In Just 10 Minutes Heatstroke Can Be Fatal

It doesn’t take much for hot weather to make our pets really sick, particularly our senior pets, pets that are overweight

Heatstroke in animals is a killer and can happen frighteningly fast. It doesn’t take much for hot weather to make our pets really sick, particularly our senior pets, pets that are overweight, or have short noses (such as Pugs, Himalayan Persians, Mini Lops). Heatstroke occurs when their internal body temperature gets too high, when it’s too hot outside and they can’t find shade, or when there is insufficient access to water on a hot day. The heat can also make already existing health problems worse.

Signs to watch out for

The first sign in dogs is often heavy panting and difficulty breathing. Cats and rabbits are more likely to become very quiet, unsteady on their feet and reluctant to move (cats and rabbits panting is always an emergency!). Their tongue and gums may become bright red, and their saliva thick and sticky. They may vomit, or have bloody diarrhoea. In the end stages, pet’s gums may turn grey, with collapse and seizures.

How should you treat a pet with heatstroke?

If your pet is showing signs of heat stroke, get your pet to a vet straight away. Without immediate veterinary attention, heat stroke can be fatal.

Tips to Beat the Heat:
1) You might be an avid jogger, but don't run your dog in the middle of a hot day!

2) Think of cooling mats for your pets or if inside allow them to stretch out under the AC

3) Add some ice blocks to the water bowl

4) Invest in a kids’ paddling pool out for the water loving breeds.

5) Damp down a neck bandanna to keep them cool.