Heatstroke is Dangerous!

It’s another triple-digit day in Sonoma County, and the remainder of the week looks to be just as uncomfortably hot and dangerous.

Heatstroke is an acute, progressive, life-threatening emergency characterized by a non-pyrogenic elevation in body temperature that results in direct thermal injury to body tissues. While core temperature above which heatstroke occurs in dogs is not defined, permanent brain damage can occur with temps as low as 105.8 degrees. Temperatures above 109.4 may cause severe organ damage and markedly increased mortality. Untreated severe heatstroke may result in coma or death.

Causes of hyperthermia include environmental (excessive heat), brachycephalic syndrome, laryngeal paralysis, drugs, and hypothalamic tumor. Heatstroke can affect every organ system, and aggressive supportive care is necessary to mitigate long-term adverse health conditions in dogs.

Heatstroke in dogs may be indicated by increased breathing rates, dry or sticky gums, abnormal gum color, lethargy, disorientation, or seizures.

Heatstroke in cats may show similar signs, but may be more subtle and include: panting, drooling or salivating, agitation (sometimes pacing in cats), bright red tongue, beathing distress, delirium, dizziness (staggering), muscle tremors, or little to no urine production.

Controlled reduction of body temperature is a priority. Wetting the animal with tepid water and using a fan – NO ice packs – avoid anything that makes the dog shiver – and STOP active cooling when the body temperature reaches 103.5 - 104 to avoid overshoot hypothermia.

Your veterinarian and care team are trained to assess the severity of heatstroke and provide emergency medical treatment as required, including intravenous (IV) fluids, cooling treatments, supplemental oxygen, medications, and blood tests to check organ function.