Expert: Jana Connell RVT, CVT - 5/25/2010

Question
Hello

My sister's 6 yr old mini-poodle/pomeranian mix dog died today.  We loved that dog and don't have the money to pay for a necrology test, so we really appreciate this service.  

This dog has had all his common shots and vaccinations since birth, and has no history of health problems.  

At about 8am my sister let her dog outside onto their wooden deck, which is about 200 sq ft and receives sunlight on about 75% of its surface area.  There are several patio chairs and a glass table on the deck, as well as a futon which can provide more shade.  The deck is situated about 5 ft off the earth, and has slats that connect to a railing, which encompass the deck's perimeter.  

The dog was not on a leash and had free roam of the deck space. When he was found, he had a nearly full bowl of water.  It may also be noted that the dog could have fit between the slats around the deck, but ordinarily would not try to get between these slats because of the fall that would follow.

The dog was out on this deck from 8am to about 4pm.  It was a sunny day here, and very hot for this time of year, about 90 degrees F.  Upon returning home from work, my sister found the dog's body under one of the patio chairs.  She said he had yellow foam around his mouth.  90% of the dog's fur is black.  

This all sounds like a heat stroke is the most probably cause of death, but I'd like to rule out any other possibilities.  My sister feels guilty...that dog meant a lot to her family.

Thanks for your help, and have a great day.

Answer
Hi Timothy,
I am really sorry for your loss. These little dogs really work their way into our hearts don't they?

I think you are probably correct in guessing heat stroke. Dog's can get heat stroke lying in the shade if there is no wind or breeze and the temperature is over 80 degrees. With no way to cool off completely, such a cool pool to lie in, heat stroke can follow quickly.

However, yellow foam around the mouth can indicate a gastric problem, but he might have shown some indication of that in the morning, such as vomiting bile.

One of the ways you can tell if it's heat stroke is by the color of the mucous membranes, but you have to see them right away. By the time she found him it would have been too late to tell.

Unfortunately, heat stroke happens like this more often than you know. It isn't just dogs in cars that get it. With a body covered in fur, and no breeze to cool a panting dog, drinking water will not help- especially if it gets hot as well. Black dogs are even more prone as the black fur does draw in the heat from the sun.

I am so sorry. This is a heartbreaking thing to find when you come home. I leave my dog in the house all day with the cooler on. This is something we all worry about.

Your sister didn't know this could be a problem, so there is nothing gained by her beating herself up over it. I do know the pain of how that feels so I offer my condolences to her and you both.

I am not a vet however, just a vet tech, so if you want the opinion of one of the vets in here please feel free to re-post this to one of them.

Sad way to learn a lesson but life is a big schoolroom. This was a good reminder for me and I will always pass it on for others. Your sister's little dog will save a LOT of lives from here on out. Send me his name if you would and I will add his 'law' to the one I tell now- Willy's law- from a beautiful golden retriever that suffocated from a rawhide chewy at the age of 3. Willy now saves a lot of dogs lives as well.

Maybe at some point she can give another little dog a second chance at love from the shelter. I hope so.