion than humans. Below are some steps for the identification and treatment of heat exhaustion (which can lead to heat stroke):
Symptoms of heat exhaustion:
* Heavy panting
* Dog begins huffing and puffing or gasping for air
* Dog begins to weave when it walks because of dizziness
* Dog lays down or collapses and can't get up
* Dog becomes unconscious
Depending on the seriousness of the situation, these are the steps an owner should take if your dog is suffering from heat exhaustion:
1. Move the dog out of the sun and into the shade or into an air-conditioned building.
2. Give the dog water to drink.
3. Rinse the dog off either in the bath tub or with a garden hose.
4. Place the dog in front of a fan while it is still damp.
5. Place ice bags around the dog's head and neck.
6. Take the dog to the veterinarian only after the dog has been cooled down.
More here.
Photos by MK Metz
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4 comments:
You're kidding with this post right?
Not a joke. That dog is in bad shape -- I'm told that heat exhaustion (leading to the more extreme heat stroke) is a serious condition, could lead to death if not promptly treated.
I'm sorry you had to post this, but this is more common than you would think. Dogs can't tell you when they're hot. Flat-nosed dogs (bulldogs, French bulldogs, pugs, others) are even more at risk, because the lack of a snout limits their ability to cool themselves down.
I hope that dog recovers.
Often dogs run around like crazy without drinking enough water. You have to monitor them and keep them in the shade.
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