Overheating And Your Bulldog by:John P Jackson

The primary health obstacle in English Bulldog ownership is their sensitivity to heat

. Even a short stay in a car or a long walk on a hot day can give them heat stroke. Every dog uses panting as a cooling system, but this is more difficult for dogs like the English Bulldog that have stout muzzles and an underbite. Breathing is already laborious on this type of bulldog because of other problems of the breed, like the all-too-common pinched or clogged nasal passages and abnormally small tracheas. These bulldogs are also prone to obesity and are very compact. Because of health issues like this, English bulldogs have difficulty panting sufficiently to cool themselves down in moderate to extreme heat.

It is pretty easy to tell if your English Bulldog isn't feeling well, but there are additional signs to look at in order to gauge the severity to which your dog has been overheated. Excessive lethargy, vomiting and irregular breathing patterns are the primary indications your bulldog is suffering from heat or sun stroke. If you suspect your bulldog has been overheated, monitor their optic responsiveness and capillary response time, or CRT (press on his gums and count the seconds it takes for them to return from white to their normal pink). If your bulldog is having trouble focusing his eyes or his CRT is slower than 2 seconds, you must take action. Some bulldogs even go into convulsions reminiscent of epilepsy in the most severe cases of heat stroke.

It is important to treat even the most minor of heat stroke symptoms before they get out of hand. The first thing to do is remove the dog from direct or indirect sunlight or bring him indoors to the air conditioning. Offer him as much water was he will drink. Moistening the bulldog's nose with water or letting him lie with ice packs can also help very quickly. If your dog refuses water or does not seem to be getting better within a few minutes of rehydration, you should immediately take him to the vet.

The best tool in recognizing, diagnosing, and treating heat or sun stroke is knowing your dog. Observe him when he's healthy and happy, make note of the color of his gums and and his breathing patterns. If you know your dog well, it will be very obvious once he starts becoming overheated. The easiest way to prevent heat or sun stroke is prevention - if you begin to see the symptoms of overheating, it is time to move your bulldog to a shady place and provide plenty of water.

Bulldogs can be difficult to manage in that overheating is so common. Things one wouldn't ordinarily think can be dangerous to a dog can send your little English Bulldog into instant heat stroke. Never leave a bulldog unattended in a car, keep walks on hot days brief, and never leave him out in the yard too long unless he has plenty of shade and drinking water. If you are taking long trips with your bulldog, you should always remember to bring an extra bottle of drinking water for him so that he can stay hydrated and happy the whole way.

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