Park Pets Veterinary Clinic in Kinnegad, Co. Meath has warned dog owners to protect their pets as temperatures remain high this week.
In a statement, the clinic reminded people that heatstroke can be fatal and asked dog owners to take measures to ensure their pet stays cool.
It takes just 15 minutes for a dog to die from heatstroke as their body temperature rises above their normal temperature of 37.5 degrees, causing their organs to fail.
The clinic said, “It’s hot today! We’re reposting from 2017 about heat stroke here; be careful out there!
“The beautiful doggy in this picture recovered fully.
“Once he was cooling well we moved him to a shaded kennel and allowed his temperature to continue to fall slowly.
“If they are cooled too quickly it can induce brain swelling.
“These dogs need shock rates of fluids to support their cardiovascular system which is usually in crisis.”
The case from 2017 showed a dog that was minutes away from death as the heat became too much.
The post read, “We've just had a dog presenting collapsed with heatstroke. Heat stroke is a true veterinary emergency.
“He was blue on his tongue, frothing at the mouth, having difficulty breathing and his temperature was 44 degrees. (Normal is 37.5).
“Here he is having emergency treatment in our yard. He is a big, heavy collapsed dog and our paddling pool is ideal to cool him.
“We don’t cool these too quickly; we treat them with tepid water and slowly drop their temperature.
“He's out of danger but the next 48 hours are critical. They can develop brain swelling or kidney failure. Fingers crossed."
Thankfully, in this case, the dog fully recovered.
The clinic said, "**update** temperature back to normal; fluids being administered intravenously in hospital to try to limit any kidney damage.
“He had three bowls of food so that's a good sign!”
The Park Pets Veterinary Clinic also offered some helpful tips on how to keep your pets cool.
They said, “Some tips for your dogs; only to exercise at dawn and dusk in heat. Groom heavy or matted coats if you have heatwave warnings in the weather forecast.
“Provide shade. You can put ice cubes in their water bowls. You can put a fan on black dogs; run a hose on them; or put cool damp towels on them at midday.”
