The seven dog breeds most at risk of heatstroke in 34C heatwave today – how to spot it and what to do

AS the nation braces for the hottest day of the year, dog owners are unsurprisingly getting very concerned.

With temperatures forecast to hit a sweltering 34C – dogs are at major risk of heatstroke.

It is crucial you know when your dog is experiencing heatstroke – because serious cases can lead to organ damage and even death.

Vet charity the has now revealed seven breeds that are at particular risk during today’s heatwave – and shared its top tips on how to spot the signs.

Dogs’ noses play a very important part in keeping pooches cool as they release excess body heat when they breathe out.

It should come as no surprise then that Brachycephalic, aka flat-faced mutts, struggle to release heat this way because of the drastically reduced space they have inside their nose due to their breeding.

This puts breeds such as Pugs and English Bulldogs up to a whopping six and 14 times more likely to develop heatstroke than Labradors.

The other five breeds at risk are the French Bulldog, Dogue de Bordeaux, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu and Boston Terrier.

Spotting the signs of heatstroke are key – and perhaps the most obvious sign is of course heavy panting.

Drooling, foaming at the mouth and bright red gums are other major giveaways your dog is struggling in the heat.

Meanwhile sluggish and slow movements also highlight your dog has overheated – leaving them weak and vulnerable.

Behaving strangely, confusion and shaking are indicators that you need to act, too.

While in more severe cases of heatstroke – your dog may even vomit, collapse or have a seizure.

So what can you do if you suspect your dog is experiencing heatstroke?

Keep them calm and still and get them indoors or into a shady area immediately.

Provide water, but avoid ice and icy water as this can send your pooch into shock, which will exacerbate the situation.

Place a wet towel under them and contact your vet.

While doing this, you can take a damp towel and slowly wet their extremities: head, feat, ears and fur.

Once cooled, you can start pouring water all over their body.

PREVENTION

Of course avoiding the situation altogether is paramount, so it is key to know how to prevent heatstroke in dogs.

Overheating during exercise accounts for 74 percent of all heatstroke cases in dogs – so it is vital you scrap any plans to walk your dog in the baking heat.

Your pooch is at risk even if it’s just sitting still outside and not exercising – this accounts for almost 13 percent of heatstroke cases.

And it goes without saying – in no circumstances should you be taking your dog out in the car and leave them in it.

To prevent heatstroke – provide plenty of shade and access to water and don’t let them walk on surfaces that are too warm.

And while it may seem obvious, consider getting your dog clipped as the warm weather combined with a heavy coat will be torture for your beloved dog.

If your dog has a mild case of heatstroke, and they receive treatment quickly, they are likely to make a full recovery.

However, if they become seriously unwell, or their treatment is delayed, they could suffer organ damage or even die.