Heatstroke and your Dobermann

​While we most often think of heat stroke occurring to dogs left in cars, heat exhaustion and heatstroke can also happen anytime your Doberman hasn't had a chance to acclimate to the sudden and intense heat of summer such as a short spring, early and intense summers can overwhelm your Dobermans ability to deal effectively with the new surge in heat, your Doberman also may be especially vulnerable while traveling from your normally cool temperatures to a much hotter climate.

Here in Central Oregon's high desert we just went from freezing temps at night to a sustained 100+ daytime temperature for nearly 2 weeks! Our Dobermans are lucky that they have ponds and creeks to cool themselves in, but even so we had an older Doberman show the beginning signs of heat exhaustion while outside. We quickly hosed him down with cool water until he quit panting and brought him inside into the air conditioned 75' temperature where he stayed for the rest of the day.
Pay close attention to those springs where your Doberman and even horses have not had a chance to acclimate, they and you can get caught off guard by the sudden and intense heat.

On an 85°F day it takes only 10 minutes for the interior of a parked car to climb to 102°F. In a half hour, it can reach 120°F. And please don't think that by leaving windows partly open that you won't heat up the inside of you vehicle.

Symptoms of overheating include:
Heavy panting or rapid breathing, Excessive thirst, Staggering, Weakness and collapse, Glazed eyes, Dark red or bluish colored tongue, Excessive drooling. In addition to hot vehicles other contributors to pet overheating include humid conditions, lack of drinking water, obesity, and overexertion.
 
Some Dobermans are at higher risk for heat-related illness than others, older pets, puppies, animals that are ill or have a chronic health condition, pets not used to warm weather, and any aged Doberman that has been left outside in very hot weather (i.e. above 95').

By the time your Doberman is showing signs of heatstroke, it may be too late to save him.

How to Prevent Your Doberman from Overheating;
Provide plenty of fresh clean drinking water at all times. If your Doberman will be outside for any length of time in extremely hot weather, they should have access to complete shade. If you think your dog is getting overheated remember that most Dobermans love to play in the sprinkler, or can give them a cool water hose bath to quickly cool them down.

Don't walk or exercise your pet on blacktop or pavement when it's hot outside! Don't take your Doberman on a strenuous jog or long walk or hike when it's above 90', stick to the shade and grassy spots when you walk your Doberman.

If you think your Doberman is beginning to suffer heat stroke or exhaustion please go immediately to the nearest veterinarian office for life saving treatment.