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.
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Meet our dogs ready for adoption
All greyhounds adopted from GAP are de-sexed, vaccinated, microchipped, wormed and health checked.
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Posh Spice
Whippa
Peanut
Florida ARP
Its always sunny in Florida right!? This boy will certainly bring the sunshine into your life with his sweet, gentle, affection but puppy ways. He is just a young guy who is still very new to the world so he may take some time getting use to the big wide world but once he grows in your home he will shine! We think he may suit children 10 and over and may find his confidence with another 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 no other dogs currently in our care.
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Jeanie ARP
Jeanie is a playful, happy, social girl that loves treats and toy time and will fill her new home with so much joy! She is the beam of sunshine you have been looking for in your new companion! We think Jeanie may suit living with children 10 and over and another medium or larger male canine companion. She would love an outside area to play in in her new home!
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 no other dogs currently in our care.
Princess ARP
We all might think that the little girls in our life are Princesses, but this girl truly is one, in the best kind of way! She is graceful, gentle, softly spoken, friendly, affectionate and boy does she have the best smile! She just wants to love and be loved! Princess may suit a home with children 10 and over and another medium or larger Prince in the palace. She may be ok for full-time workers too!
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 no other dogs currently in our care.
Mandy ARP
Mandy is as sweet, affectionate and gentle as they come. Whilst she might not be the life of the party, Mandy has the best qualities that everyone would want in a Greyhound. We think that Mandy may suit living in many homes and even ones with children 5 and over and another male canine companion to snooze the day away with or join her sniffari's in the neighborhood. We think she may also suit living with full time workers.
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 intoGAP. 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 no other dogs currently in our care.
Thorn ARP
Looking for a tall, handsome, friendly and affectionate young man in your life? Well, we have just the guy for you! Thorn wont be the prick you are expecting, he will sweep you off your feet with the most charming eyes and willingness to please. He just asks for the best ear scratches in return as these are his favourite. We think he may suit many homes including those with children 5 and over and maybe even with some fellow roommates of any size. Thorn may even be ok if you let him be a stay at home couch potato whilst you are out earning more treato money!
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 no other dogs currently in our care.
Sylvie
Pearl Jam