Heatstroke is one of the many concerns pet owners face during the summer. Whether you own dogs or cats, heatstroke can cause a series of problems that could compromise your pet’s long-term health. With many diseases and illnesses, timing is everything. If you are not able to catch your pet overheating quickly enough, it will result in a stricter obstacle to get past and could cause severe damage to your pet’s health. Our South Jersey dog grooming professionals at Halo House provided a guide on how to keep an eye out for heat-related issues for your pets.
What Is Heatstroke?
Heatstroke is an unhealthy state where the body’s core temperature is elevated and unable to expel the heat. Usually, heatstroke occurs when you are present in hot atmospheres or are not practicing proper hydration. For humans, this is rarely a concern. Biologically, humans have better adaptions such as an intricate endocrine system, that helps the body stay cooler than any other animal in the world. Our pets are less fortunate. Dogs and cats don’t have the ability to cool off through sweating, which puts them more at risk for heatstroke.
Heatstroke Prevention
You can take many steps as a pet owner to keep your dogs and cats cool during the summer. If you choose to practice these prevention tips, your pet and yourself will enjoy an awesome summer without any trips to the veterinarian. First, you should ensure that your pet has a strongly ventilated space where it can relax. Second, your pet should have access to refreshing drinking water at all times of the day. Third, rigorous exercise should be avoided outdoors in hot weather. Lastly, be aware of your surroundings. Never expose your pet to high-risk spaces such as an enclosed car or poorly shaded space.
Heatstroke Symptoms
Pets show all kinds of symptoms when they are experiencing heat stress, the precursor of heatstroke. The most common symptoms are trouble breathing, confusion, drooling, vomiting, and inability to use the bathroom. If you are suspecting that your pet is undergoing heat stroke, remove your pet from the hot environment. After that, utilize a fan and cool water to help stabilize your pet’s temperature. Once you are able to, get to the nearest veterinarian immediately. Heatstroke can have fatal complications if left untreated so it is important to get to a professional as quickly as possible.
How Do Veterinarians Beat Heatstroke?
There are many solutions veterinarians provide to ensure a pet recover from heatstroke. First, veterinarians use intravenous fluids to deliver hydration quickly to the body. Oxygen supplementation and cooling treatments are conducted to aid the rehydration process. After stabilization, a veterinarian will conduct tests to check the status of different bodily functions. After recovering from severe heatstroke, it is important to make sure no organ damage has occurred, which would require further treatment/ongoing medication.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding heatstroke prevention for your pet, reach out to Halo House Animal Resort at 856-694-0980!