Heat Stroke
Our furry and feathered friends are susceptible to heat stroke, and if predictions from the weather bureau are correct, this summer will be one of the hottest and most humid for a long time.
We humans can take evasive action:- air conditioning, swimming pools, showers, cool drinks, actively seeking shade can all keep us cool and hydrated. Too often we forget about our pets - they can die from heat stroke.
Heat stroke is an excessive elevation in body temperature and occurs when heat loss is over powered by heat gain (ie the body cannot lose heat). Normal control of body temperature (thermoregulation) fails, the body over heats resulting in direct thermal injury to body tissues.
Our pets do not sweat like we do. They rely on panting as their main source of heat loss, with minimal heat loss via the pads and minuscule loss via the faeces and urine. It is not just dogs and cats that suffer from heat stroke. Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, birds and of course large animals suffer too.
Many factors predispose these animals to heat stroke. Lack of acclimatisation, excessive humidity, water deprivation, drug administration, obesity, underlying cardiovascular disease, exercise, central nervous system disease, coat colour, and brachycephalic (short nosed) breeds of dogs and cats such as pugs, bulldogs, boxers, chinchillas, Persians, Himalayans just to name a few. The overwhelming majority of heat stroke victims are dogs that have been confined in a car and left unattended, even for short periods of time. With car windows open, temperatures can rapidly exceed 38 degrees within 10 minutes and over 50 degrees within 30 minutes.
Typically, patients with heat stroke will be panting and salivating excessively, and will have brick red gums. Some are in shock, can have bloody vomit or diarrhoea, can be seizuring, dull and lethargic or even comatose. Heat stroke is truly a life-threatening emergency.
If you suspect your furry friend has heat stroke, notify a veterinary clinic ASAP. Before travelling to the clinic, it is essential to hose the patient down with tap water, or place or support in a swimming pool if your dog can swim, or put in front of a fan for at least 10 minutes. Obviously if your furry friend is seizuring or comatose do not delay transport. Leave all the windows down whilst in transit to facilitate evaporative cooling. Turn on the air conditioning.
DO NOT APPLY ICE OR ICE PACKS.
This will cause the blood vessels to constrict and therefore restrict blood flow to the skin.
There are several ways to prevent heat stroke.
*Always ensure there is plenty of fresh water in different areas of the house, both inside and out. Ideally this water should not be in metal bowls as this absorbs heat. Plastic or pottery bowls are ideal.
*Do not exercise in the middle of the day and ensure there is plenty of shade.
*Consider clipping long coats, reducing weight and having other underlying medical problems addressed.
*Do not leave animals in the car whilst you shop, visit a friend or go to the casino.
Heat stroke can kill. We can prevent it in our patients.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ryde Veterinary Clinic if you have any questions or would like more information to prevent heat stroke in your furry friend.
Our furry and feathered friends are susceptible to heat stroke, and if predictions from the weather bureau are correct, this summer will be one of the hottest and most humid for a long time.
We humans can take evasive action:- air conditioning, swimming pools, showers, cool drinks, actively seeking shade can all keep us cool and hydrated. Too often we forget about our pets - they can die from heat stroke.
Heat stroke is an excessive elevation in body temperature and occurs when heat loss is over powered by heat gain (ie the body cannot lose heat). Normal control of body temperature (thermoregulation) fails, the body over heats resulting in direct thermal injury to body tissues.
Our pets do not sweat like we do. They rely on panting as their main source of heat loss, with minimal heat loss via the pads and minuscule loss via the faeces and urine. It is not just dogs and cats that suffer from heat stroke. Rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, mice, ferrets, birds and of course large animals suffer too.
Many factors predispose these animals to heat stroke. Lack of acclimatisation, excessive humidity, water deprivation, drug administration, obesity, underlying cardiovascular disease, exercise, central nervous system disease, coat colour, and brachycephalic (short nosed) breeds of dogs and cats such as pugs, bulldogs, boxers, chinchillas, Persians, Himalayans just to name a few. The overwhelming majority of heat stroke victims are dogs that have been confined in a car and left unattended, even for short periods of time. With car windows open, temperatures can rapidly exceed 38 degrees within 10 minutes and over 50 degrees within 30 minutes.
Typically, patients with heat stroke will be panting and salivating excessively, and will have brick red gums. Some are in shock, can have bloody vomit or diarrhoea, can be seizuring, dull and lethargic or even comatose. Heat stroke is truly a life-threatening emergency.
If you suspect your furry friend has heat stroke, notify a veterinary clinic ASAP. Before travelling to the clinic, it is essential to hose the patient down with tap water, or place or support in a swimming pool if your dog can swim, or put in front of a fan for at least 10 minutes. Obviously if your furry friend is seizuring or comatose do not delay transport. Leave all the windows down whilst in transit to facilitate evaporative cooling. Turn on the air conditioning.
DO NOT APPLY ICE OR ICE PACKS.
This will cause the blood vessels to constrict and therefore restrict blood flow to the skin.
There are several ways to prevent heat stroke.
*Always ensure there is plenty of fresh water in different areas of the house, both inside and out. Ideally this water should not be in metal bowls as this absorbs heat. Plastic or pottery bowls are ideal.
*Do not exercise in the middle of the day and ensure there is plenty of shade.
*Consider clipping long coats, reducing weight and having other underlying medical problems addressed.
*Do not leave animals in the car whilst you shop, visit a friend or go to the casino.
Heat stroke can kill. We can prevent it in our patients.
Please do not hesitate to contact Ryde Veterinary Clinic if you have any questions or would like more information to prevent heat stroke in your furry friend.
130 Quarry Rd
Ryde 2112
Ph. 02 9809 4788
ABN 82 940 836 685
Ryde 2112
Ph. 02 9809 4788
ABN 82 940 836 685