Another name of heat stroke is hyperthermia. This is a type of life threating disease occur in dog and cat when body temperature rises above 103 degree F ( 39.5 degree Celsius ) and they can not tolerate this high temperature. This threating disease may cause by exposure of too hot or humid environment, excessive exercise or when left in a car.
Animals are not able to normalize the body temperature by sweating as like human. All the animals have variable body temperature if this exceeds more than usual then animal may suffer from heat stroke. The critical temperature where multiple organ failure and impending death occurs is around 107 degree F to 109 degree F ( 41.2 degree C to 42.7 degree C ).
What Causes Heat Stroke ?
The main cause of the heat stroke is hyperthermia. Do not left the dog and cat in a car and provide a proper ventilation to the dog and cat. The dogs body temperature in this situation can elevate very rapidly often within minutes. Excessive environment temperature may cause heat stroke in dogs and cats. Excessive humidity may also cause heat stroke in dogs and cats. Dogs have primary way to control or regulate the body temperature by panting.
There are many others common cause of heat stroke including excessive exercise, keep your dog in yard for long time in summer season without any shades or water in any hot environment. This is often true that dogs are kept in a poorly ventilated environment may cause heat stroke in dogs and cats.
Few specific breeds of dogs may get high risk of heat stroke during summer season such as pugs, boxers and bulldogs due to restricted airways such as brachycephalic breeds. If temperature is moderate elevate due to any reason such type of breeds may suffer from heat stroke as compare to other breeds of dogs.
Any type of infection may cause fever ( pyrexia ) can lead to hyperthermia. Seizures and severe muscle spasm can also elevate the body temperature due to increase in muscular activity.
Symptoms of heat stroke in dogs and cats : Heat stroke in dogs
There are many early signs or acute symptoms of heat stroke in dogs such as Panting, restlessness, drooling, red gums or tongue, increased heart rate, vomiting or diarrhea etc. There are few advanced signs are lethargy, confusion, weakness, collapse, seizures etc. All these are the basic symptoms of heat stroke in dogs and cats. So you must have to remember that symptoms of heat stroke in dogs.
There are few specific points in body of dog that you must have noticed in heat stroke in dogs such as ;
Body – High Body Temperature
Heart – Racing Heart
Brain – Seizures
Eyes – Glassy eyes, fear full expression
Mouth – Heavy panting, Excessive drooling, Red or purple gums and tongue, Vomiting.
Legs – Collapsing or staggering.
Important points to keep your dog cool on hot days :
a) Restrict exercise.
b) Never leave our pet in car, hot rooms or any type of sun trap.
c) Ensure drinking water and cool shaded spot is always available.
d) Walk early in the morning or later in the evening.
e) Spray with cool water.
The main cause of heat stroke is highest temperature in surrounding. Hyperthermia is too dangerous in dogs and cats that may cause death in severe cases. As per veterinarian suggestion you must have to keep a thermometer in your household to check the body temperature of dogs and cats.
Why does heat stroke effect the dog and cats ?
Heat stroke generally occur after increase their body temperature as increase in body temperature. There are many factors that contribute heat stroke in any animals such as :
a) Breed
b) Age
c) Physical fittness
d) Weight
e) Medical Disorders
f) Water
g) Acclimation
Prevention is better than cure : Heat stroke in dog and cats
Do not keep your dog in hottest part of the day.
Always make sure that you must have to carry water for your dog.
Never leave your dog in a car.
Moderately increase your dog exercise.
Heat Stroke In Dogs and Cats : First Aid
- Keep your dog to a cool place or shady area.
- Immediately pour cool ( not too much cold to avoid any shock ) water over the dog. Tap water much more effective at cooling dogs with any type of heat related illnesses. Too more emergency use any type of water.
- Use a cool or wet towel place over the dog can control the heat stroke or help in trapping the heat.
- Allow the dog to drink small amounts of water.
- Call the veterinarian urgently.
Carry ON 💪🏻
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