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What Are The Signs Of Heat Stroke In Pets?

Imagine not being able to shed your winter clothes on a hot summer day, and your only means of cooling off was by panting. Dogs and cats have little choice when it comes to keeping cool in summer heat. Recognizing the signs of heatstroke will allow for prompt treatment; and time is of the essence when treating this condition.

Signs of heat stroke include (but are not limited to):

•  body temperatures of 104-110F degrees

•  excessive panting

•  dark or bright red tongue and gums

•  sticky or dry tongue and gums

•  staggering

•  stupor

•  seizures

•  bloody diarrhea or vomiting

​Dilated Cardiomyopathy

Dilated Cardiomyopathy is a disease of the heart muscle that results in weakened contractions and poor pumping ability. As the disease progresses the heart chambers become enlarged, one or more valves may leak, and signs of congestive heart failure develop. The cause of Dilated Cardiomyopathy is unclear in most cases, but certain breeds appear to have an inherited predisposition.

Many emerging reports and a recent warning from the FDA implicates many reported cases of Dilated Cardiomyopathy in dogs being fed grain-free diets*. These warnings and additional concerns being reported in the veterinary profession are looking closely at limited ingredient diets that are void of some essential nutrients. Grains contain many essential amino acids that are necessary for good canine health. We continue to research into complete and balanced diets and will share this information so you can make nutritionally sound choices for your pet.

* FDA Investigation into Potential Link between Certain Diets and Canine Dilated Cardiomyopathy.

Vet's Pet Tips

​Food Allergies

Our participation in many dermatology studies with pharmaceutical companies has shown that many reoccurring ear-related infections and hot spots are food or treat related. The three most implicated ingredients are beef, wheat, and dairy. The Scoop No Chelated Copper or Copper Sulfate Added Dog Food recipes do not contain these three ingredients for this exact reason. In many food studies, by eliminating any beef, wheat, or dairy from the diets, most medical conditions cleared on their own.

The culprit is often food or treat protein that triggers an adverse response in the dog’s immune system.
Beef, wheat, and dairy are the top three ingredients related to allergic reactions.

Adverse Food Reactions

Adverse food reactions are uniquely different than food allergies in that they come in many forms, like repeated bouts with soft stool or diarrhea, vomiting food with bile early after eating, or bouts of gas and noisy gastric sounds. Many dogs being fed foods containing unnecessary additives or a protein source that they have a hard time digesting, suffer more from these symptoms. In feeding studies, by eliminating these sources most, if not all, symptoms disappeared. Also watch for additives: chemicals, preservatives, colorants, and flavorants. These are not likely to cause a true allergy, but they could trigger an adverse reaction or intolerance symptoms.

Symptoms similar to food allergies, but the immune system isn’t involved.
Triggered by an ingredient in the food or treat that just doesn’t agree with the dog’s digestive system.

Vet Videos: 

What veterinary offices are doing to help you.

An inside look at what veterinarians are doing to make your life as a pet owner easier.

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Provide an Enriched Environment

An enriched environment is another key to the long-term health and welfare of your canine and feline friends.

Pets need mental stimulation, say the pros, which may mean daily walks for your pooch, and scratching posts, window perches, and toys for your cat. It means play time with you, which not only keeps your pet's muscles toned and boredom at bay, it also strengthens your bond with your four-footed companions.

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ID Microchip Your Pet

Lack of identification means as few as 14% of pets ever find their way home after getting lost. Fortunately, "microchipping allows for the pet to be reunited with its family," no matter how far away it is when found.

About the size of a rice grain, a microchip is inserted under the skin in less than a second. It needs no battery and can be scanned by a vet or an animal control officer in seconds.