How do I tell if my dog is getting heat stroke?

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include collapse, confusion or disorientation, dehydration, drooling, increased heart rate, muscle spasms, noisy breathing, panting, red gums and tongue, seizures, vomiting and diarrhoea, and weakness and lethargy. Symptoms include a dry nose, sunken eyes, heavy panting, infrequent urination, and tiredness. Drooling can be a symptom of heatstroke, if the dog is drooling more often, and it’s thicker and stickier. Increased heart rate can signal overheating, check a dog’s heartbeat by placing your hand on their chest, just behind their front leg’s elbow. Noisy breathing or faster than normal, especially if the dog is a flat-faced breed, is a sign of overheating. Panting is a sign that the dog is cooling down, so the more they pant, the hotter they are. Red gums and tongue can occur when a dog is overheating, especially when coupled with panting and heavy breathing. Vomiting and diarrhoea can be a symptom of heat exhaustion, stool that’s softer than normal can be a symptom of heat exhaustion, and stool and diarrhoea that contains blood is a sign that the heatstroke has become more severe. Weakness and lethargy can be a sign of heatstroke, the dog might sleep more, have trouble standing or walking, or generally seem more sluggish with their movements.

Early signs of heatstroke in pet animals can include panting, restlessness or agitation, pacing, seeking shade or water, drooling, red gums or tongue, increased heart rate, vomiting or diarrhea. Advanced stages of heatstroke in pets can include lethargy, confusion, weakness or collapse, seizures. If you are concerned that your pet is overheating, you should act immediately, as heatstroke can rapidly become a life-threatening emergency. Take your pet somewhere cool, ideally a well ventilated area or use a fan, offer them small sips of water, cold water immersion is an effective approach for young, healthy dogs. Evaporation method: Pouring water of any temperature that is cooler than your dog over them and combine with air movement from a breeze, fan, or air conditioning for older dogs or dogs with underlying health problems. Your vet will examine your pet, and carry out a full assessment including a temperature check. Even if your pet seems to be ok it’s important to have them checked, as the more serious signs of heatstroke may not be immediately apparent.

To determine if your dog is getting heat stroke, look for the clinical signs of the three stages of Heat Related Illness. The first stage, heat stress, is characterized by less animated behavior, visibly tired or moving at a slower pace, changes in the dog’s focus or readiness, change in attitude, excessive panting, pasty saliva in the mouth, increased thirst, feels overly warm to the touch, tongue excessively protruding out with a flattened end, cheeks pulled back revealing the full arcade of the teeth including the molars, brick red mucous membranes, and heat cramps or muscle spasms. The second stage, heat exhaustion, includes any of the signs from Stage 1 plus additional signs such as weakness or stumbling, mentally aware but too tired to react, excessive panting becomes uncontrollable, significant thirst, sunken, dry eyes, dry mouth, gums and nose, vomit or diarrhea, lack of skin elasticity, and muscle tremors. If you notice any of these signs, take a break from the activity at hand, sit in a shady area with a cool breeze, and provide your dog with lots of water. Apply cool water to his paw pads and underbelly, and dab rubbing alcohol-soaked pads to the pinnae of the ears, in his armpits, and in the groin area. Get your dog to the nearest vet immediately if you notice the signs of heat exhaustion. Before heading to the vet, place a cool, wet towel on the bottom of his kennel and apply cool water to his paw pads and underbelly.