11/07/2025
HEATSTROKE IN CATS, DOGS AND OTHER OUTDOOR PETS
While we will be mostly outdoors in the next few days in this stunning weather, please spare a thought for the animals who are stuck in this heat wearing a woolly jumper.
There are some breeds more prone to heatstroke than others, pets with heart issues and obese pets are all very prone to heatstroke. BUT all breeds can and will get heatstroke and it can be fatal very fast in pets
First thing - leave your pets at home.
THEY DO NOT NEED TO GO ANYWHERE IN A CAR THIS WEEKEND.
DO NOT LEAVE YOUR PET IN A CAR WHILE YOU GO SHOPPING
NOT EVEN WITH THE WINDOWS CRANKED OPEN
IT IS NO FUN BOILING TO DEATH IN A CAR, THINK BEFORE YOU ACT PLEASE
Walks - either not at all or 5-7am and 10 - 12 at night if cool enough. Not getting a walk for a few days wont kill your pet.
Water - lots and lots of fresh cool water, even my indoor cats, water gets warm and they refuse to drink it, so replace it regularly to encourage them to drink.
Fans - they are in every room in my house that my pets have access to, the bedroom, sitting room and kitchen.
Ice cubes in the water are great, as are a few ice cubes given to pets if they will eat or play with them.
Kongs - If you have kongs freeze them with dog or cat friendly solutions to cool them off while giving them something to play with at the same time.
**Google how to make homemade electrolytes and don't worry if your pet goes off their food or sleeps a lot in this weather**
Rabbits and outdoor piggies freeze some big bottles of water and put them in their runs to lie near. Rinse their veggies in cold water before they eat them.
Shade - guys I cannot emphasise this enough, it is still very warm in the shade, please keep an eye on all your pets, especially those in covered runs where no air circulates.
HEATSTROKE - BE AWARE OF THE SIGNS
Early signs are some or all of the following
Panting excessively
Rapid breathing
Shivering
Bright red gums and tongues
Dry or tacky mucous membranes (gums)
Excessive drooling
Higher than normal heart rate
Feeling hot to the touch
Falling over, unsteady on their feet
Start by spraying your dog with cool to the touch ( not cold) water
Turn ears over so air can circulate in long eared breeds
Spray tummies, ears, pawpaws
These are your warning signs to call a vet NOW
This is the start of a true emergency and should not be ignored
When in the car on the way to the vets, open all windows, esp the ones closest to your dog or cat to a safe level ( not a level they can escape from)
Turn the A/C on to a cooling level - not really high but high enough that the car cools down fast
OTHER, MORE SERIOUS SIGNS
PALE GUMS THAT ARE WHITE OR BLUE
VERY RAPID HEART RATE
HYPERVENTILATION
TREMORS
DILIATION OF PUPILS
LETHARGY AND COLLAPSE
THEY MAY LOSE CONTROLS OF THEIR BLADDER AND BOWELS
Emergency vets open this weekend. All Village Vets clinics to 5pm Saturday
Village Vets Ashbourne 01 849 9973 opens 24/7
Village Vets Dundrum 01 298 7510 opens Sun 10 - 6
MyVet Lucan opens 24/7 015175213/016010060
PEH opens 24/7 over the weekends 01 260 9920
VSI Summerhill Co Meath opens 24/7 046 955 7551
Also if you are living outside of Dublin, your own vet should have an emergency number on their phone if they are not open.
As much as we love seeing your pets in the vets, we do not want to see you under these circumstances. Please take every precaution you can this weekend for the love of your pets.
