Epsilon Archive for Student Projects

Abstract

The objective of the essay was to identify the nursing care required by a dog suffering from heat stroke and how to educate and advice the owners how to start treating their dog and prevent the condition from occurring in the first place.
The essay is based on a literature study. Several databases were searched for scientific research to try find answers to the issues. Keywords concerning the subject were used and mixed in different combinations to sort out the suitable studies.
The results of the study indicate that the dog should be cooled by the owner directly after detection. The most crucial issue is to reduce the body temperature as quickly as possible or the morbidity will worsen. One of the most effective ways to cool the dog is to rinse the dog with water, focusing on the inside of the hind legs, belly and neck. It will be beneficial to set a fan blowing over the dog simultaneously. The water temperature should be approximately 15°C. The dog will need critical care by the veterinary and the veterinary nurse and should be monitored closely because the risk of complication is high.
The owner should know the signs of heat stroke and how to perform first aid. They must be aware of the risks by keeping the dog in a car, or getting them in to physical activities in hot weather. The owner can prevent a heat stroke by keeping the dog in an ideal weight, to let the dog acclimatize properly to a warmer climate and by knowing that big breeds, brachyocephalic dogs or dogs with decreased ventilation, thick coated dogs, geriatric dogs and dogs with heart- or neurological conditions are predisposed to suffer from heat stroke.
Drawn conclusion is that it is essential that a dog suffering from heat stroke gets treated to reduce the core temperature as soon as possible after the onset of the condition. The key for preventing the emergency and to improve the outcome is owner education.