Warning signs and Treatment of Heat Stroke in Dogs

Warning signs and Treatment of Heat Stroke in Dogs

Summer season is fast approaching in northern India and as per climatologists, 2023 may witness intense heat waves driven by El Nino effect and may be one of the hottest years so far. As we brace up for the hotter months ahead, pet parents must also plan to prevent their fur balls from the impact of heat. Heat stroke is one of the common illnesses that can also affect dogs in summer. Also called hyperthermia, when the body temperature of your dog is more than 41°C (105.8°F), it can lead to a series of health issues from malfunction of organs to neurological issues; in worst cases it can even lead to death. Heat stroke is one of the common illnesses that can also affect dogs in summer.

With the summer season approaching,  climatologists predict 2023 to be marked by intense heat waves, potentially making it one of the hottest years yet. Pet owners need to prepare to protect their furry companions from the impact of the heat. Heat stroke, or hyperthermia, is a common condition that dogs can experience during the summer months. If a dog’s body temperature rises above 41°C (105.8°F), it can lead to a range of health problems, including organ failure, neurological issues, and in severe cases, even death.

In the summer season, dogs may be susceptible to heat stroke, and signs such as breathing difficulties or nosebleeds could indicate hyperthermia.

Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs

During the hottest and most humid days of summer, dogs are at a higher risk of getting heat stroke. It is important to closely monitor your furry friend during such times. Symptoms to look out for include difficulty breathing, excessive drooling, foaming at the mouth, nosebleeds, vomiting, weakness, seizures, and diarrhea. Here are some common causes of heat strokes in dogs:

Endogenous

According to veterinarians, there are several factors that can cause heat stroke in dogs. These factors can be internal, such as obesity, certain breeds with narrow airways like Pugs, or problems with the heart or lungs. Other internal factors include abnormal calcium levels, previous heat stroke episodes, or a genetic tendency towards heat stroke.

Exogenous

Heat exhaustion in dogs can also be caused by external factors such as lack of shade, poor ventilation, not cooling off after exercise, excessive exercise in hot weather, and limited access to water.

Treatment of heat stroke in dogs

Here are treatment methods suggested by experts:

1. Restore normal body temperature

To bring the dog’s body temperature back to normal, controlled cooling methods should be used. This can be done by placing the dog on a wet towel, wetting their paws and fur, and positioning a fan in front of them. However, it is important to avoid using strong cooling methods such as immersing the dog in an ice bath.

2. Intravenous fluids to restore circulation

Administering fluids through an IV is important in treating heat stroke, as it can help replenish the lost fluids and blood volume due to dehydration and shock.

3. Take your dog for a walk early morning or in the evening

To prevent the risk of heat stroke, it is advisable to take your dog for walks early in the morning or late evening when temperatures are cooler, especially if they are a breed that is more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.

Treatment for heat stroke usually involves a mix of cooling methods, fluid therapy, and medications, depending on the severity of the condition. Hospitalization may be required for 2-8 hours until the dog becomes stable enough to return home. Early treatment can lead to a better prognosis.

Pet owners need to be aware of the risk of heat stroke in dogs, especially during the hot and humid summer months. Understanding the symptoms and taking preventative measures can help protect your furry companion from this potentially life-threatening condition.

Body temperature may be elevated because of an infection (fever), but it may also increase because of hot and/or humid conditions outside.  An increased body temperature caused by environmental conditions is commonly referred to as hyperthermia, heatstroke, or heat prostration.

Hyperthermia may be a life-threatening condition, and requires immediate treatment.  A dog’s normal body temperature is 101.5°F plus or minus 1 degree Fahrenheit, and any time the body temperature is higher than 105°F, a true emergency exists.  Heatstroke generally occurs in hot summer weather when dogs are left with inadequate ventilation in hot vehicles.  However, heatstroke may also occur in other conditions, including:

1. When an animal is left outdoors in hot/humid conditions without adequate shade.
2. When exercised in hot/humid weather.
3. When left in a car on a relatively cool (70°F) day; a recent study from Stanford University Medical Center found the temperature within a vehicle may increase by an average of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one (1) hour regardless of outside temperature.

