Dogs love running and playing outside, but sometimes the heat can get to them, too. If you’re playing with your dog outside, you need to know these ten signs of heatstroke in a dog. Read on to find life-saving pointers.
Heavy Panting or Labored Breathing
If your dog is having trouble breathing or is panting heavily, they could just be tired. But if this persists, it could be a sign that they’re having a heatstroke. Keep an eye on them if they’re struggling to catch their breath.
Whining and Barking
It’s not uncommon for dogs to bark while playing. But if your dog is whining and barking for no apparent reason after spending some time in the sun, they could be suffering from heatstroke. They can tell something is wrong but don’t know how to tell you.
Drooling
A dog drooling while playing outside isn’t strange. However, if you see your dog drooling excessively after prolonged time in the sun, get them inside and start cooling them down right away! They could be having a heatstroke.
Stomach Problems
If you see any of these signs as well as vomiting or diarrhea, it’s time to get your dog to the vet right away. Stomach problems don’t immediately mean that your dog is overheating, but when combined with things like excessive drooling and some of the other signs on this list, it’s a dead giveaway.
Coordination
Be very careful if you notice your dog’s coordination is suddenly much worse after playing outside. If you see them stumbling or struggling to navigate familiar areas, call the vet right away and start cooling them off in front of a fan.
Muscle Tremors
Another potential sign of a heatstroke in a dog is uncontrolled muscle tremors. If you see them shaking a leg or otherwise twitching in a way you’ve never seen before, it could mean they’re having a heatstroke and need to be cooled off right away.
Seizures
One step above muscle tremors is seizures. You probably don’t need us to tell you that if your dog has a seizure, you need to get to the emergency pet clinic right away. A seizure is a sign of a serious medical issue even if it’s not heatstroke.
Weakness/Exhaustion
If your dog is a bit tired after playing outside, it’s not the end of the world. However, if they’re acting downright exhausted and don’t have the strength to go to their food or water bowl even an hour after being outside, that’s your sign that something is wrong.
Read More: 10 Reasons You Should Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Teeth
Collapse
Naturally, if your dog collapses and can’t exert the force to keep themselves upright, something is very wrong. Whether it’s heatstroke, exhaustion, or some other medical concern, a dog who collapses needs to be taken to the vet or pet clinic immediately.
Read More: Why Do Dogs’ Teeth Chatter?
What to Do
If you think your dog is having a heatstroke, get them inside and out of the heat immediately. Call the vet and wet them with cool water while blowing an electric fan over them. Don’t give them an ice bath or dunk them in cold water. Apply cold packs to their paw pads and let them cool off.
Read More: Heatwave Safety for Dogs: What You Should Know
