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
Labrador Retriever
Drake
2 Years
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Drake was out playing when he had a heat stroke. Rushed him to the vet and after an hour and a half his temp had gone from 108.5 back to the normal range, and he was also stable and not panting near as much as he was when he went into the vet. With his condition of his temp coming back down so quickly, do you think his recovery will be quick? Do you think he’ll make it?
May 18, 2018
0 Recommendations
It was a very quick drop in body temperature, however if the body temperature stays around physiological range and any fluid deficit has been corrected there is a better chance of a favourable prognosis. Just the temperature drop seems a lot in the short time frame, I’ve never seen a drop in core body temperature so fast. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
May 18, 2018
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Husky / Beagle
Hazel
9 Months
0 found this helpful
0 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Heat Stroke
My boyfriend put my dog outside and forgot to water her at 11 am this morning, I got home around 5pm and she was on the ground not moving, but awake. She has finally got her breathing under control, but she still isn’t moving well, she can move her head but she’s very weak... I’ve cooled her down, but I’m not sure what to do next. She has a heart murmur. I told the emergency vet that, but she said it didn’t seem serious.. it’s 10:36pm and still no real movements.. is this normal?
May 15, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
0 Recommendations
That is not normal, no. I'm not sure what temperature it is where you live, but Hazel may have heat stroke, or she may have something else going on with her. She needs to be seen by a veterinarian right away to be evaluated and given any treatment that she might need.
May 15, 2018
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Golden Retriever
Bongo
9 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Depression
Drowsiness
Fatigue
While on a casual stroll on a trail yesterday, my 9 year old golden retriever named Bongo started wheezing loudly, then experienced shortness of breath with a lot of noise being made by him trying to breathe. We rushed him to an emergency vet immediately. He was panting and hyperventilating on the ride there. His temp was 104.8 when we arrived, and they were able to bring the temp down to 101.9. His blood work was fine, and they gave him an IV for fluids. He was then discharged with a diagnosis of heat exhaustion. Today he has not been himself at all. No energy, sleeping excessively and staring off into space wide eyed with a concerned and depressed look, which is not like my sweet happy boy Bongo at all. I am just wondering if this is to be expected after experiencing what he went through? Could this be him recoverying and he can bounce back, or is this something more serious?
Thank you for your time.
Feb. 20, 2018
Answered by Dr. Michele K. DVM
2 Recommendations
Thank you for your email. Without examining Bongo, i can't comment on whether he is okay. Heatstroke is a significant stress on the system, however. It would not surprise me if he took a few days to recover - many dogs do not survive this stress on the body. If he hasn't improved over the next few days, or if he develops vomiting or diarrhea, or doesn't want to eat, he should be re-examined to make sure that he is okay. I hope that all goes well for him.
Feb. 20, 2018
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Pug
Emily
4 Years
2 found this helpful
2 found this helpful
My pet has the following symptoms:
Panting
Hi my pug was left for 3h in our balcony, arriving in home we noticed she was breathing but panting strong and not answering at all. We got her to a hospital at the same time and now it looks she is recovering: vet says that is breathing good with oxygen and taking fluid. They did exams and looks like no organs were damaged but she still have a little bit of diaherrea. But she is still not answering too much, look unconscious. How long does it take to a recovery?
Sept. 24, 2017
2 Recommendations
There is no standard recovery from heat stroke as each case is different depending on the size of the dog, hydration, temperature, time outside among other factors; it is just a positive sign that Emily is improving with the supportive care. She may be groggy for a few days once you take her home but should bounce back if you Veterinarian has given all clear on her internal health. Regards Dr Callum Turner DVM
Sept. 24, 2017
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Heatstroke Average Cost
From 22 quotes ranging from $1,500 - $14,000
Average Cost
$5,000
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