Are You Smarter Than a Vet Student About Canine Heatstroke?

Time once again for the ageless classic, “Are You Smarter Than A Vet Student?” Given the summer season, I’m providing you with the opportunity to test your knowledge about heatstroke.

You know what to do. Read the questions and choose the best responses. Then, sit on pins and needles for a week while awaiting the answers to these compelling questions. If you provide me with your answers , I will enter your name into a drawing for a signed edition of Speaking for Spot or Your Dog’s Best Health (your choice).

Good luck and may the odds be ever in your favor!

A. If you suspect that your dog has heat stroke the best thing to do is:

1. Give your dog one adult strength aspirin and then proceed immediately to the closest veterinary hospital.
2. Spend a few minutes cooling your dog down with cold water and then proceed immediately to the closest veterinary hospital.
3. Transport your dog immediately to the closest veterinary hospital.
4. Quickly call the veterinary hospital to find out whether or not the symptoms you are observing warrant treatment.

B. Dogs cannot dissipate (release) heat through:

1. Their mouth.
2. The sweat glands on the undersides of their paws.
3. The sweat glands in their ears.
4. The sweat glands on the underside of their abdomen.

C. Which one of the following is not a common symptom of heatstroke?

1. Collapse
2. Heavy panting
3. Vomiting
4. Coughing

D. Which of the following statements is true?

1. Most dogs will regulate their activity level so as to prevent heatstroke.
2. Adequate water intake will prevent heatstroke.
3. Most dogs fully recover from heatstroke if they receive aggressive veterinary care.
4. Heatstroke can occur on a cool day.

E. Which of the following characteristics will not impact a dog’s predisposition to heatstroke?

1. The shape of the dog’s face
2. The length of the dog’s ears
3. The dog’s body condition score (indicates whether a dog is too thin, too fat, or just right)
4. The dog’s age

F. Which answer is true?

1. It is okay to leave your dog in your car on a hot day as long as the windows are rolled down all the way.
2. It is okay to leave your dog in your car on a hot day as longs as he has access to plenty of water.
3. It is okay to leave your dog in a car on a hot day as long as the time does not exceed ten minutes.
4. It is never okay to leave your dog in a car on a hot day.

G. Which disease predisposes a dog to heatstroke?

1. Laryngeal paralysis (dysfunction of the opening to the windpipe)
2. Heartworm disease
3. Kidney failure
4. All of the above

H. On a hot day it is best to

1. Exercise your dog early in the morning or during evening hours.
2. Leave your dog in your air conditioned home rather than taking him with you in your car to run errands.
3. Go swimming and eat lots of ice cream.
4. All of the above!

Don’t forget- in order to be eligible to win a free book, be sure to submit your answers to me!

Best wishes,

Nancy Kay, DVM

Diplomate, American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine
Author of Speaking for Spot: Be the Advocate Your Dog Needs to Live a Happy, Healthy, Longer Life
Author of Your Dog’s Best Health: A Dozen Reasonable Things to Expect From Your Vet
Recipient, Leo K. Bustad Companion Animal Veterinarian of the Year Award
Recipient, American Animal Hospital Association Animal Welfare and Humane Ethics Award
Recipient, Dog Writers Association of America Award for Best Blog
Recipient, Eukanuba Canine Health Award
Recipient, AKC Club Publication Excellence Award
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Please visit http://www.speakingforspot.com to read excerpts from Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health.   There you will also find “Advocacy Aids”- helpful health forms you can download and use for your own dog, and a collection of published articles on advocating for your pet’s health. Speaking for Spot and Your Dog’s Best Health are available at www.speakingforspot.com, Amazon.com, local bookstores, and your favorite online book seller.