*Posted by "AnneC" on the gracanada website
Compilation of info from info posted on GreyTalk and a variety of sources (see references at end)
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke ARE SERIOUS, do not take chances!
Greyhounds CANNOT tolerate the heat and humidity of our summers. They have thin coats, long stringy muscles and little fat, which gives them minimal insulation against heat or cold. Greyhounds are best kept in consistently moderate temperatures of 68 to 72 degrees. Just because your dog is from Florida or Alabama doesn’t mean he/she is used to the heat - racers are kept in air conditioned kennels. You are going to have to keep him/her cool this summer.
A person and dog's worst enemy in the summer is HUMIDITY! This condition adds a lot of moisture to the air, and inhibits the body's ability to cool itself! In the hot weather, only walk your dog early in the mornings, or shortly after the sun goes down. Avoid outside exposure from about 2-7 p.m. - THE hottest time of the day!
Keep in mind that fans work on people because we perspire. When the fan blows across us, it evaporates the perspiration which cools us down. Dogs do not sweat to allow this to happen. If you only have a fan, wet them down with a towel so they also can get the cooling benefits of the fan.
Dogs should always have water readily available; keep it cool by adding ice cubes. Squirting a greyhound down with cool water will help prevent overheating. You can also wet a towel and drape it over the dog's body. Some dogs love to stand in a wading pool, others just dive right in! Just make sure the water is tepid, not cold and that you are prepared for a wet shower when they get out.
Symptoms of Heat Stroke
Signs of heat stroke include heavy panting, weakness and red flushed ears and nose. Dogs can become so weak that they have trouble walking and even faint. Light-colored greyhounds are more prone to heat stroke, which can damage organs in the same way a fever does.
Treatments for Heat Stroke
Cool the greyhound as quickly as possible. Common techniques are spraying water over the dog, draping wet towels over his body. It's critical to keep refreshing the water so that it stays cool.
The homeopathic first aid treatment is belladonna.
Heat Stroke IS a MAJOR MEDICAL EMERGENCY! If your dog remains lethargic, or is running a high temperature, get him/her to the vet immediately.
Prevention of Heat Stroke
Preventing heat stroke means following common sense guidelines.
Basic rule-of-thumb - if you are hot, your dog is hot! If you think your dog is overheated - you can tell by excessive panting, weakness, and lethargy - get him/her into a shaded or air conditioned area as fast as possible. Wet your dog down with cool, not cold, water (do NOT use ice to cool the dog; it can constrict blood vessels). A good way of cooling a dog is to put cool compresses on the femoral arteries, the chest, neck and head.
References & more info
http://www.greyhoundgang.org/medical-heatexhaustion.php
http://www.gcnm.org/heatstroke.html
http://www.canismajor.com/dog/ghound.html
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