Spotting and Treating Heatstroke in Your Pet

Summer is sizzling, which means your pet will need extra care to stay cool and hydrated. In the same way that you can overheat in high temperatures and humidity, your pets can also suffer dangerous symptoms of heatstroke. If left untreated, heatstroke can result in loss of consciousness, failure of vital organs, and death.

You might think animals can endure the heat better than humans, but the truth is that dogs and cats begin to experience heatstroke at the same internal body temperature as humans (104° F). Gauging your pet’s temperature can be difficult, especially with smaller pets, but the heat index can help. Meteorologists use the heat index to determine the true temperature once humidity is applied. The balance of heat and humidity is what becomes dangerous to your pet’s health, as well as your own. 

Take heat precautions as soon as the heat index reaches 90° F, and remember that animals’ bodies function differently than ours. For instance, cats and dogs only sweat through the pads on their feet, and other animals, such as rabbits, disperse heat through their ears. This means that what keeps you cool may not keep your pets cool! If you're ever hesitant about how to care for your pet, please reach out to our expert veterinary team. 

How to Help Your Pet Avoid Heatstroke:

Never leave your pet in the car unattended. No matter how quick the errand or how shady the parking spot is, cracked windows are not enough to ensure the safety of your pet. Leaving pets in vehicles is a leading cause of hyperthermia-related pet deaths.

Keep your pet in air conditioning as much as possible. A fan alone will not be enough to help them release body heat because of how animals sweat. If you have a basement, consider leaving your pet there when you aren’t home. Since it's underground, it will be naturally cooler. 

Give your pets cold treats such as homemade peanut butter popsicles or chilled wet food. However, ice cubes can injure teeth and should be avoided.
Provide plenty of shade and ventilation indoors as well as outdoors. Always avoid keeping your pet on surfaces that will retain heat, such as asphalt and sand. 

Experiment with ice packs or similar DIY options (e.g., frozen water bottles) to help your pet cool itself. You can put these in your pet’s cages for them to play with or lay against.

Apply water to your pets to keep them cool by misting them, letting them take a dip in the pool, or setting up sprinklers in the yard.

Make sure your pet has easy access to fresh water. Consider using a pet fountain that will prevent spillage and provide a constant flow of water. Adding a few ice cubes – especially for older or impaired animals who typically drink less water – can help keep internal temperatures down. 

Animals at high risk, such as pets suffering from heart or lung disease, obesity, or thicker coats, should receive extra care in the heat. Contact us at (978) 486-3101 if you think your pet is at high risk for heatstroke.

Heatstroke Symptoms

The early stages of overheating can be treated at home. However, you should always call your veterinarian to make sure your pet isn't suffering serious side effects. If you catch these symptoms quickly, you will likely prevent heatstroke from progressing. Once the condition of your pet has moved to heatstroke, immediate action must be taken.  Bring your pet to your veterinarian or emergency clinic as quickly as possible.

If your dog experiences heatstroke, you might notice some or many of these symptoms: 

• Excessive panting and drooling
• Red gums or tongue'
• Increased heart rate
• Dry nose
• Being unusually quiet
• Not wanting to or not being able to get up
• Vomiting

If heatstroke progresses, meaning your dog’s body temperature continues to rise, they might experience the following symptoms: 

• Bloody mouth or stool
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures
• Incoordination or a staggering walk
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Coma
• Death

All types of animals can experience heatstroke, including lizards and birds. Stiffness, discolored skin or tongue, rigidity, lethargy, and loss of appetite are a few signs that these pets may be experiencing heatstroke. Be sure to ask us about your specific pet so you will know what to watch out for and be prepared.

Treatment

The first thing you should do if your pet is suffering from heatstroke is to contact your veterinarian immediately. Next, you will need to handle your pet with extreme care. For instance, making them too cold, or too cold too quickly, can trigger problems like an increased risk of shock or hypothermia. The latter will cause the blood vessels to tighten, decreasing blood flow and preventing your pet from being able to cool down.

For small pets, wet their paws and ears with cool water. Next, wet the fur as it will mimic the process of sweating. It is especially important to slowly cool small pets because there is a heightened risk of life-threatening complications. Once their temperature has started to normalize, gently wrap them in a wet towel to keep them cool while you transport them to the closest emergency veterinary hospital.

For larger pets, the process is similar. Saturate their fur with cool water or use wet cloths to place at the back of the head and armpits to bring their body temperature down to a safe level of about 103° F. Let them drink water or lick ice if they are thirsty. However, don’t give them cold water or try to force them to drink. A good trick is to try a children's rehydration drink or add a little salt to their water. This will help restore electrolytes and minerals lost from overheating. Once they are at a normal temperature, dry your pet thoroughly to prevent hypothermia and bring them to an emergency veterinarian immediately.
If your pet is unconscious, you should bathe them in cool water. This is a delicate process, and you must make sure not to let water get into their nose or mouth, which can result in aspirated pneumonia. When transporting them to your nearest emergency veterinary hospital, keep a cold pack against their belly. Frozen water bottles or bags of frozen vegetables can be used as an ice pack.

Aftercare

Once your pet is in the hands of our veterinary team, we offer services to meet the specific needs of your pet including:

• Temperature regulation
• Respiratory aid
• Blood tests
• Clot tests
• Full body exam
• Tests for damage to internal organs
• Treatments based on our diagnosis

Side Effects

After normalizing your pet’s body temperature, there is still room for potential injury or lingering side effects. Regardless of their condition, always schedule an appointment to have your pet seen by one of our veterinarians for assessment, diagnosis, and prevention of more serious internal problems.

Types of internal issues can include:

• Kidney failure
• Cardiac or pulmonary distress
• Blood clot dysfunction or disorder
• Systemic inflammatory response system
• Liver disease, disorder, or cell breakdown
• Depression or other mental changes
• Hydrocephalus (abnormal accumulation of fluid around the brain)

In many cases, pets can fully recover without any complications. Other pets may require a specific diet based on their complications. Owners should be aware that once animals experience heatstroke they have a greater risk of experiencing it again.

If your pet's behavior has not returned to normal after a few days, it is important to bring your pet back to your veterinarian for further assessment. If you are local to the Littleton, MA area, the team at Littleton Animal Hospital is ready to give your pet the highest level of veterinary care. Schedule your appointment today at (978) 486-3101.