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Last Updated:

Jan 22, 2009

Heat Stroke

Warning: This can be FATAL! Seek immediate veterinary care.

Symptoms:

                 * Excessive Panting

                 * Lethargy / laying around

                 * Collapse, does not or cannot stand or get up

                 * Difficulty Breathing with the tongue pink or purple

                 * Extreme Weakness

                 * High Body Temperature above 104 degrees

       - To check your animals temperature use a thermometer with a small amount of lubrication on the silver tip. Insert this tip into the animal's rectum. A second person may want to help by holding the animal's head as some animals will resist having their temperature taken.

        - Normal temperatures will range from 101 to 102.5 degrees

What to Do:

                 * Place the animal in a cool area: an air conditioned house or room, the basement, the shade, etc.

                 * Do NOT hose your dog or cat off with COLD water; this can drop your animal's temperature too quickly,

                    sending them into shock

                 * You can rinse the pet's feet with cold water to help cool the rest of the body.

                 * Do NOT keep your animals in the car without A/C. Leaving the window open is not sufficient.         

                  * The temperature inside of a car can become extremely high in a short amount of time.

                  * You can have a sprinkler on in the yard to help cool the surrounding air.

How to Prevent Heat Stroke:

                  * Keep your animal indoors with the A/C or fans on during the day.

                  * Keep fresh cold, water available at all times.

                  * If you must walk your animal, keep the walk time to a minimum, and do so in the evening.

                  * Try to reduce your animal's activity; no playing ball or frisbee in the heat.

                  * Outdoor dogs should have access to shade and dirt areas to cool off in.