Heat Stroke

A heat stroke can occur very quickly during the summer months. One of the simplest things you can do to prevent a heat stroke from occuring is to not leave your pet in a car unattended (even with the windows cracked). During the warmer months, it is possible for the temperature of your car to rise above 100.0 degrees Fahrenheit in just a matter of minutes! It is always important that your pet be left access to an adequate supply of cool water and shade if he or she is outdoors for any long period of time (if possible, keep your pet inside on extremely hot and humid days). Another problem, which may lead to heat stroke, is in a thick-coated animal that is unable to cool itself adequately. If possible, try to keep thick-coated animals inside or, at the very least, shave the hair off of the abdomen or give them a summer cut.

Signs of heat stroke are excessive panting and difficulty breathing. If you think that your companion is suffering from heat stroke, first get them out of the direct heat and then, if possible, take his or her temperature rectally. If the animal's ambient body temperature is above 104.0 degrees Fahrenheit, you will need to start cooling him or her down immediately and seek immediate veterinary assistance. Other heat stroke symptoms include: your pet acting as if in a "stupor", increased salivation, reddened mucous membranes, depression, seizure, or even coma.

You can easily take your pet's body temperature by using a rectal baby thermometer. The application of K-Y jelly or other water-soluble lubricant to the thermometer will aid in its insertion. You will need to insert the thermometer into your pet's rectum about ½ inch and allow it to stay in place for approximately 90 seconds.

Your pet's normal non-aggravated body temperature typically ranges from 101.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Body temperature higher than 103.0 degrees Fahrenheit may be a sign of stress, infection or illness. An animal with an ambient body temperature of 105.0 degrees Fahrenheit or above can collapse, vomit, have bloody diarrhea, or seizure.

The heart and respiratory rates will increase with heat stroke and often times the capillary refill time is quickened. Checking the capillary refill time (CRT) is a way of detecting if the blood is circulating properly throughout the body. One way to monitor your pet's blood oxygenation level includes checking the mucous membrane color (which should always be pink)- gently press onto your pet's gums and observe how long it takes the tissue to return from white to pink- normal response time is 1-2 seconds. If the refill times are less than 1 second or more than 3 seconds, then your pet's blood is either circulating too fast or not fast enough, respectfully. To check your pet's mucous membrane color, lift his or her upper or lower lip and look at the gums. The gum color should always be pink, meaning that your pet is receiving enough oxygen into the bloodstream. If your pet has black gums, then you may gently pull down the lower eyelid to check mucous membrane color. Mucous membrane colors to be alarmed about include blue, white, red, yellow, or brown.

There are several things you can do to help your companion before you get them to a veterinarian. As previously mentioned, first get your pet out of the direct heat source. Check to see if he or she has gone into shock, and take his or her temperature.

Shock is the body's way of coping with the change of blood circulation and, therefore oxygen, to the internal organs. Shock may result in instances such as sudden loss of large amounts of blood, heart failure, severe allergic reaction, or to infection circulating in the body. There are three different stages of shock: early, middle, and final. Signs that your pet has gone into the early stage of shock include: increased heart rate, normal to increased pulse, mucous membranes darkened, capillary refill time is 1-2 seconds, and body temperature is low. Signs of middle shock include: hypothermia (the stomach or other hairless places are cool to the touch), weakened pulse, capillary refill time longer than 3 seconds, mucous membranes are pale, limbs are cool, and the pet may be in a depressed mental state. Signs of the final stage of shock include: decreased respiratory and heart rates, unconsciousness or mentally depressed state, capillary refill time is longer than 3 seconds, and pulse is very weak or gone.

One thing you can do to help bring your pet's body temperature down is to spray it with cool water or apply cold compresses to the neck, feet, abdomen and chest. Using a fan to blow air onto your pet will help it cool, as will the application of cotton balls or gauze which have been soaked in isopropyl alcohol and applied to armpit, groin, and paw areas. Monitor your pet's body temperature closely if manipulating it and be careful not to bring it down too low- remember, normal non-aggravated ambient body temperature typically runs between 101.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dehydration can be another result of heat stroke. To check your pet's hydration level, gently pull up on the skin at the back of his or her neck and release- if the skin doesn't return to its normal shape within 1-2 seconds, then your pet is likely suffering from dehydration. Sometimes in geriatric or underweight pets, because the tautness of the skin, it may retract too quickly and not serve as an accurate gauge of hydration level. Another way to check hydration level is to lift up the upper or lower lip and check to see if the mouth and gums are dry or tacky- they should be moist. It is very important to try to get fluids, whether administered subcutaneous or intravenously, into your pet to help the body's cooling process and to help it return to a homeostatic state.

If your pet is not breathing, try CPR steps to resuscitate. If there is any excessive bleeding, try to control it by applying direct pressure to the area. If your pet is suffering from hypothermia, try to warm them with a blanket. If possible, or practical, elevate your pet's hind end with a blanket or pillow to try to increase blood flow to the brain.

This article's intention is to give a pet owner some important suggestions on what to do to help get your pet through the first stages of heat stroke or other emergency situation to help stabilize your pet until he or she may be transported to a veterinary facility. Having a first aid kit on hand further facilitates what we can do to better our pet's chances of surviving a medical crisis.

References: Pet First Aid: from the American Red Cross, by Julia Adams.