Taking Your Dog For A Walk Could Be Life-Threatening In This Heat After Bulldog Almost Dies From Heatstroke

Jul 29, 2019 by apost team

What would you think if your furry friend suddenly collapsed out of the blue after their daily walk? For proud dog owner Shona McLaren, the only thing she could feel was shock and confusion.

Right before she arrived home from the park, it seemed that her one year old American bulldog named Finlay had a wonderful time in the Glasgow summer heat according to The Sun. The one-year-old pup played with some children at the park and ran around for a couple of minutes. 

“I always bring water for Finlay to drink and keep his walks short,” Shona told the tabloid. "I saw him panting and was concerned that he might be getting too hot so I decided to take him home to cool down.”

Soon, Shona and Finlay strolled from the park back home so that Finlay could get adequate rest. However, once they got home it became apparent that something was deeply wrong.

apost.com

Once home, Finlay started exhibiting strange behavior.

"His breathing became more laboured. He sat down and didn't want to move. Then he collapsed completely and his eyes became glassy and his tongue started to turn blue," Shona told the news, "I've never been more scared in my life."

Without a second thought, Shona grabbed Finlay and sped off to the nearest animal emergency center, the Glasgow East PDSA Pet Hospital. By this point, Shona was afraid, confused, and wondering how the routine walk could’ve gone so wrong.

The vets worked to bring Finlay's temperature down to avoid organ failure, it had skyrocketed to a scary 108 degrees. Then, was hosed down with cool water and put on oxygen therapy as well as an IV drip to help get him fluids. Finally, the pup was out of the woods and reunited with his owner. Terri Steel, a vet at the center told The Sun,

"While any dog can suffer heatstroke, certain dogs are more at risk. Flat-faced breeds such as Bulldogs, Pugs, and Shih Tzus are more likely to experience heatstroke as they can't cool down as effectively through panting, compared to dogs with a longer nose. So it's especially important to make sure they don't overheat in the first place."

It can be hard to notice, but your pet may be suffering or at risk for heat-related complications on blazing hot summer days. Look out for these signs:

• Excessive Thirst
• Heavy Panting
• Losing Balance
• A Glazed Look In The Eyes
• Vomiting
• Weakness
• Excessive Drooling
• Seizure
• Loss of Consciousness

If your dog demonstrates symptoms of a heat stroke, you should take action as soon as you notice them.

• Move your dog to an area where he or she will be cooler.
• Try to get the dog to drink small amounts of water. Be careful with the portion. Large amounts of water can cause the dog to vomit.
• If you are able, take the dog's temperature.
• Once the dog is stable and comfortable, make a call to a veterinarian.

By following some of these tips, you can make sure to prevent the scary and gut-wrenching consequences that Shona had to suffer. Have you ever heard of this happening to someone you know? Tell us below. Spread the word about this story so others can be informed!