Overheating in English Bulldogs

Article Written By: traindogsandpuppies

The English bulldog can be highly energetic; however this mellows as they grow older.Owners should still make sure that their dogs get enough exercise as they can be prone to being overweight which can cause other health concerns on their joints, heart and lungs.

They are very sensitive to heat, although they have their own cooling system like most dogs, panting which cools them is very difficult for short/stout faced dogs with an under bite, whether it is a puppy or fully grown English bulldogs. Breathing is very hard for this breed since they have small tracheas, some abnormally smaller than most.

Because of their facial structure it is also very common for them to have clogged or pinched nasal passages, making breathing a labor. All these issues combined can make them overheat and experience hyperthermia, ten times faster than other dog breeds.

Symptoms of Overheating in English Bulldogs

Reading the signs of overheating can become easy if you know your English bulldog well enough to know that he is not acting normally. Watch out for signs of extreme lethargy, irregular breathing, vomiting and sometimes even convulsions can be signs of heatstroke for both adult and puppy bulldogs. Check his eyes and gums for signs of overheating. Look your pet straight in the eyes and try to get his attention to focus on you, or use a favorite toy to see if he has problems focusing his eyes. Check his gums for capillary response time (CRT) by pressing your fingers in his gums, release it and count how many seconds it takes for it to get back from white to pink, the normal rate is less than 2 seconds. Checking for CRT must be done with caution, especially if you have an irritable pet.

What to Do

If you fear that your pet is experiencing heatstroke or overheating, there are a few steps you can take while waiting to get to the vet. English Bulldogs don t do well in hot or warm areas so move them immediately to a cool, possible air-conditioned room. Give him water, if it is a puppy, you may need to resort to bottle feeding. Get a wet towel and dab it on his nose and his entire body, or have him lie down on a cooling mattress or a bag of ice.

Prevention is better than cure. Do not leave them out in the sun too long, give them light to moderate exercise and keep them well hydrated at all times and you can guarantee that you ll have one cool customer who will love you more than ever.

About the Author

Lea Mullins, talks about why English Bulldogs get overheated and how to cool them. TrainPetDog.com provides tips on owning a Dog or puppy.

You Can Link Directly to "Overheating in English Bulldogs" by using the url:
http://www.allbestarticles.com//family/pets/overheating-in-english-bulldogs.html

This Article Has Been Published on Mon, 21 Mar 2011 and Read 774 Times

Find All Best Articles at http://www.allbestarticles.com

Rating: Not yet rated

Comments

No comments posted.

Add Comment

You do not have permission to comment. If you log in, you may be able to comment.

Related information on Pets

A Pet Hotel Stay Can Improve Animal Behaviour
A Little Pet Care Can Go A Long Way
Ear Care for your Cocker Spaniel
How to stop your Cairn Terrier from Chasing
How To Keep Your Cairn Terrier Busy
Cairn Terrier Training. Stop Your Dog from Digging
Importance of a Veterinary Hospital Clinic
Is Your American Bulldog Teething?
Health Concerns in American Bulldogs
How to Identify a Reputable American Bulldog Breeder
Disabled Pet Dogs Can Socialize Too
Natural Instincts of Min Pins
Understanding your Miniature Pinscher Dog
How To Give Your Puppy A Bath
Neutering or Spaying Your Siberian Husky
Choose Natural Supplements For Your Dog's Health
What To Do When Your Dog Steals Food
How To Discourage Your Adult Canine From Mouthing
Why Your Puppy Barks When Strangers Are At The Door
Things You Need To Know Before Getting Yourself A Parrot
Havanese Training: Teach Your Dog To Play Tricks
Characteristics of a Havanese
People Food that are Poisonous to Dogs
Guarding Your Puppies In Winter
Why Should You Dress Your Bichon?