Heat Exhaustion and Heat Stroke

Summer is and should be a time of outdoor fun and activities. Swimming, boating, fishing, hiking, camping, etc. Everyone enjoys summertime and all the possibilities it offers. But there is a few downsides to this time of year as well: allergies, ticks, fleas and the heat. We are currently experiencing unprecedented temperatures that are extremely dangerous. The animals that are acclimated to the outdoors are having a hard time managing in these extreme temperatures. If they are struggling that means our canine and feline companions are struggling even more.

Why do dogs and cats struggle more with the heat?

1. They do not sweat like humans, horses or cows. Dogs cats ONLY sweat through their paw pads. 4 tiny feet with tiny pads is the only surface that they can sweat from. This provides very little to no relief of their internal body temperature.
2. They are usually covered in fur. Contrary to popular belief about a fur coat helping to cool a pet down they do not find adequate cooling from a thick fur coat. While some breeds should not be completely clipped down they should at least be thinned out to allow adequate air flow to their skin which is where the blood vessels are located. People don’t wear fur coats in the winter time but we do wear long sleeved sun shirts. That is the same principle with very furry dogs and cats. Maintaining a healthy well-groomed hair coat is essential and for some a complete shave down is the best option.

They cannot tell you when they are getting overheated in words but they can show you. Panting heavily, breathing hard, drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, agitation and wanting to lay down or being lethargic are all signs your pet is becoming overheated.

How do we prevent heat exhaustion/stroke?

1. Provide a path of relief from the heat. Bring your pet indoors. Even if they cannot or do not want to be in the main house then provide them a cooler space such as a garage or shaded lean to with a fan running.
2. Keep a large supply of clean fresh water. Stagnant hot water that is 5 days old is not refreshing for us or them. If they need to cool off they need fresh water
3. Freeze treats: you can take dog treats submerge them in a solo cup of water mixed with Pedialyte or Gatorade and freeze it. Cut the cup away and then give it to your out door doggy for a cool treat.
4. Hose them down. Many animals enjoy playing in the water. Some don’t (cats!)
5. For those animals who do not want to be hosed off you can take a damp towel and rub their chins, armpits, groins, ears, etc. This will help cool them off and, BONUS, they get a nice massage.
6. For kitties or smaller critters you can create an ice den. Get a small box or other enclosure and place a cooling mat on the bottom and put several ice packs against the walls and under towels. Cats love to hide and they will find this cool place very inviting when its super hot outside.
7. For those animals who do not want to be hosed off you can take a damp towel and rub their chins, armpits, groins, ears, etc. This will help cool them off and, BONUS, they get a nice massage.
8. NEVER leave your pet in an enclosed space such as a car without any means of proper air circulation
9. NEVER leave your pet outdoors on a hot day without access to shade and water
10. Remember to avoid hot pavement in hot weather too!!!
    1. They can burn their paw pads very easily. Pick them up, get booties, walk in the grass or wet down the areas that are paved so its not as hot for them.

Below is information about heat exhaustion vs heat stroke and how to handle it if you find your pet is experiencing any of the symptoms

Heat Exhaustion/Stroke – Normal body temperature for a happy healthy dog or cat is 101F – 102.5F taken rectally.

The following chart exemplifies the temperatures of a parked car that is turned off with all the windows up.

Outside Temperature	10mins	30mins	60mins
70F	89F	104F	113F
80F	94F	109F	118F
90F	109F	124F	133F
100F	119F	134F	143F

Cited from Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University

Temperature taken rectally of a pet

• Normal Body temp is 100-102F
  • 99-103F is acceptable. STOP adjusting temperature once this range is reached
    • < 96F (hypOthermia) is fatal (common when the animal is dying)
    • >106F (hyperthermia) is fatal (heat stroke/seizures)
  • HypOthermia must be corrected QUICKLY
    • Place on heating source. Engulf the animal in heat
  • HypERthermia must be corrected SLOWLY!
    • If you correct it too quickly they can become hypothermic and not only do you have a new problem that really shocks the system and causes cardiovascular problems.

Emergency	Urgent	Over the Counter Therapies
Heat stroke is an internal body temp of 106F -108.9F. Symptoms include include panting, hypersalivation, bright red mucous membranes, turning blue, increased heart rate, shock, respiratory distress, changes in mentation and behavior, confusion, difficulty walking or unable to ambulate at all, and seizures	Heat exhaustion is internal body temp of 103 – 105.9F	Immediate immersion in water and provide convection cooling with fans can cool a pet down safely. Do not over cool or cool too quickly. Aim to achieve a body temp of 102.9F then stop the cooling process and dry the animal off.
Internal body temp of 109F or greater is almost nearly always fatal. Symptoms include coma, cardiac/respiratory arrest and death.		If water immersion is not an option then apply alcohol on the foot pads, axilla (arm pits) and groin areas.
		Avoid ice as this causes vasoconstriction in the blood vessels and can delay cooling. Ice can also create shivering which generates more heat.

We want to make sure that your pet and you have an enjoyable summer. But if you think your pet may be experiencing heat exhaustion or heat stroke contact your veterinarian or the emergency veterinary clinic immediately. Every minute counts. The longer the internal body temperature remains too high the more likely they are to have permanent or even fatal organ damage such as liver, kidney or heart failure.