Here’s Exactly What Happens To The Body Of A Dog Left In A Hot Car
Unlike humans, dogs are unable to sweat. They rely mainly on their respiratory tract, that is panting, to dissipate heat. Dogs with more nasal surface area (think Greyhounds, German Shepherds and Labs) are more efficient at dispelling heat, while “smashed” faced” breeds (like Pugs, Bulldogs or Shih Tzus) are more prone to overheating due to shorter nasal passages.
Sunlight can heat car interiors to lethal temperatures in just 30 minutes, even if the weather is relatively cool and window are cracked, an Animal Protection Institute study has found. On an 85 degree day, the temperature inside a car can rise to approximately 119 degrees in 30 minutes. And other research has shown that when temperatures rise above 95°, sealed cars reach a suffocating 149° in just 15 minutes. Yikes!
As the temperature inside the car increases, the dog’s heart rate increases to move more blood to the body’s surface in an attempt to dissipate heat. But that drops his blood pressure and panting no longer works so the body’s core temp increases even more.
That increased body temp damages the lining of all the blood vessels and they initiate clotting in an attempt to repair themselves . But the clots circulate throughout the dog’s body and start to cause cell damage simultaneously in multiple organs. First the brain then the kidneys, liver, and GI tract. Dogs with heatstroke present in an altered mental state, from mild disorientation to depression, to muscle tremors, seizures or coma. The clots and the production of toxins in other damaged tissues clog renal tubules and lead to renal shutdown. The clots flooding into the liver prevent its essential function of detoxification and blood glucose regulation leading to hypoglycemia and failure. Damage to the lining of the GI tract results in blood loss through bloody vomit, bloody diarrhea, gastric ulceration, and potentially sloughing of the GI tract lining itself.
So when you come back to your car and find your dog on his side in the back seat, unresponsive, and breathing heavily.with his gums all purple, his eyes rolled back, and hot as an oven, what are you going to DO?
Best action is to turn on the AC, and STEP ON IT to the closest veterinarian. Mortality from heatstroke is approximately 50%, and worsens with every second. Fluid replacement, aggressive cooling techniques, oxygen therapy, circulatory support, and monitoring of organ systems needs to be instituted immediately. And the bill for this type of problem can quickly climb into the thousands of dollars., with no guarantee your dog will survive.
