- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Heatstroke is a potentially fatal disorder for both dogs and humans and is most commonly seen during the hotter summer months. It’s defined as a state of extreme hyperthermia with internal body temperatures of 106°F that results in thermal injury to the tissues. Heatstroke occurs when heat generation exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate or remove the heat.
This condition is rare in cats but occurs frequently in dogs. Dogs that are especially at risk of suffering from heatstroke include:
- Dogs left in parked cars
- Puppies
- Senior dogs
- Dogs with short muzzles (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, etc.)
- Dogs with thick coats (Huskies, German Shepherds, Akitas, Malamutes, etc.)
- Overweight and out-of-shape dogs
- Dogs with underlying medical issues (arthritis, heart disease, respiratory or endocrine disorders, collapsed trachea, etc.)
- Dogs that live in hot, humid climates
Why does heatstroke occur?
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Temperature regulation is controlled by a special center in a dog’s brain. Core body temperature is kept relatively constant under the usual surrounding temperature fluctuations by this area of the brain.
When the temperature surrounding the dog and the internal temperature of the dog increases, the regulatory center in the brain stimulates panting, drooling, and dilation of the body’s blood vessels to cool the body by evaporation and radiation.
Since dogs sweat mainly from their footpads, sweating is not an effective means of cooling for dogs. When the dog’s ability to keep pace with natural cooling mechanisms fail, heatstroke occurs.
How to prevent heatstroke
Heatstroke, while dangerous, is a highly preventable condition that can easily be defeated with a little bit of awareness. Being cognizant of the heat and humidity in your area, paying attention to non-verbal cues from your dog, and always erring on the side of caution will help make sure you and your dog both have a safe and happy summer. Here are a few tips and tricks to beat the heat:
- Never leave a dog in a parked car or other closed compartments, no matter how briefly, even with the windows open or cracked. Cars can heat up to 20 degrees hotter than the outside environment in minutes, and dogs naturally run hotter than humans.
- At very high temperatures, keep pets indoors. If there’s a heat advisory for people, the same is true for pets.
- Never leave a dog unattended outdoors in the heat. Heatstroke can occur in less than 30 minutes depending on heat and humidity, even with access to water and shade.
- During extreme heat, limit outside exposure, play, and walks as much as possible. Take walks and other outdoor activities during the coolest times of day, like the very early morning or very late evening.
- Be aware of how humidity impacts the heat index in your area. The heat index is the combined impact of both temperature and humidity and can give you a better idea of what the outside temperature is actually like.
What are the signs of heatstroke?
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Some common signs of heatstroke in dogs include:
- Heavy panting
- Rapid and/or difficulty breathing
- Increased heart rate with a bounding pulse
- Lethargy
- Lack of coordination
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- A deep red or purple colored tongue
- Seizure
- Unconsciousness
- Excessive drooling/salivation
The salivation occurs as the body works harder and harder to get rid of pent-up heat. As heatstroke progresses, severe breathing distress occurs. Many dogs will seem as if they can’t catch their breath. Flip their lips and look at the gums and tongue—the gums become bright red, and bruises can be seen on the gums or skin.
As the condition worsens, collapse, seizures, lethargy, and abnormal mental states occur. Increased urination, bloody diarrhea, and vomiting blood may occur due to damage of the blood vessels in the intestines and stomach.
A sign that the condition is worsening is that previously dark and reddish gums become pale and ashen. The pulse then weakens. The elevated body temperature may decrease to below normal, and neurological signs such as seizures and coma can occur, often preceding death.
What to do if your dog has heatstroke
Cooling is critical. Start cooling efforts prior to and on the way to the nearest veterinarian. Too much cooling, however, can make things worse. The most important thing to do is to get the dog to the vet—any vet—quickly.
What you can do to help:
- Get the dog out of the sun, ideally into an air-conditioned home.
- Lay the dog on a cool surface (tile flooring is great).
- Direct a fan on them if one is available.
- Place cool (not ice cold), wet towels over the back of the neck, armpits, and groin area.
- Wet ear flaps and paws with cool water.
- Use a rectal thermometer to monitor their temperature every few minutes.
What NOT to do:
- Don’t use ice or cold water. This causes the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, trapping heat in the body’s core, where it’s causing the most damage.
- Don’t over cool your dog. Once the rectal temperature drops to 103 F, stop the measures described above and get to the vet if you haven’t left already.
- Don’t force your dog to drink—it’s OK to have a bowl of fresh cool water available if your dog is interested in drinking on his or her own.
- Don’t leave your dog unattended for any length of time.
- Don’t take a “wait-and-see” approach. Dogs that are allowed to “sleep it off” are almost always worse later.
Once your dog reaches the veterinary hospital, the health care team will take over with more intense therapies as needed.
What is the prognosis for dogs with heatstroke?
The overall prognosis for a dog with heatstroke depends on the length of time the animal had an elevated temperature, the degree of temperature elevation, the amount of organ damage incurred, and the response to intensive supportive care.
Recovered animals may still have some neurological deficits. In one study of 54 cases, the overall death rate was 50%.
Take the heat off your pet with proper preventive measures. The dog days of summer can be an enjoyable time for all, as long as you stay cool and safe.
Further Reading
- Hot Weather Dogs: Tips for Keeping Your Canine Cool
- 9 Best Dog Pools to Keep Your Pet Cool This Summer
- 9 Tips to Keep Your Dog Cool While Camping This Summer
- Should I Give My Dog a Summer Cut? Your Guide to Summer Grooming for Dogs