Other predisposing factors may be obesity and/or diseases affecting a pet’s airway.  Keep in mind that prolonged seizures, eclampsia (milk fever), poisonings, and many other conditions may cause hyperthermia. Also, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (Pekingese, Pug, Lhasa Apso, Boston terrier, etc.) may suffer from “ineffectual panter syndrome” that results in an increased body temperature that may be fatal.

Initially the pet appears distressed, and will pant excessively and become restless.  As the hyperthermia progresses, the pet may drool large amounts of saliva from the nose and/or mouth.  The pet may become unsteady on his feet.  You may notice the gums turning blue/purple or bright red in color, which is due to inadequate oxygen.

What to Do

• Remove your pet from the environment where the hyperthermia occurred.
• Move your pet to shaded and cool environment, and direct a fan on him.
• If possible, determine rectal temperature and record it.
• Begin to cool the body by placing cool, wet towels over the back of the neck, in the armpits, and in the groin region.  You may also wet the ear flaps and paws with cool water.  Directing a fan on these wetted areas will help to speed evaporative cooling.  Transport to the closest veterinary facility immediately.

What NOT to Do

• Do not overcool the pet.
• Most pets with hyperthermia have body temperatures greater than 105°F, and a reasonable goal of cooling is to reduce your pet’s body temperature to 102.5-103°F while transporting to the closest veterinary facility.
• Do not attempt to force water into your pet’s mouth, but you may have fresh cool water ready to offer should your pet be alert and show an interest in drinking.
• Do not leave your pet unattended for any length of time.

Beginning the process of cooling the pet immediately is extremely important. Cool or cold tap water is suitable.

Severe hyperthermia is a disease that affects nearly every system in the body. Simply lowering the body temperature fails to address the potentially catastrophic events that often accompany this disorder. A pet suffering from hyperthermia should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible.

During summer months, your dog may be at risk of heat stroke. If they are having breathing issues or bleeding from the nose, it could be a sign of hyperthermia.

Spending most of the time in open space without any shade or sufficient water, being inside a car for a siginificant time or overexercising can put your pooch at risk of heat stroke. Pouring cool water over head, stomach, feet or applying wet cloth on the body can help bring down the temperature. It is important to maintain good ventilation around your pet’s space.

Heatstroke in dogs

When a dog gets too hot and is unable to reduce its body temperature by panting, it will develop heatstroke – which can kill. Do you know what symptoms to look out for?

Warning signs of heatstroke

• Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
• Excessively drooling
• The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
• Collapsed or vomiting

Emergency First Aid for dogs

Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature lowered gradually for the best chance of survival.

Here’s what to do:

• Move the dog to a shaded and cool area
• Immediately pour cool (not cold to avoid shock) water over the dog. Tap water (15-16°C) has been found to be the most effective at cooling dogs with heat-related illnesses.  In a true emergency, any water is better than nothing.
• Wet towels placed over the dog can worsen the condition, trapping heat.  In mild cases towels can be placed under the dog, but never over, and in a true emergency water immersion or pouring water with air movement is ideal.
• Allow the dog to drink small amounts of cool water
• Continue to pour cool water over the dog until their breathing starts to settle, but not too much that they start shivering
• Dogs that have lost consciousness will stop panting, despite still having a very high temperature, these dogs require urgent aggressive cooling as a priority.
• Throughout the treatment of heatstroke try to avoid pouring water on or near your dog’s head, as there is a risk of them inhaling water which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced and unconscious dogs.
• While more common in the warmer months, heat stroke can occur at any time throughout the year. However, it can occur suddenly and without much warning.
• Unlike us humans, dogs and cats don’t respond to heat in the same way. We humans regulate our body temperature through the many sweat glands all over our bodies. Dogs and cats, however, only have a few sweat glands located in their paw pads and around their noses. In order to cool themselves, our pets release heat primarily by panting. The sweat glands in their paw pads and noses do help with dispersing heat but only minimally.
• Dogs pant in order to cool their body temperature
• When our pets aren’t able to cool themselves through panting, hyperthermia (and heat related illness) can occur. Hyperthermia is when the body’s core temperature increases above its normal range of 39.0 degrees Celsius.

