Can Dogs Get Heatstroke? Symptoms and First Aid
📝 Summary
Dogs overheat more easily than people in summer, and bad folk remedies can kill — so know the signs (heavy sticky drool, temperature over 40°C, paw sweat) and cool the dog correctly before rushing to the vet. Flat-faced, long-haired, obese, and senior dogs are most at risk.
1 Symptoms
Rapid breathing and copious, thick, sticky drool; rising temperature (normal 37.8–39°C, heatstroke pushes it above 40°C); sweat on the paws, since a dog’s sweat glands sit there; severe cases damage organs, causing vomiting, diarrhea, blood in stool, dilated pupils, and coma; and dullness, poor appetite, slowed reactions, and sleepiness.
2 Who Is at Risk
Brachycephalic dogs (bulldog, pug) tire and gasp after brief exercise; long-haired breeds (Samoyed, Husky); obese dogs, where fat blocks heat loss and metabolism is slow; and seniors, whose circulation and heat dissipation decline.
3 First Aid
Move the dog at once to a cool tiled room or air-conditioned space (or put a basin of ice water in front of a fan). Lay room-temperature wet towels on the armpits and belly, set the paws in ice water, and wipe behind the ears. If conscious, offer room-temperature water — never force it, and never use ice water, which risks aspiration. After first aid, drive to the nearest clinic. Avoid walks in peak heat and always carry water on outings.
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