The UK Health Security Agency has issued yellow heat alerts for most of England until 5pm on Thursday, June 27 with temperatures set to rise towards 30 degrees. The Dogs Trust , which has a base in Shrewsbury , is warning that exercising dogs in warm weather can lead to severe health problems for your canine companions as Dogs cannot regulate their body heat in the same way as humans can. If dogs become too hot and cannot sufficiently reduce their body temperature by panting, they may develop heatstroke that could be fatal.
Signs of heatstroke for dogs include heavy panting, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhoea, if the dog seems lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated, and collapsing. The trust says that Brachycephalic or 'flat-faced' breeds such as English Bulldogs, Pugs and French Bulldogs, are especially vulnerable in hot weather. A recent study has shown that nearly 75 percent of cases of heat-related illness in UK dogs were because of exertion, and more than two-thirds were just from walking.
The Dogs Trust has issued advice to owners for if they suspect their dog is experiencing heatstroke: Act immediately to prevent your dog’s condition getting worse. Cool first, transport second. Stop them from playing, walking or whatever activity they’re doing and move the dog to a shaded and cool area.
Start cooling them down urgently. For young, conscious, healthy dogs, this means immersing them in cold water, for example in a paddling pool if possible, keeping their head above .