April 2013 • thirst • restlessness Temperature and Humidity • anxiety in Dog Kennels • generalized weakness

Question. What are the requirements for Untreated heat stress can lead to a heat temperature and humidity within commercial stroke, which is potentially fatal. dog kennels? Answer. Dogs and puppies must never be Heat stroke subjected to any combination of temperature Signs may include: and humidity for a duration that is detrimental • elevated rectal temperature: to the animal’s health or well-being, taking into • more than 104° Fahrenheit requires consideration such factors as the animal’s age, immediate action breed, overall health status and acclimation. • more than 106° Fahrenheit is a dire emergency Q. How long does it take for a dog to become • vigorous/uncontrollable panting acclimated to high or low temperatures? • labored breathing A. It can take anywhere from 7 to 60 days for a • dark red gums healthy dog to become acclimated to high • tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically (more than 85° Fahrenheit) or low (less than the gums) 45° Fahrenheit) temperatures. Factors such as • salivating, thick saliva or foaming at the differences in body size and shape, hair coat, mouth body condition and the dog’s overall health • vomiting status greatly influence the time required for it • bloody diarrhea to acclimate. The safest approach is to plan to • dehydration move dogs during the time of the year with the • lying down and unwilling or unable to get up least amount of temperature and humidity • trembling, dizziness, disorientation extremes – spring or fall. Extreme signs include:

• collapse What are signs that dogs display when they Q. • loss of consciousness; coma cannot adjust to the prevalent climate and • seizures environment? • death A. The following are observable indications of problems. Cold stress/hypothermia Signs in order of appearance: Heat stress • decreased rectal temperature: Signs may include: • mild hypothermia (90 - 99° Fahrenheit) • excessive panting requires action • excessive salivation

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• moderate hypothermia (82 - 90° • dogs in areas with relative humidity levels Fahrenheit) is an emergency of more than 70 percent • severe hypothermia (less than 82° • obese dogs Fahrenheit) is a dire emergency • older dogs • mental depression • very young dogs • lethargy • dogs with heart conditions • weakness • any debilitated dog • shivering • brachycephalic (short-nosed) dogs • muscle stiffness • slow heart rate • dogs that are dehydrated • low blood pressure • dogs without enough shade or potable • reduced respiratory rate and depth of water respiration • dogs that were moved to hot and humid • stupor climates and are not yet acclimated • inaudible heart sounds • labored breathing Risk factors (cold stress / hypothermia): • coma • dogs that are not acclimated • fixed and dilated pupils • dogs in environmental temperatures < 45 • death degrees Fahrenheit Q. Are there certain breeds of dogs that are • dogs that do not have access to dry and more sensitive to temperature extremes? warm shelter • A. Yes. The short-nosed/brachycephalic dogs that have become wet breeds such as pugs, Pekinese, Lhasa Apso, • neonates/puppies under six months old Boston terrier, English bulldog, boxer and • elderly dogs Neapolitan mastiff are known to be the most • dogs that have injuries or health issues sensitive to heat extremes. The smaller, short- • dogs that are obese or underweight legged breeds with short hair or hairless coats are the most sensitive to the cold (e.g., • dogs that are dehydrated dachshund, chihuahua, Chinese crested). • short hair coated dogs Individual dogs have their own limits for • small-breed dogs tolerating temperature extremes and can • breeds of dogs which have short legs succumb to hyperthermia or hypothermia. (Their abdomen, chest, groin and lower

Q. What dogs are most at risk for extremities are more exposed to snow or climatic/environmental stresses? icy water.) A. Risk factors (heat stress or heat stroke): • dogs in environmental temperatures more

than 85° Fahrenheit

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Q. Why are short-nosed breeds so sensitive to Q. Why is access to fresh water so important in temperature and humidity? both high and low temperatures? A. The short-nosed breeds are not A. Dehydration can actually inhibit a dog’s anatomically as efficient at handling increased physiological responses involved in both its temperature and humidity levels as normal dissipation of and retention of body heat. A skull shaped dogs. They do not have as much dog’s temperature compensation mechanisms surface area available within their nose and can be compared to how a radiator functions in throat regions to function in decreasing body preventing an internal combustion engine from heat during the panting process compared to overheating or freezing by the circulation of other breeds of dogs. water and antifreeze through the engine block. If a dog becomes dehydrated during either high

or low temperatures, the flow of blood to the Q. Why does my Alaskan malamute or areas of the body involved in body temperature Siberian husky need to have protection from regulation cannot react in a normal manner, the cold? Weren’t these breeds developed to thereby putting the animal at greater risk for withstand cold weather? developing hyperthermia or hypothermia. A A. Confinement to an enclosure limits a dog’s dog must have access to fresh, cool water ability to make adjustments to temperature and when the weather is hot, and non-frozen water weather. All dogs are susceptible to extremes when the weather is cold. in temperature and humidity levels, and they

require protection from the wind, cold, heat, What extra precautions should I take with and exposure to rain, ice and snow. This Q. my nursing females and their puppies? protection needs to include shade and a shelter with a wind/rain break and adequate A. Puppies do not acquire the ability to bedding in cold weather. efficiently regulate their body temperature until they are three or four weeks old. These young

puppies have not yet developed the ability to Q. Why is providing shade of such importance? remove body heat by panting, or to generate A. Dogs are not very efficient at dissipating body heat by shivering. Therefore, the body heat and cannot tolerate elevated temperature, humidity and ventilation within the temperatures/humidity or direct sunlight for whelping facility should be monitored very long periods of time. Shelters for outdoor dogs closely. Ideal breeding conditions for dogs may become too warm for the animals to occur when temperatures are maintained remain inside to avoid the direct sunlight. Every between 60° and 68° Fahrenheit, with a dog in an enclosure is required to have access relative humidity level of 65 percent. to adequate shade to prevent overheating and Temperature extremes can harm the lactation discomfort. and digestion of nursing females. The harmful effects of dehydration, due to the lack of potable water and/or excessive panting, can be increased in nursing females and lead to decreased puppy survival.

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Q. Can temperature stress affect fertility in my For more information contact: dogs? USDA, APHIS Animal Care A. Heat stress or heat stroke can directly decrease both spermatozoa production and 4700 River Road, Unit 84 survivability within the male reproductive tract, Riverdale, MD 20737 similar to the effects that male dogs experience (301) 851-3751 after running a fever during a viral or bacterial E–mail: [email protected] infection. Exposure to high or low temperature The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in extremes may also have direct effects on all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial pregnancy and embryo survival in breeding status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, females. political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, Q. What should I do if one or more of my dogs large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center at develop heat stress/stroke or hypothermia? (202) 720–2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence A. Contact your attending veterinarian Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250–9410, or call (800) 795–3272 (voice) or (202) 720–6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity immediately and follow his/her instructions. provider and employer. Methods to prevent these situations should be discussed with your attending veterinarian prior to an actual event. Heat stroke and hypothermia are potentially life- threatening conditions and are considered medical emergencies.

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