Recognising & Treating Heatstroke in Pets

“We’re set for a scorcher” – it’s a phrase that comes hand-in-hand with the Australian summer. With many places reaching above and beyond 40°C during our summer, many of our pets can suffer from the heat without us realising until, sometimes, it’s too late.

There are certain pets that may suffer from heatstroke more than others. These include pets with black or dark fur (which traps heat much more than fair fur), overweight pets, and certain breeds with “squashed faces” such as pugs, who cannot circulate air through their narrow nasal passages as well. In fact in 2017, Melbourne couple Jasminka Hewitt and partner David Loosz lost their French bulldog pair Hank and Dita to the effects of heatstroke after their dog sitter exercised them in extreme heat, emphasising just have destructive summer heat can be.

Identifying heatstroke

Heatstroke occurs when your pet’s body temperature-regulation mechanism fails due to exposure to excessively high temperatures. In pets, heatstroke can be determined in several ways including:

• A high body temperature (over 40°C)
• Excessive salivation
• Distress
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Change in gum colour (blue-purple or bright red) due to an inadequate oxygen supply to these tissues

If you suspect that your pet is suffering from heatstroke, they should be taken to your vet as soon as possible, as it can affect the organs and nerves and can damage your pet’s body even if experienced for just a short period of time. Keep them cool on the way to the vet with your car’s air conditioning and try and get them to drink water if they can. If your pet is suffering from less-severe heat distress, they can be treated at home – try lowering their body temperature gradually with a wet towel and by offering them cool (not chilled) water. Never leave your dog locked in a car on a hot day, and exercise caution even for pets left indoors.

Speaking of heatstroke, sun damage is more common in some pets than others. Due to the decreased pigment levels in their skin, pets with white or very light fur will suffer in the sun, as will dog breeds such as staffies, greyhounds and boxers. Pet-safe sunscreen can be applied to problem-prone areas including the ears, nose and belly, and you should exercise caution by keeping sun-sensitive pets in a shady, cool environment during the hottest and sunniest parts of the day.

Avoiding heatstroke the right away

Heatstroke can be avoided in pets by following some handy tips including:

• Walk or exercise your dog at dawn, dusk or at night, avoiding the hottest parts of the day. Test whether the ground is too hot to walk on by placing your hand on it: if you can’t keep your hand there for a few seconds, it’s too hot for your dog’s little paws!
• Give outdoor dogs access to a shady kennel, or supply them with a doggy door so they can go in and out as they please for fresh air. Indoor-only pets should have well-aerated spaces – even they can overheat if they’re trapped in a stuffy room.
• Encourage additional water intake during walks or exercise. You can also invest in a special water fountain that entices cats and dogs to drink more.
• Hit the beach or pool! Just make sure you have flotation devices or life jackets if you’re going to be around water, and always keep and eye on your pets.
• Make some fun ice snacks for dogs. Freeze cooked meat, liver treats or similar in a block of ice for them to lick on hot days.
• Keep long-haired pets well-groomed, but don’t shave their hair off: long-coated dogs such as huskies actually use their fur to regulate heat, so shaving off their fur can do more harm than good.

And lastly, don’t forget to follow your instincts this summer: if you’re hot, your pet probably is too! With awareness and care, your pet will happily enjoy summer by your side.