How To Treat Your Dog's Heat Stroke At Home

can my dog recover from heat stroke at home

Heat stroke, or hyperthermia, in dogs is a dangerous condition that requires immediate attention. It occurs when a dog's body temperature rises to a dangerously high level due to excessive environmental temperatures and/or a lack of opportunity to cool down. The normal body temperature range for a dog is between 38-39°C (100.5-102.5°F), and hyperthermia is characterised by a body temperature greater than 41°C (105.8°F). Heat stroke can be caused by various factors, including hot and humid weather, confinement in a hot car, inadequate shade or ventilation, and excessive exercise in hot weather. The signs of heat stroke in dogs include difficulty breathing, excessive salivation, foaming at the mouth, bright red gums, and skin that feels hot to the touch. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, it is crucial to act quickly by moving them to a cool location, providing ventilation and water, and seeking veterinary treatment as soon as possible. In this article, we will explore the causes, signs, and treatment options for heat stroke in dogs, as well as preventative measures to keep your furry friend safe during hot weather.

Characteristics Values
Body temperature Above 41°C (105.8°F) or 106°F (41.1°C)
Symptoms Difficulty breathing, excessive salivation, foaming at the mouth, bright red gum colour, skin that feels hot to the touch, diarrhoea, lethargy, collapse, seizure, coma, vomiting, increased heart rate, confusion or disorientation
Treatment Wrap dog in towels soaked in lukewarm water, cool water poured over head, stomach, armpits and feet, cool cloths applied to these areas, intravenous fluid therapy, antibiotics, mild sedation, low-concentration oxygen therapy
Prevention Check temperature before exercising, provide access to cool, shaded and well-ventilated location, provide water, use fan, monitor temperature and humidity in car, avoid leaving dog in car, bring dog inside, provide shade, water and ventilation if outside, avoid overexertion on hot or humid days, provide cool mats or other cooling aids, use dog-safe sunscreen

medshun

Wet your dog with cool water

Wetting your dog with cool water is a crucial step in treating heat stroke at home. It is important to act quickly and take the necessary steps to cool your dog down and prevent their body temperature from rising further. Here are some detailed instructions on how to wet your dog with cool water effectively:

Choose the Right Water Temperature

Use cool or lukewarm water, rather than cold or icy water. Tap water at around 15-16°C is ideal, as it is effective at cooling your dog without causing shock. Avoid using ice baths or very cold water, as this can cause a rapid decrease in body temperature, leading to constriction of blood vessels and reduced cooling ability.

Wet the Dog's Body

Spray or sponge your dog's body with cool water, especially the underside, stomach, armpits, and feet. You can also use a hose or bucket to wet your dog, being careful to avoid their face. Continue to pour cool water over your dog until their breathing starts to settle, but stop if they begin to shiver.

Avoid the Head Area

Avoid pouring water on or near your dog's head. There is a risk of them inhaling water, which could lead to drowning, especially for flat-faced breeds. Instead, focus on wetting the body and limbs to promote evaporative cooling.

Use a Fan

In addition to wetting your dog, use a fan to blow cool air onto their damp body. This will enhance the cooling effect and help increase evaporative heat loss. Ensure there is a continuous flow of air across the dog until you can get them to a veterinarian for further treatment.

Monitor Body Temperature

Use a rectal thermometer to monitor your dog's body temperature. If it reaches 103°F (39.4°C) or higher, it is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Stop the cooling process once the temperature reaches 103°F to prevent your dog from developing hypothermia (dangerously low body temperature).

Seek Veterinary Help

While you can take these initial steps to cool your dog at home, it is important to seek veterinary help as soon as possible. Heat stroke is a serious condition that can lead to organ damage and failure if left untreated. Even if your dog seems to be recovering, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency.

Heat Stroke and Angina: Is There a Link?

You may want to see also

medshun

Use a fan to cool them down

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, it is important to seek veterinary attention as soon as possible. While waiting to receive professional treatment, there are several at-home remedies you can use to help cool your dog down and prevent further complications. One effective method is to use a fan to increase evaporative heat loss.

Using a fan is a recommended way to cool down your dog and prevent their body temperature from rising further. Place a fan in front of your dog to blow cool air onto their body. This will aid in evaporative cooling, helping to remove excess heat from your dog's body. It is important to ensure that the fan is set to a cool temperature and that it is positioned at a safe distance from your dog, especially if they are showing signs of disorientation or seizures.

Additionally, you can combine the use of a fan with other cooling methods. For example, you can wet your dog's paws and fur with cool water and then direct the fan towards them. This will enhance the cooling effect and promote heat conduction. However, be careful not to pour water on or near your dog's head, as there is a risk of them inhaling water, which could lead to drowning, especially in flat-faced breeds.

