Signs, Symptoms And Treatment Of Heat Stroke In Dogs

by Lorie Huston, DVM 

Heat stroke is a serious and potentially life-threatening situation. It is especially common in dogs that have been left untended in cars We all know it is not safe to leave an animal in a closed car when the outside temperature is extremely warm.

However, even in temperatures as mild as 70-75°F, the temperature inside of a closed car can increase as much as 40° or more in one hour! 

That means the temperature inside of the car can increase to 110-115°F even when the temperature outside is mild!

Besides the car scenario, there are other situations in which heat stroke becomes more likely for our pets as well.

• Dogs (or other animals) left outside on hot and/or humid days without the availability of adequate shade and/or water are likely to suffer heat stroke.


• Animals that are exercised heavily on a hot and/or humid day may also suffer heat stroke.


• Brachycephalic (short-nosed) breeds of dogs and cats may be more likely to develop hyperthermia (an elevated temperature) and suffer heat stroke because their ability to pant effectively is hampered by their anatomy.


• Obesity can affect an animal’s airways and make panting less effective at dissipating heat for the animal, predisposing the animal to heat stroke.


• Other diseases that hamper the airway can also alter the effectiveness of the panting mechanism that dogs and cats rely on to dissipate body heat, resulting in heat stroke.


• Animals exposed to forced heat, such as a hair dryer, may also suffer heat stroke.

Symptoms and Signs of Heat Stroke

Early symptoms seen with heat stroke include restlessness and excessive panting. The respiratory rate and heart rate will increase. Excessive drooling may also occur.

Vomiting and/or diarrhea may occur. Dehydration and depression will occur as the symptoms worsen.

As the situation progresses, the animal’s gums may turn brick red in color or even purple or blue as oxygen saturation declines.

Your dog may have difficulty breathing and may appear to be gasping. He will become weak and may stagger. Seizures may occur and the animal may become totally comatose. Petechial hemorrhages, small red areas that resemble bruising, may appear. As the pet nears death, the temperature may actually decrease to below normal.

A body temperature higher than 105°F is cause for alarm.

It is important to remember that an elevated temperature can have many different causes and heat stroke is only one of those potential causes. However, often there are clues in the environment or the recent history of the pet that easily lead to the probability of a diagnosis of heat stroke. For instance, a dog found locked in a car that has symptoms consistent with heat stroke is likely suffering from heat stroke rather than another disease.

Treatment of Heat Stroke in Dogs

Any dog suffering from heat stroke should be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible!

However, measures may be taken to begin cooling the pet before transport. It is important not to lower the body temperature of the dog or cat too much or too quickly. Cool wet towels can be placed around or over the animal. Towels soaked in cool water can also be placed between the legs, both front and rear. Placing cool water on the ears and paws may help cool the pet also.

Naturally, the pet should be removed from the environment which caused the heat stroke. If possible, direct a fan toward the dog or cat.

Do not use ice or extremely cold water to cool a dog or cat suffering from heat stroke. Doing so may actually make the condition worse.

Though cooling the pet is part of treating for heat stroke, other procedures will also likely be necessary to save the animal’s life and rapid evaluation and treatment at a veterinary facility is usually necessary.

Heat stroke affects all body systems and causes thermal damage to numerous tissues.

• The kidneys are damaged, leading to acute kidney failure.


• The gastrointestinal tract is damaged and may lead to bacterial translocation from the intestinal tract into the blood stream.


• Damage to the liver and to the heart can occur due to thermal damage.


• There may be swelling within the brain and infarctions that cause further brain damage.


• Clotting deficits may occur, leading to bleeding abnormalities.

Treatment for heat stroke will vary depending on the condition of the animal, but intravenous fluid support is usually necessary.

Blood transfusions may be required. Oxygen therapy may be necessary for animals suffering respiratory depression. Cerebral swelling (swelling within the brain) may require specialized medications, such as mannitol to reduce the swelling. Antibiotics may be necessary if there has been damage to the gastrointestinal tract to combat sepsis caused by bacterial translocation. Other therapies may be required.

Severely affected may not survive despite best attempts at resuscitation.

Preventing Heat Stroke in Dogs

In most cases, heat stroke is preventable by taking some simple precautions.

• Do not leave animals caged, tied or otherwise confined outside without adequate shade and water. At very high temperature, animals should be moved indoors rather than being kept outside for prolonged periods of time.


• Do not leave animals in closed compartments exposed to the sun, such as a closed car.


• Increased caution should be used with animals that are obese, have respiratory difficulties, are geriatric or are otherwise unhealthy.


