Pet Corner
Summer Heat
Jul
Summer is upon us and so is the heat! For all you animal lovers out there I know you will agree with me when I say ”I can’t handle seeing a dog in a parked car!” dogs do not have sweat glands as we do and so they pant to release heat. Heatstroke happens fast and organ damage begins at 106.0F.
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Every year, hundreds of pets die from heat exhaustion because they are left in parked vehicles. We’ve heard the excuses: “Oh, it will just be a few minutes while I go into the store,” or “But I cracked the windows…” These excuses don’t amount to much if your pet becomes seriously ill or dies from being left in a vehicle.
The temperature inside your vehicle can rise almost 20º F in just 10 minutes. In 20 minutes, it can rise almost 30º F…and the longer you wait, the higher it goes. At 60 minutes, the temperature in your vehicle can be more than 40 degrees higher than the outside temperature. Even on a 70-degree day, that’s 110 degrees inside your vehicle!
Your vehicle can quickly reach a temperature that puts your pet at risk of serious illness and even death, even on a day that doesn’t seem hot to you. And cracking the windows makes no difference.
Want numbers? An independent study showed that the interior temperature of vehicles parked in outside temperatures ranging from 72 to 96º F rose steadily as time increased. Another study, performed by the Louisiana Office of Public Health, found that the temperatures in a dark sedan as well as a light gray minivan parked on a hot, but partly cloudy day, exceeded 125oF within 20 minutes.
Estimated Vehicle Interior Air Temperature v. Elapsed Time
Elapsed time Outside Air Temperature (F)
70 75 80 85 90 95
0 minutes 70 75 80 85 90 95
10 minutes 89 94 99 104 109 114
20 minutes 99 104 109 114 119 124
30 minutes 104 109 114 119 124 129
40 minutes 108 113 118 123 128 133
50 minutes 111 116 121 126 131 136
60 minutes 113 118 123 128 133 138
> 1 hour 115 120 125 130 135 140
Courtesy Jan Null, CCM; Department of Geosciences, San Francisco State University
© 2019 American Veterinary Medical Association
I personally haven’t seen a heat stroke cases due to pets being left in a car but I have treated a few do to hot days and overexertion. Seeing that thermometer read 105.2 was extremely scary and alarming. Bringing the temp down is the main priority though you do not want to bring it down to fast. Rinsing down the patient with cool water and applying isopropyl alcohol to the paws is a good start. After getting authorization to treat the patient from the owners we would administer IV Fluids and do diagnostics.
I work in a town where the majority of our clients and residents take extremely good care of their fur babies and incidents like this are very far and few in between.
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Heat Stroke in Cats and Dogs: How To Treat My Pet’s Heat Exhaustion or Heat Stroke?
Authored by Jason Nicholas, BVetMed (“Dr. J”)
Find me on: LinkedIn Twitter
6/21/2014
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dog-with-heat-stroke
In this article, you’ll find an outline of the first aid steps you should take to treat a cat or dog suffering from heat exhaustion or heat stroke.
You’ll also find important warnings and principles of first aid for heat-related illnesses.
Please keep in mind that while many of the more mild cases of heat exhaustion can be successfully staved off with the basic first aid steps provided below, all cases of heat stroke (and many of the more severe cases of heat exhaustion) will require veterinary care following your initial first aid. When in doubt, just bring your pet for veterinary evaluation, as heat-related illnesses are nothing to be trifled with. These are cases where it’s truly better to be safe than sorry.
When NOT to attempt first aid for pets with heat-related illness
There are important things to do and not do when cooling an overheated pet.
If your pet has heat stroke or even severe heat exhaustion, your pet will require veterinary care.
When in doubt, take your pet to your veterinarian.
If any of the conditions below are present, then it’s in your and your pet’s best interest for you to skip first aid and just go immediately to the veterinarian for evaluation and treatment. You can find a local Animal ER here.
Attempting first aid will unnecessarily delay veterinary treatment
You don’t have a thermometer handy or easily accessible
You don’t have ready access to cool water
Attempting first aid will unduly stress your pet
Your pet is vomiting, having diarrhea, or is noticeably bleeding or bruising
Your pet is collapsed, unresponsive, or having seizures
Crucially important aspects of cooling in cases of heat exhaustion and heatstroke in cats and dogs
Do NOT pour water into the mouth of a collapsed or unconscious pet, and don’t force any pet to drink water either.
Do NOT use ice water or an ice bath to cool an overheated pet. Doing so will lead to constriction of the blood vessels under the pet’s skin which will actually prevent the pet from cooling off.
Do NOT cool your pet too fast or too far – overcooling can be as disastrous as overheating.
Do monitor rectal temperature every 30-60 seconds.
Do stop cooling once the rectal temperature reaches 103.5°F.
All pets suffering from heatstroke (and many suffering from heat exhaustion) still need to be evaluated by a veterinarian once your initial cooling measures have been completed.
How to treat heat exhaustion in cats and dogs
Move your pet into a safe, shady or air-conditioned environment to prevent injuries and further heat absorption.
Offer small amounts of water frequently.
Measure rectal temperature with a thermometer (preferably digital, rather than glass) and plenty of lube (you can also use water or saliva, if no lube is readily available). If your pet’s temperature is below 104°F(40°C), continue on to step #4 in this list. If his temperature is above 104°F(40°C), proceed to step #5 in the list below (treating heat stroke).
Continue to monitor your pet and allow him to rest and drink small, frequent amounts of water.
Once he is back to his normal self, return home with him, but continue to keep a close eye on him for the next 24 hours. Bring him for a veterinary evaluation immediately if he doesn’t return back to his normal self or if there are any episodes of vomiting, diarrhea, lack of appetite or any other concerning signs.
How to treat heatstroke in cats and dogs
Move your pet into a safe, shady or an air-conditioned environment to prevent injuries and further heat absorption. Put a cool, wet towel or blanket underneath him.
If he is alert enough and able to drink water, offer him small amounts frequently. You don’t want him drinking too much or too fast, as either of those can cause problems of their own.
Check and take note of the time. This will be helpful when you arrive at the vet, and it will also keep you from performing first aid too long and unnecessarily delaying veterinary treatment.
Measure rectal temperature with a thermometer (preferably digital, rather than glass) and plenty of lube (you can also use water or saliva, if no lube is readily available).
If his temperature is above 104°F (40°C), begin cooling by spraying cool (not cold) water over their body. If you have a fan handy, you can turn it on and have it blow over him – this will improve evaporative cooling.
Stop cooling once his temperature reaches 103.5°F (39.7°C).
Check and take note of the time that cooling was stopped and at what temperature he was at when cooling was stopped.
If there is a dry towel or blanket available, use it to dry your pet off slightly. This can help prevent continued and excessive cooling.
Bring your pet immediately for veterinary evaluation and care. Ideally pre-cooling your car before getting your pet in and calling ahead to the veterinary hospital to let them know you’re on your way with a pet that has suffered heatstroke.
And if you find a pet in a car, especially on a warm day, take these steps before and after breaking the window.
Thanks For Reading!
