Heat Stroke -- Continued

TREATMENT FOR HEAT STROKE

Take the pet's temperature rectally if possible. A body temperature of about 105 degrees or higher is probable evidence for heat stroke. Place your pet in a tub of cool running water or spray with a hose being sure the cool water contacts the skin and doesn't simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. Run the cool water over the tongue and mouth. Take a rectal temperature if possible to know when to stop cooling. A safe temperature is about 103 degrees. A small dog will cool down much faster than a large dog. Once the temperature gets to 103 or 104 degrees do not cool the pet any further because the cooling effects will continue to bring the temperature down even further. Seek veterinary attention as soon as possible.

If you are near an animal hospital, go there right away. At the animal hospital they may administer oxygen, cortisone and dextrose to help protect the traumatized cells. The staff can provide proper cooling measures and monitor the dog's temperature, heart rate and provide oxygen which some evidence indicates may help protect stressed body cells. Providing intravenous fluids and anticoagulants may be utilized as well.

HOW TO AVOID HEAT STROKE

Always be careful about leaving pets in vehicles or tied out in the direct sunlight during warm, sunny days... even a few minutes can be critical. And flea markets and other outdoor activities are often the worst place to bring a dog on a hot summer day. Factors that increase an animal's risk of developing heat stroke include:

• water deprivation
• enclosed space
• excessive humidity
• obesity
• exercise
• age
• cardiovascular disease
• lack of acclimatization

http://www.thepetcenter.com/gen/hs.html

Dachshund Adoption Rescue and Education (DARE) is a no-kill, non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue group. As such DARE specializes in the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of dachshunds and dachshund-mixes regardless of age or health-related issues. As all of the DARE members are volunteers, 100% of every single penny donated to DARE is spent to further DARE's mission of the rescue, rehabilitation and re-homing of dachshunds. As a non-profit, 501(c)3 rescue, all donations to DARE are tax-deductible and DARE will provide you with a receipt for all donations to ensure you are able to take advantage of appropriate and applicable tax deductions related to your DARE donations. Though not a common occurrence, there may be instances where sufficient monies are raised for the specified dog. Should this occur, additional monies will be added to the DARE vetting fund used to pay for the ongoing vetting expenses incurred by DARE dogs currently in care and new incoming dogs.