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
From 22 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $14,000
Average Cost
$5,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
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.
Worried about the cost of treating your pet's symptoms?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.
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
Top
Heatstroke Questions and Advice from Veterinary Professionals
Pit Bullmastiff
Shadow
14 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Seizures
Vomiting
Heatstroke
This afternoon I came from work my dogs were outside in the kenkennel onon dog e was fine the other had collaps over on top of his own feces and looks out of it I immediately starting coolin him off with cool water out of the hose than he won't walk I pick him up and put him inside in my bathroom where it has tiles which is cold and in front of tthe fan he attempted to walk very little but kept falling over and vomiting he then after so many hours later he starts shaking litthe twitches here and there I suppose it him having a seizure he's beeb doing that for about and hour or an hour and 20 minutes is he gonna be ok?
July 12, 2018
0 Recommendations
You should take Shadow to your Veterinarian immediately as he will most likely require fluid therapy and other supportive care, in severe cases it isn’t enough to treat at home; also there may be some other underlying condition making this worse. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 12, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Boxer
Kendra
6 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Weakness
Dehydration
Tired
my 6-7 month old dog had a heat stroke on friday. its now sunday and shes still not well. shes really weak and still not eating food. shes drinking some water and we are giving her pediatric electrolytes through a syringe and chicken broth. shes not being herself and not walking either. any suggestions?
July 8, 2018
0 Recommendations
Heatstroke can be difficult to recover from and oral fluids may not help to sufficiently restore hydration levels, at this point I would recommend that you visit your Veterinarian to examine Kendra and to give fluids and other supportive care to ensure core body temperature is normal and hydration levels are restored. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
July 9, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
daughsund
shaggs
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Constant Panting
my daughsund shags is a little over wieght ist hot and humid here in alabama i wasnt aware of the signs. we went for a walk he was drooling real bad i took leash off him a few houses away i was at home calling him he would run about 20 feet and stop for a few seconds by the time he got to me and turn in the driveway he collasped hard i picked him up all his muscles were tight he was locked up he looked as if he didnt know where he was he was unresponsive i took him straight to the faucet poured him water soaked him. after about 30 minutes he started to drink but he still looked unresponsive after an hour he started to act normal! a week or so has passed he seems fine but he pants alot now almost constantly even in cold rooms!! im scared this experience hurt him!
June 21, 2018
0 Recommendations
Without examining Shaggs I cannot say whether he is in pain, has an issue with getting adequate levels of oxygen to the blood or another cause; if he is panting continuously even in cool rooms you should have your Veterinarian examine him and check his hydration levels to determine if there are any other causes for the panting. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 21, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
pitbull
Blackie
4 Years
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Not Energetic
Poops Blood
Pees Blood
My dog recover from a heat stroke, when we took to the vet , the vet said he might no survive the stroke because we took him late. After the stroke pass my dog is not energetic as he used to and he trews up and poops blood , but he does drink lots of water and this happen in just one day. Do you think he is recovering?
June 13, 2018
0 Recommendations
You were not clear about the timeline; however heatstroke may take longer to recover from even though the dehydration and other effects have been treated and corrected; you should continue to monitor Blackie but you should return to your Veterinarian if have haven’t been seeing any improvement. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
June 14, 2018
Was this question and answer helpful?
Heatstroke Average Cost
From 22 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $14,000
Average Cost
$5,000
Get a free pet insurance quote in less than 60 seconds!
Easily compare quotes from the most trusted pet insurance companies in the United States.
