Heatstroke

Our guide has been authored by qualified veterinarians, but should not be taken as substitute for medical advice or professional veterinary consultation. If your pet displays any unusual symptoms, we strongly advise seeking guidance from a veterinarian

Understanding Heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke happens when there’s a dangerous rise in body temperature. A dog’s typical body temperature falls between 99.5–102 degrees Fahrenheit. An increase to 102-103 degrees Fahrenheit might happen relatively often under specific conditions, but anything above 104 degrees Fahrenheit is deemed severe. At an extreme of 106 degrees Fahrenheit and higher, widespread and irreversible damage to the body’s proteins can occur, potentially causing extensive harm in various body systems including: liver damage, clotting abnormalities, seizures, kidney failure, respiratory failure, and cardiac arrhythmias that could be fatal.

Jango's story

Jango's owners were sure he'd love a day at the beach. Jango, a Cane Corso, who'd never been to the sea before, dashed and played along the shore. His devoted owners made sure to keep him hydrated, giving him water regularly. After 30 minutes of fun, Jango suddenly seemed sluggish and confused. Shortly after, he vomited and collapsed on the sand. His owners contacted the nearby vet clinic, where they were advised to wet him with a damp cloth and come in right away. At the clinic, his body temperature measured an extreme 105 degrees Fahrenheit! Jango received immediate fluid therapy and cooling, and after showing signs of improvement, he was transferred to an emergency center for two days of intensive care. Luckily, the treatment worked, and Jango recovered.

Heatstroke's Causes: Uncovering Triggers

Prolonged exposure to a hot and humid environment – it is important to emphasize that in these cases, there is no connection to dehydration, and drinking water does not necessarily help.
Confinement in an unventilated enclosed space – for example, a dog left in a car. In such cases, the high external temperature leads to irreversible heatstroke within minutes.
Warm living conditions without shade – such as a dog tethered in an unshaded yard.
Intense physical activity in hot or humid weather.
Physical traits that increase risk – excess weight, very young or old age, large dogs, dogs with a brachycephalic face structure, and those with underlying respiratory diseases.

Recognizing Heatstroke: Signs and Symptoms

Restlessness: Signs of distress and agitation.
Rapid, shallow breathing or increased panting
Increased drooling
Vomiting and diarrhea: Due to damage to the digestive system. Sometimes diarrhea may be bloody or black.
Neurological changes: Lack of stability, disorientation, seizures, and collapse.

Keep in mind that signs will vary depending on the severity of the heatstroke and the time elapsed since the injury.

Heatstroke Diagnosis: How it's Identified

Heatstroke is diagnosed based on a history of exposure to heat, along with the clinical signs described. Usually, though not always, it is also accompanied by a significant rise in body temperature as measured rectally.

Treating Heatstroke: Options and Approaches

The success of treatment depends on several factors, including the time taken from the moment of injury to receiving initial treatment, the severity of the injury, and the dog’s physical condition. Treatment requires hospitalization and close monitoring and may include:

- Fluid administration to lower body temperature.

- Gradual and careful body cooling of the dog. This may be done using fluids, a fan, wetting the body, or a sprayed mist.

- Continued treatment according to the affected body systems: Here, meticulous monitoring and treatment according to the damage to the body’s systems are crucial: oxygen therapy, administering medications, blood products, cardiac protective agents, etc.

Heatstroke: Surprising Facts

Dogs do not sweat like humans. In fact, the only sweat glands they have are on the pads of their feet, and they are not used for cooling but rather for information transfer.

Dogs pant to cool themselves - this action is called evaporative cooling and is done by increasing the rate of breathing and sticking out the tongue to create contact with the air for the purpose of evaporation.

The prognosis of heatstroke is variable and depends on the severity and how quickly the condition is treated. Dogs that develop multi-organ dysfunction have a much worse prognosis.

Vet's Tip: Dealing with Heatstroke

It may come as a surprise, but many cases of heatstroke occur not at the hottest part of the day. Often, heatstroke occurs right at the onset of spring – during the spring months or early summer when the body’s heat adaptation mechanisms aren’t fully adjusted to the rising temperatures. It’s crucial to recognize that dogs are far more sensitive to heat than humans and struggle to manage temperatures that might seem merely warm to us. Therefore, particularly for large and brachycephalic breeds, it’s essential to limit physical activity to the early morning or late evening hours.

Price Tag

Emergency hospitalization

$3,000-$8,000

Blood tests

$1,000

Plasma transfusion

$1,000-$3,000

Latest in Research and Treatments

If your dog experiences heatstroke, research shows that evidence of nucleated red blood cells (NRBCs) – a type of cell not normally found on a complete blood count – can provide important information about the severity and prognosis of the condition. During heatstroke, severe tissue damage can lead to immature red blood cells entering the bloodstream. Higher levels of NRBCs when your dog is first assessed by a veterinarian often indicate more severe symptoms and a greater risk of complications, like clotting disorders and organ dysfunction. Monitoring NRBC levels during treatment helps vets understand how well interventions are working and how your dog is responding to care. This research is ongoing and aims to improve how vets diagnose and manage heatstroke, ultimately improving outcomes for affected pets.