Health Issues


Heat Stroke



Aaron C. Rainer, D.V.M., M.P.H.
East Lake Veterinary Clinic
Killeen, TX
http://www.eastlakevet.org
Summers in Texas can be very unforgiving. How many times in the past have you gone outside during the heat of the day, even if only for a few minutes, and said, “It is way too hot to be outside?” Then, you think to yourself how thankful you are for air conditioning these days. Now, as temperatures are consistently rising above 90 degrees with several days soaring over 100 degrees with little relief from rain and cool fronts in sight, it becomes increasingly important to make sure that your pet is protected from the heat. I can assure you, if your pet could talk it would agree that the Texas heat is sometimes merciless.

It’s important to consider anatomy just for a moment. When you and I get too hot, our bodies will sweat to dissipate heat. Dogs and cats cannot efficiently sweat like we do. Dogs and cats only have sweat glands on their feet and nose. The surface area of the feet and nose is not large enough to allow for cooling and proper evaporation of water. Therefore, dogs will pant in order to dissipate heat. The next time you see your dog panting, place your hand near the mouth and feel just how warm that air can be. Cats, however, do not pant generally. The way that they cool their bodies down is by licking their paws and chest. The saliva on the fur will allow for cooling.

Signs of heat stroke and heat exhaustion include the following: excessive panting, listlessness, unable to move, loss of appetite, excessive water consumption, thick saliva, and bloody nose (cats only usually). In heat stroke cases, core body temperatures can rise to over 105 degrees.

So, the burning question is… If my pet cannot sweat efficiently, how can it keep from overheating? Here are some suggestions:

Prevention


Heat stroke and heat exhaustion are potentially life threatening. The key to avoiding a deadly outcome is prevention. It is very important that your pet have plenty of water available. It may be necessary to have two water bowls. It’s well known that dogs tend to knock their water bowl over, especially when owners are away from home. Kiddy pools are beneficial; however, make sure to keep the water changed daily in order to contain the breeding habitat of certain parasites such as mosquitoes, worms, and Giardia. Monitor your pet’s attitude when on leash walks. Pets can also become overheated when they are overworked with exercise. Have plenty of shade or shelter available for your pet during the hot summer months and avoid overfeeding which can lead to obesity and produces more body heat.

There are certain breeds that are at a higher risk of overheating. Brachycephalic breeds, or short-nosed breeds (Pekingese, Chinese Pug, Boston Terrier, etc.) are susceptible to heat exhaustion because they may pant too much. If caught early, heat stroke delivers only a guarded prognosis, and it can be fatal the longer the pet is exposed to blistering heat.

IF YOUR PET BECOMES OVERHEATED
WHAT YOU CAN DO
  1. Remove the pet from the heat
  2. Place pet in the shade or under a fan
  3. Use cool water on the trunk and legs (DO NOT USE ICE ONLY)
  4. Contact your veterinarian


WHAT NOT TO DO
  1. DO NOT use ICE or COLD water
  2. DO NOT force water down the mouth
  3. DO NOT leave the pet unattended


For more information on this subject and more, contact your veterinarian.



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