Keep Your Bulldog Cool Heat Stroke Can Kill   

   Reprinted From French Connection               by Penny Rankine-Parsons

Heat Stroke is an Emergency, it can be life threatening. It is important that Bulldog owners learn to recognise the signs, as the dog will require immediate treatment. Bulldogs as with most short faced breeds do not tolerate high temperatures as well as we humans.

Dogs do not sweat; they depend on rapid breathing to keep cool. By exchanging warm air when they breathe out with cooler surrounding air as they breathe in, they manage to regulate their body temperature. It is obvious then, that when the air temperature is close to body temperature cooling by rapid breathing is not an efficient process.

Signs of Heat stroke

Heat Stroke is evident by the typical appearance of the dog, and it can be confirmed by taking its temperature.

Heat stroke  begins with rapid, frantic ,noisy breathing .The tongue and the inside of the mouth are bright red. The dogs saliva is thick and hangs in drools or it may appear frothy. The dog frequently vomits .The eyes have a frantic bulbous look .

Your bully will be in serious trouble if these signs go unheeded as within a very short time the dogs lips and tongue turn blue and the eyes may glaze over. The dog becomes unsteady and staggers. It may have diarrhoea and it will become progressively weaker. Coma  and Death can follow.

ALL THIS CAN HAPPEN IN THE SPACE OF A FEW MINUTES

Treatment

Emergency measures  must be taken at once if you suspect that your dog is overheating. Mild cases respond to being moved into cooler surroundings and frequent small amounts of cool water offered.

If the dog is showing more serious signs as described above or if you are just unsure he should be cooled down by immersion in of his body in cool water, or by being hosed down with a garden hose. In an emergency an ice cube gently inserted in the rectum also helps. Heat stroke can be accompanied by swelling of the throat, the dog will 'roar' or 'rasp' when breathing ] this aggravates the problem by reducing the airflow causing the dog to panic and get5 even more stressed .This situation requires veterinary treatment immediately, the vet will usually administer a cortisone injection to reduce swelling. He may also administer a cool water enema .

Prevention

Do not expose your bulldog to prolonged heat

Restrict exercise during the heat of the day

Provide shade  and water for your dog if you are outside, even in the garden.

Do not let your Bulldog get over excited or stressed during hot weather .

Travelling  with your Bulldog

NEVER NEVER leave your dog in a car unattended even for a few minutes

Do not travel long distances in the car with your Bulldog unless you make adequate provision in case of an emergency; even if you have air conditioning in the car.

Take plenty of cool water, make sure he has suitable shade from the sun, and there is a free flow of air through the car..

During very hot weather semi freeze bottles of water [the square plastic bottles are ideal ]as they thaw they will give you  a supply of ice cold water .Placed in his cage and covered by a towel will also help keep your dog cool.

If you put wet towels in the freezer and then store them in a cool box they make an excellent cool bed for your dog to lie on.

The lightweight canvas cages are not reccomended,as they do not allow for adequate airflow.

Think carefully if you plan to travel to a show, remember no win or place at a dog show is ever worth the life of your Bully

STRESS AND HEAT ARE A LETHAL COMBINATION