Heat stroke in dogs - Symptoms, What to do and Treatment

Heat stroke in dogs is considered a serious veterinary emergency, as it can put the animal's life at risk. It generally appears in summer, when the environmental temperature is very high, however, it can also occur in confinement situations, if we leave the animal inside a car or when the individual does not have access to clean and fresh water at all times. In some cases, heat stroke can be fatal if not treated early and properly.

For all these reasons, in this Blog article we will talk in detail about heat stroke in dogs, explaining what the most common symptoms are, what to do in case of heat stroke and the treatment that the emergency vet can apply, already at the veterinary clinic.

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Hyperthermia in dogs

To begin with, we must know the term "hyperthermia", which refers to a high body temperature, above normal values. It can have different causes, such as the one we are dealing with in this article, heat stroke, but it can also be considered the secondary symptoms of very diverse pathologies, such as viral diseases or infectious processes.

Hyperthermia in response to a disease, technically called pyrogenic hyperthermia, is considered a defense mechanism of the body and is commonly known as " dog fever ". It is important to point out that in these cases we should never self-medicate or lower the temperature without a veterinary prescription.

In the case of heat stroke we speak of non-pyrogenic hyperthermia. In this case, it is necessary to carry out an active cooling of the animal, without the consequences for the organism that we could provoke in the previous case.

But, how to know if our dog has hyperthermia? The dog's body temperature is between 38 ºC and 39 ºC, beyond this range, above 41 ºC, we consider that the dog suffers from hyperthermia and we would find ourselves facing a veterinary emergency. Remember that the only effective way to take a dog's temperature is through a thermometer, never through its nose or with other homemade "tricks".

 

Risk Factors for Heat Stroke in Dogs

Although any dog ​​is susceptible to heat stroke, there are some risk factors that are worth knowing, especially among dog guardians, with the aim of being able to prevent it as much as possible:

• Brachycephalic dog syndrome: it is a common condition in various dog breeds, such as the English bulldog , the shar pei or the boxer among others. It causes shortness of breath, obstruction of the airways, and can even lead to collapse.
• Heart disease – Heart failure or heart murmur are some of the heart conditions that can cause severe symptoms in hot weather or intense exercise, such as coughing, tiredness, and fainting.
• Overweight and obesity: excess weight has a negative impact on the health of dogs that suffer from it, favoring joint degeneration or the appearance of heat stroke, among others.
• Laryngeal paralysis: this pathology, which can be hereditary and affects mostly elderly dogs, can become very serious, impacting their quality of life and even causing severe respiratory distress. Cough, exercise intolerance, and changes in barking may be seen. It can be controlled with medication in mild cases, but in others surgery is required to allow a good quality of life for the dog.
• Tracheal collapse: we are talking about a chronic and irreversible disease, which consists of a narrowing of the trachea, which causes coughing, shortness of breath, fainting and hissing sounds. Surgical control can be performed, although the main measures are weight loss, the use of medication and even sedation.

But as we have already told you, despite the fact that there are risk factors, any dog ​​can experience heat stroke due to intense exercise, lack of hydration or excessive heat. Visits to the beach or the pool, as well as walks during the hottest hours of the day, can favor the appearance of heat stroke in the dog.

Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs

As you have seen, there are several reasons that can cause an excessive increase in the dog's body temperature, however, you probably want to know how to detect heat stroke in dogs, in order to act quickly. This will help you prevent some of the most serious consequences, such as irreversible damage to organs and even the death of the animal.

Thus, the most common signs of heat stroke in dogs are:

• Accelerated breathing
• constant panting
• High temperature
• elevated heart rate
• Bluetongue
• red tongue
• incoordination
• staggers
• weakening
• profuse salivation
• dizziness
• loss of consciousness
• shock
• inability to move
• Death

Now that you know what heat stroke in dogs is and its symptoms, it is convenient to learn what the first aid is for heat stroke in dogs, keep reading.

