This life-threatening condition can easily be prevented by providing plenty of drinking water and a cool place to sleep in, among other things.
Maintaining a normal body temperature is vital for life. Cats and dogs naturally run hotter than humans at 38-39°C. If too cold (hypothermia) or too hot (hyperthermia), the body stops functioning properly.
Heat stroke is hyperthermia, a life-threatening condition where your cat or dog’s body temperature increases above 40°C. This can quickly become an emergency, leading to organ failure and death.
Depending on the severity, common signs include:
If you suspect your pet is overheating, please act quickly to help cool them down by:
Acting quickly is vital - heat stroke is life-threatening for your pet.
Cats and dogs only have a few sweat glands, just on their paws and noses. They rely heavily on panting and a cool environment to prevent over-heating, rather than sweating. In contrast, humans have sweat glands all over our bodies and rely heavily on sweating to bring down our internal temperature.
As our pets' cooling mechanism differs from ours, we can’t take for granted they will cool down on their own.
To cool down a hot cat:
For hot dogs, we recommend:
Keep your cool and enjoy a safe summer season with your beloved pets.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information only. It is not intended as medical or health advice and should not be relied on as a substitute for consultation with a qualified healthcare professional who understands your pet's individual needs.
If you have an Emergency with your pet during our closed hours please see under Services page for a list Emergency clinics in Auckland.
Please do not go to the emergency clinic if it is not urgent/life threatening. ( Runny eyes/nose , coughing , limping , itching & etc can wait until the morning to be seen by our day vet )
If you are very worried or unsure if you are dealing with an emergency about your pet after clinic hours and you are a client with us you can reach Dr Chris on his emergency phone until 10pm or again from 7am each day
- Dr Chris Laurenson - 027 544 4427
Normanby Road Vet Clinic offers a range of friendly and professional vet services for cats, dogs and other animals. From vaccinations to microchipping and even surgeries, we can help your pets remain happy and healthy. Our clinic is easily accessible from all areas of Auckland.
