Canine heat-induced hyperthermia and owner education
Abstract
Knowing how dogs deal with heat(or thermo-regulate) will help veterinary nurses and paraprofessionals better understand how to prevent, recognize and treat heatstroke in canine companions. Armed with this information clients can be educated and help prevent a tragedy. Hyperthermia or heatstroke is a killer on sunny days and can quickly overcome a dog. One of the leading causes is confinement of the dog in a car. The internal temperature of a car can rocket rapidly to in excess of 50°C in less than 10 minutes — less time than it takes to buy lunch ingredients from the local market. Even in low ambient temperatures, on sunny days, dogs confined to cars are at risk.
Knowing the physiology behind thermo-regulation of a dog is a key factor in nursing cases of canine hyperthermia at any time, but especially during warm days.
Hyperthermia is an increase in normal body temperature, the normal value for dogs being 38.0°C to 39.0°C (Jack and Watson, 2003). It occurs when heat production is such that it overwhelms the body's ability to reduce body temperature, and can be distinguished from pyrexia. Hyperthermia may be associated with increased respiratory rate, tachycardia, panting, warm skin, dry or tacky mucous membranes, which may turn a dark brick red in colour, altered laboratory values(electrolyte imbalance, metabolic acidosis, increased packed cell volume(PCV) due to dehydration), seizures or convulsions, and changes in level of consciousness(LOC)(Rockett, 2009). Hyperthermia can range from low grade pyrexia (fever) to a life-threatening condition.
Hyperthermia in dogs, which is most common during the summer months, can be caused by a number of things. Risk factors for developing heatstroke include age extremes, thick haircoat, and prior history of heat-related illness, with a predisposition in giant and brachycephalic breeds(such as pugs, bulldogs etc)(Tilley and Smith, 2000). Brachycephalic breeds are more predisposed to overheating, as their face shape makes it more difficult for the dog to cool down by panting(Canine Health Foundation, 2012).
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