A warning message - particularly to those of you with black dogs. We had a very frightening happening today, which has never happened before.
Around midday it had just stopped drizzling; sky overcast, I decided to take four of the bitches for a walk/run on the common behind us.
After about 20 mins, we realised that 6yr old Damson wasn't with us (she's usually so close to me I don't notice her). Whistled for her, and she came eventually - half trying to trot, half staggering, and panting severely. I thought she may have been bitten by an adder; got her back to the house asap, but she was too heavy to carry - she kept dropping down and losing co-ordination in her back legs.
Horrible walk. Her tongue turned red-purple, inside her ears crimson, heart rate very very fast.
Into vets, driving like crazy, trying to keep plenty of fresh air in car. He thought it unlikely to be adder bite as there was no swelling, and diagnosed heat stroke that you'd normally find in a dog in a car on a hot day., but she'd only been outside. It was, of course, warm, but must have been hotter than I thought. Felt so very guilty.

The moral of this story is - for goodness sake don't underestimate the temperature outside, even if it is overcast and drizzling - it's still very warm indeed.

Damson is none the worse now, but all walks are going to be early morning or late evening without fail now. (Was our normal routine when the sun was shining anyhow)

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Jo,

Glad to hear Damson will be ok what a scare that must have been.

I tend to walk my two at night at the moment with it being so warm hubby has been taking them out at 11pm.

BTW thank you for your comments about the tablets will look into it some more.
Also a thank you to Leigh about the collar not thought about that one and again will look in to it.

Karen

Jo, what a dreadful scare you must have got. It's so true, you just never know how hot the sun actually is but you mustn't feel guilty (easier said than done I know) it's not like you knowingly left her in the car or anything. Thanks for the warning though, it could easily happen to any one of us. Pleased that Damson is okay now, what did your vet give her to help ?

Kind regards.

Hi Claire!
As her temperature was still up, he treated her symptomatically, with antibiotic in case there was a hidden infection that she was hatching, making her more sensitive to the heat, and an anti-inflammatory to reduce swellings in the tissues.
As it was, she probably would have cooled down without these, but he couldn't risk something else going on that he wasn't treating.
Then cool, wet towels and cold kitchen floor.
She's fine now, thank goodness.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

Glad to hear it Jo - I love the name Damson for a black dog too!

(I see you've come over here for a bit of light relief!!!)

Best wishes
Llindsay