• Be aware that some animals will lie in a sunny window long enough to become subject to heat stroke. Restrict access to these areas if necessary by closing blinds or draperies.


• Provide adequate water for animals that are performing strenuous exercises in warm temperatures. Be aware that animals performing arduous physical activities require more water, sometimes as much as twice the amount or more, than animals at rest.

***

Lorie Huston has been practicing veterinary medicine for over 20 years. Besides a successful career in a busy small animal hospital in Providence, RI, Lorie is also a successful freelance writer specializing in pet care and pet health topics. 

Currently, she is the feature writer for the Pet Care section at Suite101.com and the National Pet Health Examiner at Examiner.com. Lorie also publishes her own blog, The Pet Health Care Gazette and manages an increasingly popular facebook page, The Voice of Pet Care. 

Articles by Dr. Huston:
Lyme Is Lame (Pun Intended)
The Ticking Bomb
Don’t Let Heartworm Become A Heartbreak!
Summer Perils: Blue-green Algae
Your Dog And Leptospirosis
Canine Parvovirus
Canine Distemper Virus
Why Is My Dog So Itchy? Top 5 Causes Of Itching In Dogs 
Vaccination Concerns and Potential Side Effects 
Natural Flea Control for Dogs

Related articles:
Hypo- Versus Hyperthermia
Know Your Dog’s Enemies: Heat Stroke Is No Light Matter!

Dog Heat Symptoms

Dog heat is widely called the estrous cycle. During this period female dogs can get pregnant if they mate.

The informations below will be the female dog symptoms when they are in heat period.

The first stage of dog heat symptoms is swelling of the vulva and sudden increase in urination. It is a little hard to detect the heat symptoms in small dogs so you will have to pay a closer attention to know her first cycle. Male dogs can detect this period and you will see them hanging around your house.

The approximate time of the first cycles is usually start at 6 months – 1 year. However this is just only approximation and the period can be faster or slower depend on your pet breed and size. Surround environment also has indirect effect on the period too. If after 1 – 1.5 year old and your pet still in normal condition (no heat symptoms) then you should do some check with your local veterinarian.

The heat cycle usually last in 3 weeks. Again this period is an average or approximation on the period. Most female dogs usually have estrous cycle every 6-8 months. It is also common to see your pet in heat twice a year.

You can know your pet pregnancy by checking progesterone levels and the best day to mate is usually aroud days 11 – 15 counting from the first signs of her cycle.

During eat period female will let male to mount on her and most of the female dogs will reject male when they are not in heat period.

You should also check for some other problems such as genetic, hip conditions etc.

You can also take your female dog to exercise eventhough she is in her heat period. You will notice all those male following her like a magnet. You should becareful and never let her out of your sight because there is a high risk that she will mate with other male dogs and infected with diseases, fleas, bacteria and other problems.

You can read more informations of dog heat symptoms in detail here including other related topic such as pregnant dog symptoms and dog labor symptoms.

Dog heat symptoms

Dog heat is widely called the estrous cycle. During this period female dogs can get pregnant if they mate.

The informations below will be the female dog symptoms when they are in heat period.

The first stage of dog heat symptoms is swelling of the vulva and sudden increase in urination. It is a little hard to detect the heat symptoms in small dogs so you will have to pay a closer attention to know her first cycle. Male dogs can detect this period and you will see them hanging around your house.

The approximate time of the first cycles is usually start at 6 months – 1 year. However this is just only approximation and the period can be faster or slower depend on your pet breed and size. Surround environment also has indirect effect on the period too. If after 1 – 1.5 year old and your pet still in normal condition (no heat symptoms) then you should do some check with your local veterinarian.

The heat cycle usually last in 3 weeks. Again this period is an average or approximation on the period. Most female dogs usually have estrous cycle every 6-8 months. It is also common to see your pet in heat twice a year.

You can know your pet pregnancy by checking progesterone levels and the best day to mate is usually aroud days 11 – 15 counting from the first signs of her cycle.

During eat period female will let male to mount on her and most of the female dogs will reject male when they are not in heat period.

You should also check for some other problems such as genetic, hip conditions etc.

You can also take your female dog to exercise eventhough she is in her heat period. You will notice all those male following her like a magnet. You should becareful and never let her out of your sight because there is a high risk that she will mate with other male dogs and infected with diseases, fleas, bacteria and other problems.

You can read more informations of dog heat symptoms in detail here including other related topic such as pregnant dog symptoms and dog labor symptoms.