Pet First Aid 101: Heatstroke
As we head into summer, it’s important to know the risks that the hot weather will present to your cat, dog or pocket pet. The main risk is heatstroke – a life-threatening condition that can escalate in a matter of minutes. In today’s blog, our trusted vet in Templestowe has put together a guide for everything you need to know about heatstroke so you can help your pet avoid the deadly consequences.
Know why heatstroke occurs
At our vet clinic in Templestowe, the number one heatstroke-related question we get asked is, “Why does it happen?”
Heatstroke occurs because our cats, dogs and pocket pets cannot cool down their bodies in the same way that we can, as they do not have as many sweat glands as we do. In order to compensate, they can often start to pant, but this only works to a certain extent before they begin to overheat. Once they start overheating, they can experience the symptoms of heatstroke, which is a condition that can be fatal.
Know how to help prevent heatstroke
The best way to help your pet with heatstroke is to prevent it altogether. You can help prevent heatstroke in the following ways:
- Avoid exercising your pet or allowing them to walk on heat-retentive surfaces (such as sand or asphalt) in the hot weather
- Put a wet towel inside your pocket pet’s cage for them to lie on, and hang another wet cloth on the side of the cage so that the passing breeze will be cooler
- Never ever leave your pet in the car – in just 20 minutes on a 21°C day, your dog can overheat.
Know the symptoms of heatstroke
The main symptoms of heatstroke include:
- Rapid panting and salivation
- Difficulty breathing
- Agitation
- Collapsing
- Vomiting and diarrhoea
- Muscle tremors and/or seizures.
Know a vet in Templestowe that you can contact
The first thing you should do if you notice that your pet is suffering from any of the above symptoms is call a vet in Templestowe and let them know your pet is experiencing a medical emergency.
The next few things you do are crucial to helping your pet cool down in the meantime:
- Immediately remove your pet from the hot environment
- Spray or apply cool (not cold) water on your pet and then use a fan to cool down your pet quickly
- Use a wet cloth to wet the area around your pet.
Vets on Parker is a vet in Templestowe that has been trusted by pet owners for over 30 years. If you have noticed that your pet is displaying any signs of heatstroke, we urge you to get in touch with us immediately on (03) 9850 1355.
