It's essential to prevent the heat stroke to start with so the dog doesn't suffer damage to the brain or other organs or go into shock. Once it happens, you can slowly try to cool them with wet towels while taking them to the vet.

Of course, as you mentioned, you should never walk your dog in the heat of the day or where there's no shade available and you should have water with you at all times.

We used to have a pug and they are prone to heat strokes. He was usually inside in air conditioning, but we kept a wading pool for him to play in outside, which he loved but some dogs would never use. My kids showed him in 4-H shows and we always took along some frozen cold packs that we would apply to his neck periodically. It worked great for keeping him cool. They sell bandanas that contain cold packs and and a pet wrap vest, too, that would be perfect for walks.

Here is a link that might be useful: Cooling products

We were at a baseball game one year where people could bring their pets. A couple had an overweight, older bulldog who collapsed from the heat. Fortunately we had a vet there and I remember her putting wet rags under his feet as he was laying there panting.

The very least that woman should've done was get her dog in the shade immediately. I sure hope she got it to the vet asap.
Sher

On the subject, how do you force a dog to drink on a walk?? My beagle just wont. We've tried bringing different bowls, we've tried those water bottles that have the little bowl type thing attatched. She's just far too busy on a walk to have a drink. It'll be hot, she'll be panting and drooling and she won't drink til we get home. At home she can run around for 10 mins come in and she'll drink. So I know she's thirsty on our walks. The dog park is gorgeous in the summer but it's difficult to take her there when its hot because I worry if she doesn't stay hydrated she'll get heat stroke.

To help out, you can take a t shirt, or towel or any type of cloth and soak it in cold water. Rub the cold cloth on the dogs head, especially around the muzzle, and the ears where there are more blood vessels, next wipe down the paws and the belly, also places where the water evaporation will be most effective, repeat this as necessary. Cool off a little at a time, dipping a dog into a cold water situation can cause a stroke or heart failure. When it is hot like it has been, I take my dog creek walking to cool his body core temp. Then I walk him on a non paved surface and he gets a huge water filled frozen ice pack for rides in the car. You can also pick up whatever dog is suffering and place it into a air conditined car, usuing the wet cloth method while in the Air conditioned car will help alot. Since you mentioned it, dogs suffer from burned paws when people put them into the back of pick up trucks which do not have a liner. Something to consider.

I don't know much about how to treat overheated dogs, but the suggestions given sound logical to me. I do, however, have a cool recipe for Dog Iced Tea -- found it somewhere in my pet reading. Take 1 bouillon cube (pup's favorite flavor - mine preferred chicken) and add it to about 10 cups of water. When the cube is dissolved, pour the "mixture" into ice trays and freeze. Give to your pups outside on warm/hot days. They love the flavor, slight bit of salt and, of course, the ice helps to cool them down.

Hey munkos what about that bouillon recipe that sheltiemom just talked about...maybe your dog would drink that?

Thanks for all the suggestions...I'll know how to help next time! I had tons of clean towels in my trunk for car washing and there's a water fountain near by!

What a good idea for the "iced tea". Abby plays so hard running and comes in and just sucks up the water. I think this would be a good idea for her! Thanks!
Lorie