What are heat stress treatment steps?

• A. Stop working and cool by spraying cool water on dog, move dog to shade or into a cool building, circulate cool air near the dog, loosen or remove muzzle or collar, monitor vital signs every 5 minutes.
• B. Do not cool the dog and continue working.
• C. Feed dog and give treats.
• D. Continue working.

Answer: (A)

Heat stress in a working dog demands quick action to lower body temperature and reduce heat load. The best approach starts by stopping activity and cooling the dog right away. Spraying with cool water helps evaporative cooling, and moving the dog to shade or into a cool building while circulating cool air around them further reduces the heat they’re absorbing. Loosening or removing a muzzle or collar ensures the dog can breathe freely and allows cooling to reach the skin more effectively. Then, checking vital signs every few minutes keeps you informed about the dog’s improvement or any progression toward heat illness, guiding whether additional medical care is needed. Continuing to work or feeding/treats don’t address the danger and can worsen the condition.