Animal Heatstroke Can Be Lethal

Basking in the sun may be your favorite thing to do during the lazy days of summer, but the heat can take a toll on your pets. Even lukewarm days can be a danger to animals, with overheating quickly advancing to heatstroke, a potentially devastating condition that often proves fatal in animals.

Dogs and cats overheat more easily than people. Basic temperature regulation occurs through the skin but unlike us, sweating is mainly confined to the feet and plays a very minor role. With increasing heat, a dog regulates body temperature primarily through respiration and panting. When the respiratory tract cannot get rid of heat quickly enough or air temperature is close to body temperature, the lungs cannot keep up with the heat buildup. Cooling by rapid breathing is inadequate, causing body temperature to rise.

Heatstroke occurs when a pet's internal body temperature rises to levels high enough to lead to death. Normal body temperature is around 102ºF, and a change of just a few degrees can be lethal. As body temperature rises to 105ºF, a number of physiologic changes can occur that make it even more difficult for the animal to control its temperature, and a temperature of 106ºF or greater rapidly leads to life threatening damage to a number of organ systems including the kidneys, liver, gastrointestinal tract, heart and brain.

The extent of the damage depends on the degree and the duration of overheating, but even in those animals that survive there is the potential for long-term complications.

Knowing your pet's risk factors and ways to prevent overheating are vital to protecting your animal from unnecessary harm.

Animals Quickly Overheat in Vehicles

Despite warnings not to leave animals in cars, every year there are reports of dogs dying after being left alone in vehicles, some for just short periods of time. While many people know cars, trucks and vans are dangerous for animals in the summertime, many do not realize that serious overheating can occur in the spring and fall.

Although it may not seem very warm outside, the interior of a car can heat up to dangerous levels very quickly. According to the Humane Society of the United States, interior vehicle temperatures can soar to 120ºF in just minutes, and the CDC's website explains vehicle interior temperatures can rise nearly 20ºF within the first 10 minutes, even with the windows cracked open.

Parking in the shade is not a safe alternative. The car can literally act as an oven, heating up more and more the longer it sits.

Risk Factors for Heat Stress, Heatstroke

Heat affects different animals in different ways. Some pets are more likely to develop heat stress and heatstroke, and certain activities and environments can also increase the risk of heat-related illness. Heatstroke risk factors include:

• Type of dog—northern breeds and short-muzzled dogs like Boxers, Pugs, Pekes, Bulldogs Boston Terriers are prone to heat stress.

• Airway disease or any condition that impairs breathing such as laryngeal paralysis or tracheal collapse.

• Inadequate ventilation.

• Heavy muscular activity.

• Forced exercise, such as jogging or competition, with older or unconditioned dogs, or with any dog when temperatures and humidity are high.

• Age—older dogs, puppies under six months, and young, energetic dogs.

• Overweight dogs, dogs with certain medical conditions like lung or heart disease, and dogs on certain medications.

• Animals with long hair or a thick coat.

• Previous history of heat-related disease.

• Confinement in a space with poor ventilation, high ambient temperatures and direct sunlight such as in a car, on concrete runs or chained without shade in hot weather.

• Dehydration.

• High temperature and humidity.

• Muzzled while put under a dryer during grooming.

Heatstroke Prevention

You've heard it before: The best offence is a good defense. When it comes to your pet, the best way to deal with heat is to neutralize the potential problems before they occur. What can you do?

• Make sure your pet has plenty of fresh water available at all times.

• Be aware of your dog's individual risk factors.

• Walk in the early morning or evening when it is cooler.

• Never leave an animal in a yard without shade and cool water in warm weather.

• Restrict activity when temperatures and humidity are high.

• Avoid asphalt, which gets very hot and can burn your pet's paws. Be aware of places of potential severe exposure, such as beaches.

• Never leave an animal alone in a car, even in the shade and with the windows cracked open. It is easy to underestimate the heat outside when in an air conditioned building and unforeseen events can delay return to the car.

• Be alert for the possibility of overheating and overexertion, even in moderate temperatures. Many dogs will keep playing or running to keep up with their owner to the point of exhaustion. Heavy winter coats that have not yet been shed are an additional hazard in the spring.

• After high activity, take him/her to a cool or shady space, or wet him down and go to an area that is shaded and preferably breezy.

• Never wet your dog down and then put him in an enclosed style crate or a car, this could become a sauna.

• Never leave an animal alone in a car, even in the shade and with the windows cracked open. It is easy to underestimate the heat outside when in an air conditioned building and unforeseen events can delay return to the car.

• Investigate cooling bandanas and jackets, but make sure they do not contain toxic materials that absorb and hold water.

If your pet does develop heatstroke, there are several conventional and holistic ways to treat your pet. For information on what to do if you suspect your dog has heatstroke, read Treating Canine Heatstroke.