Heatstroke in Dogs: A South African Summer Guide

A Highveld afternoon in January or a Lowveld morning in February will put a dog into heatstroke faster than most owners believe. Dogs cannot sweat meaningfully — they cool by panting, and once the air is hot and humid, panting stops working.

The signs, in order

Heavy relentless panting first, then thick drool, bright red gums and tongue, then unsteadiness, vomiting or diarrhoea, then collapse and seizures. A dog that stops panting and goes quiet is not recovering — that is a very bad sign.

How to cool correctly

• Move to shade or air conditioning immediately.
• Wet the dog with cool tap water — not iced water. Ice-cold water on a very hot dog constricts surface blood vessels and can trap heat in the core. Cool running water over the belly, armpits, groin and paws is the fastest route.
• Get air moving. A fan, an open car window, anything. Evaporation does most of the cooling.
• Offer small amounts of water to drink if the dog is conscious. Do not force water into a collapsed dog.
• Then drive to the vet anyway. Internal damage to the gut lining, kidneys and clotting system can appear hours after the dog looks fine.

Do not cover a hot dog with a wet towel and leave it — a soaked towel becomes an insulating layer. Wet, then remove and re-wet.

Who is at highest risk

Flat-faced breeds — bulldogs, pugs, boxers, Boston terriers — are at dramatically higher risk and can overheat on a mild day. So are overweight dogs, thick-coated breeds like huskies and chows, black-coated dogs in direct sun, puppies, seniors, and any dog with heart or airway disease.

The summer rules

Walk before 8am or after 6pm in summer. Press the back of your hand to the tar for seven seconds — if you cannot hold it, it will burn paw pads. Never leave a dog in a parked car, not for five minutes, not with a window cracked; a car interior in Gauteng can exceed 50°C within minutes. Provide multiple water bowls in shade, and a shell pool or a wet patch of paving for dogs that like it.