If you’re on a road trip with dogs and are visiting Colorado Springs, Colorado and considering driving up the park road to the summit of Pikes Peak with your dog, it might be a good idea to check out some of these tips before taking your dog along for the ride.
Dogs Can Get Altitude Sickness Too
Just as with humans, altitude sickness in dogs is quite common, especially at altitudes greater than 8,000′.
The altitude of Pikes Peak is 14, 115′ and both humans and dogs will feel the difference in atmosphere – especially if they exert themselves at all. We have taken several of our dogs up Pikes Peak – some of them as old as 14 -and none of them have had any issues whatsoever.
Our former veterinarian in Salida, Colorado assured us that there are very few dangers to taking healthy dogs to the summit of Colorado “fourteeners” (which are mountains higher than 14,0000′.
Here are some tips for preventing altitude sickness in dogs and how to respond if they show symptoms.
Use Good Judgement if Climbing a 14’er With a Dog
If you plan on hiking to the summit of a fourteener with your dog, that’s an entirely different matter altogether. To prepare for such a trip, you should make sure that you take plenty of water (for you and your dog), and plan to protect their feet with some kind of trail booties. They might not need them elsewhere, but these are no ordinary trails. The sharp rocks and scree found near mountain summits can be extremely sharp and dangerous to a dog’s feet.
We’ve seen several dogs in distress on the summits of Colorado fourteeners – including Tabeguache Peak – and one with bloody foot pads. It broke our hearts to know that this poor dog then had to make it back down the mountain on its sore and bleeding paws. We offered the dog’s companion gauze and tape from our first aid kit. He’d had no idea that his dog’s feet would get torn up as they did.
The dog’s owner felt terrible, and he wound up half-carrying his large dog on the long journey back to the trailhead. As a climber of several fourteeners, we believe that many of them are not always the safest places for dogs to be, due to unpredictable and often inhospitable conditions as well as hazardous climbing conditions such as falling rocks and scree. If you’re thinking of hiking a Colorado fourteener, use good judgement and plan your trip carefully with resources such as those found on 14’er.com
If you’re planning to take your dog to the top of Pikes Peak in a vehicle, here are some tips:
If You’re Going Up Pikes Peak With Your Dog
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Make sure your dog is properly hydrated and well-rested before driving up to the summit. Dehydration and altitude sickness go hand in hand in both humans and dogs.
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Don’t let them romp and play at the summit. (Dogs must be leashed at all times in the park.)
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Don’t take dogs to the top of Pikes Peak if they have a breathing or heart condition.
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If your dog starts developing altitude sickness and exhibits telltale symptoms such as throwing up, difficulty breathing or odd behavior, head back down the mountain immediately.
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If just arriving in Colorado, you should allow for you and your dog to become acclimated to higher altitude. If you’re coming from a much lower elevation – say Texas or Oklahoma – plan to spend a couple days in Colorado Springs at 6,000′ before going up Pikes Peak.
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UV rays are extra strong at 14,115′ so consider having your pet wear Doggles or other dog eye protection with high UV blocking. Prolonged exposure to UV rays at high altitude is suspected to be a factor in dogs developing a condition known as pannus, which is an immune-mediated condition that affects the cornea.
Symptoms of Altitude Sickness in Dogs
If your dog begins to exhibit any of these symptoms of canine altitude sickness when at high altitude, you should begin to descend immediately and to seek veterinary care if necessary.
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Excessive panting
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Confused behavior
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Stumbling or falling
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Swelling in feet and or face
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Vomiting
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Cough
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High heart rate
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Lethargy or inability to move.
Watch Out For Wildlife, Cars and Drop-Offs
At the summit of Pikes Peak there are chipmunks, marmots, mountain goats and other wildlife that your dog may try to chase. There are also steep drop-offs which would can prove fatal to humans and dogs. Car traffic can be quite heavy in summer, so watch out when crossing the summit road. Be sure to keep your dog leashed at all times.
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What to Do if Your Dog Becomes Sick On Pikes Peak
If your dog is suffering a medical crisis, alert a park attendant or ranger and let them know what’s going on. They may be able to help provide some assistance as they have most likely dealt with dog that have altitude sickness symptoms. They will most likely instruct you do begin descending the mountain and seek veterinary care for your dog.
The closest veterinarians to Pikes Peak (or the park entrance) are located at Woodland Veterinary Clinic (Phone: 719-687-1060) in Woodland Park, CO and Compassion Animal Hospital (719-687-6000) also located in Woodland Park.
Enjoy Going Up Pikes Peak With Your Dog and Safe Travels!
For more information on how to keep your dog safe on a road trip see our post: Ten Dangers Dogs Face When Traveling
