Just a friendly reminder to be aware of the early symptoms of over heating in dogs and what you should do if you suspect it.

A couple links with good info -

Vetinfo.com Heat Stroke

Pet Education - heatstroke

With drivey dogs that keep going and going and going, if they seem off in their gait or wobbly there is a very good possiblity of them being overheated.

Yesterday I walking the neighbors dog and playing ball with Kipp. when we were done, he was panting hard, but that doesn't mena a lot with him - he always pants hard after ball. So I put him in his crate in the car (which was all opened up and in the shade) with water and went to put the other dog in his kennel and feed/water him.

When I cameback to my car a few minutes later, Kipp looked a bit off, so I got him out and his hind end was a bit wobbly. I rolled him over and poured a 2 liter bottle of water on his belly, then loaded him up and drove home (1 mile) and took him down to the river to stand in it. After a few minutes he was ready to be done with that, so we came back to the house, I gave him some cool baited water, then hosed his belly with tepid water for the next 5 minutes. He was pretty much his normal self by this time, (actually he was looing good after the river, but I hosed him some more for good measure) so I let him go lay on the bricks in his kennel - cool and shaded. I watched him for a while, but he was pretty well recovered by that time.

It was a warm day, but not overly hot - low 80's. It's not uncommon for dogs to get overheated on days like that or even cooler. Since I was aware, I was able to be very proactive in recognizing early signs and getting Kipp cooled off properly right away!

So if you haven't already, take a few minutes and learn about the symptoms of heat exhaustion/heatstroke and what you should do if you see them!

VERY good and very timely reminder!

Also, http://leerburg.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=134&Number=335336&Searchpage=1&Main=30141&Words=cross+Connie+Sutherland&topic=0&Search=true#Post335336

Thanks for the link Connie - I knew we had one of those around here recently, but I couldn't find it

I keep a kiddie pool filled in the yard so the dogs can lay in it during their play. Vigo, being dark in coloring, seems to get hot faster...luckily he loves to lay in the pool or in the shade of the garage.

Glad Kip was okay and thanks for the info, off to read it now

My Pugs belong to a club where we always have a kiddie pool handy, too. Sometimes you can't see the water -- just a bunch of fawn bodies (with the occasional black one). We also have one at the real-dog club, just at the depth where most of the dogs get soaked up to their bellies/armpits.

It's crucial to note the warnings in the link I posted about never soaking the fur (the back and sides) of a dog on a hot day and then confining the dog, such as in a crate or car. Far better to limit the dunking to the undercarriage and face than to allow that sauna effect to take place.

Bob Scott first told me about that danger, and since then I have seen many vets and other authoritative sources stress how bad it is to swim a dog and then to confine him wet.

 Quote: mara jessup

I rolled him over and poured a 2 liter bottle of water on his belly, then loaded him up and drove home (1 mile) and took him down to the river to stand in it.

This sounds pretty right on to me.

As Dr. Baxter says, "Just getting the dog wet is not the point, you want the water to be cool itself, or to evaporate."

 Quote: Connie Sutherland

It's crucial to note the warnings in the link I posted about never soaking the fur (the back and sides) of a dog on a hot day and then confining the dog, such as in a crate or car. Far better to limit the dunking to the undercarriage and face than to allow that sauna effect to take place.

Bob Scott first told me about that danger, and since then I have seen many vets and other authoritative sources stress how bad it is to swim a dog and then to confine him wet.

I think the same rule aplies to soaking the dog all over then working him. The hair is plastered to to the dogs body and can trap the heat.

Standing a dog in flowing water,run a hose over the abdomen, splashing water on the belly and chest - putting a wet dog in front of a fan to increase evaporation. The water should be cold, not frigid.
I nearly lost my Italian Greyhound last year to heat. Some workers came to the farm, were using the pickup. The workers left, hubby and I went in to take showers. Before dinner we hunted for the dog, found her locked in the pickup, the windshield facing the sun. She could not walk or raise her head.Her gums were purple-gray. She was limp, like anaesthesia.

Trying to avoid freaking out is good! I was pretty excited.

Rubbing alcohol on the belly also helps with quick dissipation of body heat.
A dog once exposed to heat exhaustion or stroke will also be prone to it happening again.

That's interesting Bob, and I thought that it might be so.
I've noticed this year my IG (now 13) displays the wide open lips drawn back huge pant of a racing greyhound after even mild exposure to heat. Also, she no longer sunbathes-- other years, she could be seen lying on the asphalt driveway, soaking up the warmth.