Heat Exhaustion in Dogs

How To Treat Heat Exhaustion

Dogs that are overheated can get very sick very suddenly, so act quickly and get your dog to a vet right away if you think they are overheated. This is especially important if they don’t seem to cool off and recover as soon as they are moved to a cooler spot. The most important part of early treatment is to cool the dog off without creating new problems by overcooling. 

Even if you are heading straight to the vet, try to wet your dog down with cool water on the way there. Don't use cold water or ice water since that can actually make things worse. You can pour cool water over your dog or rub your pup down with a wet cloth, just don’t leave the wet cloth on your dog as this can act like a blanket and actually warm them up. You can speed up the cooling process by pointing a high-powered fan right at your damp dog or leaving the windows open while driving to the vet. If your dog is completely alert, offer a bowl of cool water to drink. If your dog is not fully aware or seems uninterested in drinking, do not force any water into their mouth.  

For dogs experiencing more serious signs of heat exhaustion or those that just don’t seem to be totally fine after cooling, seek professional help from a vet. Medical treatment will include additional cooling, rehydration measures, and supportive care including IV fluids, oxygen support, as well as protective measures for the kidneys, liver, brain, and/or digestive tract. 

Prognosis for Dogs with Heat Exhaustion

Prognosis depends on many factors, including how high the dog’s temperature gets, how quickly they cool down, and what, if any, additional symptoms they have from the heat exposure. Dogs who have higher temperatures for longer periods of time tend to experience more serious effects. If early signs of heat exhaustion are noticed quickly and a dog is cooled down right away before their temperature gets too elevated, they can have an excellent prognosis for a full recovery.