Is heat stroke the same as heat stress and heat exhaustion?

There are three different types of hyperthermia. While many people use these terms interchangeably there are differences between the conditions each varying in their severity.

• Heat stress is associated with increased thirst and panting. The patient is mentally aware and is generally able to move about. For a more in depth look into the signs and symptoms of heat stress, visit our Heat Stress in Dogs blog.
• Heat exhaustion is a more severe form of heat stress. It is associated with a significant increase in thirst, general weakness and heavy panting. Patients are also found to be mentally aware but too weak/tired to react, and may not be able to move around or may collapse.
• Heat stroke is the most severe type of hyperthermia. It occurs when your pet’s temperature reaches 41.1 degrees or higher. At this temperature neurological, and organ dysfunction and failure occurs. Once their temperature reaches 43 degrees or higher, it melts the proteins which make up the foundation of all the cells in the body. While there is no definite point at which these systems fail, higher temperatures and longer periods of heat exposure will lead to more organ dysfunctions and possible risk of death.

The effects of heat stroke are devastating, and in all cases, even in suspected heat stroke, immediate treatment is needed as every second makes a significant difference to the outcome.

What are the signs and symptoms of heat stroke in dogs?

There are a number of signs and symptoms of heat stroke in dogs to look out for. Signs and symptoms will quickly progress, becoming more severe and can lead to death. The early signs of heat stroke dogs will exhibit include, some or all of the following:

• High body temperature
• Restlessness or agitation
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Drooling, often very thick saliva
• Change in gum colour (dark red, pale, purple, or blue)

As the condition worsens, signs and symptoms progress to include:

• Vomiting or diarrhoea (possibly with blood)
• Increased heart rate
• Lethargy or collapse
• Dizziness – are they struggling to walk in a straight line?
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness

While not as common, cats can in fact develop heat stroke. Symptoms and signs of heat stroke in cats is very similar to what dogs exhibit, however there are a couple of signs and symptoms that are unique to cats.

Why does heat stroke occur?

The main predisposing factors

There are numerous factors and situations which contribute to why heat stroke occurs in dogs. These factors are mainly around environmental conditions, however, some pets are at increased risk due to their breed or pre-existing medical reasons.

Environmental factors

Contributing environmental conditions include:

• High temperatures
• High humidity
• Lack of adequate airflow/ventilation
• No access to or inadequate shade
• No access to or inadequate drinking water
• Excessive exercise
• Not used to hot weather. Dogs can take up to 60 days to acclimatise to significant changes in temperature
• Pets left in closed homes/garages with no air conditioning
• Pets left in cars. Even on mild days or with the window down temperatures can rise quickly

Breed and pre-existing medical factors

While all pets can be at risk of heat stroke, there are some pets that are more susceptible to heat stroke. These pets include:

• Small animals, including birds, guinea pigs, rats and mice, rabbits, and ferrets. The reason being these animals are often confined to cages and hutches and are unable to move to cooler places. It is important to ensure during hot weather they are moved into cool, shaded and well-ventilated areas with plenty of drinking water. Draping cages with wet towels and proving an icepack or frozen water bottle for them to lean against to regulate their body temperature will assist in giving them relief.
• Extremes in ages (young and old)
• Thick or long-coats retain the heat
• Overweight and obese dogs
• Large breed dogs
• Extremely active, or working and hunting dogs, such as shepherds and retrievers
• Brachycephalic breeds, otherwise known as short-nosed and flat-faced animals. Their smaller and narrower nostrils, long soft palate, and under-developed and smaller airways combine to prevent efficient airflow, which means they struggle to cool themselves. These breeds include pugs, English bulldogs, French bulldogs, Pekingese, and Persian and Himalayan cats. Brachycephalic breeds are 146% more likely to suffer from heat stroke than any other dog breed. This needs to be taken into consideration, as simply sitting at a cafe with your pup on a hot day and cause heat stroke.
• Those who have a respiratory disease or breathing problems, such as laryngeal (vocal cord) paralysis, or a collapsing trachea
• Dogs who have heat problems/cardiovascular disease
• Dogs with a neurological disease
• Dehydration

How long does it take for a dog to die of heat stroke?

