What is Heatstroke?
Heat stroke, also known as heat exhaustion or by its medical term hyperthermia, refers to the condition of having a body temperature above normal. The normal body temperature range for a dog is between 38 - 39°C (100.5 - 102.5°F). Hyperthermia is characterized by a body temperature greater than 41°C (105.8°F). Hyperthermia feels excessively hot and uncomfortable for the dog and can lead to physiological dysfunction of various organ systems including the central nervous system. Hyperthermia usually occurs in hot humid weather without adequate shade or ventilation (such as being confined in a hot car). It results from an impaired ability to dissipate or expel heat from the body.
Heat stroke, or hyperthermia, refers to an abnormally high core body temperature caused by insufficient ability to dissipate heat from the body. It can be fatal if left untreated.Heatstroke Average Cost
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Symptoms of Heatstroke in Dogs
The risk of heat stroke in dogs is increased on hot, humid days in the peak of summer. It is important to closely monitor your furry companion in such conditions. Signs of dog overheating include:
- Excessive panting
- Difficulty breathing
- Excessive salivation
- Foaming at the mouth
- Nose bleeds
- Bright red gum color
- Skin that feels hot to the touch
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Head tremors
- Seizures
- Collapse
Signs of dog heat stroke can quickly lead to death if veterinary treatment is not sought. Wrap your pet in towels soaked in lukewarm water (not cold) and contact the veterinarian immediately.
Causes of Heatstroke in Dogs
Hyperthermia results from an impaired ability to dissipate heat from the body. The main method for dogs to decrease their own body heat is evaporative cooling by panting. Dogs will also cool themselves via convection by laying on a cooler surface to transfer body heat.
There are several factors that contribute to the inability to dissipate heat efficiently; these can be categorized into endogenous (originating from within the body) and exogenous (originating outside the body) factors.
- Endogenous factors:
- Obesity
- Brachycephalic airways (breed predisposition, such as Pug heat stroke)
- Upper airway obstruction
- Laryngeal paralysis or collapsing trachea
- Cardiovascular or respiratory disease
- Abnormal calcium metabolism
- Previous incidence of hyperthermia
- Genetic predisposition combined with other factors
- Exogenous factors:
- Hot humid climate
- Lack of shade
- Being kept in an area with poor ventilation
- Inadequate cooling-off after exercise
- Excessive exercise in a hot climate
- No access to water
Diagnosis of Heatstroke in Dogs
To diagnose heat stroke, the veterinarian will perform a complete physical assessment of your dog, including a rectal temperature. The presence of clinical signs as well as an elevated body temperature (greater than 41°C or 105.8°F) is indicative of heat stroke. Even if the body temperature is normal or hypothermic (abnormally low), this does not rule out the occurrence of heat stroke as the lower body temperature may be a result of cooling measures implemented at home by the owner. It is important as an owner to be transparent regarding any treatments attempted before arrival at the veterinary hospital.
Ancillary blood tests and urinalysis are also performed. There are several physiologic changes in the blood and urine that a veterinarian will look for to determine the presence of heat stroke and assess the extent of any internal organ damage. Values that are commonly seen with laboratory testing include increased liver enzyme activity, hypoglycemia (low blood sugar content), and packed red blood cell volumes indicative of dehydration. Assessment of blood under a microscope may reveal nucleated red blood cells. The presence of such cells and cell count has been associated with the relative prognosis.
Treatment of Heatstroke in Dogs
Treatment is aimed at restoring the normal body temperature via cooling methods to prevent organ failure. Intravenous fluid therapy is administered to restore circulating blood volume and antibiotics are sometimes given to decrease the risk of bacterial spread.
Cooling methods are implemented in a controlled manner. Intense cooling methods (such as plunging the dog into an ice bath) are contraindicated because they can cause peripheral blood vessels to constrict, causing the body temperature to rise further. Appropriate cooling is accomplished via evaporation and heat conduction methods such as placing your dog on a wet towel, wetting the paws and fur, and placing a fan in front of your dog. They will be observed by trained veterinary professionals, with body temperature monitored frequently during the implementation of cooling.
Fluid therapy is important in order to restore an adequate circulating volume of blood, as heat stroke is associated with dehydration and hypovolemic shock. Fluid is usually given as a bolus and decreased to maintenance rates once peripheral perfusion and blood pressure values are within normal range. The administration of room temperature fluids can also help with decreasing core body temperature.
Medications may be indicated to assist in the restoration of function to damaged organs or to pre-emptively decrease the risk of damage. Antibiotics are commonly used to decrease the risk of translocation of bacteria that could lead to sepsis.
Depending on the severity of heat stroke, a combination of cooling methods, fluid therapy, and medications are likely to be used for treatment. Your dog will usually require hospitalization for 24 - 48 hours until deemed stable for discharge. If your pet is presented early during the onset of heat stroke, there may be a good prognosis.
