Because the weather is really starting to get hot. It seemed like a good idea to talk about heat strokes with cats.
What Is A Heat Stroke?
heat stroke (also called Hyperthermia) occurs when normal body mechanisms cannot keep the body’s temperature in a safe range. Animals do not have efficient cooling systems (like humans who sweat) and get overheated easily. A cat with moderate heat stroke (The cat’s body temperature is about 100.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38.2 to 39.2 Celsius.) can recover within an hour if given first aid immediately and veterinary care. Severe heat stroke (body temperature over 106ºF) can be deadly and immediate veterinary assistance is needed.
Symptoms
- Rapid panting
- Bright red tongue
- Dark red gums or pale gums
- Salivating (drooling)
- Weakness
- Anxiety
- Dizziness
- Muscle tremors
- Lethargy
- High fever
- Capillary refill time of less than 1 second
- Vomiting (possibly with blood)
- Diarrhoea (possibly with blood)
- Bleeding from the nose (this is indicative of disseminated intravascular coagulopathy), which is a condition in which the blood clotting system fails.
- Collapse
- Staring/anxious expression
- Warm/dry skin
- Coma
- Shock
- Depression
- Thick, sticky saliva
- Rectal temperature is over 105° F / 40.55° C
Some cats are more susceptible than others, these include short nosed breeds such as Persians and Exotics, young and old cats, obese cats and cats with airway disease.
What To Do?
It is imperative to get the pet to a doctor immediately as permanent damage to organs including the heart, liver, kidneys and brain can occur. There is also a complex blood problem, called disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which can be a secondary complication to heat stroke and can be fatal.
Remove the cat from the hot area immediately. Prior to taking him to your veterinarian, lower his temperature by wetting him thoroughly with lukewarm water, then increase air movement around him with a fan. CAUTION: Using very cold water can actually be counterproductive. Cooling too quickly and especially allowing his body temperature to become too low can cause other life-threatening medical conditions. The rectal temperature should be checked every 5 minutes. Once the body temperature is 103ºF/39ºC, the cooling measures should be stopped and the cat should be dried thoroughly and covered so he does not continue to lose heat. Even if the cat appears to be recovering, take him to your veterinarian as soon as possible. He should still be examined since he may be dehydrated or have other complications.
If your cat is found unconscious in a hot environment
Soak him with cool (not cold) water, being careful to keep the water out of the nose and mouth. Place a bag of ice or frozen veggies between the legs and get your cat to the veterinarian immediately.
Allow free access to water or a children’s rehydrating solution if the cat can drink on his own. Do not try to force-feed cold water; the cat may inhale it or choke.
If your cat is still conscious but showing signs of heat exhaustion
immediately take him to a cool environment, soak him with cool water and let him drink all the water that he wants. Then, take him to veterinarian immediately.
If your cat is just starting to show signs of being stressed by the heat
Move him to a cool quiet place and be sure he has plenty of water.
If you can do so safely
Check your cat’s temperature with a rectal thermometer:
- 100° to 103° F (37°C to 13°C) is normal to slightly raised
- 103° to 104° F (39°C to 40°C) is raised and requires evaluation by a veterinarian
- Over 105° F (over 40°C) is potentially life threatening and requires immediate care
How To Prevent Heat Strokes?
Any pet that cannot cool himself off is at risk for heat stroke. Following these guidelines can help prevent serious problems.
- Keep cats with predisposing conditions like heart disease, obesity, older age, or breathing problems cool and in the shade. Even normal activity for these pets can be harmful.
- Provide access to water at all times.
- Do not leave your cat in a hot parked car even if you’re in the shade or will only be gone a short time. The temperature inside a parked car can quickly reach up to 140 degrees.
- Make sure outside cats have access to shade.
- Allow your cat to have access to cooler areas of the house.
- If your cat has access to the outdoors (either free to roam or in an enclosure) make sure they have access to a shaded area where they can escape from the sun and heat.
- Always make sure your cat has an adequate supply of fresh, cool, clean water, indoors and outdoors.
- Avoid strenuous activity in high temperatures.
- Limit exposure to the outdoors in the hotter months between 11:00 am and 3:00 pm.
- Keep your cat indoors during hot days, and if possible with the air conditioning or a fan turned on.
Aftercare
Cats with moderate heat stroke often recover without complicating health problems. Severe heat stroke can cause organ damage that might need ongoing care such as a special diet prescribed by your veterinarian. Cats who suffer from heat stroke once increase their risk for getting it again and steps must be taken to prevent it on hot, humid days.
Carefully watch your cat’s health for signs of possible long-term damage caused by the heat stroke and speak to your veterinarian if you see anything unusual and watch for blood in the urine.
Usually once the temperature is stabilized, no further treatment is needed. It may take several days for evidence of organ damage to develop, so if your cat does not seem completely back to normal within 2 or 3 days, talk to your veterinarian about your concern. Any aftercare prescribed by your veterinarian should be followed.
Safety Tips
If you do take your pet outside for exercise, play or a walk, make sure she has plenty of access to cool water, shaded areas and rest. It is never recommended to leave your pet outside on hot days. Even if your pet has access to shaded areas, she can easily become overheated.
Some cats are more susceptible than others, too, such as short-nosed breeds (Persians and exotics), young and old cats, overweight cats and cats with airway disease. Be aware that a pet can get heat stroke while swimming.
Very old or very young pets and sick or debilitated pets, especially pets with heart or respiratory disease, are at even great risk for heat stroke and need extra special consideration during the hot months. Even pets who are used to being outside may not be able to tolerate the hot weather if they are sick or getting older.
In addition to not overexerting your pet, not walking her during the middle of the day or leaving her in your car on a hot day, don’t chain your pet in the sun on hot concrete or asphalt. Pets can burn their paw pads on hot asphalt, rock or sand very easily during very hot weather.
If your pet will be indoors on a hot day, give her access to water and a cool area. Keep an air conditioner or fan on. It is particularly important not to confine her to any room where temperatures are especially high (a sunroom, for example). In certain parts of the country even a closed garage can be too hot if there is insufficient air movement.
Always see your vet immediately if you suspect your cat is suffering from a heat stroke. DO NOT hesitate.
Also take a look at How To Keep Your Cat Cool and Panting Is Bad,
Resources
cat-world.com.au
petmd.com
peteducation.com
Pictures by consciouscat.net
