How to recognise the symptoms of a heatstroke in dogs

As temperatures rise, it's really important that you, as a pet parent, recognise the signs of heatstroke in dogs and feel confident you can cool down your pet safely if needed. What’s heatstroke? Heatstroke in dogs is a serious condition where a dog is unable to cool themselves down. It doesn't even need to be boiling hot for a dog to suffer from heatstroke. Leaving a dog in the car - which you should never do - and exercising too vigorously in warm weather can cause it. When dogs are too hot, they drink more, pant more and sweat through their paws to try and bring their body temperature back to normal levels. But when they’re suffering from heatstroke their body has become too hot and these usual cooling mechanisms are unable to cool them down sufficiently. For some dogs, mild increases in temperature could cause them to struggle. For example, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds like French Bulldogs and Pugs are unable to cool themselves down as effectively as other dogs due to their compromised airways. Elderly dogs or those with thick coats are also at increased risk. We'll cover at-risk dogs in more detail later. Untreated heatstroke can be fatal. Understanding what causes heatstroke can help you prevent it. Remember that it can still happen on days that feel relatively cool to us humans, especially to at-risk dogs. How hot is too hot for dogs? Here's a detailed temperature scale: Heatstroke in dogs symptoms Recognising dog heatstroke symptoms early is key. The first signs of heatstroke in dogs include: If your pet is panting on a warm day, and is drooling a lot or foaming at the mouth, or generally looking 'hot and bothered', you must take action to avoid heatstroke. Take your dog into the shade, or a room with a cold tiled floor to lie on, offer them some cool water to drink and set up an electric fan for them if you have one. Even if you are unsure whether your dog is becoming too hot, it is better to be safe than sorry. During warm weather, it is always sensible to let your dog rest from physical exercise. If untreated, the signs of heatstroke in dogs can worsen and progress to severe symptoms, which might include: These can be fatal, which is why spotting the early signs and being able to respond quickly is so important. How to treat a dog for heatstroke at home and first aid tips If you’re concerned about heatstroke symptoms in dogs, contact your vet straight away, even if it seems to be getting better. Heatstroke can cause life-threatening damage to major organs like the kidneys, so even if symptoms seem to clear up, always go to a vet. The damage won't always be apparent, which is why you need a vet's expert eye. There are also some things you will need to do at home before being able to safely transport your pet to the vet. Some studies have shown that starting to cool your pet at home before transporting them increases survival rates. Your vet will therefore ask you to begin cooling treatment before you make your way to the practice. Tips to cool your dog down safely To manage dog heatstroke symptoms at home, follow these steps: What increases a dog's risk of heatstroke? Any dog can be affected by heatstroke, but there are certain characteristics that can increase the risk: Regardless of your dog’s age, weight or breed, there are also a few situations that can cause heatstroke in even the healthiest of dogs: When the weather gets hot, make sure your dog has plenty of access to shade and cool spots. Check out our tips for helping your dog on hot days and a step-by-step guide to creating shade and water spots around your garden . Preventing heatstroke in pets Preventing heatstroke symptoms in dogs is possible with simple steps: How vets treat heatstroke If your pet shows severe dog heatstroke symptoms, vets will perform a physical exam and monitor their core body temperature. If their condition is severe, they will be admitted for urgent care. Treatments such as intravenous fluids and oxygen may be given to stabilise their condition. Regular blood tests will be done to determine the level of internal damage the body has suffered and whether any organs have been affected. Some dogs may require medication to control seizure activity. Monitoring and treating a pet with heatstroke quickly is critical. Even pets that appear to improve can deteriorate rapidly 24 to 48 hours after the event. Sometimes, despite everyone's best efforts, some dogs don’t survive. How to help a pet trapped in a hot car Dogs die in hot cars, so if you see a dog locked in a hot car, it might be best to dial 999 if it looks in distress. Ask how long it will take them to attend. They may suggest you also call the RSPCA.

How to recognise the symptoms of a heatstroke in dogs

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