Presented in the interest of pets.
Heat Stroke:
Heatstroke results when you’re pet’s body temperature rises to 106 to 109 degree Fahrenheit. At this high temperature the body loses its ability to dissipate heat and this high body temperature results in thermal injury to tissues including vital organs similar to cooking meat in side an oven. While rare in cats, it occurs frequently in dogs, particularly those that are obese or have upper airway obstruction (e.g. laryngeal paralysis, brachycephalic airway syndrome) or those that are exercised in hot, humid weather. Dogs or cats confined in nonventilated areas, deprived of water and/or shade, or subjected to forced heat (i.e., hot dryers after bathing) are also at risk for the development of heatstroke. Diagnosis is based on a history of exposure, high body temperature without other systemic cause and the presence of neurologic disturbance and hemoconcentration.
Body temperatures greater than 110 F for just a few minutes can result in death.
Early signs of heat stroke are tachypnea, tachycardia, bounding pulses, vomiting, diarrhea, dehydration, and depression. As heat stroke progresses, severe respiratory distress, cyanosis, petechial hemorrhages, collapse, seizures, cerebellar signs, oliguria, bloody diarrhea, and hematemesis may develop. The previously darken and reddish mucous membranes may become pale and ashen. Femoral pulses weaken. The previously elevated body temperature may decrease to subnormal, and neurological signs (seizures or coma) often precede death.
How to avoid Heat stroke:
Avoid confinement in hot automobile
Avoid confinement in hot cage
Avoid excessive exercise in hot weather
Provide AC indoors during excessive hot summer weather conditions
Provide shade in hot weather
Provide copious amount of water in hot weather
Prevent Obesity
Breeds most susceptible:
Anatolian Shepherd
Brachycephalic breeds
Bulldog
Saint Bernard
Weimaraner
Treatment/Management/Prevention:
1) Treatment depends on the condition of the animal at presentation.
2) Reduction of core body temperature is essential. Owners must start cooling efforts prior to transport to an emergency facility if it is more than a few minutes away.
· Immerse animal in cool water using either a tub or spraying with a garden hose. Do not use ice water as this causes peripheral vasoconstriction, inhibiting heat loss through convection and radiation. Shivering may also result from the application of ice baths, generating more heat and exacerbating the hyperthermia.
· A fan can be used to increase cooling by evaporation.
3) When core body temperature reaches 39.5°C (103°F) discontinue rapid cooling, and monitor temperature every ten minutes or use a continuous reading thermometer for at least the next few hours as body temperature may continue dropping to the subnormal range or rise excessively again.
Preventive Measures:
Heat stroke can be prevented by taking certain precautions:
1) Do not cage animals outdoors without adequate shade or water and at very high temperatures keep pets indoors.
2) Do not leave animals in closed compartments exposed to the oven effect of the sun.
3) Take increased precautions with old, obese, or infirm animals.
We just had our first heatstroke patient yesterday and fortunately we were able to save this patient. We hope this medical alert will help you to keep your pets safe during these hot summer days. Please feel free to share this important information with your family and friends.
Sincerely,
Dr. I. Arun, DVM., P. A.
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