While there is no set length of time as to how long it takes for a dog to die from a heat-related illness, death can occur within an hour. This is especially the case for dogs that are predisposed to heat stroke. However, there have been cases where a dog has passed away in as little as 15 minutes from the onset of a heat stroke.

Heat stroke results in multi organ failure, for every organ that is affected, the prognosis decreases by 25%. If left untreated, recovery from heat stroke is almost non-existent. Some dogs can fully recover from heat stroke if it is caught and treated early enough. Others can suffer permanent damage to their organs and require lifelong treatment.

How do I treat heat stroke in my dog?

Heat stroke is a serious life-threatening condition, which requires immediate treatment to increase the chances of survival. If you believe your pet is suffering from heat stroke and is showing any of the above signs or symptoms, follow these steps and immediately see a vet:

• Remove your dog from the hot environment
• Gradually lower your dog’s body temperature by wetting them down with a hose or bucket (avoiding their face), a fan blowing over damp skin will help in evaporative cooling. Do not wrap a wet towel around them as it will trap the heat trying to escape
• Don’t use ice baths (this can cool them too rapidly and cause constriction of the blood vessels lowering their cooling ability)
• Wetting down the areas around your dog can also help in lowering the ambient temperature
• Offer water
• See a vet immediately. Even if your pet looks to be recovering or you only suspect they have heat stroke, it is important to see a vet.

How is heat stroke treated by vets?

Once you arrive at your local vet or nearest animal emergency hospital, the vet/s will assess the severity of your pet’s heat stroke and then begin emergency treatment as required. Treatment for heat stroke can be complex and often includes long stays in hospital.

Treatment may include:

• Emergency cooling, especially if your pet’s body temperature is still high
• Intravenous fluids to treat dehydration, shock, and to cool the body down internally
• Oxygen therapy
• Anaesthesia and airway intubation for pets that are having breathing difficulties or are unconscious
• Gastric protectants and anti-nausea medication in cases of vomiting and diarrhoea (as the gut may slough and start to die)
• Antibiotics to prevent secondary sepsis (blood poisoning)
• Pain relief
• Cardiac medications if required
• Blood tests to assess the severity of dehydration, to test for clotting, assess organ function, and monitor response to treatment
• Blood or plasma transfusion for those with clotting problems
• Ongoing monitoring and treatment, usually in the intensive care unit

In severe cases of heat stroke ventilation may be needed

How to prevent heat stroke in your dog

PHeat stroke is preventable. As well as being aware of the signs and symptoms so as treatment can be administered immediately, ensure your pet/s are kept in appropriate environmental conditions. These include:P

• Never leave pets unattended in parked cars
• Plan car trips – keep the car cool, ensure frequent stops and water is available
• Avoid exercise during the warmest times of the day
• Ensure there is plenty of cool water and shade available
• Don’t leave pets inside hot, closed homes or garages
• Avoid walking pets on hot sand, concrete, bitumen, or any other surfaces where heat is reflected
• Keep your dog well hydrated with easy access to water

Tips to keep your dog cool

Here are some tips on how to keep dogs cool in summer:

Dogs travelling on the back of a car are susceptible to burning their paw pads and other parts of their body from contact with the ute tray which can get extremely hot in the sun. Consider covering the trays with a suitable material to provide a shaded area.

• Be aware of sunburn, particularly in pets with white, non-pigmented skin and a white-coloured coat. Fair complexion pets will need animal-specific sunscreen and zinc for protection from the sun’s rays.
• Treat your pet to a cooling mat or even cool a ceramic tile or baking tray in the fridge or freezer for them to lie on
• Give frozen treats like dog ice blocks
• Fill extra bowls of water in case one is knocked over
• Place ice in water bowls to help keep cool
• Let your pet play in paddling pools. Place a clamshell or inflatable pool outside for your dog to wade in to keep cool.

