Signs of Heatstroke In Dogs & What You Should Do

For both humans and dogs, heatstroke is a potentially deadly condition. A state of extreme internal body temperature of more than 106°F is referred to in medicine as heatstroke, or hypothermia. Higher than this internal temperature may cause the brain and other organs to fail.

When a dog's body cannot eliminate or control excessive temperatures, heatstroke occurs. Take your dog to a cooler location right away and contact a veterinarian if you observe any of these behaviors or indicators:

• Heavy or difficulty breathing
• Increased heart
• Dry gums 
• Deep red or purple colored tongue or gums
• Vomiting and diarrhea
  
• Lethargy
• Inability to balance
• Seizures
• Unconsciousness or collapse

Keep reading to learn about heatstroke in dogs and what to do.

Dogs start drooling more when their body tries to cool down. As heatstroke gets worse, they may have trouble breathing. If you notice their gums are bright red or they have bruises, seek help right away.

• Sudden abnormal behavior
• Collapse
• Seizures
• Blood in urine or diarrhea (due to blood vessel damage in the stomach and stomach

A dog in extreme heatstroke without assistance is in danger of dying.

Dogs are at a dangerously high risk for heatstroke when they are:

• Living in a hot or humid climate
• Left in parked cars
• Engaging in strenuous activity in hot weather
• Not being accustomed to hot weather

Certain types of dogs are also at risk for heat stroke, such as:

• Senior dogs
• Puppies
• Pregnant dogs
• Overweight dogs
• Dogs with underlying medical issues 
• Dogs with short snouts (Pugs, Bulldogs, French Bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston Terriers, etc.)
  
• Dogs with thick coats (Huskies, German Shepherds, Akitas, Malamutes, etc.)

The first priority is to take your dog to the vet as soon as possible. While you are taking your dog to the vet, make sure to cool them down slowly. Cooling down is important, but too much cooling can be harmful.

• Take the dog out of the sun and bring them inside a cool house with air conditioning.
• Lay the dog on a cold surface like tile floor, or in a bathtub or shower where you can wet them down.
• Use cool or room-temperature water to thoroughly wet the dog.
• Wet their ear flaps and paws with cool water too.
• If you have a fan, point it towards the dog to help cool them down.
• Check the dog's temperature regularly using a rectal thermometer.

• Avoid using ice or ice cold water as it can make the blood vessels in the skin tighten, trapping heat in the body's core where it can cause the most harm.
• Do not excessively cool your dog - If the rectal temperature drops to 103°F, stop the cooling methods and take your dog to the vet if you haven't already.
• Do not try to force your dog to drink water, but it's fine to have a bowl of fresh cool water available if your dog shows interest in drinking on their own.
• Never leave your dog unattended for an extended period of time and do not take a "wait-and-see" approach.
• Do not wait - Dogs that are left to "sleep it off" usually end up in a worse condition later on.

Once your dog arrives at the veterinary hospital, the healthcare team will start providing more intense treatments if necessary.

When a dog gets too hot and their body can't cool down on its own, they can get heatstroke. Dogs mostly sweat through their paws, which doesn't work well for cooling them down. The hypothalamus in a dog's brain helps them control their temperature. If a dog gets too hot, the hypothalamus tells their body to cool off by panting, drooling, and opening up their blood vessels to release heat.

The survival rate for dogs suffering from heatstroke depend on several factors:

• How long has your dog had a high temperature?
• How high is the temperature?
• How much damage has been done to the organs?
• How is the dog responding to intensive care?
• What physical factors, like age or breed, are affecting the dog?

That's why specialists suggest not delaying if you notice any signs of heatstroke in your dog. If you see any symptoms, it's important to take your dog out of the heat and go to the vet right away. Even if your dog recovers, there might still be some neurological issues. A study of 54 cases showed that the death rate was 50%.

Heatstroke can easily be prevented. By understanding your dog's risk factors, you can prepare in advance and prevent any serious emergencies by following the tips provided below:

1. Always avoid leaving your dog in a parked car or any closed space, even for a short time, even if the windows are slightly open. When it is just 75 degrees outside, the temperature inside a parked car can quickly rise above 100 degrees within minutes, even if the windows are open. Keep in mind that dogs cannot cool down by sweating like humans, so it is extremely important to ensure they stay away from hot, enclosed places like these.
2. Make sure to bring your dog inside when there is a heat advisory. Whenever there's a heat advisory warning, it's not just for humans.
3. Never leave your dog unattended when they are outside in hot weather. Your dog can get heatstroke in less than 30 minutes, even if they have water and shade available.
4. Reduce the time your pet spends outside, playing, and going for walks. Walking your dog in the early morning or late evening and choosing shady paths for shorter walks can prevent overheating. Don't forget to bring a collapsible bowl and a water bottle for your pet to stay hydrated.
5. Make sure you pay attention to how humidity affects the heat index where you live. The heat index takes into account both the temperature and humidity to give you a more accurate sense of the actual outdoor temperature. Avoid doing intense activities like running or playing outside in extreme heat or humidity.
6. Protect your dog's paws by using booties or walking on surfaces that are not paved. Avoid asphalt and hot pavement when taking your dog for a walk, and instead opt for grass or dirt whenever possible. Keep in mind that asphalt can get extremely hot, with temperatures reaching up to 125℉ when the air temperature is just 77℉. Even a small increase in air temperature can cause a significant rise in asphalt surface temperature. For example, at 86℉ outside, the asphalt can be as hot as 135℉, and at 87℉, it can reach 143℉. A simple way to determine if it's too hot for your pet to walk on is by checking if the ground is too hot for your bare feet.

Help your pet stay cool and safe during the hot summer months by taking preventive measures. Enjoy the dog days of summer without worrying about the heat.

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