Signs of Heat Exhaustion in Dogs That You Shouldn’t Ignore

On a warm summer day, you and your favorite canine friend may love to spend time outdoors but you should be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion in dogs.

Whether you are running and playing at a community park, in your own backyard, or even taking a long walk around your neighborhood, you and your dog both love the sunshine.

However, if you’re not careful, your dog may begin to experience heat exhaustion, which is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition.

To make sure a fun day doesn’t end in tragedy, here are some signs of heat exhaustion in dogs that should never be ignored.

Excessive Panting

Should you notice your dog is panting more so than usual, heat exhaustion could be the cause.

Since dogs pant rather than sweat, this normally helps them to regulate their body temperature.

But once their temperature rises too high, it becomes harder to do this by panting, thus leading to the increased rate.

Dehydration

If your dog becomes dehydrated, this needs to be taken very seriously.

As to how you might know this has occurred, look for such things as a dry nose, sunken eyes, visible signs of tiredness, and excessive panting.

Should you notice these signs, don’t hesitate to get your dog to a veterinarian as quickly as you can.

By doing so, your veterinarian can examine the dog and administer IV fluids or other treatments that will prevent the development of more serious problems.

Purple or Bluish Gums

If you have noticed, your dog’s gums are usually colored pink, just like humans.

However, should they instead become purple, bluish, gray, or red in color, this usually signals severe dehydration brought on by heat exhaustion.

Inability to Urinate

When your dog begins to experience heat exhaustion, one of the most common signs will be a marked decrease in their urine output, or in some cases an inability to urinate.

This is an extremely serious problem and requires an examination by your dog’s vet at once.

Diarrhea and Vomiting

Finally, if after playing outside in the hot temperatures your dog begins vomiting, has a stool that contains blood, or has a stool that is much softer than normal, this is a major warning sign that heat exhaustion has set in, and needs to be addressed at once.

Since heat exhaustion can be easily prevented and treated by a veterinarian, always pay close attention to how your dog acts and looks when the temperatures soar.

By doing so, you may save your dog’s life and ensure they are with you for many more years.