Awareness and Advice
Heat Illness Prevention
It is finally HOT outside! Being the Naturalists that we are, we can't let this keep us from working on our many projects. We can take it easy and learn how to prevent heat related illnesses.
The flyer and other info below was provided by the Arkansas Department of Environmental Quality. It has been making its rounds through email and I thought a more visible place would benefit everyone. Thanks ADEQ for the excellent info!
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HEAT CRAMPS
Heat cramps are painful, involuntary muscle spasms that usually occur during heavy exercise in hot environments. Inadequate fluid intake often contributes to heat cramps. The spasms may be more intense and more prolonged than typical nighttime leg cramps. Muscles most often affected include those in your calves, arms, abdomen and back, although heat cramps may involve any muscle group involved in the exercise.
IF YOU SUSPECT HEAT CRAMPS:
• Rest briefly and cool down. Drink clear juice or an electrolyte-containing sports drink.
• Practice gentle, range-of-motion stretching and gentle massage of the affected muscle
group.
• If your cramps don't go away in 1 hour, call your doctor.
HEAT EXHAUSTION
Heat exhaustion is one of the heat-related syndromes, which range in severity from mild heat cramps to heat exhaustion to potentially life-threatening heatstroke. Signs and symptoms of heat exhaustion often begin suddenly, sometimes after excessive exercise, heavy perspiration and inadequate fluid intake.
SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS RESEMBLE THOSE OF SHOCK AND CAN INCLUDE:
• Feeling faint
• Nausea
• Heavy sweating
• Ashen appearance
• Rapid, weak heartbeat
• Low blood pressure
• Cool, moist skin
• Low-grade fever
IF YOU SUSPECT HEAT EXHAUSTION:
• Get the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned location.
• Lay the person down and elevate the legs and feet slightly.
• Loosen or remove the person’s clothing.
• Have the person drink cool water, not iced, or sports drink containing electrolytes.
• Cool the person by spraying or sponging him or her with cool water and fanning.
• Monitor the person carefully. Heat exhaustion can quickly become heatstroke. If fever
greater than 102 F, fainting, confusion or seizures occur, dial 911 or call for emergency
medical assistance.
HEATSTROKE
Heatstroke is similar to heat cramps and heat exhaustion. It's one of the heat-related problems that often result from heavy work in hot environments, usually accompanied by inadequate fluid intake. Older adults, people who are obese and people born with an impaired ability to sweat are at high risk of heatstroke. Other risk factors include dehydration, alcohol use, cardiovascular disease and certain medications.
What makes heatstroke much more severe and potentially life-threatening is that the body's normal mechanisms for dealing with heat stress, such as sweating and temperature control, are lost. The main sign of heatstroke is a markedly elevated body temperature — generally greater than 104 F — with changes in mental status ranging from personality changes to confusion and coma. Skin may be hot and dry, although in heatstroke caused by exertion, the skin is usually moist.
OTHER SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS MAY INCLUDE:
• Rapid heartbeat
• Rapid and shallow breathing
• Elevated or lowered blood pressure
• Irritability, confusion or unconsciousness
• Cessation of sweating
• Fainting, which may be the first sign in older adults
IF YOU SUSPECT HEATSTROKE:
• Move the person out of the sun and into a shady or air-conditioned space.
• Dial 911 or call for emergency medical assistance.
• Cool the person by covering him or her with damp sheets or by spraying with cool water.
Direct air onto the person with a fan or newspaper.
*Info Courtesy of The Mayo Clinic.*
Heatstroke in Pets
Heatstroke occurs when normal body mechanisms cannot keep the body’s temperature in a safe range. Animals do not have efficient cooling systems (like humans who sweat) and get overheated easily. A dog with moderate heatstroke (body temperature from 104º to 106ºF) can recover within an hour if given prompt first aid and veterinary care (normal body temperature is 100-102.5°F). Severe heatstroke (body temperature over 106ºF) can be deadly and immediate veterinary assistance is needed.
SIGNS
A dog suffering from heatstroke will display several signs:
• Rapid panting
• Bright red tongue
• Red or pale gums
• Thick, sticky saliva
• Depression
• Weakness
• Dizziness
• Vomiting - sometimes with blood
• Diarrhea
• Shock
• Coma
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
Remove the dog from the hot area immediately. Prior to taking him to your veterinarian, lower his temperature by wetting him thoroughly with cool water (for very small dogs, use lukewarm water), then increase air movement around him with a fan. CAUTION: Using very cold water can actually be counterproductive. Cooling too quickly and especially allowing his body temperature to become too low can cause other life-threatening medical conditions. The rectal temperature should be checked every 5 minutes. Once the body temperature is 103ºF, the cooling measures should be stopped and the dog should be dried thoroughly and covered so he does not continue to lose heat. Even if the dog appears to be recovering, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. He should still be examined since he may be dehydrated or have other complications. Allow free access to water or a children’s re-hydrating solution if the dog can drink on his own. Do not try to force-feed cold water; the dog may inhale it or choke.
WHAT YOUR VETERINARIAN WILL DO
Your veterinarian will lower your dog’s body temperature to a safe range (if you have not already) and continually monitor his temperature. Your dog will be given fluids, and possibly oxygen. He will be monitored for shock, respiratory distress, kidney failure, heart abnormalities, and other complications, and treated accordingly. Blood samples may be taken before and during the treatment. The clotting time of the blood will be monitored, since clotting problems are a common complication.
AFTERCARE
Dogs with moderate heatstroke often recover without complicating health problems. Severe heatstroke can cause organ damage that might need ongoing care such as a special diet prescribed by your veterinarian. Dogs who suffer from heatstroke once increase their risk for getting it again and steps must be taken to prevent it on hot, humid days.
PREVENTION
Any pet that cannot cool himself off is at risk for heatstroke. Following these guidelines can help prevent serious problems:
• Keep pets with predisposing conditions like heart disease, obesity, older age, or breathing
problems cool and in the shade. Even normal activity for these pets can be harmful.
• Provide access to water at all times.
• Do not leave your pet in a hot parked car even if you’re in the shade or will only be gone a
short time. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly reach up to140 degrees.
• Make sure outside dogs have access to shade.
• On a hot day, restrict exercise and don’t take your dog jogging with you. Too much exercise
when the weather is very hot can be dangerous.
• Do not muzzle your dog.
• Avoid places like the beach and especially concrete or asphalt areas where heat is
reflected and there is no access to shade.
• Wetting down your dog with cool water or allowing him to swim can help maintain a normal
body temperature.
• Move your dog to a cool area of the house. Air conditioning is one of the best ways to keep
a dog cool, but is not always dependable. To provide a cooler environment, freeze water in
soda bottles, or place ice and a small amount of water in several re-sealable food storage
bags, then wrap them in a towel or tube sock. Place them on the floor for the dog to lie on.
*Veterinary & Aquatic Services Department, Drs. Foster & Smith, Inc., courtesy of www.pededucation.com.*
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Tick Bite Prevention
See Dr. Beth Milligan, M.D.'s archived article on tick bite prevention here and learn to identify the ticks below. Also learn the symptoms of common diseases spread by these critters and common methods of prevention and tick removal. 
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**DISCLAIMER: Info provided on this page is to be used for educational purposes only. CAMN cannot be held responsible for the usage of this information to diagnose or treat any of the illnesses outlined above. For diagnosis or treatment, please contact your physician or veterinarian.**