Heat Stress & Heat Stroke
When summer arrives people are told to stay in the cool, drink lots of fluids, and avoid exercising in the heat of the day.
Despite our best efforts, people still tend to be affected, whether by dehydration, lack of sleep, or reduced appetite. But what affect does summer heat have on greyhounds, and what can we do to help them best cope?
Keeping Cool
Probably the biggest difference between us and greyhounds is the different ways in which our bodies work to maintain a stable operating temperature. For humans, body sweat is used to cool our skin, but greyhounds can’t sweat all over like we do, instead only sweating through glands on the pads of their feet and nose. Greyhounds instead rely on evaporative cooling from their respiratory system – panting to move air across wet membranes.
This system of cooling has limitations and has important consequences for the greyhound. Firstly, the evaporation can only occur if the humidity in the air allows it – the higher the humidity the less this system works. So when in a confined space such as a car, trailer or kennel, humidity can increase quickly as evaporated water from the greyhound stays in the air.
The second problem with this sort of cooling is that it can lead to huge losses of body fluids and can alter the acid-base balance in the dog’s blood from the increased amount of oxygen-carbon dioxide exchange in the lungs. These changes are hard to measure because you may not be able to actually see them.
What will you see?
- Heat Stress – panting, salivating, increased heart rate, listlessness, vocalisation/whining
- Heat Stroke – excessive or loud panting, thick saliva, vomiting, diarrhoea, wobbliness, strange behaviour, seizures, collapse, and death
What can you do?
- Stop all exercise
- Move to a shaded area or, ideally, into an air-conditioned area
- Provide plenty of cool, fresh water
- Provide plenty of ventilation to move evaporated fluid away and to drop the humidity levels
- Gently cool the greyhound – they can lay on wet towels, be wiped down or hosed with cool water. Make sure if you are using wet towels or ‘Cooling Coats’ that they feel cool to touch and that there is a breeze or ventilation as these methods rely on evaporation for their cooling effects too – if they dry out or there is no ventilation then it’s similar to wearing a blanket or rug.
- Avoid using iced water on the greyhound’s body as this can cause the blood vessels in the skin to contract, which will slow the cooling process down because the hot blood is no longer coming to the surface where it can lose heat. Iced water can be used on the feet though, and covered ice packs can be placed in between the dog’s thighs and in their ‘arm-pits’.
What if I think a greyhound is moving into heat stroke?
Heat stroke is more serious as there can be delayed complications due to organ damage. The priority is to lower the body temperature quickly, but care has to be taken not to cause hypothermia (too cold) in the process. Any dog with a rectal temperature over 41.6 degrees is considered dangerously hot.
These dogs need to be taken to the vet immediately, where cold intravenous fluids and cool water enemas can be done. The vet can also monitor for complications and give medications to aid in preventing some of the consequences of a body temperature that’s too high – such as brain swelling and shock.
Finally, monitor your greyhounds closely for the longer-term effects of hot weather. You need to be watching food intake, water intake, body weight and coat condition.
Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Tigris
Lulu ARP
You will go 'lala' over Lulu! She is stunning, puppyish and a tad shy but oh so sweet. She will show you her puppyish side once she starts to settle in and you will just fall in love. We think this pretty girl may suit living with another medium or larger male companion and maybe children 10 and over. Anice yard to relax in will be great for Lulu as well.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Wehave behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain withtheir racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they arebrought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adoptingthis dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you willbe adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in ourcare.
Honeybee ARP
Could you ‘bee’ any sweeter than a Honeybee? Nope! Miss Honeybee is so hoping she will find her field of flowers to call home soon. She can be a bit reserved to start with but you will soon see that sweet side ooze out of her as she settles in. She will look at you for guidance and really loves being told she is a “good girl!” so someone that is willing to give her some time and reassurance as she becomes a pet would be great. We think she may suit homes that have another calm male dog of any size and older children that will give her space to adjust.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Ernie ARP
Are you looking for an Ernie to your Bert? A new bestie to go on adventures with? Well look no further because this handsome young man is ready to become your best mate. Ernie is a stunning, shiny boy that is super friendly, outgoing and affectionate. He likes to live an active lifestyle so someone that’s looking for a friend to join you exploring places look no further! Ernie may suit living with children 5 and over and with another medium or larger canine buddy, he would very much like a yard to play in as well.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Yvonne ARP
Yvonne is just the happiest girl who is full of personality! She will look at you with those stunning gooey caramel eyes and wag that tail till she gets more pats and loving. Check out her hilarious “mid shake” photo! We think she may suit children 5 and over and another medium or larger male companion. She may also suit living in an apartment type setting!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Mr D ARP
Hi! I’m Mr D! What’s that you say!? I’m handsome? Well, there is so much more to love about me than my handsome looks but ill point out my shiny coat, awesome pointy ears and a tail that winds up like a helicopter but most importantly I am a real sweet, friendly and fun boy that is always up for an adventure. I think I might be ok to live with children 10 and over or maybe even another medium or larger play buddy!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP).We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Kim ARP
This stunning girl is a real leaner! She will lean on you for pats any opportunity she gets and we are all here for it. This cutie is a quiet and gentle girl that can sometimes be a little shy but she tries her hardest. We think she may thrive in a home that has a bit of a yard to play in and children 10 and over that will love to play with her but also happy to give her space when she wants to just chill. She may also be ok living with another male canine companion of any size.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP).We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.
Peggy
Norma Jae
Pershing ARP
If you are looking for a smallish male greyhound, well look no further than Pershing! Pershing can act like an excitable goofy puppy upon first meeting him but then settles down and is a friendly and affectionate boy. Pershing may suit living with or without a canine pal of similar size and children aged 10 years and older. Due to his puppyish nature, he wouldn’t be suited to live in an apartment or with elderly.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with their racing owners until they find an adoptive home, at which point they are brought back into GAP. This means that should you be interested in adopting this dog, we are bringing the dog into GAP on the understanding that you will be adopting this particular dog, and not other dogs currently in our care.