How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs and Cats
Heatstroke is an extremely dangerous condition that can develop if a dog gets too hot. Normal body temperature for a dog tends to sit between 38-39°C (100.4-102.2°F), this can rise a bit if they are unwell with a fever. If your dog’s body temperature goes above 40°C (104°F) they are at risk of heatstroke, which can cause seizures, organ damage, internal bleeding, coma and even death. Heatstroke is more dangerous the longer it lasts, so the quicker your dog is cooled down and treated by a vet, the better their chance of a full recovery.
Causes of heatstroke in dogs
Dogs have limited ability to sweat, so instead, they pant and use shade to cool themselves down on warm days. However, dogs also love to run around, which is why nearly three quarters of heatstroke cases develop while playing and exercising. It can also be caused by simply sitting somewhere too warm, or being trapped somewhere hot, such as a car, conservatory or room without proper ventilation.
Any dog can develop heatstroke, but flat-faced, overweight, giant-breed, thick-coated, very old and very young dogs are most at risk.
Signs of heatstroke
Mild:
- Panting
- Fast breathing/difficulty breathing
- Lethargy (low energy)
Moderate:
- Drooling
- Foaming at the mouth
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Bright red gums/very pale gums
- Shaking
- Weakness and collapse
Severe:
- Confusion
- Seizures
- Unconsciousness
- Vomiting with blood
- Diarrhoea with blood
Treatment
Cooling
Your vet will try to reduce your dog’s temperature as quickly as possible using fans, cold water, and if necessary, a fluid drip. If your dog is extremely hot, struggling to breathe, having seizures, or unconscious, they may also need oxygen, medications, or to be put under anaesthesia.
Medications and tests
Severe heatstroke can cause blood clotting problems, and damage organs such as the kidneys, brain, guts, heart and lungs. If your dog is showing signs of severe heatstroke your vet may need to run some blood and urine tests, put them on a drip to support their organs, and give them medications to prevent any further damage. If this is the case, your dog may need to stay in the hospital for several days.
Nursing
Your dog will be monitored and nursed very carefully until they are stable. Once your dog has stabilised, they will be sent home. You will need to monitor them closely for 24-48 hours, and let your vet know if they deteriorate or develop symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, confusion, or reduced appetite.
Check-ups
It’s likely that your dog will need to be checked a few days after they are discharged to make sure they are continuing to recover well. Your vet may also want to run some repeat blood and urine tests to check their vital organs.
Outlook
The quicker your dog is cooled down, the better their chance of a full recovery. If your dog has a mild case of heatstroke, and is cooled/treated quickly, they are likely to make a full recovery. However, if they have a severe case of heatstroke, have already developed organ damage, or treatment is delayed, they are much less likely to recover.
Preventing heatstroke in dogs
It’s vitally important to protect your dog from heatstroke, especially if they are flat-faced, overweight, or have a thick coat. There are some simple things that you can do to prevent it, such as:
- Walk them when it’s cool: Avoid walking your dog in the hottest part of the day, instead take them out in the early morning/evening when it’s cool. Avoid exercise on hot days completely if your dog is unfit, elderly, young, overweight, unwell, or has breathing difficulties.
- Make sure they always have access to shade and water: It’s a good idea to take water with you on walks – especially on warm days.
- Encourage them to get wet on warm days: Encourage your dog to play in water on hot days, but never force them into water if they’re scared.
- Use a harness instead of a collar: Attaching a lead to a harness will put less pressure on your dog’s throat, making it easier for them to pant and cool down. This is especially important if your dog has breathing problems, or is brachycephalic (flat-faced). Remember to keep your dog’s collar on even if you are using a harness to walk them – they are a legal requirement.
- Never walk your dog on a hot surface: If you can comfortably place the palm of your hand on it for 7 seconds it’s okay – sand, artificial grass and tarmac get especially hot.
- Never leave your dog in a car on a warm day: Not even for a few minutes, with the windows open, or in the shade.
- Avoid travelling with your dog in a car when it’s hot: If a journey is absolutely necessary, make sure they are in the shade, have air flowing around them and can access drinking water. Cooling mats can be useful when travelling on warm days.
- Keep your dog a healthy weight: Overweight dogs find it more difficult to stay cool.
- Consider having your dog clipped: Especially in the warmer months if they have a heavy coat. Brushing your dog’s fur can also help.
