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SHRINKABULLS STYLE ENGLISH & FRENCH BULLDOGS

HEATSTROKE IN ENGLISH BULLDOGS/MINIATURE ENGLISH BULLDOGS

Heatstroke is something every owner of a Bully breed (brachycephalic/snub-nosed) dog should educate themselves on. As English & Mini English Bulldogs have smaller airways & flater faces than most other breeds of dogs. Any breed of dog with pushed up snouts like English Bulldogs and Mini English Bulldogs have a tougher time in hot weather than others. They will require extra care and precautions to make sure they keep comfortable and safe from the heat.

It is not uncommon to hear about someone who left their dog in a parked car, even for just a few minutes, and came back to find them suffering from heatstroke.

Keep your English Bulldog cool by using a cool spray bottle for outings. Cool coats, cool collars, ice, etc.

If temperatures are about 70º-80ºF a car can heat up to 100ºF within minutes. If the temperature is 85ºF and the windows are slightly open the temperature inside can reach 102ºF in ten minutes and in 30 minutes it can reach 120ºF.

On hot and humid days the temperature inside a car parked in the sun can increase more than 30ºF each minute. That quickly becomes lethal since at 110ºF, most dogs are in danger of heatstroke.

However, the smaller breathing system of the Miniature English Bulldog is what puts them at a higher risk for heat stroke. Smaller airways mean less possibility of cooling the air which your English Bulldog draws into its body. Dogs do not sweat. Their only means of reducing built-up body heat is by panting. The leading cause of heat exhaustion, and its advancing into heat stroke; is leaving a dog in a hot car, but there are other things that cause it like the loss of electric in your home on a hot day while your at work, etc. Even on a mild day (75-80ºF), the temperature inside a car can raise up to 130 degrees rather quickly. Leaving a window slightly open will not prevent heat buildup.

The best thing you can do is leave your English Bulldog breed at home when you go out and expect to go somewhere where pets are not allowed, and thehelping your bulldog with heatstroke only alternative would be to leave your Bully kid in the car. English Bulldog dehydrate very quickly, so their water bowls need to be refilled several times a day with cool, fresh water.

When you take your English Bulldog outside to potty or walk during the day, be sure to limit the amount of time you allow your English Bulldog to remain outside, and make sure he stays in the shade as much as possible when walking him. Also, closely monitor your English Bulldogs breathing.If he begins to pant very heavily, that is your sign to take him inside or spray him with cool water, let him have a cold drink and rest for a while. Your English Bulldog’s footpads can be sensitive to the heat as well.

Hot pavement can even cause severe burns. For your Mini Bulldogs comfort, try to avoid walking him on hot pavement. We all know what it feels like to walk barefoot on blacktop in hot weather with the sun beating down, not very pleasant.

Signs of heatstroke include, among other things, excessive panting, fainting/passing out, a body temperature of 104-110ºF, very dark or bright red tongue, seizures, bloody diarrhea or vomiting, coma, and even death.

The first signs of heat exhaustion:

 

a) Excessive panting

 

b) The skin on the inside of the ears becomes flushed and red.

Heat Exhaustion can progress in to Heat Stroke, as indicated by:

 

a) Weakness

 

b) Staggering

 

c) Fainting – loss of consciousness

A normal temperature is between 101-102ºF. A body temperature of about 104ºF or higher could be evidence for heat stroke.

If you think your English Bulldog may be having a heatstroke. Heat Stroke is an Emergency – Treat your English Bulldog / Mini English Bulldog NOW! Pull your bully’s tongue far out of his or her mouth to clear open the air way. DO NOT try to force your Mini Bulldog to drink. His swelling airways can cause any liquid he takes in to be regurgitated and possibly aspirated into his lungs. However if your Mini Bulldogs temperature is 105 or higher rub a piece of ice on his tongue, 10 seconds on, 10 seconds off. Hose him down with cool water – not cold. Apply an ice pack to him, and soaked towels or any other form of fabric to his body. Use cool water, not ice water, to cool your English Bulldog. Be careful not to use very cold water as that will cause constriction of your English Bulldogs blood vessels and slow down cooling.

Place your Bulldog in a tub of cool, running water or spray him with a hose, being sure the cool water contacts the skin and doesn’t simply run off the coat. Thoroughly wet the belly and inside the legs. In extreme cases use an ice pack under the neck and front leg pits. Take a rectal temperature if possible to know when to stop cooling. A safe temperature to stop the cooling process is below 103ºF.

To best help your Bulldog handle the heat this summer, take him/her with you in places with A/C . If you won’t be in A/C keep him at home and NOT in a hot car. Make sure he has a steady supply of cool fresh water, shade, decrease his amount of exertion, and try if possible to walk him and do any training in the cooler times of the day. When on outings using a cool spray bottle and cooling products such as cool coats, cool collars, ice, etc. Following these simple steps will ensure that your Miniature English Bulldog has a happy, healthy summer.