Heat burns are not common injuries of dogs as these animals generally shy away from fires. Dogs though often get into tight spots because of their energetic and inquisitive nature. Burned skin can be the result of the dog's attempt to filch food from the cook top. Dogs that resist being groomed can be burned by the hair dryer. The dog's tough leathery paw pads are no match to hot pavement or hot coals.
Unless the fur is scorched, the affected area of the dog's body may not be easily noticed by the owner. Skin that was superficially burned will redden and swell. Dogs that have sustained partial thickness burns will have blisters apart from the swelling and the reddening of the skin. The two classifications of heat burns would have the dog in pain. Full thickness burn is not unlike third degree burn in humans where the skin peels off and cause the tissues under the skin to swell. Unlike the other two types of burns where the dog will suffer pain, deep burn is characterized by the absence of pain due to the destruction of the nerves. Deep burns will result to white or black (charred) skin and hairs that can be easily pulled because the hair follicles were destroyed.
Superficial burns can be treated at home with first aid treatment but a seriously burned dog has to have professional medical care. Hospitalization is necessary for a dog that has sustained deep burns especially if more than 15 % of the skin was affected. However, the seriously burned dog would still need first aid treatments so that the pet's condition is stabilized before it is transported to the hospital.
Cooling the affected area is the first aid treatment for heat burn. To lower the heat in the burned area, the affected body part like the tail, limb or paw has to be dipped in cool water. Another first aid alternative is to use a wash cloth soaked in cool water on the burned area. Pat dry the burned skin but take care not to rub the burned area. Ointment, grease or butter must not be applied to the burned area as it will seal in the heat and cause more damage.
Source : http://www.sarahsdogs.com/guides/first-aid/heat-burns/