Heat stroke in dogs and cats: Signs, prevention and treatment

Heat stroke is a life-threatening condition that occurs when your pet’s body temperature is extremely high, usually greater than 41°C. It can result in a body-wide inflammatory response and can lead to multiple organ failure.

Heat stroke in pets is most common in the summer when conditions are hot and humidity is high, but it can also occur during strenuous physical activity or exercise.

Signs of heat stroke in dogs and cats

Heat stroke can vary from mild to life threatening. A high body temperature damages cells and causes a systemic or whole body inflammatory response, damaging vital organs including the liver, kidneys and brain. Symptoms of heat stroke include:

• Rapid breathing or panting: although common in dogs, panting is rare and unusual in cats, but can occur with heat stroke
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Abnormal bleeding: red lesions on the skin caused by small broken blood vessels, blood in vomit, blood in faeces
• Increased heart rate
• Muscle tremors
• Disorientation and restlessness
• Seizures
• Collapse

Causes and factors of heat stroke in pets

Several situations and factors can put your pet at risk of heat stroke, including:

• Being confined in a car, even when the windows are open and the car is parked in the shade
• Being confined without access to shade or water
• Overexertion on a very hot and humid day ·
• Obesity
• Cardiac and/or respiratory disease
• Age – old and very young animals are most at risk
• Thick or heavy coats
• Short-faced (brachycephalic) breeds, such as bulldogs, pugs, and Boston terriers, all of which use more energy panting and have smaller nasal passages.

Treatment of heat stroke in dogs and cats

Seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect heat stroke – early treatment improves the chance of survival.

To help treat your pet for symptoms of heat stroke on the way to the vet, follow the following steps:

1. Lower your dog’s or cat’s body temperature gradually.
2. Cool your pet with a wet towel or water, and then fan them to allow for evaporative cooling. Ensure the air conditioner in your car is on as you drive to the vet.
3. Don’t place any animal with possible heat stroke into an ice-cold bath. Rather than lowering body temperature, rapid cooling can minimise heat loss and worsen heat stroke.

Placing animals into an ice-cold bath can also cause hypothermia. Heat stroke compromises the body’s ability to regulate its temperature, so animals suffering heat stroke that are cooled to a hypothermic state may not be able to re-establish a normal temperature, which can be fatal.

How to prevent heat stroke in dogs and cats

To maintain a normal body temperature, pets lose heat through evaporative cooling, similar to how humans lose heat when we sweat. Dogs and cats can sweat through their paw pads, but as this is a small surface area, it is ineffective for heat loss, particularly in excessive heat. Other common ways pets lose heat to cool themselves off include:

• Salivation and panting – Dogs use this method of panting to lose heat. Taking fast, shallow breaths maximises airflow over the moist surfaces lining their nasal cavity and mouth. Heat is lost through evaporative cooling as the moisture leaves these surfaces and is exhaled.
• Licking – Cats also rely on evaporative cooling to lose heat, but instead of panting, they moisten their coat with saliva by licking themselves.

However, these mechanisms of losing heat become ineffective when environmental humidity of exceeds 80 per cent.

Take the following precautions to help prevent heat stroke in your pet:

• Use pet sunscreen or protective clothing– don’t use human sunscreen, as some of the ingredients can be toxic to pets.
• Ensure pets have access to shade, ventilation and fresh drinking water.For pets that often tip over their water bowl, choose one made of heavy material (e.g., ceramic) and provide more than one source of water.
• Bring pets indoorsinto air conditioning on extremely hot days, and/or provide covered shelter outside.
• Provide access to waterfor cooling off in the shade, like a dog wading pool, or a wet towel to lie on – always supervise animals in a wading pool.

Compiled  & Shared by- Team, LITD (Livestock Institute of Training & Development)

Image-Courtesy-Google

Reference-On Request.