Heat Stroke in Pets
As we are heading into summer spare a thought for your furry pet. Now I know your house might be covered in fur as your pets shed that winter coat but your pet will still be covered in a thick layer of warm hair with the only way of cooling off being to have a good pant.
If your poor pet gets too hot they may suffer from heat stroke!
Heat stroke is a form of hyperthermia which progresses to the point where it becomes an emergency situation after long exposure to hot temperatures with inadequate ventilation.
Causes of heatstroke:
- A warm and humid environment (such as the central coast!)
- Inadequate shade and water
- Lack of adequate air-flow/ventilation
- Leaving your pet in the car (even with the windows down)
- Over-exercise on hot days
- Especially prone to being affected are dogs with a long-haired coat and short-nosed, flat-faced dogs (brachycephalic), and also older dogs.
Signs of heatstroke:
- Excessive panting
- Noisy/harsh breathing sounds
- Weakness/reluctance to move
- Bright red gums and tongue
- Vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Muscle tremors/spasms
- Confusion/depression
- A weak or staggering gait
- Collapse
What to do if you suspect your pet has heatstroke?
Heat stress can quickly become an emergency situation so seek Veterinary Help immediately if you suspect your pet is suffering with heat stroke.
First of all get your pet out of the hot environment it is in. Use cool water (don’t use ice water as this may exacerbate the problem) and wet towels to start bringing your pets temperature down. Fans or air conditioning will also help to cool your pet once they are wet. Keep the air-con or fan on in the car while you are transporting your pet to the clinic. Generally if your pet has heat stroke they are going to need treatment at the vet, possibly including; intravenous fluids, oxygen, continued cooling and monitoring your pets temperature and other vital signs.
How to avoid heat stroke?
- Keep dogs who are more prone to suffering from heat stroke inside in air-conditioning on very hot days; this includes dogs who are older, overweight or have a short-nose and flat-face (brachycephalic)
- Your pet should have access to plenty of fresh clean water at times. This should be placed in a shaded area if your pet is outdoors.
- To keep the water cool especially on particularly hot days use a frozen water bottles, or ice cubes made out of plastic containers in the water bowls.
- Ensure the bowls you are using are heavy enough that they cannot be tipped over either by the wind or your pet, leaving them without access to water.
- Do not EVER leave your pet unattended in the car! They can overheat very quickly even with the windows open.
- On hot days avoid strenuous exercise, especially in the middle of the day when it is the hottest.
- If your pet is left outdoors ensure they have plenty of places which will be cool and shade during the day. If there are not shaded spots then consider bringing your pet inside into the cooler garage or laundry while you are out.
- Fill up a kiddy pool with water and place in a shady area for your pets to splash around in during the day.