As summer approaches we get excited about all the fun activities we can do with our pets however, it’s very important to remember that temperatures are on the rise and so is the possibility of our pets getting heatstroke. Being able to identify it as well as prevent it is vital for your pet’s safety.
Heatstroke is a state of hyperthermia (rise in body temperature) resulting in injury to tissues. Basically, it’s when your pet’s body is overheating and is not able to cool off as fast as heat is being produced. This is very common in cats and dogs because, unlike humans, they have very few sweat glands to cool them down.
Some factors that can encourage heatstroke in your pets are:
- High humidity
- Playing/running for long periods of time
- No access to water
- No access to shade
- Left in a room with no ventilation
- Left in a car (even if you think it’s not that hot)
All animals are susceptible to heatstroke but breeds with short muzzles such as pugs, chow chows, Persian cats, and Himalayan cats are at a higher risk. Other risk factors are being overweight, elderly, having long coats, or having heart and lung diseases. It is best for dogs with these cases to be kept indoors at cooler temperatures during the summertime.
Signs of Heatstroke
Heatstroke is a very dangerous condition that can lead to organ damage or even become fatal if not treated so it’s very important to be able to recognize the signs. Keep an eye out for the following symptoms in your pets:
- Panting
- Drooling
- Pacing/restlessness
- Red gums/tongue
- Vomiting/diarrhea
- Breathing difficulties
- Dizziness
- Weakness/lethargy
- Seizures
- Stumbling
- Collapsing or lying down
- Little to no urination
Cats are known for drinking minimal water which means they are not as hydrated as dogs and puts them at an increased risk however the signs of heatstroke in cats are more subtle so watch them closely.
Once you identify that your pet is overheating you must act quickly since heatstroke progresses quickly.
What To Do If Your Pet Has Heatstroke
Once you recognize that your pet has heatstroke you should take them indoors (to a cooler area) and offer them some cool water (not cold), cover them with a towel dipped in room temperature water and put a fan on them. Do not use ice/cold water as this can cause dangerous blood pressure changes.
Your pet should cool off within 10 minutes and start to feel better and you can stop cooling them down. If your pet doesn’t improve in 10 minutes you should immediately take them to the nearest vet for treatment.
Avoiding Heatstroke
The possibility of heatstroke is higher when temperatures are 26 degrees or higher or when the climate is humid. Now, we know that summer is the time to go out and have fun so just keep these things in mind:
- Always make sure your pet has access to water, especially when playing outside.
- Take your daily walks earlier in the morning or later at night to avoid the sun.
- Never leave your pets in a car as heat rises quickly in a closed car.
- Never leave your pets out for long periods unsupervised.
- Keep pets with higher risks (brachycephalic breeds, older/younger, long coats, or health issues) indoors at cooler temperatures on very hot days.
Since cats and dogs only have sweat glands in their noses and paws it’s very difficult for them to cool off on hot days. They mostly rely on panting to cool down but sometimes that’s just not enough. So as temperatures go up it’s very important for us to take care of our pets and make sure they don’t get heatstroke.
Have a great summer and stay cool!
Sources: aaha.org