Heat Stroke in Dogs and Cats
Dogs Left in Cars or Outside on Hot Days Can Lead to Heat Stroke
Jul 21, 2007
Veterinarians treat a lot of heatstroke during the summer months. Dogs and cats do not sweat so their cooling systems are not as efficient as a humans. Dogs pant and cats lick themselves (to take advantage of evaporative cooling) to help keep their body temperatures in the normal range. The breeds more at risk include all the smooshed face dogs and cats, for example; Bulldogs, Boston Terriers, Pugs, Pekingese, and Persians.
Heatstroke usually occurs when the outside temperature is above 100 degrees but it doesn't have to be that hot for heatstroke to occur. The temperature inside a car can rise very quickly, even with the windows cracked. I saw heatstroke in a Labrador Retriever that was left outside for a few hours, the temperature was in the 70's, but the dog was lying in the sun and with his arthritis he wasn't able to get up and move to the shade. When the owners got home he was in a coma, he was later euthanized due to brain damage caused by heat stroke.
Symptoms of Heatstroke: Symptoms of heatstroke include but are not limited too; outside on a warm day with or without exercise, usually without access to shade or water, body temperature above 104 degrees, red gums and tongue, thick and sticky saliva, rapid panting, bloody vomiting and diarrhea, bloody nose, collapse, coma, and death. (If your pet goes into shock, which can happen if the body temperature rises above 106 degrees, the gums will be pale).
Treatment of Heatstroke: If your pet is showing symptoms use a rectal thermometer to take its temperature. (Your pet would appreciate it if you use a little lube like petroleum jelly or KY on the tip.)
- If the temperature is above 104 degrees get the animal into a cool place and turn a fan on to take advantage of evaporative cooling. Let the dog or cat drink as much water as they like. Take your pets temperature every 10 minutes, if it continues to rise or if it falls below 100.5 degrees, get to your veterinarian.
- If the body temperature is above 106 degrees start cooling immediately your pet is in severe heat stroke and could lapse into a coma and die. The goal is to lower the temperature slowly, use cool, not cold, running water over the animals body. Keep the head and nose above water, your pet maybe unable to hold its head up on its own. Concentrate the water on the neck and groin areas, this is where some of the bodies major arteries run. Let your pet drink as much water as it likes but do not try to give an unconscious animal oral fluids because they may not be able to swallow. Continue to take your pets temperature every 10 minutes. When the temperature is below 106 degrees, get your pet to a veterinarian for further treatment.
- Stop cooling your pet when the temperature is 103.5 degrees.
- If your pet is going into shock or is unconscious rub Karo syrup on the gums, it will be absorbed and help raise the blood sugar.
- Call your veterinarian and alert them to what is happening and follow their instructions.
Veterinary care of heatstroke:
- If you live close to your veterinarian they can cool your pet for you, but if you live further then 5 minutes away start the cooling process at home.
- Heatstroke cooks your pet from the inside out, every body organ can be affected and there is noway to know which ones are until a complete blood work up is done.
- Heatstroke can also cause a blood clotting disorder known as Disseminated Intravascular Coagulation (DIC). This condition causes the blood clotting system to fail. The veterinarian will want to draw blood for a CBC and/or other tests to check the body's platelets.
- The pet may also need oxygen and IV fluids for dehydration so an emergency visit to the veterinary hospital is crucial.
The "Don't's" of Heatstroke treatment:
- Do not use ice packs. Ice packs only cool the skin, the goal is to cool the core body and it is best to do this slowly.
- Do not use alcohol on the pads. Alcohol can be absorbed by the body.
Heatstroke is very serious and needs immediate treatment, seek the advice of your veterinarian if you think your pet is having a heatstroke.
