Heatstroke In Pets

It will be the hospital's goal to reduce core temperature to approximately 39 degrees C or 103 degrees F within the first 10 minutes using a cool, "not cold", water. Cooling the pet down to a normal temperature as quickly as possible, while preventing or treating shock and brain swelling, which is result to heatstroke. If the pet is having respiratory difficulty, the airway needs to be kept open and oxygen should be supplied if necessary. Intravenous fluids are given as treatment for dehydration and shock. Often intravenous fluids, steriods and cold-water enemas are necessary to prevent permanent damage to the brain and kidneys. Additional medications can be given for shock and brain swelling. Seizures can be treated with standard medication.

Initial treatment involves cooling the body. In the outdoors, an affected pet should be moved to a shaded area and the coat soaked with cool water. You can lower the temperature fast by dousing him with a hose and then wrapping him in a cool, damp blanket. You may immerse the animal into a tub of cool water, but make sure it is not cold because that could put the animal into shock. The goal is to lower the body temperature quickly but gently. You also may apply rubbing alcohol to the body and extremities but not the head. Ice packs applied to the inguinal, axillary and jugular vein area will cool central venous blood and lower the core body temperature. You should encourage the pet to drink, but don't force. Pets with heatstroke may not swallow properly, and forcing them to drink could make them drown. The pet should then be transferred to a veterinary hospital. Pets with heatstroke can suffer brain damage or worse, so don't take chances if you suspect there's a problem.

Certain animals are particularly sensitive to heatstoke. Such as:
- Young, old , and overweight animals.
- Animals with shortened muzzles i.e. Bulldogs, Pugs, Boxers, Pekinese, Lhasa Apsos, Shih Tzu, Boston Terriers, and Persian cats (pets with shortened muzzles have anatomical obstrucions which limit the free flow of air, so panting isn't as effective for them).
- Animals with heart and/or respiratory problems.
- Animals with thick, heavy coats (particularly the northern or cold-breed animals). The best thing you can do for these dogs is to use a undercoat rake and remove bulk hair from below the outer coat (removing a dog's outer coat can cause problems such as sunburn and rash).

Unlike humans, dogs and cats do not cool off by sweating. Instead, they cool themselves by panting. Panting is a process of breathing in through the nose and mouth, the release and evaporation of moisture occurs together with the release of the pets body heat. Panting is not as efficient as sweating and therefore pets have a more difficult time coping with summer heat than humans do. If the ambient temperature exceeds the range of 101 to 102.5 degrees F and rises rapidly to temperatures above 40 degrees C or 104 degrees F, thus causing heatstoke with the likely corresponding results of respiratory and cardiac arrest, collapse and often death.

Most often occurring on hot, humid days, heatstroke is a summer danger to animals the can be prevented. A life-threatening medical emergency, heat stroke is the state of extreme hyperthermia, or an abnormally high body temperature, which occurs when the pet's body's ability to dissipate heat is exceeded.

Heatstroke in Pets
by
Kimberly Gwalter

The major cause of heatstroke in a pet is the result of owners leaving their pets in cars, carrying cases, or exercising pets during warm times of the day. Leaving your pet in the car for 5 to 10 minutes is asking for trouble. The temperature inside a car parked outdoors can often reach 37 degrees C or 100 degrees F, or more, in less than 20 minutes, and can even reach up to 200 degrees F.

Early symptoms of heatstroke are laboured breathing, warm dry skin, an anxious attitude, a profuse salivation. As the condition progresses, the animal develops a glazed look, and is somewhat unresponsive to external stimulation. They may experience dizziness and vomiting. Looking inside the mouth, the tongue and gums have a bright red appearance. Rectal temperature exceeds 105 degrees F. The heartbeat of the animal increases and if left untreated, they become weak and eventually collapse.

Heatstroke aftects all body systems. The cardiovascular system has an increased metabolic rate and increased oxygen consumption. The respiratory system shows signs of hyperventilation, which in turn affects the acid-base balance of the whole body. Pets can go into acute respiratory failure.

Muscle tissue breaks down, fluid accumulates in the brain and the coagulation system breaks down. Once the temperature reaches 109 degrees F, the pet has only a few minutes before the heat destroys all tissues.

The best treatment is common sense and prevention. If you must take your pet in the heat be sure to take water and a bowl, and be near shaded areas giving your pet many rest breaks in shade. Make sure cages, and kennels are well ventilated. Make sure cars are not in direct sunlight, well ventilated, and check your pet every 10 to 15 minutes. It is best that they are not in area of confinement and should have ability to roam safely.

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