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We Lost Our 6 Month Old Puppy Yesterday And We Think She Might Have Suffered From Heat Stroke. Was There Anything I Could Have Done To Prevent Her Death?

She had plenty of water and access to shade. I checked on her at 1pm, she was playing with her brother and seemed normal. I went into my studio at 1:05, at 1:15 I went out to take the puppies in for the afternoon and she was lying in the grass and she didnt respond when I called her name. When I got to her I realized she had died. I am so perplexed by what happened to her, and need to know if there was anything I could have done to prevent her death.

asked 5 months ago

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Yergamon

It does not sound at all like your dog suffered heat stroke. Signs of this would be excessive panting and hyperventilation, excessive salivation follwed by very dry gums and other such obvious distress and you will have easily noticed this at 1:00pm. And when temperatures are above 105F, most dogs instinctively monitor their voluntary exertion to avoid overheating. It is very rare to see heat exhaustion in dogs that haven't been confined a hot car or greenhouse, for example, and your dog had both water and shade. It sounds more like your dog may have rather suffered aneurysm, heart failure or stroke (blood clot to lung, heart or brain, for example) or other anomoly since the death was quite sudden. I highly doubt there was anything you might have done to prevent it. Like in all creatures, the body is simply subject to the various anomolies of our physiology. I am very sorry for the loss of your beloved dog.

Also, if you do notice the signs of heatstroke in any dog, the steps to take would be to quickly ensure hydration, and even apply the dog with ice packs in armpits or neck region, and/or douse with cool (not cold) water and simultaeously blow air onto her with a fan if you can to lower body temperature safely. When dog resumes more comfort, it should be immediately followed with a visit to vet to determine if any deeper damage has been sustained.

answered 5 months ago

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Thank you Yergamon. you have been very helpful. It has been very perplexing in how she died. I am absolutely positive about the time frame. 6 month old seeming healthy and active puppies just don't drop over like that. The temp was about 95 degrees and humid, but we're beginning to think there must have been some underlying problem. We are also wondering if she may have been bitten by a snake. we are in southern Mississippi and way out in the country, there are rattlesnakes and cottonmouths here and that's a distinct possibility. but we will never know. Thanks again for your help. ~Mati~

comment made by Mati_f 5 months ago Report