Heatstroke in brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs
Dogs get rid of a significant amount of body heat through their nose as they breathe out. Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dogs struggle to release heat this way because they have much less space inside their nose, which puts them at a very high risk of heatstroke, even on cool days. British Bulldogs are 14 times more likely to develop heatstroke than Labradors, and Pugs are 6 times more likely! Dogs most affected include the Pug, English Bulldog, French Bulldog, Dog de Bordeaux, Pomeranian, Shih Tzu and Boston Terrier.
Heatstroke and heat exhaustion are conditions that are dangerous to most animals. This includes humans and, of course, dogs. You have probably heard that dogs are at risk for heatstroke when they are in hot temperatures. The fact is, they are even more at risk than people. Fortunately, you can take steps to prevent heatstroke and keep your dog safe.
FAQ
What is Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is a condition that is caused by an elevation in body temperature called hyperthermia. This body temperature increase occurs as a response to a trigger such as inflammation in the body or a hot environment. When a dog is exposed to high temperatures, heat stroke or heat exhaustion can result.
Heatstroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heatstroke are detected, there is little time before serious damage or even death can occur.
Why is Heat So Dangerous to Dogs?
Dogs do not sweat through their skin like humans. They will sweat small amounts through their footpads and nose, but this is not enough to release excess body heat. Dogs primarily release heat by panting, a method that exchanges hot and cool air. Unfortunately, this is not a very effective or efficient process, especially when the body temperature is extremely high.
If a dog cannot expel heat, his internal body temperature begins to rise. Damage to the body’s cellular system and organs may become irreversible once the dog’s temperature reaches 106°. Unfortunately, too many dogs succumb to heat stroke when it could have been avoided. Learn how to recognize the signs of heat stroke and prevent it from happening to your dog.
What is the Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs
Heat exhaustion precedes heat stroke. Early signs of heat exhaustion may be subtle. Look for increased panting, lethargy, and failure to follow commands he usually knows. A dog with heat exhaustion may refuse to drink water despite being obviously warm. Without attention, this can easily turn into heat stroke. The following signs may indicate heatstroke in a dog:
- Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 105° is an emergency)
- Vigorous panting
- Dizziness or disorientation
- Dark red gums
- Tacky or dry mucous membranes (specifically the gums)
- Thick saliva
- Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
- Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
What to Do if You Suspect Heatstroke
If you have even the slightest suspicion that your dog is suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion, you must take immediate action. If your dog is showing early signs, move him to a cool area and offer fresh water to drink. Contact your vet as soon as possible for advice about the steps you need to take next.
If your dog is showing multiple signs of heat stroke, it is best to head straight to the nearest open veterinary hospital. If you have someone to help you, then one of you should attempt cooling methods while the other drives. I
How to Safely Cool Down Your Dog
It’s important to carefully lower your dog’s body temperature. Rapid cooling can cause even more problems.
- First, move your dog out of the heat and into a cool, shady area that is well-ventilated.
- Offer your dog cool water, but do not force water into your dog’s mouth. Try not to let your dog drink excessive amounts at a time or he may start vomiting.
- Take your dog’s temperature rectally. Continue to recheck it ever five minutes to prevent overcooling. Do not take the following steps if your dog’s temperature is under 104°F.
- Begin cooling your dog’s body using cool but not extremely cold water. You may place wet rags or washcloths on the footpads, around the head, on the abdomen, and in the armpits. Replace the cool towels frequently as they warm up. Avoid fully covering the body with wet towels as it may trap in heat. You can use a fan to help provide cool air.
- DO NOT use ice or ice water. Extreme cold can cause blood vessels to constrict, preventing the body’s core from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to rise further. Over-cooling can also cause hypothermia (low body temperature) leading to a host of new problems.
- When the body temperaturereaches 103.9°F, stop cooling. At this point, your dog’s body should continue cooling on its own. If you keep trying to cool your dog, you risk hyperthermia.
- Visit a veterinarian as soon as possible, even if your dog seems better. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, so an examination is necessary. Further testing may be recommended to assess damage.
Some dogs can recover fully from heatstroke if it is caught early enough. Others suffer permanent organ damage and require lifelong treatment. Sadly, many dogs do not survive heat stroke. Prevention is the key to keeping your dog safe during warmer weather.
Compiled & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)
Image-Courtesy-Google
Reference-On Request.
