How to spot and treat heatstroke in dogs

Heatstroke is a serious health risk that many dogs get exposed to through a hot environment and health factors like the dog’s breed, age or weight. Because the condition can lead to organ damage or even death, owners need to cool their dogs quickly if the dog is showing concerning symptoms. The best prevention comes from keeping them in a mild environment with plenty of shade and water.

What is heatstroke?

Heatstroke is a life-threatening condition that happens when a dog’s body temperature rises above the normal range, which stands between 99.5 and 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Heatstroke can also be called heat stress, heat exhaustion or hyperthermia.

Dogs and cats can’t sweat to lower their temperature except through their paw pads. They rely on evaporative cooling like panting or licking their fur to beat the heat. These pets can easily overheat in high temperatures, such as the car or backyard on hot summer days.

What causes heatstroke?

Dogs can suffer from heatstroke because of factors involving their breed, weight or environment. Several key factors involved with pets getting heatstroke:

Signs of heatstroke in dogs and cats

You may need to act quickly to cool your pet down if you notice these symptoms:

How do I know if my dog is dehydrated?

Signs of dehydration in dogs can include urinating less than usual, lost skin elasticity, dry nose or gums, lost appetite, vomiting or diarrhea. You can pinch your dog’s skin to test its elasticity. If the skin takes time to bounce back, your dog may be dehydrated.

Why is heatstroke so serious?

Just as with humans, heatstroke in dogs doesn’t just mean they need to cool down from overheating. Heatstroke can turn into a life-threatening condition when not treated quickly. It can damage vital organs, leading to seizures, collapse, coma and even death. However, many dogs can recover quickly if owners treat it during the early stages.

How to treat heatstroke

If your pup is showing signs of heatstroke, they likely need urgent treatment. You can take immediate action to:

1. Remove them from the heat. Get your dog out of the hot environment and in a shaded area. If possible, take them to an air-conditioned room to cool them down more efficiently.
2. Spray your pet down. Put your dog in a cool or lukewarm bath or spray them with cool water. Please note that you should not use icy cold water or ice since these could constrict blood flow, slowing down the cooling process.
   • Give them a drink. If your dog will accept water, give them a chance to drink from a large bowl.
   • Maintain airflow. Use a fan or air conditioner to keep air circulating around your dog as much as possible.
   • Call your vet. Get instructions on the next steps from your vet since your dog may need monitoring to ensure a full recovery. You may want to keep wet towels in the car to continue cooling your pet down on the way to the vet.

What does treatment involve?

The medical treatment your vet provides will differ based on the severity of each case and your dog’s ability to recover. After assessing your dog’s health, the vet may decide on the best treatment that may include:

• Putting your dog on an IV to cool and hydrate the body
• Performing blood tests to check organ function
• Providing plasma transfusions for dogs that take longer for blood to clot
• Providing medication to kill bacteria or support proper digestion or heart function
• Ongoing monitoring of your pet’s condition

How to prevent heatstroke

Keep these simple tips in mind to protect your dog from developing this serious health problem in the first place:

• Never leave your dog in the car. Even if the windows are open and the outdoor temperatures mild, leaving your dog in the car can quickly lead to overheating. In fact, it can reach up to 20 degrees higher than the outside temperature in as little as 10 minutes.
• Avoid vigorous exercise on hot days. Consider changing your walk or run to early morning or evening to avoid getting too hot from exercise.
• Provide plenty of water. Make sure you check your dog’s water bowl several times per day or provide multiple bowls, especially during summer months. If you do brave an outdoor adventure with your canine friend, remember to take plenty of water for both of you to keep cool.
• Provide shade for outdoor dogs. If your furry friend lives outside, make sure they have shelter to escape the heat.
• Protect at-risk breeds. If you own a breed that’s predisposed to heatstroke like a short-nosed pug, take extra care to keep your dog out of the heat.

Does pet insurance cover heatstroke?

Yes, pet insurance can cover heatstroke. Depending on your policy and reimbursement chosen, you may still pay your vet’s exam fee and a portion of the bill. For example, if your pet policy covers 80% of the bill, you would cover the other 20% for your dog’s treatment.

However, if you have an accident-only policy, you can review your policy terms to see whether your insurance company treats heatstroke as an accident or illness. Many companies impose a waiting period of 30 days for illnesses on new policies.

Compare pet policies that cover heatstroke

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Name	Product	Pets covered	Seniors accepted	Hereditary conditions	Chronic illness
Petplan		Dogs, Cats				Cover unexpected vet bills from emergency exams, injuries, surgery and more.	Get quotes More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Embrace		Dogs, Cats				Enjoy extra benefits with coverage for exam fees, curable conditions and wellness visit reimbursement.	Get quotes More Info		loading Fetching your data...
Pet Assure		Dogs, Cats, Horses				Save up to 25% on all vet bills including wellness and dental visits for as little as $10/month.	Get quotes More Info		loading Fetching your data...
PetFirst		Dogs, Cats				Get coverage starting at $9 per month for cats and $15 for dogs. Talk to an agent at 888-738-0683.	More Info		loading Fetching your data...

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Bottom line

Your dog may thank you for keeping them safe during hot weather, offering plenty of shade, water and a mild environment whenever possible. But a pet insurance policy can help you stay prepared if you start noticing heatstroke symptoms like excessive panting or lethargy in your dog.

Frequently asked questions about heatstroke in dogs

• Will my dog recover from heatstroke?

  If the condition is treated early, your dog can make a full recovery. However, recovery will depend on how long the dog was suffering from overheating and how high the body temperature rose to.

• Do dogs have heatstroke if they only have a high body temperature?

  Your dog doesn’t necessarily suffer from heatstroke because their temperature rises above normal. However, a high temperature combined with other symptoms may. In either case, you can consult your vet to find your dog’s diagnosis and best treatment.

• How many dogs die from heatstroke each year?

  You won’t find thorough reports on the number of heatstroke deaths each year. However, dozens of cases are reported in the media each year related to owners keeping their pets in the car.