Heatstroke in Dogs

Every year animals are presented to the veterinarian for heat stroke.  If this occurs, there are things you can do at home prior to coming to the vet that may help your dog survive this often deadly condition.

Heat stroke can occur whenever there is a situation where the ambient temperature is hot, there’s improper ventilation or inadequate water supply.  This may occur in a closed vehicle, as a grooming accident (left under hot dryers), or excessive exercise.  Certain dogs may be more apt to develop heat stroke.  Old dogs, heavily coated dogs, black dogs, or brachycephalic breeds (ie Pugs, Bulldogs, Bostons, etc) appear to be predisposed.  Also, if your dog has ever suffered heat stroke, they may be more prone to recurrence.

Signs of heat stroke include panting, drooling, red gums (not the normal pink color), a rapid heart rate and a rectal temperature of > 106 degrees Fahrenheit.  If not treated, symptoms can progress to shock, bloody vomit or diarrhea, seizures, coma and respiratory or cardiac arrest.  If you do not have a rectal thermometer at home, stop reading this and make a note on your list to go buy one!

If you think your dog may have developed heat stroke, immediately start the cooling process by spraying him with cool water or put him in a bathtub and soak him with cool water.  Critical Point:  Do not use cold water or ice to cool your dog!  Cold water constricts the blood vessels of the skin which leads to a decreased ability to lose heat.  Once the initial cooling is done, call the vet and let them know you’re immediately bringing in a potential heat stroke patient.  Studies have shown that dogs have a higher recovery rate if cooling is started even before the trip to the vet.

If you are unable to get your dog to a vet right away, other emergency measures you can do at home include putting a fan on your dog and swabbing the footpads, groin and armpits with isopropyl alcohol.  Closely monitor the dog’s rectal temperature and continue cooling the dog until the temperature is 103-104.  This is a couple degrees higher than a normal temperature, but dogs continue to drop their temperature once the cooling process is stopped, so we want to avoid hypothermia.

Dogs with heat stroke can rapidly progress to kidney failure, shock, brain swelling and death, so it is critical to try to get them to a veterinarian as soon as possible.  Your veterinarian will closely monitor your dog during the cooling process.  They will probably start IV fluid therapy and run bloodwork to assess organ function.

If caught early and the dogs are wet down prior to the trip to the vet, there is a good chance at survival.  Enjoy the summer, and protect those Gordons!

Dr. Barb