Hot Weather Facts

The following is a collection of material concerning the problems of overheated dogs. I have gathered this information to help understand the problems, and how to treat it. I am not a veterinarian, nor do I pretend to be. If your dog has a medical problem, then you need to have the dog checked out by a vet. This page is for information to help owners understand these problems dogs sometimes have.

Feel free to link this page. Information on this page, and information on many of the links, is copyrighted and may not be copied with out the express permission of the author.

There are many reasons why dogs overheat easily, and I hope you find the web links and information helpful.

Are there really Border Collies who are Couch Potatoes? Here is a lot of information about high energy dogs and ways to tell if your dog is exhausted, and what to do about it. Thanks to Dr. Nick Carter for this information.

What about shaving your dog in the spring?
Shaving your Border Collie can be harmful to your dog's health. Click here to Dr. Nicks answer to this question.

Some Hot Weather Lure Coursing Tips This is a great information source that explains how dogs overheat, and how to cool you dog off.

Should a dog be dunked in ice water to be cooled down quickly?

What about other cooling methods?

Maglinant Hyperthermia

The thermal regulatory mechanism of the body is under the control of the thermal regulatory center located in the preoptic region of the anterior hypothalamus. Core body temperature is kept relatively constant in the normal dog under the usual ambient temperature fluctuations. Elevated ambient temperatures stimulate panting, drooling of saliva, and vasodilatation which cool the body by evaporation and radiation. Abnormal ambient temperature elevations and increased humidity may make it difficult for the normal means of temperature control to function. Brachycephalic breeds, older animals, animals with cardiovascular disease, upper respiratory dysfunction and obese animals have a more difficult time regulating core body temperature. Nervous, excited animals and those being excessively exercised also have a difficult time regulating body temperature. Malignant Hyperthermia is one of several causes of Heat Stroke and Heat Prostration. It is not known if it is inherited.

Dr. Bogard

Be Aware of Symptoms of Hyperthermia A news article about hyperthermia. This artical is more related to Humans rather than Canines.

Miscelanous Web Links

Other ways to cool a dog down.

My 2 yr. Border Collie overheats easily. I live in South Carolina where high heat and humidity are present. This is a tennis ball / frisbee crazy dog. As long as he has the 'eye' on the toy, he will not pant, or will pant very lightly. I have to ::: Tell ::: him to drink water. He will play to the point of heating himself towards heat exhaustion. This can happen in 10 minutes of heavy exercise. My BC is physically fit. The vet says his heart rate is like a marathon runner's, and he will swim in the lake (when I get him there) for hours on end. While I have found a good backyard solution (the kiddy pool) I am looking for a good way to cool him off when I am away from home.

Keith Yockey

Dear Keith

I'm pleased to say that this is not a problem we suffer from frequently in the UK. Some might hope that it were.
The only suggestion is to either limit your frisbee episodes to the early morning or later evening when the direct heat of the sun has eased or to carry a supply of water for soaking the collie as often as possible.
If your veterinarian is happy with your collies cardio-vascular health there should be few risks to his exhaustion.
I appreciate your comments regarding the determination of collies to exercise to this state as I own a 4 y.o. female Border Collie myself.

I'm sure you have thought of these solutions yourself but if I have any sudden blinding flashes of inspiration I'll get back to you.

Craig Harrison

Should a dog be dunked in ice water to be cooled down quickly?

Lorraine Borro-Ayres writes to the Border Collie List:

To: BC-L@cornell.edu
Date: Wednesday, May 14, 1997 9:35 PM

Hi Laura & list,

There was a discussion on this list about BC's that overheat easily, and I'm sure someone will reply to you about that condition. What I want to say is DON'T put your dog in a tub of ice water. You will drop the temperature too fast and that's dangerous. Instead, you can soak bath towels in cold water and cover Kody with them. This will reduce the temperature slowly. You can take his temperature with a rectal thermometer...normal dog temp is 101 to 102 F, but 103 and up is considered a temperature. If his temperature is 104 or greater, you should call your vet immediately. Temperatures of 107 or greater can kill a dog. Please have Kody checked by your vet, and do not let him spend extended periods in the sun, or exercise him until he's been checked. He may be more quickly overheated after this incident.

Lorraine, Josie (mom's not gonna let me work unless it's real early in the morning), & the Gang

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