 

How to act before a heat stroke in dogs?

You should know that it is relatively easy for dogs to die from heat stroke, therefore, it is essential that at the slightest sign of heat stroke in dogs we know what to do. Here we show you the step by step to follow:

1. We move the dog to a cool place, away from the sun. We can even place a fan on low power to cool it down gradually.
2. We will apply cloths of fresh water (not cold or icy) on the belly, head, neck, legs and chest. In no case should the animal be covered or bathed.
3. We will moisten your mouth with a spray regularly.
4. We will be taking your temperature until it drops above 39ºC or until the dog shows a slight improvement.
5. We will visit the vet to ensure good health and rule out any serious damage to your body.

Before the appearance of a heat stroke in dogs, you already know how to act. However, it will be essential that you go to the vet, even when the symptoms have subsided, we will explain why in the following sections.

Diagnosis of heat stroke in dogs

Once at the veterinary clinic, the specialist will observe the dog's state of health to make a diagnosis. To do this he will pay attention to clinical signs, which include shock, collapse, tachypnea and signs of coagulopathy. Tachycardia, hyperemia, and aortic insufficiency are also common.

Regarding CNS signs, we found mild ataxia, seizures and even a possible coma. But in addition, serious damage to the intestinal system, such as severe and bloody diarrhea, may also be included.

Treatment of heat stroke in dogs

The specialist will tell us about heat stroke in dogs and its treatment, based mainly on cooling the dog. Active cooling will begin, avoiding the use of ice, as it can damage the skin, as well as cause stress and anxiety in the dog. Gastric lavage is also not recommended, since there may be a high risk of aspiration, thus worsening the condition.

It may be necessary to open the dog's airways, through intubation, and even by performing an emergency tracheostomy. Another important aspect is fluid therapy, since thanks to the administration of intravenous fluids they improve blood flow and help balance body losses.

In some cases, medication will also be administered, such as antibiotics, antiemetics, intestinal protectors, osmotic diuretics and other drugs that the specialist considers appropriate, taking into account the condition presented by the dog. In the most severe cases, when ventricular arrhythmias occur, cardiac support with lidocaine will be performed.

Once the veterinarian has explained to you how to treat heat stroke in dogs and has applied the pertinent measures, it is likely that he will suggest hospitalization of the dog. During this time, constant monitoring will be carried out to ensure that the dog's vital signs are correct, but his blood pressure will also be analyzed.

When the dog arrives in a very serious condition and has various organs compromised, multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), also known as multi-organ failure, can occur, which can be fatal.

Depending on the state of the dog and its evolution, the prognosis can be favorable or reserved. But in addition, we must remember that heat stroke in dogs can cause sequelae, such as brain damage and or alterations in the CNS. The veterinarian will help us to notice these possible damages and will explain what care the dog will require.

 

How to avoid heat stroke in dogs?

Now that you know about heatstroke in dogs and its consequences, it is essential to review the prevention measures that we can apply in our day to day life, especially in summer or when temperatures are very high.

How to avoid heat stroke in dogs? Take note:

• We will ensure that, at all times, our dog has fresh and clean water .
• We will avoid leaving the dog in a carrier or car without supervision at all times. Let us remember that in these types of spaces temperatures can rise alarmingly and suddenly.
• We will continue our active routine during the coolest hours of the day , as far as sports are concerned, but also on walks, especially with elderly dogs, puppies, sick dogs or during the dog's pregnancy. Let us remember that in these stages they are most vulnerable.
• We can consider acquiring a cooling bed or cloth , very useful during the summer and on excursions respectively, but in addition, we will always make sure that the dog can take refuge in a shaded area, regardless of where we are.

These are some tips on heat stroke in dogs and its prevention, however, it may be necessary to consult the veterinarian in the case of having a puppy, an elderly dog ​​or one with a specific health problem. The specialist will offer guidelines to ensure a good quality of life for our dog, as well as extra tricks for day to day.