Heatstroke in Dogs
How to recognise, treat and help prevent this potentially fatal emergency.
What is heatstroke?
Heatstroke occurs when a dog becomes dangerously hot and is unable to reduce its body temperature effectively. Dogs cool themselves mainly by panting, with a smaller amount of heat lost through their paw pads.
If panting cannot remove heat quickly enough, the dog’s body temperature continues to rise. Heatstroke can damage the brain, kidneys, liver, heart, muscles, digestive system and the body’s blood-clotting mechanisms.
Heatstroke can be caused by exercise, hot weather, poor ventilation or being left in a warm room, conservatory, kennel or vehicle. It can also occur on days that do not feel particularly hot, especially during strenuous exercise.
Signs of overheating and heatstroke
Early warning signs
- Heavy or continuous panting
- Rapid or noisy breathing
- Excessive drooling
- Bright red gums or tongue
- Restlessness or seeking shade
- Reduced energy or reluctance to continue exercising
- Weakness or unsteadiness
Signs of severe heatstroke
- Very pale, grey, blue or unusually dark gums
- Confusion or appearing disorientated
- Vomiting or diarrhoea, which may contain blood
- Loss of coordination
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Breathing that becomes slow or stops
Do not rely on measuring your dog’s temperature before taking action. If your dog has been exposed to heat or strenuous exercise and is showing concerning signs, begin cooling and contact a vet immediately.
What to do
- Stop all exercise and move your dog out of the heat into shade or a cool, well-ventilated place.
- Telephone your vet immediately and tell them that you suspect heatstroke.
- Begin cooling straight away. Pour or hose water over your dog’s body. Any water that is cooler than the dog can help. Cold tap water can be used.
- Concentrate on thoroughly wetting the body, particularly the neck, chest, abdomen and inner thighs. Take care to keep water away from the nose and mouth.
- Create air movement by using a fan, air conditioning or an open breeze while the dog is wet. Water and air movement help heat escape from the body.
- For a young, otherwise healthy dog affected by exercise-related heatstroke, immersion in water cooler than the dog may provide rapid cooling, provided it can be done safely and the dog’s head remains above water.
- Offer small amounts of drinking water if your dog is alert and able to swallow, but do not force them to drink.
- Cool the vehicle before placing your dog inside. Continue cooling and maintain air movement during the journey if possible.
- Take your dog to the vet as soon as initial cooling has started, following the instructions given by the veterinary practice.
Do not
- Do not delay cooling while trying to obtain a temperature reading.
- Do not cover your dog with a wet towel. A towel placed over the body can trap heat. Wet towels may instead be placed underneath the dog and changed regularly.
- Do not apply rubbing alcohol to the paw pads.
- Do not force an unsteady, collapsed or unconscious dog to drink.
- Do not give sports drinks, electrolyte products, broth or human medication unless instructed by your vet.
- Do not make the dog walk around. Keep movement to a minimum.
- Do not assume that your dog has recovered simply because the panting has reduced.
Why veterinary treatment is essential
A dog may appear to recover after being cooled but can still develop serious internal complications. Damage to the kidneys, liver, brain, digestive system and blood-clotting mechanisms may not be immediately apparent.
Disseminated intravascular coagulation, often shortened to DIC, is a serious clotting disorder that can develop following heatstroke. Complications may arise hours or even days after the original incident, which is why every dog suspected of having heatstroke should be assessed by a vet.
Dogs at increased risk
- Flat-faced breeds
- Puppies and elderly dogs
- Overweight dogs
- Dogs with thick or heavy coats
- Dogs with heart or breathing problems
- Dogs that are unfit or not accustomed to warm weather
- Very active or working dogs
- Dogs previously affected by heatstroke
Preventing heatstroke
- Never leave a dog in a parked vehicle, conservatory, caravan, shed or other enclosed space during warm weather.
- Exercise during the cooler parts of the day and reduce the length and intensity of walks.
- Remember that strenuous exercise can cause heatstroke even when the weather does not seem exceptionally hot.
- Ensure fresh drinking water and shade are always available.
- Avoid hot pavements and areas without shade.
- Stop immediately if your dog begins panting heavily, slows down, seeks shade or appears uncomfortable.
- Take extra care with dogs that are elderly, overweight, flat-faced, heavily coated or affected by medical conditions.