24/06/2024
What to do with an animal suffering from heatstroke.
• Remove the animal from the hot environment immediately.
• Place the animal in the shade and if possible on a cool surface like grass (real grass, not plastic grass as this can become very hot). Concrete and bitumen retain heat so will be warmer.
• Offer water to drink but do not force any water into its mouth.
• Shower/bathe with cool/cold water.
•Placing wet towels on the animal is no longer a recommended way of cooling an animal down as it traps the animals body heat between the skin and the towel therefore increasing the body temperature rather than reducing it.
• Place them in front of a fan if possible.
• If you have cool pack place them on the animal….If it is very cold or you are using something frozen you must wrap it in material before putting onto the skin to prevent ice burns. Never just use ice to cool an animal, the extreme temperature could cause the animal to go into shock.
• If you are putting them into a car for transport make sure the car is cool, turn on the air con, open windows to create a breeze.
• It is really important that the animal does not cool down too quickly or become too cold.
• Phone your vet to arrange an urgent appointment, all animals who have overheated are at risk of internal organ damage.
Once at the veterinary clinic the treatment will most likely be:
• Continue cooling with close monitoring.
• Intravenous Fluid Therapy.
• Oxygen.
• Blood samples to check for organ damage, glucose and electrolyte levels.
• In later stage heatstroke it may be necessary to give blood products.
• If the animal has begun to have seizures these will be treated with anti-seizure medications.
• It is likely the animal will be hospitalised for a few days.
There is a poor prognosis for animals that show brain damage ie seizures and long term organ damage is a possibility in heatstroke cases.
Early cooling by owners prior to getting to the vet greatly improves the chance of a good outcome.
It has been suggested that if the temperature reaches 20⁰C it is not advisable to take dogs out walking. Walking dogs’ early morning and in the evening is highly recommended as it is cooler then.
Do not forget that road surfaces retain heat, if you can’t hold the back of your hand on it for more than 5 seconds your dogs feet are at risk of being burnt.
There are some really great products around to help keep your dog cool. Specially designed coats that you wet with cool water and put on your dog, the material is such that your dog does not get wet and your dog will not overheat. There are also cool mats for pets to lie on which will help prevent overheating. When using these products, it is vital to follow the manufactures instructions.
Never leave an animal in a car if it is hot outside….even if you think you will not be long….even if the windows are left open….It is not worth the risk.
If you come across an animal in a car on a hot day do not immediately break the window, you could end up being prosecuted. You must prove that it was a necessary act. Take a photo of the animal in the car and also a screen shot with the time and local temperature then phone the dog warden +/or RSPCA for advice. Phone 999 in an emergency. Be aware there are some vehicles that can have air con working whilst the car is parked and locked.