Super scary day for us today at the Bulldog Bash!

Submitted by Lonna with Harl... on May 19, 2012 - 9:07pm

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Today was the annual Bulldog Bash at our vet's clinic. Always lots of fun.

It was close to 90 today so we knew it was too hot for Harley to be outside. We stayed inside in the air conditioning but Harley was so excited with all the bullies and breathing pretty hard. Started the car to get it nice and cool before we put him in to head home. As soon as we got him in the car he began wheezing and gasping for air. Rushed him back inside and the fabulous team at Family Friends Veterinary Hospital were immediately right there to assist. They rushed him into the cool surgery room, put ice and cool towels around him, sprayed his feet and ears with alcohol, and started giving him oxygen. He was still gasping for air so they gave him a sedative to calm him. When that wasn't helping they gave him another but discussed tubing him if he didn't get better very soon.

Fortunately he started to improve but it took almost a hour for his temp to go down to a safe level and his breathing to calm. Got him home and he is still pretty groggy but so thankful to our wonderful vet and his staff. We really think that if we had left and been on the road home he would not have made it.

Our lesson of the day. It isn't just heat that can cause heat stroke in a bulldog. Over excitement can also cause their temp to rise to dangerous levels. No more bashes for Harley.

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Lonna & Harley

Wow

Submitted by Redflame on May 19, 2012 - 9:33pm.

Timing is everything! Such a scary story but very thankful for a happy ending!

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Loves and Smooches, Kippa and Mama (Annette)

I'm so glad he's okay!

Submitted by Sams74 on May 20, 2012 - 10:30am.

I actually just heard a similar story that did not end up well. A couple lost one of their two bulldogs in the car from overheating. Each dog's tolerance for warmer temperatures is so individual because one was affected by the heat and the other was absolutely fine. Just makes me even more cautious as it starts to be consistently warm here in NY. My dog walker just mentioned a product called a Kool collar that you freeze and it melts while the dogs are outside so cold water drips down their chest. Not a solution but could help keep them more comfortable during walks.

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A dog , No dog

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on May 20, 2012 - 11:51am.

should be left in a car in the summer, or with the sun out. I still find it hard to believe that pet owners still do these things. Heck, some parents do this to their kids and the kid dies. It's simple common sense.

In the story I was referring

Submitted by Sams74 on May 21, 2012 - 7:29pm.

In the story I was referring to, the dogs were not left alone in the car. They we're driving with the windows down. Guess it was still too warm for the poor guy.

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Bulldogs can heat stroke in a snow storm

Submitted by omegabulldogs on May 20, 2012 - 10:55am.

I have found that the Bullies who seem to suffer the easiest benefit from palate surgery. Have you had his palate evaluated?

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Miriam

omegabulldogs@aol.com

Yes, he has had his palate checked although it was a few years

Submitted by Lonna with Harl... on May 20, 2012 - 11:27am.

ago and his palate and trachea both checked out as very good for a bulldog. Is it possible that it has changed as he has gotten older and we should have it evaluated again?

The surprising thing for us is that Harley is normally a very good quiet breather and has never had any issues before.

We are extremely nervous now to put him in any situation that may over excite him.

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Lonna & Harley

The Palate

Submitted by Deb and MacKenz... on May 20, 2012 - 11:48am.

as they age can stretch (according to my vet) so yes...a dog that was fine at age 1 may not be at age 4. IMO the anxiety and excitement is a much bigger problem then just the heat. When they pant the palate swells and that cuts off the airflow, thus stressing them more. As you can imagine they panic when the air intake is compromised.

So glad he is ok and that you were at a location with a vet and experienced people on hand to assist.

How long was he out in the heat?

Submitted by KarenandRocco on May 20, 2012 - 12:21pm.

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Rocco "The Bull" Capone

He was not outside at all. Only the walk into

Submitted by Lonna with Harl... on May 20, 2012 - 12:35pm.

the clinic from the car and then back out to pre-air conditioned car that was parked very close to the door. Knew it was too hot to be outside. He just got so excited with all the bullies, children, and people.

I had actually packed a cooling pad, ice, and damp towels in a cooler to take along just in case. When he started breathing a bit hard and panting I had gone out and got the cooling pad and we had laid it over his back. We knew he was very excited with all the activity of the day but had no idea that he was in distress until we got in the car.

The sounds of him trying to breath were horrifying and even when we got him back into the clinic he got even worse for a bit I beleive then, because he was so scared and that just made him struggle more to breath.

Never want to hear those sound again. So releived that we were where there was help immediately.

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Lonna & Harley

So glad he's okay...

Submitted by Kathy Chester N... on May 20, 2012 - 11:12am.

very scary. That's basically what happened to Chester, he had to be intubated overnight until we could find a surgeon to do his palate surgery. It wasn't hot that day either.