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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Maui
Indy ARP
Indy is a pretty girl with a gentle, easy-going nature that makes her a pleasure to be around. Quiet, calm and polite, she is sweet, friendly and affectionate, with a lovely habit of seeking eye contact and looking to her people for guidance. Confident without being over-the-top, Indy is easy to handle, walks nicely on lead and is always eager to please.
While Indy enjoys canine company, she prefers polite and placid dogs who respect her space, particularly male dogs. She is not a fan of boisterous dogs rushing up to her and may also be perfectly happy as the only dog in the home. Indy may suit a family with children aged 10 years and older who can appreciate her gentle nature. With her kind heart, good manners and loving personality, Indy is sure to make a wonderful companion.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.
If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Chief ARP
Chief is a handsome, solidly built boy with striking light-coloured eyes and a personality to match. Friendly, outgoing and full of confidence, he loves meeting new people and is always happy to make new friends, especially if treats are involved! Chief is a personable lad who enjoys being part of the action and brings plenty of charm wherever he goes. One of Chief's most entertaining quirks is his hilarious response to being patted down his back, his tail pops up momentarily, a talent that had staff in fits of laughter! With his affectionate nature and easy-going attitude, Chief may suit a home with or without a canine companion of a similar size and is likely to do well with children aged 10 years and older. This lovely boy is sure to bring plenty of fun, companionship and smiles to his future family.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home. If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Boysenberry ARP
Boysenberry is a beautiful girl with a lovely soft coat and an even lovelier personality. Sweet, friendly, affectionate and full of confidence, she adores people and is always ready to share her enthusiasm with those around her. An outgoing extrovert, Boysenberry loves attention and has a charming habit of jumping up for cuddles whenever the opportunity arises. She has some experience in a home, is toilet trained, can confidently manage stairs, and even knows how to shake hands on command before receiving her dinner.
Active and personable, Boysenberry would thrive in a home with a secure backyard where she can run, play and enjoy family life. She will likely suit a home with or without a canine companion of a similar size and is expected to do well with children aged 10 years and older. With her affectionate nature and fun-loving spirit, Boysenberry is ready to become a much-loved member of a lucky family.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home.
If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Ruffus ARP
Ruffus is a sweet, friendly boy with a happy waggy tail and a big personality to match. Outgoing, confident, and affectionate, he loves treats, seeks eye contact, and is always keen to please his people. With his puppyish enthusiasm, playful nature, and quirky charm, Ruffus is sure to keep you smiling. He's a good traveller and a wonderfully goofy boy who enjoys being part of the action. Ruffus may be suited to a home on his own or may be suitable to live with robust small, medium, or large dogs. He may also be suitable to live with children aged 10 years and older.
This greyhound is part of our Assisted Rehoming Program (ARP). Through this program, greyhounds stay with their current owners while they wait to find their perfect forever home. If you're interested in adopting this dog, we'll arrange for them to come into GAP specifically for you to meet and complete the adoption process. Since the dog is being brought into the program based on your interest, we ask that applicants be reasonably confident this is the greyhound they'd like to welcome into their family. Unlike our standard adoption process, you won't be able to meet multiple dogs at the same time however our team will share lots of information about this greyhound to help you determine if they're the perfect match for your family.
Little Man
George
Hercules
Cowboy