Heat Stroke In Pets: How To Spot It, Deal With It & Prevent It

With high summer in full force, heat stroke in pets is a distinct reality of which pet owners need to be aware. So, let’s start with some basics about heat stroke in pets, along with tips for spotting this condition, what to do, and how to prevent it. The technical term for heat stroke is hyperthermia, meaning elevated body temperature.

What Is Heat Stroke?

Heat stroke is the most serious heat-related medical condition for pets. Heat stroke occurs when pets are exposed to so much heat that they can’t regulate their body temperature. This results in dangerously high body temperatures that can cause permanent damage and/or be fatal. Heat stroke in pets is a medical emergency.

How Does Heat Stroke In Pets Happen?

Heat stroke in pets occurs from exposure to extreme heat and humidity. This can involve:

• Pets that are left outside without shade or water on hot days;
• Pets left inside cars where temperature can rise to dangerous levels in less than five minutes; and
• Pets involved in excessive, strenuous exercise in hot environments.

In the case of dogs and heat stroke, dogs only have sweat glands on their paws so they rely on panting to cool down. When they are being walked or exercised on a hot day, the sidewalks and streets will have a significantly higher temperature than the air temperature. As a result, it’s hard for a dog to stay cool when they’re walking on surfaces that range from 130 degrees to 160 degrees. Walking a dog on surfaces with these temperatures also poses the risk of burns on the paws.

Another way heat stroke can occur in dogs is when they’re muzzled because their ability to pant is restricted by the muzzle. High fever also can cause heat stroke.

How Does Heat Stroke Affect Pets?

Pets, as well as humans, have ranges for normal body temperatures. If heat stroke is occurring, pets aren’t able to cool down and their body temperature rises to dangerous levels. The normal body temperature range for dogs is 100-102 degrees Fahrenheit. For cats, the normal body temperature range is from 100.5F and 102.5F.

If your pet’s body temperature rises beyond the normal range, the result can lead to the failure of multiple organs followed by death. The critical temperature where organ failure and death occur is a body temperature of 107-109 degrees Fahrenheit.

What Are The Signs & Symptoms Of Heat Stroke In Pets?

Pets that are suffering from heat stroke will show the following symptoms:

• Elevated breathing rates
• Dry or sticky gums
• Abnormal gum color
• Glassy, unfocused eyes
• Drooling
• Lethargy
• Disorientation
• Seizures

What’s The Treatment For Pets That Get Heat Stroke?

If your pet has heat stroke, it is a medical emergency that requires immediate treatment. Your pet’s body temperature must be brought back down to a normal range in a safe and controlled manner.

In the event that you think your pet has heat stroke, first call your veterinary hospital and alert them that you’re bringing in a heat stroke victim so the veterinary team can be ready to address the emergency.

Some research studies show that outcomes are improved if you quickly take measures to cool your pet down before transport to a veterinary hospital for emergency treatment. Here are some steps that can be taken:

• Step 1: Get your pet into the shade and a cool environment immediately.
• Step 2: Let your pet drink as much cool (but not cold water) as they want to drink. Pour cool, but NOT cold, water on your pet’s head, feet, stomach, and armpits. You also can apply soaked towels or cloths to your pet’s back. But the cloths or towels should be continually replaced with a new cool cloth, or the towels will start to retain heat. Keep in mind that if you panic and apply cold water to your pet’s skin or plunge their body into cold water or ice water, it makes blood vessels constrict – which can worsen the heat stroke.
• Step 3: Ensure a continuous flow of air across your pet to increase heat reduction through evaporation from a fan if one is available.
• Step 4: Drive your pet to a veterinary hospital as fast as you can safely get there.

Once you’re at the veterinary hospital, the veterinary team will take your pet’s temperature and determine what emergency treatment is needed. Treatment options include continuing to cool your pet down, intravenous fluids, mild sedation, and low-concentration oxygen therapy.

The goal is to steadily reduce your pet’s body temperature back down to normal ranges to prevent organ failure and death.

The prognosis for pets that develop heat stroke depends on many factors, including:

• How high the body temperature elevated
• How long the pet was in a heat stroke condition

It’s also important to know that pets that get heat stroke are more susceptible to heat stroke in the future – so extra care must be taken after the first heat stroke episode.

How To Prevent Heat Stroke In Pets

When it comes to heat stroke, the old saying “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” applies. The best way to deal with heat stroke in your pets is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here’s how you can do that:

• Keep your pets in a cool, well-ventilated environment with plenty of fresh, clean water to drink.
• Don’t walk your pets or subject your pets to heavy exercise in high heat.
• NEVER leave your pet alone in the car. Even on a semi-cloudy day, cars heat up to dangerous levels in less than five minutes. In addition, dogs have died from heat stroke after being left in a car on a 70-degree day. “Cracking the windows” does not help. Cars still reach dangerously high temperature levels with the windows partially open.

The good news is that heat stroke in pets is preventable. In the event that you think your pet has heat stroke, quickly take measures to cool your pet down. Then transport your pet to a veterinary hospital for emergency treatment.

If you have questions about heat stroke or think your pet needs veterinary care, contact Alford Avenue Veterinary Hospital. If the emergency is happening after hours, contact your nearest veterinary emergency hospital.