Heat stroke is not just overheating of the body but an acute life-threatening condition in which thermoregulation is disrupted, body temperature rises sharply and a cascade of pathological processes is triggered. Unlike humans, animals are practically unable to effectively cool down. They do not sweat through the skin, and the main mechanism of heat transfer is associated with breathing and moisture evaporation. At high temperatures and humidity, this mechanism quickly stops working.
The danger of harm to the respiratory, cardiovascular, and central neurological systems increases dramatically when the body temperature reaches 40–41°C. With a further increase in temperature, multiple organ failure, seizures, collapse and death may occur within a short time; sometimes in less than one hour without timely intervention or rapid delivery to a veterinary clinic.
Why Does Heat Stroke Occur?
When the body receives more heat than it can expel, heat stroke occurs. This can happen not only in extreme heat. The key risk factors are high humidity, lack of ventilation, physical activity in the heat and being in confined spaces.
Enclosed spaces and cars are especially dangerous. Even with a moderate ambient temperature inside the car, the temperature can increase by 20-25°C within an hour, turning it into a deadly trap. Under such circumstances, heat stress soon progresses to heat exhaustion, which in turn leads to heat stroke, and overheating occurs quickly.
Additional risk factors include dehydration, overweight, thick or long coat, age extremes, as well as diseases of the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. In such animals, the ability to thermoregulate is initially reduced.
The Body’s Reaction to Overheating
When body temperature rises above the physiological norm, a systemic inflammatory reaction is triggered. The structure of proteins and enzymes is disrupted, cell membranes are damaged, and blood circulation worsens. Hypoxia develops oxygen deficiency in the tissues.
- Central nervous system: potential loss of consciousness, cerebral oedema, convulsions, and disorientation
- Respiratory system: pulmonary oedema, fast and difficult breathing
- Tachycardia and reduced organ perfusion in the cardiovascular system
- Risk of thrombosis and coagulopathies in the blood coagulation system
- High risk of abrupt organ failure in the liver and kidneys
When the body temperature is above 43°C, the probability of irreversible organ damage becomes critical.
Symptoms: From Early Signs to an Emergency Condition
The clinical picture develops in stages. At an early stage of heat stress, rapid breathing, anxiety, increased thirst, salivation, and redness of the mucous membranes are noted. This already indicates that there is a problem with thermoregulation.
As it progresses, signs of heat exhaustion appear: weakness, shaky gait, vomiting, diarrhoea, and palpitations. If the body temperature continues to rise, a full-fledged heat stroke develops – with convulsions, collapse, impaired consciousness and the risk of death.
It is important to understand that even if the external symptoms temporarily subside after cooling, internal injuries may continue to develop. For this reason, evaluation in a pet clinic remains essential even after apparent improvement.
First Aid and Emergency Measures
If heatstroke is suspected, the bell goes for minutes. “Cooling first, then transportation” is the fundamental idea.
To guarantee airflow, the animal needs to be transferred right away to a cool, well-ventilated area. Evaporative cooling works best: pouring water at temperatures below ambient in combination with ventilation. The use of ice water is unacceptable. Sudden cooling can cause vasospasm and worsen heat transfer.
If the animal is conscious, small sips of water are allowed without coercion. At the same time, urgent veterinary treatment is required, even if the condition seems to have stabilised.
Early chilling prior to delivery to the clinic raises the likelihood of survival from roughly 50% to 80%, lowering the risk of serious complications, according to observational data.
Heat stroke is not only an acute condition but also potentially long-lasting. Damage to the kidneys, liver, nervous system, and blood clotting disorders can occur hours or days after an episode of overheating.
The prognosis directly depends on the maximum body temperature reached, the duration of hyperthermia, and the speed of care. The combination of high fever with seizures and signs of multiple organ failure is considered particularly unfavourable.
Prevention: a Key Factor of Survival
Preventing heat stroke is much easier than treating its effects. The main preventive measures include constant access to water, shade and ventilation, restriction of physical activity in the heat and exclusion of staying in enclosed spaces without cooling.
Temperature, humidity, and environmental control are vital. Even moderate heat with high humidity can lead to overheating. Regular monitoring of the condition and behaviour allows you to notice heat stress before entering the emergency phase.
Heat stroke is a systemic injury to the body and not just a consequence of heat. It develops rapidly, affects vital organs and requires immediate action. In addition to lowering mortality, an understanding of overheating mechanisms, early signs, and emergency care principles can help avert serious long-term repercussions.
Heat dangers are becoming more of a need than a precaution due to climate change and rising high temperatures.
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