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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Puddles
Kennard
Vix
Ammonite
Summer ARP
Summer is a sweet and gentle little girl whose quiet charm is impossible to resist. Calm, polite, and sensible, she moves through the world with a soft grace that perfectly matches her pretty looks. She’s a little introverted by nature — not shy exactly, just thoughtful — and has a warmth and personability about her that draws people in without her ever needing to ask for attention. She is simply, and wonderfully, herself. She would thrive in a calm, loving home where she can take life at her own sweet pace, and whoever is lucky enough to adopt her will find a truly special little companion. Summer may suit living with or without a canine pal of any size and children aged 5 years and older. Due to her calm demeanour she may suit living 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.
Buddy ARP
Buddy is the kind of dog who enters a room and instantly makes it brighter — a big, handsome, boofy boy with a personality to match his size. Friendly, outgoing, and brimming with confidence, he approaches life with boundless enthusiasm and a happiness that is utterly contagious. Excitable and boisterous, Buddy is not what you’d call a wallflower — standing still is simply not in his vocabulary — but his joy is so genuine and so exuberant that it’s impossible not to smile in his presence. Throw in a tasty treat or a favourite toy and you’ll have one very happy boy on your hands.
Buddy is a dog who needs space to match his enormous energy and even bigger personality, so a home with a backyard is a must — somewhere he can zoom, bound, and burn off that glorious enthusiasm of his. He will thrive with an active family who can match his zest for life and keep him engaged, stimulated, and loved. In return, Buddy will bring laughter, liveliness, and a whole lot of heart to whoever is lucky enough to call him theirs. Buddy may suit living with or without a canine likeminded friend of similar size and children aged 10 years and older.
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.
Mia ARP
Mia is a sweet and gentle soul who, despite the anxiety she carries, faces the world with a quiet determination and a willingness to try that is truly heartwarming. Calm and polite, she is the kind of girl who will never impose herself, always erring on the softer, more submissive side — but underneath that gentle exterior is a friendly, personable little dog who genuinely wants to connect. She may need a little extra time and reassurance to find her confidence, but every small step she takes is a reminder of just how hard she is trying.
A patient, understanding home is where Mia will truly begin to flourish. She would do well with children aged 10 and older — those who are calm and kind and will give her the space to settle at her own pace. In the right environment, with gentle routines and plenty of quiet encouragement, Mia has every chance of blossoming into a deeply loving and devoted companion. She deserves someone who will champion her, and in return, she will give everything she has. She may also suit living as an only dog but may thrive best in a home with a confident canine companion of similar size to help bring out her confidence.
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.
Astra ARP
Astra is a sweet girl. She is friendly, confident and affectionate. She may suit living with small, medium or large dogs and may suit living with kids 5+.
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.
Billy
Haley ARP
