Heatstroke; Do you know what to watch out for?

 

What is heatstroke?

If you have a dog, you’ve heard about heatstroke and how it’s dangerous for your dog. But what does it look like, exactly?

Early signs of heatstroke include:

– Panting
– Drooling

If you’re paying attention, you can probably cool your dog down and have no lasting problems. When the symptoms are mild, a dog cool coat or other cooling methods can help control the condition. 

As things gets more serious, you could see these symptoms.

– Decreased responsiveness
– Dark red gums
– Confusion and/or anxiety
– Glazed eyes
– Rapid heart rate
– Labored breathing
– Temperature above 103
– Vomiting or diarrhea, possibly with blood in them

What do you do if you are concerned about overheating or heatstroke?

 

If you see the above symptoms, you need to try to cool your dog off a.s.a.p.!  What you can do:

– Get them out of the heat
– Let them stand or lay in cool water and bath them in it
– Encourage them to drink cool (not ice cold) water

If these steps don’t get your dog to normal quickly, or if you see seizures, vomiting, diarrhea, or minimal consciousness, you need the vet’s help as quickly as possible. Organ damage quickly starts in and makes rescue much more difficult.

Which dogs are at risk?

Since dogs can't sweat except through the pads of their feet, any dog can become overheated and suffer from heatstroke.  However, some dogs are at increased risk due to their physical makeup.

Dogs at risk:

– Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds like pugs or French bulldogs
– Darker colored dogs (since black absorbs heat)
– Heavily muscled dogs (since muscle produces extra heat)
– Very young or very old dogs
– Dogs with other pre-existing health issues
– Very high-drive dogs that don’t self-limit

How do you prevent heatstroke?

Heatstroke can be prevented if you are prepared. Since any dog has the potential to suffer from heatstroke, it’s a good idea to be aware of the weather and risk factors.  If your dog is especially prone to overheat, this becomes vital.

To make sure your outing doesn’t turn into a tragedy, pay attention to your dog and:

– Plan extreme activity for cooler times of the day
– Offer plenty of water
– Limit activity to shorter periods of time during the hot part of the day
– Provide a kiddie pool or other water for cooling off
– Use cooling mats, cooling coats, etc. to keep body temperature at a healthy level

Consider buying a cool coat

A cool coat like the ones I make is an effective option for helping keep your dog safe from heatstroke.  Just soak in water, wring out the extra, and put on your dog for hours of cooling. The great thing about a cool coat is that they are mobile. You can carry one with you to use whenever things are getting too hot. If you'd like to find out more about Made by De cool coats, please check out my website, www.madebyde.com.  

Why a custom dog coat is NOT expensive

 

Have you considered getting a custom coat for your dog?

Buying a custom product often comes with the expectation of being expensive.  But that's not always the case, especially with Made by De products. Here's why a custom creation for your dog is a smart investment.

1) A custom coat is built to last

If you've purchased clothing for your dog on Amazon or at one of the big box stores, you may have paid less than the asking price of one of my coats.  Once.  But how long did that item last for you and your dog?  If you have to buy every year, the cost adds up.  Before you know it, you've spent two or even three times what that custom item would have cost.  

2) You get a coat that fits

You may have struggled with not having the right fit for your dog. If a product is made using your dog's measurements and keeping their breed and other specifics in mind, it is much more likely to fit correctly; keeping your dog comfortable.

3) The features you want

Buying custom dog clothes from Made by De means that you get a say in the features of your coat.  The products from the ready made stores are intended to suit the average need.  But most dogs aren't average. 

Custom Dog Clothing is a good investment

Although the cost of a custom dog product might be a little more up front than something at PetSmart or another store with pet products, that isn't the whole story. A product that's made for your dog will fit, have the features you want, and be made to last. If you're looking for dog clothing, whether it be cool coats, rain coats, dog diapers, or winter coats, please take a look at Made by De.