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Recovery of Heatstroke in Dogs
Once the patient is recovered and discharged from the veterinary hospital, the veterinarian will usually conduct a follow-up call the following day. They may or may not request a follow-up appointment, including a recheck of blood parameters. After the heat stroke is initially managed, the veterinarian may suggest supportive tests to assess the extent of any suspected organ damage. Home observation of your dog for any adverse signs is vital.
After a dog has suffered from hyperthermia, they will be at an increased risk for developing heat stroke again in the future. It is important to watch for factors that may contribute to heat stroke such as heat, lack of shade, excessive exercise, and dehydration.
Preventative measures that can be taken include not leaving dogs in areas of excessive heat and poor ventilation, not subjecting dogs to strenuous exercise in hot weather, and providing sufficient shade and water on hot days.
Heatstroke Average Cost
From 22 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $14,000
Average Cost
$5,000
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Heatstroke Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Boxer mastive
Romeo
3 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heat Stroke
We found out dog in the truck floor board awake but not very able to respond. We cooled him gave him water but he is now unable to really stand and often shakes. Is this normal.....he appears to b having muscle spasms is there anything I can do besides vet. Can not afford one
Aug. 11, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Romeo it is difficult to say what the specific course of action would be, if he is dehydrated fluid therapy would be required to stabilise him. You should think about visiting a charity clinic or dropping him off at a shelter if you just found him so that he can get the care he needs. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Aug. 12, 2018
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Rottweiler
Marty
6 Years
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My pet has the following symptoms:
Lethargy
Loss Of Apetite
Heatstroke
How can I encourage my Rotti to eat after treatment for heatstroke has begun?
We live in Southern Spain, and needless to say, summers can get extremely hot here. We were out playing catch in the park yesterday morning with our two dogs, a Rottweiler and a Labrador, in around 28 degrees weather with unfortunate high humidity, we weren't careful enough with them and our Rotti developed heatstroke symptoms. We got them back home and gave them both cool water to drink, and gave the Rotti a cool wash with the garden hose, after that we took him indoors and applied a cool water compress to his neck and head and around his paws. His heart was racing and he was panting and drooling heavily and had a very scared/confused look in his eyes.
About 45 min after the cooling first aid at home, we arrived at the vet clinic, where his temperature was taken, it was 40.9 degrees celsius (around 105.6 Fahrenheit); by this time he had started vomiting and having diarrhea. The doctor administered some fluids and after a while we took him to the grooming station where we placed him under a cool shower for 20 minutes. Afterwards the doctor administered an injection with anti inflammatory and anti diarrhea treatment, gave us some pills (sulfadimethoxine and metronidazole) for him to take, twice a day, told us to return home, keep him in a cool ventilated area, and asked us to phone him twice a day onward for him to be able to monitor our Rotti's progress.
Today he is doing better and he's definitely improved overnight, but he's still weak, and tired. He's drinking water very well, giving him a quarter of his normal drinking bowl every hour or so, encouraging him to drink in small sips, to avoid vomiting (he normally gulps down the entire bowl in under a minute). The problem is he's not at all interested in eating. Not his regular food, not apples or carrots (which he usually adores).
For the next attempt (dinner tonight) i want to give him some boiled chicken breast with pureed carrot, which I'm hoping will get him a bit more excited about eating, but I wanted to write and ask, is there anything extra which we can do to recover a dog's appetite after a heat stroke? Our vet has advised us not to worry *too* much if he seems like he's lost his appetite up to 48h after starting treatment, that it might be a side effect from the meds and just his level of energy being extremely low at the moment.
Thank you kindly in advance for any additional advice you might have for us.
Aug. 5, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
I'm sorry that happened to Marty, and I'm glad that he is improving. I would have to agree that there may be a bit of time between that traumatic event and when he feels like eating again, and if he is improving otherwise, that would not worry me tremendously. Chicken and rice is a very good idea, as that will often motivate dogs to eat when they aren't feeling 100%. There are appetite stimulants that can be used if his lack of appetite continues for more than a few days.
Aug. 5, 2018
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Pit bull mixed with a bull dog
Duke
One Year
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Diarrhea
Hi my dog is a mixed breed of a bull dog and pit bull he had a heat stroke about two days ago and he is drinking a lot of fluids he is eating and he’s walking. He has also peed a normal color but he has not pooped in about 18 hours. Should I be worried and what should I do to keep him healthy
Aug. 2, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
If Duke is eating and drinking normally and seems to be doing well, you may be fine to monitor him for a bowel movement. If he is straining to defecate, he should see a veterinarian. If he had diarrhea during his heat stroke episode, it may be a couple of days before he has a bowel movement.
Aug. 2, 2018
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Heatstroke Average Cost
From 22 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $14,000
Average Cost
$5,000
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Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
