With summer temps in Birmingham averaging 90 degrees & average humidity ranging between 50–80%, heat stroke in dogs & cats poses a very real danger for pets. The good news is that heat stroke in dogs and cats is totally preventable.
What Is Heat Stroke In Dogs & Cats?
Heat stroke is a dangerous, potentially deadly condition that occurs when a pet is exposed to excessive heat, humidity, and sun. When a dog or cat develops heat stroke, their body temperature rises to dangerously high levels. Heat stroke can lead to seizures, permanent organ damage, and death.
When your dog’s temperature rises higher than 109 degrees, it’s a virtual certainty that your dog or cat will get heat stroke and die without immediate medical treatment. At 109 degrees, your pet’s cell membrane stability and normal enzyme activity will alter at this temperature and higher.
If your dog or cat develops heat stroke, the following conditions can develop:
- Brain swelling (Brain swelling often leads to seizures and is intensely painful.)
- Cell death (Cells throughout the body will start to die.)
- Dehydration (Dehydration can lead to permanent kidney damage.)
- Organ failure (Organs can fail, leading to death.)
If this all sounds serious and scary, it is. Heat stroke in dogs and cats occurs far more than it should, and this condition is totally preventable with common sense care of your pets.
Why Are Dogs & Cats Particularly Susceptible To Heat Stroke?
Dogs & cats are particularly susceptible to heat stroke for one simple reason: They can’t sweat to cool down like humans can. Why?
- First and foremost, dogs & cats have very minimal sweat glands.
- Second, they have fur which holds heat in their bodies.
Dogs & cats can release a limited amount of heat by panting. They also can release a modest amount of heat through their paws. But in the case of dogs, if they’re being walked on pavement that’s 100–140 degrees, the ability to release heat through the paws disappears.
As a result, dogs & cats are extremely vulnerable to heat stroke, especially in hot, humid climates.
What Are The Signs Of Heat Stroke In Dogs & Cats?
It’s critically important to be able to spot signs of heat stroke in your dogs & cats. If your pet has heat stroke, you’ll see the symptoms below.
- Glazed eyes
- Dark red tongue & gums
- Heavy panting & drooling
- Inability to walk or stand (staggering)
As heat stroke becomes even more life-threatening, you’ll see these symptoms:
- Vomiting
- Bloody diarrhea
- Seizures
- Collapse & loss of consciousness
If you spot any of these symptoms in your dog or cat, you must take immediate action to prevent permanent organ damage or death.
What Should I Do If My Dog or Cat Has Heat Stroke?
Step 1: First, call your veterinarian.
Call & alert the hospital you’re on your way to the hospital with a heat stroke emergency.
Step 2: Don’t delay getting to the vet, but take emergency action to cool your pet down.
Medical research shows that if you take emergency action to cool your pet before rushing to the veterinary hospital, your pet will have a 40% better chance of surviving.
The goal is to gradually lower your pet’s body temperature. If you do this too fast, you can cause more medical complications. Here are some tips to safely begin cooling your pet:
- Immediately move your pet out of the sun and into the shade.
- Stand your pet in a bathtub or sink and pour cool water over them. Let the water drain away. Do not use icy cold water.
- Offer your pet cool water to drink, but do not add ice. Do not force drinking.
- Wrap cold packs in paper towels and place them on your pet.
- Drive to the veterinary hospital with the air conditioning on full force.
Standard Medical Treatments for Pets With Heat Stroke
While responses to heat stroke vary by patient, standard veterinary treatments may include:
- Administration of oxygen
- Intravenous fluids
These treatments are performed alongside blood testing and continuous monitoring of your pet’s temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Dogs & Cats
The best way to help your pets live long, healthy lives is to prevent heat stroke. Common sense prevention tips include:
Heat Stroke Prevention Tip 1: Never leave your dog or cat in a car, even for “just five minutes.”
Heat Stroke Prevention Tip 2: Exercise pets in the early morning when it’s cooler.
Heat Stroke Prevention Tip 3: Avoid walking dogs during peak heat hours. Hot pavement can burn paws and contribute to heat stroke.
Heat Stroke Prevention Tip 4: Keep pets indoors on hot days with shades drawn and fans or air conditioning running.
Heat Stroke Prevention Tip 5: Always provide fresh, clean water.
The bottom line is that pets live longer, healthier lives when heat stroke is prevented rather than treated as a medical emergency. Prevention through awareness and common sense care is key.