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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Hendrix
Donny ARP
If you are looking for a big love bug that can be soft and cuddly then Donny may just be the love of your life. He is sweet and affectionate, but it can take him a little bit to feel comfortable with new people and environments. Once he is settled, he is a goofy oversized puppy that will lean on you for a good scratch. We think he may suit living with children 10 and over and with or without another medium or larger canine companion. No apartments for his boy though as he does like to show you his silly side and do zoomies!
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept 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 them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Tessa ARP
How stunning is the cow print on this little girl! She is sweet, smart and soft, affectionate and can be a little shy to start but when she is comfortable she shows her silly, puppyish side and loves to do zoomies! We think she may suit living with another male dog of any size and children 10 and over as long as they are respectful of her space as she settles in. She may suit living with full time workers as well.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept 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 them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Donald ARP
This handsome man is Donald, but his mates affectionately call him Snowman for obvious reasons! He is all the sweetness in the world, loves to have a cuddle and will look up at you with his stunning eyes. You wont be able to stop patting him as he has the softest coat and he will just keep coming back for more. We think he may suit living with children 5 years and over and or without another medium or larger dog.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept 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 them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Mack ARP
Mack is a four-year-old boy who is, quite simply, a pleasure to be around. Handsome and elegant in the way only greyhounds can be, he is also genuinely sweet — the kind of dog who leans in for affection and rewards you with a calm, grateful warmth that is hard not to fall for. He is friendly and personable, and those who take a little time with him will find an affectionate soul who truly appreciates gentle kindness. Patient, soft-natured, and quietly charming, Mack is the sort of dog who makes himself at home in your heart before you’ve quite noticed it happening.
Mack is well-placed to share his home with a dog of any size or breed, making him a wonderfully flexible addition to a household that already has a canine resident. He would suit a family with children aged ten and over, who will appreciate his gentle nature and give him the calm, considered companionship he deserves. If you have a quiet lap and a soft voice to offer, Mack will return it tenfold.
Mack is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). We have behavioural and health assessed this lovely dog, and they will remain with t heir 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.
Jack ARP
Gentle Jack is ready to find his forever couch! This lovely boy has a calm and quiet nature and has the skill to climb stairs! Jack may be suited to an elderly owner and may also enjoying having human siblings ages 5+. He may be happy with another medium or large dog but would prefer to not have small dogs or cats in his home. Jack may suit a wide variety of homes and we cant wait for him to find his new family!
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.
Pizza
Ace
Rubharb Ruby ARP
Like he rname, Rhubarb Ruby is equal parts sweet and full of character. This little girl is friendly, affectionate and always happy to make new friends. With her puppyish personality and enthusiastic approach to life, Ruby brings plenty of fun wherever she goes. Ruby loves treats, enjoys being around people and has a wonderfully sweet and personable nature. Her happy, excitable energy is guaranteed to keep you smiling. Ruby may be suited to live as an only pet or may suit living with medium or large dogs. Ruby may be suitable to live with children 5 and over. Rhubarb Ruby has a deformed jaw and will need regular 6 monthly teeth check ups.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept 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 them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.
Colt ARP
Don’t let the name fool you – Colt is much more of a gentle gentleman than a wild stallion. Quiet, calm and polite, this sweet boy loves spending time with people and has a friendly and affectionate nature. His adorable eye contact is guaranteed to win you over.
Colt would suit living as an only dog or may be suitable to live with a canine friend of any size. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 5 and over.Because of his lovely nature he may be suitable to live in an apartment.
This dog is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). ARP dogs are kept 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 them. As such, you will not be able to meet any other dogs, as you otherwise would be able to.