Dangerous Signs of Heat Stroke in Dogs to Watch For

I have been a dog owner for almost 21 years. I have had dogs with thick fur and thin fur. So I do have a first hand experience that heat affects every dog differently but the signs of heat stroke in dog remains the same.

I still remember it was 2020 during COVID-19 time. I took my dogs out to play on a Sunday afternoon. The sun was brighter than usual but still we played outside. All my dogs were having fun, running and playing. But I noticed my pug, Leo was panting more than usual. He was moving back and forth, drooling and looking weird.

At that time I thought he was thirsty or tired from playing. But looking back at that, now I know it was a classic sign of heat stroke in dogs. Pugs are brachycephalic meaning their faces are flat. It makes it harder for them to cool down though panting.

Dogs can’t sweat like humans to release heat from their body. They cool themselves through panting. During summers, hot weather and humidity, it becomes harder for them to regulate body heat. This is why understanding signs of heat stroke in dogs is important.

What is heat stroke in dogs?

Before talking about the signs of heat stroke in dogs, lets understand what heat stroke is. The normal body temperature of a dog is around 101-102.5°F. So, if their body temperature rises above this range and they are unable to cool themselves, it is called heat stroke in dogs.

If their body temperature reaches 104°F, it can cause major organ failure. Symptoms can remain with the dogs for a lifetime. Temperatures above 106°F are considered medical emergencies. Dogs cool themselves by panting as they don’t sweat like humans. They take cold air from the outside and throw heat outside their body.

But during summer, poor ventilation or humidity, the outside air is also hotter. This makes it difficult for dogs to cool themselves down. It’s always recommended to take your dog somewhere in the shed, if you notice more panting than usual or any signs of heat stroke in dogs.

Early signs of heat stroke in dogs

It’s important to catch the early signs of heat stroke in dogs as it prevents your dog from serious issues. When I noticed Leo acting differently I immediately called my vet and explained all these signs to him. He told me I had called just in time before things could go wrong. He also suggested some technique to cool his body down which I will mention later.

Here are the signs of heat stroke in dogs to look for:

• Excessive or heavy panting: Notice your dog panting more than usual after walking, exercising or playing. This was the 1st thing I noticed but I thought he was just thirsty.
• Drooling more than usual: Notice if they have thick saliva coming non-stop. Leo was drooling so much which made me worried and I decided to call the vet.
• Red or dark red gums and tongue: Notice if your dog’s gums are red than normal. It’s because when dogs overheat the blood rushes to the gums making it red. If the heat stroke gets worse, the gums turn dark red or purple.
• Pacing and restlessness: When dogs overheat, they move back and forth to find relief. My Leo was also pacing here and there becoming restless which got me more tense.
• Trying to find a cool spot: Notice if your dog falls on marble or shade. My Leo was playing with us he was pacing here and there to find a cooler spot.

If you notice any of these early signs of heat stroke in dogs then don’t wait for things to get worse.

Advance and severe signs

If you didn’t notice these early signs of heat stroke in the dog, it could result in a medical emergency. Look for these advance signs and if you notice any of these signs then seek veterinary guidance right away.

• Vomiting or diarrhea
• Wobbly legs, stumbling, or loss of coordination
• Collapse or inability to stand
• Seizures
• Rapid or irregular heartbeat
• Dark red or blue-tinged gums
• Loss of consciousness

What to do if you notice these signs

If you notice any signs of heat stroke in dogs then do these right away. These are the things my vet mentioned when I gave him the call. It honestly made my Leo feel better.

• Take your pet to a cooler area: If you are far from your home then look for a shade under a tree or anywhere where there is no sunlight. If you are near your house take them in an air conditioned room or in front of the fan. Luckily I was in my backyard so I took my Leo inside the house immediately.

• Give cool water and not ice: Give them cold water to drink but don’t force them. As forcing water in their mouth could cause them to choke. If they refuse to drink water then gently wet their tongue or gums. Leo drank water so I didn’t have to place some drops of water in his mouth.

• Pat their body with a cool towel or clothes: Wet the towel with cool water and simply cover their body with it. Repeat this movement a few times unless their body starts to cool down. I also did this to speed up the cooling process.

• Use a fan: After patting with a cool/wet towel, keep your dog in front of the fan to dry their fur. As it helps to pull the heat out. I was continuously on the call with my vet as I was panicking a lot. The thing is you have to repeat it until their body cools off. There is no need to panic if you follow these methods during early signs of heat stroke in dogs.

• Call your vet or head to an emergency clinic: Even if your dog seems to be improving, do take them to your vet. As internal damage from heat stroke isn’t always visible right away.

How to prevent heat stroke in dogs

Heat stroke can completely be prevented. Prevention is always better than cure. Instead of looking for signs of heat stroke in dogs, it’s better to be cautious beforehand. Here is how you can prevent heat stroke in dogs.

• Avoid heavy exercise: Don’t let your dog do heavy and intense exercise during extremely hot weather. Avoid intense running, playing and exercise during late morning and afternoon.
• Always carry a water bottle: Always take a water bottle with you while going outside with your dogs. Give the fresh water whenever they seem thirsty or panting too much.
• Don’t leave your dog alone in the car: If you are going somewhere where you can’t bring your dog then it’s best to leave them at home. If you leave your dog in a parked car especially during hot weather, the chances of heat stroke increases.
• Watch the roads or pavements: During summer, test the pavement with your hands first. If it’s too hot for your hands then it’s most likely the same for your dogs paws.
• Take rest in between the walks or exercise: When going outside for a walk or running, take rests in between. Go to a shaded area, feed water and then keep moving (during hot weather).

Frequently Asked Question

Q1. How quickly does signs of heat stroke in dogs appear?

Ans. Signs of heat stroke in dogs can appear within 15-20 min. My Leo started to show signs in about 20 minutes of playing outside. He started with heavy panting and pacing here and there. Later he was drooling excessively as well.

Q2. Can a dog recover with heat stroke at home?

Ans. Yes, a mild case of heat stroke in dogs can be treated at home. If you notice the above mentioned early signs of heat stroke in dogs then you can manage it at home by taking them in a cooler area, patting their body with wet towel and placing them in front of fan or an air conditioned room.

Q3. Which dog breed are most prone to heat stroke?

Ans. Flat- faced breeds like pug, bulldogs and boxers are more prone to it. Senior dogs, over weighted dogs and dogs with heavy coated fur can also get heat stroke if left outside in extremely hot weather.

Q4. Is heat stroke in dogs an emergency?

Ans. Yes, it is an emergency. If you notice the above mentioned advance signs of heat stroke in dogs then seek medical treatment immediately. As it could result in serious organ damage.

Final Thoughts

Heat strokes in dogs can look scary but understanding what signs of heat stroke in dogs are and what you can do during that time saves your dog’s life. I was also scared and terrified but after talking to the vet following what he said to do and seeing my Leo get better, it brought relief.

It’s always better to consult with your vet if you see any suspicious activities in your dog. Even if your dog seems normal after a heat stroke, take them to the vet as internal issues can’t be pointed out by us. So to be safe it’s always better to seek medical advice. For more detailed guidance, the AVMA’s warm-weather pet safety page offers additional prevention tips.