How to Act During Heatstroke 🧡 🐾

Quick guide and calm approach

Heatstroke is an emergency for pets. Act quickly but calmly — clear thinking helps you make safer choices. Below is a practical step-by-step plan and prevention tips to protect your companion.

How to recognize heatstroke

Watch for heavy or labored panting, excessive drooling, weakness, wobbliness, vomiting, seizures or collapse. Pets with short noses, older animals, very young or overweight pets are more vulnerable.

Key signs to notice

• Rapid, noisy, or very deep breathing.
• Bright red or unusually dark gums.
• Unsteady gait, disorientation, or collapse.
• Vomiting, diarrhea, or convulsions.

Immediate first aid

1. Move the animal to shade and a well-ventilated area right away.
2. Keep the pet calm; speak softly and minimize handling.
3. Offer small amounts of cool (not ice-cold) water; do not force large swallows.
4. Cool gradually: wet the coat with cool water, place damp towels on the neck, chest and paws, and use cool packs wrapped in a cloth on major blood vessels.
5. Monitor breathing and responsiveness; if there’s no improvement, prepare for urgent veterinary care.

Why not to use extreme cold

Applying ice or very cold water can cause blood vessel constriction and make the situation worse. Cooling should be gradual and controlled.

Transporting to the clinic

Ensure good airflow and shade in the vehicle. Secure the pet on a flat stable surface; continue to cool with damp towels during transport. Minimize stress and movement.

When to see a veterinarian

If the pet does not improve after initial cooling, or if there are seizures, loss of consciousness, persistent vomiting or blood in secretions — seek immediate veterinary attention. Veterinary care may include IV fluids, temperature monitoring and supportive treatment that cannot be done at home.

Prevention tips

• Avoid walks during the hottest parts of the day; choose early morning or evening.
• Always carry water and a portable bowl on outings.
• Never leave pets in a parked car, even for short periods.
• Provide shaded, ventilated shelter and constant access to cool water at home.
• Acclimate pets gradually to warm weather and watch high-risk animals closely.

What not to do

• Don’t give human medications or alcohol to an overheated pet.
• Don’t apply ice directly to the skin for prolonged periods.

Final note

Heatstroke is serious but often preventable. Quick, measured first aid can help, but severe cases need veterinary care. Staying aware and prepared is the best protection for your pet.