CBD For Heatstroke Treatment In Dogs

What Is Heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a serious condition that can lead to critical damage to your pet’s internal organs. Heatstroke is defined as: “A disturbance of the temperature-regulating mechanisms of the body caused by overexposure to excessive heat, resulting in fever, hot and dry skin, and rapid pulse, sometimes progressing to delirium and coma”. Humans can get heatstroke when we’re in direct sunlight and heat for an extended period without proper hydration. Hydration helps us replenish the fluids in our body and allow us to sweat to regulate our temperatures, our dogs don’t sweat and if they can’t regulate their temperatures, that’s when the trouble arises.

How Do Dogs Regulate Their Temperature? 

When we get too warm, we sweat. Seeing as humans are 60% water we can only sweat so much before the effects of heatstroke take over. While our dogs also sweat, just not the same as humans, they regulate their temperatures in a completely different way.  Through their mouths and feet. On a hot day, you are likely to hear your pup panting like mad when they’re hanging out in a shady spot. How much is happening with that pant is fascinating because your dog is basically working like convection. Panting evaporates the moisture on their skin and cools them down. Have you ever sprayed water on your face when you’re too warm? Even if the water is room temperature, it’ll cause your face to feel cooler. Essentially, that’s how your dog’s panting works.

How Can Your Dog Get Heatstroke?

Dog heat exhaustion is caused by a pretty self-explanatory reason: Heat. Just because it’s hot outside doesn’t meant that your dog could get heatstroke, but when the temperature rises your awareness must rise with it. In most cases, it’s the owner’s lack of attention or carelessness that leads to dog heat exhaustion. These causes vary from being left in a hot car with a window closed or forgetting to leave water outside while your furry buddy is playing in the yard. It’s not all owner carelessness that can cause dog heat exhaustion though, breeds like pugs, bulldogs and other flat-faced dogs that suffer from “brachycephalia” have a higher risk of contracting heatstroke. Dogs that have a thicker fur, or are overweight, can be more prone to heatstroke as well so try limiting their outside-exercise time when the temperature is too high.

Symptoms That Your Dog May Have Heatstroke 

Even taking all the right precautions to ensure your pup is hydrated and not over working themselves in the heat, they’re still dogs and are going to run and play to their hearts content. It’s important that you are aware of the signs to look out for in the warmer months because heatstroke is better treated earlier than after a full day of sunshine and exercise. Some signs to look out for are:

• Drooling, salivating

• Agitation

• Restlessness

• Red or pale gums

• Bright red tongue

• Increased heart rate

• Breathing distress

• Vomiting

• Diarrhea

• Delirium

• Dizziness, staggering

• Lethargy/weakness

• Muscle tremors

• Seizures

• Collapsing and lying down

• Little to no urine production

• Coma

Current Treatment For Heatstroke In Pets

If your pet is showing signs of heatstroke on a hot day, there are a few strategies you can use to try and alleviate those symptoms. First, you should contact your veterinarian. Heatstroke in dogs is a very serious condition and treatment needs to be immediate. If your vet is closed, or you can’t get in for a certain amount of time there are a few ways you can help your pup. To help with your dog’s heatstroke recovery, bring them out of the heat immediately and give them some cool water. It’s the lack of hydration that is leading to heatstroke so that should always be a high priority. If you have an outdoor hose, cooling off your dog with water will help with some symptoms as well. Make sure that your dog’s paws are off any hot surfaces and you can use alcohol wipes to help remove some of the heat from their beans (paws). Dogs regulate heat through the pads of their feet, so making sure they’re not covered and are clean is another important step in the fight against heatstroke. Once your vet is able to take them in, if it’s a serious condition, they will likely hook them to a fluid drip to help hydrate until your fur-baby is ready to come home.

How Can CBD Be Used To Treat Heatstroke In Dogs?

While shade, fluids and rest are the main ways to help your dogs heat stroke recovery, CBD can be used to help alleviate most of the symptoms during the healing process. Heatstroke is a very serious condition in dogs and if you think your dog may be suffering from it, we advise that your first step ALWAYS be to visit the vet immediately. CBD will work to aid in your dog’s heatstroke recovery, but the actual illness itself must be treated with fluids and, in more severe cases, an I.V. drip. The subsequent side-effects like vomiting, seizures, pain, diarrhea can all be helped by administering the recommended dosage to your pet once they’ve been cleared to be taken home. Pet CBD oil works wonders, but it is not a miracle.

Conclusion

Our pets love to run and play and do not tend to check the weather when they decide it’s playtime. As pet owners, the onus is on us to ensure that we are always giving our dogs or cats adequate water, dog food and time in the sun or car. If you’ve ever had heatstroke you know that it’s not a good time. We’re responsible for our pet’s wellbeing and we must be diligent when it comes to monitoring not only their behavior, but their health as well. CBD oil for dogs wont cure heatstroke or allow you to skip a vet visit, what it will do is aid in your dogs heatstroke treatment and recovery and make the journey back to health as comfortable as it can be.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How can I treat my dogs heat stroke at home?

If you aren’t able to schedule a vet visit and think your dog may be suffering from heat stroke, the best steps are to get them in the shade, cool them off with a bowl of cold water or a light mist from the hose.

Can a dog survive heat stroke?

Yes. Heatstroke isn’t always fatal, but if left untreated you can increase the chances of a fatal outcome.

How fast can a dog get heat stroke?

Depending on the temperature and environment a dog can begin to feel the effects of heatstroke in just minutes inside of a hot car. On a hot day, just 30 minutes in a vehicle can lead to the possibility of death.

What would happen if a dog got heat stroke?

Your dog would be noticeably disoriented, begin vomiting and be lethargic. Drool or foam may begin to form around their mouth and you will notice a bright redness to their gums and tongue.

What do you do for heat stroke in dogs?

• Move him/her to a shaded/cool area.
• Immediately douse the dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock. …
• Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water.
• Continue to douse the dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle but never so much that he/she begins to shiver.

When should I take my dog to the vet for heat stroke?

Bring them for veterinary evaluation immediately if they don’t return back to his normal self or if there are any episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite or any other concerning signs.

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