posted on June 13, 2005 06:06:49 AM new
My daughter has a 9 year old golden lab that's a bit overweight. Yesterday around 4 PM, we decided to take her down to the park for a walk. Where we were going it's about 5 degrees cooler. Even then it was still in the 80's. We brought along plenty of water for her.
About 1/4 mile into the walk, she started appearing tired so we decided to go back. About 1/2 of the way back, her back legs gave out and she collapsed. She was panting and drooling terribly. We stayed in that spot for about 10 minutes getting water into her. When she still couldn't move, Tiffany (my granddaughter) and I ran full speed to the ranger's station about 500 feet away crying all the way. The ranger on duty called other rangers and asked if we could get Summer to the station. Well, Summer weighs at least 80 lbs. By the time I got back to the dog, she had apparently bit her lip from panting so much and it was bleeding. Ken picked her up and walked swiftly the 500 feet to the station where we spent the next 45 minutes hosing her down.
Her skin beneath her fur was red as well as her eyes, her tongue (unusually red) and her belly felt hot. We were finally able to get her temp back to normal with the cool water. Ken had to drive the jeep through the park to the ranger's station where we had to lift her up into it.
When we got her home, she got a nice cool bath outside because she was a muddy mess. All night she just layed outside on our porch where it was cool. We slept outside with her.
Thankfully, this morning she's just about back to her old self. Her legs are still a bit shaky, but she's eating and is walking around.
This was a wake up call that even though we may not feel hot, our animals (especially old and overweight ones) feel the heat more than we do. They are bogged down with fur and can't tell us when they're too hot. What may seem like a good idea at the time, may not be. Think about it very hard first. Summer is spending the day in an air conditioned home today.
If it weren't for the quick thinking of the rangers and their assistance in getting us a hose and water, Summer may not have made it. I plan on going back to that ranger's station this week and taking a special treat for all of them that helped us. They really went above and beyond the call of duty on this one!
posted on June 13, 2005 09:27:04 AM new
Cheryl what a story. You are so lucky, thank heavens a rangers station was near & you knew what to do & do it fast.
Just the other day in Philadelphia, in 90 degree weather, an overheated street worker told his co-workers he had to stop & take a break. Minutes later he collapsed & was rushed to the hospital. He died with a core temperature of 108 degrees.
One of my cats is outside sleeping on the deck in the sun. It's 90 degrees & soon as I post this I'm going out & bring him in.
posted on June 13, 2005 10:39:36 AM new
Yeah, they (the critters) really LOVE the HEAT!
Ole FAT-BOY'S idea of NIRVANNA is a sunny & 90 degree FL afternoon! Take him out, and he immediately flops on the grass, rolls over on his back, sticks his legs in the air, and then demands a belly-rub...
Unfortunately, BT's are especiually prone to heat stroke, & I have to kick his tuckus up the stairs after about 10minutes tops!
Last week I allowed him to play for 20minutes with a ball outside, and he was a wreck when we came back in -- good reminder & wake-up for both of us about the HAZARDS of HEAT!
posted on June 13, 2005 10:57:27 AM new
It's a very different nature between cats & dogs Tom. Dogs will run & play no matter how high the temperature, cats will just lay there & sleep.
Heat stroke can strike like lightning & is often fatal.
Cheryl's fast action saved her dog's life, not to mention that she knew what was happening & knew what to do.
posted on June 13, 2005 12:59:01 PM new
Here's a very good website that explains Heat Exhaustion (what Summer had) and Heat Stroke and what to do if it happens.
Heat Exhaustion will lead to Heat Stroke if it's not taken care of right away. Whenever we have Summer with us in the car, we take a 5 gallon container of water. All the way home in the car, we were putting that water on her. I'm thankful we had it. Our car may smell like wet dog (yuk), but we still have Summer and I'll take the wet dog smell over losing her any day!
Cheryl
[ edited by CBlev65252 on Jun 13, 2005 01:01 PM ]
