🌡️ Heat Stroke in Pets: 2025 Vet First Aid Guide to Hyperthermia and Emergency Cooling 🧊🐾

By Dr Duncan Houston, BVSc 🩺

Heatstroke—also known as hyperthermia—can become deadly in minutes. When a dog or cat can’t cool themselves fast enough, body temperature rises rapidly, leading to collapse, organ failure, or death. Knowing how to cool your pet correctly and when to rush to the vet is lifesaving. Here’s everything you need to know in 2025. 🆘🌡️

🔥 What Is Hyperthermia?

Hyperthermia is an elevated body temperature caused by environmental heat, not illness. It differs from fever, which is the body’s immune response to infection.

Normal pet temperatures:

• 🌡️ 101°F to 102.5°F

Emergency thresholds:

• 🚨 Over 105°F = medical emergency
• ⚠️ Over 106°F = life-threatening

💥 Common Causes of Heatstroke

• 🚗 Left in a parked car—even on a mild day
• 🌞 Exercised during hot or humid weather
• 🧱 Left outdoors without shade or water
• 🐶 Brachycephalic breeds (Pugs, Bulldogs, etc.) with ineffective panting
• ⚠️ Underlying conditions: seizures, eclampsia, airway disease, or obesity

🩺 Early Signs of Heatstroke

• 🐕 Excessive panting or restlessness
• 💦 Drooling heavily from nose or mouth
• 🌀 Unsteadiness, wobbling, or collapse
• 🔴 Gums may be bright red, blue, or purple
• 💢 Vomiting, diarrhea, or confusion

🚨 What To Do Immediately

1. 🧊 Remove from Heat Source

• Move your pet into a cool, shaded area
• Point a fan directly at them if available

2. 🌡️ Take a Rectal Temperature (if possible)

• Record the value for your veterinarian

3. 💧 Begin Cooling Measures

• Use cool (not cold) water to wet the body—especially ears, paws, belly
• Use a shower, tub, or hose—but do NOT submerge the head
• Place wet towels under a fan to enhance cooling

4. 🚿 Ice Water Immersion (if safe)

• Only if severe (>106°F) and if pet is unconscious or unable to stand
• Do NOT cover in wet towels (they trap heat)

5. 🧊 Offer Water Only if Alert

• Allow small, frequent sips of cool water
• Do NOT force water or give if vomiting occurred recently

6. 🚗 Transport to the Vet ASAP

• Call your vet or emergency clinic en route
• Continue active cooling during travel

🚫 What NOT to Do

• ❌ Don’t use ice directly on the body
• ❌ Don’t cool below 103°F—risk of hypothermia
• ❌ Don’t leave your pet unattended during cooling
• ❌ Don’t administer medication

🧠 Why Vet Care Is Still Critical

Heatstroke can cause internal damage that persists even after cooling:

• 🩸 Organ failure (liver, kidneys)
• 🧬 Clotting disorders
• 🫁 Pulmonary edema
• 🧠 Brain swelling

Veterinary treatment may include blood work, IV fluids, oxygen, and hospitalization. Even mild cases can progress. 🏥

📦 Heat Emergency Kit Essentials

• 🌡️ Digital rectal thermometer
• 🧴 Water spray bottle
• 🧊 Fan and clean towels
• 📞 Vet emergency contact list

🛡️ Prevention Tips

• 🚫 Never leave pets in a parked car
• 🥵 Avoid exercise during hot or humid days
• 🌳 Provide shade and fresh water at all times
• 🐶 Watch brachycephalic dogs closely—they overheat quickly

📲 Need Help During a Heat Emergency? Ask A Vet

If your pet is overheating and you need expert guidance now, the Ask A Vet app is your emergency lifeline:

• 💬 24/7 live chat with veterinarians
• 📸 Share photos or symptoms for fast help
• 📋 Get cooling and transport advice in real time

Visit AskAVet.com or download the app. When heat rises, act fast—cool safely and get help. Your pet’s life depends on it. 🌡️🐾🧊