This is a common term used to describe when an animal’s body temperature becomes too high causing disease or damage. Dogs and cats can have a normal body temperature of up to ~103F. However, any body temperature over 106F will start causing multiple organ failure and can lead to death. Heat stroke is most common in animals left in vehicles on warm or hot days. However, heat stroke can happen when animals are left outside without proper shade or water. Some predisposed animals can have heat stroke even with proper conditions on hot days. Predisposed animals are the young, old, brachiocephalic (short nose), overweight, or animals with ongoing illness.

Signs of heat stroke include increased respirations, very dark or light gum color, lethargy, unresponsiveness, and seizures. This is one of the true animal emergencies. On your way to the vet you can use cool towels to help bring down the temperature, DO NOT use cold water or ice as this may cause more injury. Once at the vet, IV fluids and supportive treatment will be started. How high and for how long the temperature is increased determines the outcome. In some cases, even if the animal makes it through the initial insult there can be on going issues that can take days to present. If there is ever any concern that it is too hot, then bring your pets inside