Heat Stroke in Animals

7/1/2014

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1568 Pilot Grove Rd
West Point, Iowa 52656

Phone: 319-837-6511
Fax: 319-837-6512
leecovet@gmail.com

Companion Animal Newsletter - July 2014

Heat Stroke in Animals

Summer heat can be very dangerous for animals, especially if they live outside or are left in a vehicle. Even with the windows cracked, the temperature inside a vehicle can quickly climb to over 100 degrees in the summer.

Heat stroke can lead to permanent brain damage, organ failure, and even death. Symptoms to watch for in your pets include excessive panting, weakness, collapse, exhaustion, vomiting, diarrhea, and seizures or tremors. Animals that are very young, very old, obese, dark-colored, or have short noses (such as bulldogs) are at the highest risk. The prognosis varies a lot by how severe the heat stroke is and by any preexisting conditions that the animal may have had.

Heat stroke can be avoided with proper care. Animals that are outside need a constant supply of fresh water. They need access to shady areas so they can get out of the sun's heat. If your dog has a doghouse, make sure that it has adequate ventilation to prevent it from getting too hot inside.

If your animal has heat stroke, it needs to be cooled down as soon as possible. However, cooling must be done carefully to avoid hypothermia. The best thing for you to do at home is bring your pet inside and cover the animal with towels that are wet with cool water. The water should not be too cold, and DO NOT use ice. It is important to not cool them down too quickly or too much. You should contact a veterinarian as soon as possible. The veterinarian will most likely continue monitored cooling of the animal and administer intravenous fluids. Treating the animals with fluids will prevent dehydration and dilute harmful compounds in the animal's bloodstream that are produced in response to stress. If the animal has severe signs such as seizures and heart arrythmias, the veterinarian can use medications to try to control these problems and can also check for other problems that may have been caused by the heat stroke.

Featured Product

NexGard, a new product from the makers of Frontline and Heartgard, is a beef-flavored, chewable flea and tick preventative for dogs. It is given monthly. In our area, we have been seeing very good efficacy of NexGard against both ticks and fleas. We currently have the following specials: Receive a $50 rebate when you buy 12 doses of Heartgard and 6 doses of NexGard; or receive a $25 rebate when you buy 6 doses of Heartgard and 6 doses of NexGard.

What's New at LCVC

Thanks for reading our clinic newsletter!

We will soon be start to send out your pets' vaccination due dates as well as appointment reminders via email and text messages. Call us or email us to let us know if you would like to get signed up for these types of reminders rather than postcards.

Also, if you would like your pet to be featured on our Facebook page, stop by and fill out a release form. We can take pictures of your pet while they are here for their appointment or you can send us your own cute pictures!