When using a fan to cool down your dog, it is crucial to monitor their body temperature closely. Continue using the fan until your dog's breathing starts to settle, but discontinue if they begin to shiver. Remember, the goal is to gradually lower your dog's body temperature to a safe level, not to overcool them. Take frequent rectal temperature readings to ensure your dog's temperature does not drop below 103°F (39.4°C), as this could lead to hypothermia.

While using a fan can be an effective first aid measure, it is important to seek veterinary care as soon as possible. Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires immediate medical attention. Even if your dog appears to be recovering, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency. The vet will be able to provide further treatment and ensure your dog's body temperature returns to a safe and stable level.

medshun

Avoid wrapping your dog in wet towels

If your dog is suffering from heat stroke, it is important to act quickly to bring their body temperature down and prevent organ failure. While wrapping your dog in a wet towel may seem like a good way to cool them down, this is not the case. Wet towels placed over the dog can worsen their condition, trapping heat. Instead, towels can be placed under the dog to help lower their body temperature.

In addition to not wrapping your dog in wet towels, there are several other steps you should take to help your dog recover from heat stroke at home. First, move your dog to a shaded and cool area, preferably with a continuous flow of air. Then, immediately pour cool (not cold) water over your dog's head, stomach, armpits, and feet. Tap water (15-16°C) is most effective at cooling dogs with heat-related illnesses, but in an emergency, any water is better than none. You can also apply cool, wet cloths to these areas, but be sure to replace them often as they will start to retain heat.

Allow your dog to drink small amounts of cool water, but be careful not to give them too much, as this could cause them to start shivering. Continue to pour cool water over your dog until their breathing starts to settle. If your dog has lost consciousness, they will need urgent aggressive cooling as a priority, but be careful to avoid pouring water on or near their head, as there is a risk of them inhaling the water, which could lead to drowning.

Once your dog's body temperature has returned to normal, take them to the nearest vet as a matter of urgency. The vet will be able to assess your dog's condition and provide any necessary further treatment.

medshun

Monitor your dog's temperature

It is important to monitor your dog's temperature to ensure it does not exceed 103°F (39.4°C), at which point it is considered abnormal or hyperthermic. Body temperatures above 106°F (41°F) are most commonly associated with heat stroke and can lead to multiple organ failure and death at temperatures above 107°F to 109°F (41.2°C to 42.7°C).

If your dog is exhibiting signs of heat stroke, such as heavy panting, rapid breathing, excessive drooling, dry mucous membranes, bright red gums, skin that is hot to the touch, and a higher heart rate, it is important to take immediate action to cool them down and monitor their temperature to ensure it returns to a safe level.

One way to monitor your dog's temperature is to use a rectal thermometer. If the temperature is less than 105 degrees F, you should still consider this an emergency and take your dog to the veterinarian. If the temperature is higher, try to cool your dog down and retake the temperature after a few minutes. Be careful not to reduce the temperature below 103 degrees F, as this could lead to hypothermia.

Another way to monitor your dog's temperature is to feel their skin. If their skin feels hot to the touch, this could be a sign of heat stroke. However, this method is not as accurate as using a rectal thermometer, as the temperature of your dog's skin can vary depending on the ambient temperature and their level of activity.

It is important to monitor your dog's temperature regularly, especially during hot weather, to ensure that they do not overheat. Taking immediate action to cool your dog down and monitoring their temperature can help prevent heat stroke and its potentially fatal complications.

medshun

Seek veterinary advice

If you suspect your dog is suffering from heat stroke, it is important to seek veterinary advice as soon as possible. Heat stroke is a serious and life-threatening condition that requires immediate treatment to increase the chances of survival. Even if your dog appears to be recovering, it is crucial to take them to a veterinarian for proper assessment and care.

When you arrive at the veterinary clinic or animal hospital, the veterinarian will assess the severity of your dog's heat stroke and determine the necessary emergency treatment. This may include emergency cooling, especially if your dog's body temperature is still high. Vets may use intravenous fluid therapy to restore circulating blood volume and lower body temperature. Antibiotics may also be administered to decrease the risk of bacterial spread and prevent secondary sepsis (blood poisoning). In some cases, medication may be needed to assist in restoring function to damaged organs or to proactively reduce the risk of damage.

In addition to cooling methods and fluid therapy, your dog may require medication and supportive care during their hospitalization. Depending on the severity of the heat stroke, your dog may need to be hospitalized for 24-48 hours or longer until they are stable enough for discharge. The veterinarian will closely monitor your dog's body temperature and overall condition, making adjustments to the treatment plan as needed.

After your dog is discharged from the veterinary hospital, the veterinarian will usually conduct a follow-up call or appointment to check on their progress. They may recommend additional tests to assess the extent of any suspected organ damage and provide guidance on home care. It is important to closely observe your dog at home for any adverse signs or changes in their behaviour or health.

Heat stroke can have serious and long-term complications, and immediate veterinary care is essential for the best possible outcome. By seeking veterinary advice and following their recommendations, you can help your dog recover from heat stroke and reduce the risk of future episodes.

Frequently asked questions

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment