Hot dogs (and cats)

HEATSTROKE IN PETS

What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke occurs when your pet’s body temperature rises above the normal range of 38.3-39.2 degrees. Dogs and cats have few sweat glands and cannot cool off by sweating like humans, so they overheat more easily. Pets mainly cool off by panting, as moisture evaporation from the oral cavity helps lower body temperature. Heatstroke most commonly occurs when pets are left outside on hot days, but also can develop if:

• There is high humidity, even if the temperature is lower
• Your pet doesn’t take breaks from playing to cool off
• Your pet doesn’t have adequate access to water in warm temperatures
• Your pet is left in a closed-up house on a hot day with no ventilation or air conditioning
• Your pet is left inside a car, even if it does not seem hot outside

Heatstroke is a dangerous health condition that can cause death if warning signs are not recognized immediately.

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What are signs of heatstroke in pets?

• Excessive panting (or panting at all for a cat)
• Excessive drooling
• Difficulty breathing
• Rapid heartbeat
• Purple or dark red gums
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea, with or without blood
• Weakness
• Incoordination or stumbling
• Collapse
• Seizures

Act immediately if your pet displays any of these signs. Once your pet begins to overheat, heatstroke progresses quickly.

Which animals are at greatest risk?

Any pet can develop heatstroke but the following are more predisposed:

• Brachycephalic breeds (pets with short muzzles such as bulldogs or pugs) are more at risk because they are less efficient at eliminating heat by panting
• Overweight pets
• Elderly pets
• Pets with pre-existing heart and lung disease 

These pets should never be left outside in the heat and should stay indoors with air conditioning during the summer. See below for more tips on prevention for these at-risk animals!

What should I do if my pet shows heatstroke signs?

• If signs are mild such as panting or vomiting 
  • Take them somewhere cooler
  • Offer a drink of cool, not cold, water
  • You can use a wet towel over them or under arms and legs but remember to remove it if it gets hot
  • Place in front of a fan
  • Your pet’s body temperature should decrease, and they should begin to improve in 10 minutes.
  • If your pet’s condition does not improve in 10 minutes, or if serious signs develop, call us during working hours or take them to the closest emergency clinic immediately for advanced support, such as intravenous fluids, blood pressure maintenance, or other medications.
• If they show severe signs such as collapse, weakness, seizures or protracted vomiting
  • Cool them down with a wet towel over them or under arms and legs, swapping them out as they warm
  • Place in front of a fan if possible as you...
  • GO IMMEDIATELY to the emergency clinic

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Ways to prevent heatstroke

Consider the possibility of heatstroke any time the temperature is above 27C or humidity is high, and take these precautions to keep your pet cool:

• Never leave your pet unsupervised outside on hot days. While you are away, keep your pet indoors with air conditioning (if available). 
• While outside, ensure your pet has access to fresh water, shade, and shelter away from direct sunlight.
• Take your daily walk or jog in the morning, before temperatures reach dangerous levels.
• Never leave your pet alone in a parked car. Heat quickly builds to deadly levels in a closed car, even on sunny days that aren’t hot.
• On hot days, keep brachycephalic breeds, elderly and obese pets, and those with heart or lung disease inside your air-conditioned home except for short outdoor bathroom breaks.
• During the day keep the window blinds down, keep fans on constantly (continuous air flow helps to keep pets cooler). If the temperature drops in the evenings, open the windows, but make sure to close them in the morning as soon as the sun rises. 
• Soak a large bath towel in cool water, ring it out and place it on a tile or vinyl floor (you can put a plastic bag down first) for your pet to lie on
• Give them a quick bath (without soap) or use a cool damp washcloth to wipe down your pet on the belly, inner thighs and armpits
• Allow your pet access to the coolest parts of your home (typically the downstairs/basement).

 
Enjoy the summer safely!

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