Exercising in hot weather can cause potentially fatal heatstroke in dogs¾even in salukis. The saluki’s tendency to run at high speed causes a rapid rise in body temperature. In cold weather this excess heat is rapidly dissipated, but in Florida’s hot, humid weather it is not. Signs of distress include rapid panting, abundant and thick saliva, reddened mucous membranes, and swollen tongue. The dog will often become agitated, as though seeking escape from the discomfort of overheating. If the temperature is not brought down immediately, breathing becomes labored and loud, cerebral edema may develop, the dog may have convulsions, go into a stupor or coma, and die. 

The best way to treat a dog with heatstroke is to combine body wetting (with a hose or by submersing in water or wetting with soaked cloths) with air currents, either by aiming a fan on the dog or placing the dog in a moving car or air conditioning. Do not plunge the dog in ice water; this extreme cold causes peripheral blood vessels to constrict, essentially trapping heat in the body core. In extreme cases a cool water enema may be necessary to reduce body temperature. It’s important to quit cooling before the temperature even reaches normal, because cooling will continue for several minutes after efforts cease. 

Extremely high body temperature causes red blood cells to disintegrate; the kidneys try to excrete the resulting excess of hemoglobin. Even if the temperature is brought down, dogs can still succumb to the effects of DIC (disseminated internal coagulation) and kidney failure in the following days. This is why any dog should be taken to a veterinarian following an encounter with heatstroke even if they seem to have recovered. In most cases IV therapy is needed to combat dehydration.  Other drug therapies may be needed to combat cerebral edema or maintain urine production. The dog should be monitored and rested for the next 24 hours.