Don't let your pet get beat by the heat.

With summer in full swing, it is more important than ever to make sure your pet stays cool. Knowing what signs to look for if you think your pet may be overheating could save your pet's life. Emergency and Critical Care specialist Dr Stacy Armstrong discusses heatstroke in this blog update.

Heatstroke is defined as a state of extreme hyperthermia (106-109°F). The hallmark of heatstroke is severe central nervous system disturbance (CNS) and is often associated with multiorgan dysfunction. A more recent definition of heatstroke is that it "is a form of hyperthermia associated with a systemic inflammatory response leading to a syndrome of multiorgan dysfunction in which encephalopathy predominates".

Heat Stroke may be a life-threatening condition, and does require immediate treatment. A dog’s normal body temperature is 100 – 102.5°F, and any time the body temperature is higher than 105°F, a true emergency exists. Heatstroke generally occurs in hot summer weather when dogs are left with inadequate ventilation in hot vehicles. However, heatstroke may also occur ANYTIME, and in conditions, including:

1. When an animal is left outdoors in hot/humid conditions without adequate shade.
2. When exercised (even just walking or going to the park) in hot/humid weather.
3. When left in a car on a relatively cool (70°F) day; a recent study from StanfordUniversity Medical Center found the temperature within a vehicle may increase by anaverage of 40 degrees Fahrenheit within one hour regardless of outside temperature.

Other predisposing factors may be obesity and/or diseases affecting a pet’s airway. Also, brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds (Pekingese, Pug, Lhasa Apso, Boston terrier, Bulldogs, etc.) may suffer from ineffectual panter syndrome that results in an increased body temperature that may be fatal. We also see cases of heat stroke in "inside dogs" that are kept in air conditioning and that are not acclimated to the heat. These dogs go outside and can become overheated in only 10 to 15 minutes. Even vigorous play that is part of a dog's normal routine can lead to heatstroke if the play is prolonged, the pet has an underlying illness, or if the weather is unusually hot.


Signs of Heat Stroke: The following signs may indicate heat stroke in a dog:
• Increased rectal temperature (over 104° requires action, over 106° is a dire emergency)
• Vigorous panting • Dark red gums
• Tacky or dry mucus membranes (specifically the gums)
• Lying down and unwilling (or unable) to get up
• Collapse and/or loss of consciousness
• Thick saliva
• Dizziness or disorientation



What to Do:
• Remove your pet from the environment where the hyperthermia occurred.
• Move your pet to shaded and cool environment, and direct a fan on him/her.
• If possible, determine rectal temperature and record it.
• Transport to the closest veterinary facility immediately.
• Reduction of core body temperature is essential. Owners shouldstart cooling efforts prior to transport to an emergency facility if it is more than a few minutes away. Immerse animal in cool water using either a tub or spraying with a garden hose. Do not use ice water as this causes peripheral vasoconstriction, inhibiting heat loss through convection and radiation. Shivering may also result from the application of ice baths, generating more heat and exacerbating the hyperthermia. A fan can be used to increase cooling by evaporation.



What NOT to Do:
• Do not use cold water or ice for cooling.
• Do not overcool the pet.
• Most pets with hyperthermia have body temperatures greater than 105°F, and a reasonable goal of cooling is to reduce your pet’s body temperature to 102.5-103°F while transporting her to the closest veterinary facility.

Taking quick action if your pet becomes overheated is key to saving its life.