07/30/2026
🚨 HEAT STROKE IN DOGS IS A TRUE EMERGENCY 🚨🥵🐾
With the recent temperatures, we’ve seen an influx of dogs presenting with heat stroke. I wanted to take a moment to share some information because this condition can become life-threatening incredibly fast.
What is heat stroke?
Heat stroke occurs when a dog’s body temperature rises above 104°F (40°C) due to overheating—not because of a fever or infection.
At that point, the body begins to lose its ability to cool itself, and organs start to suffer damage.
What happens inside the body?
By the time you notice the outward signs, a dangerous chain reaction may already be underway:
🩸 Internal bleeding and clotting abnormalities
🧠 Brain swelling and neurologic injury
❤️ Low blood pressure and shock
🫁 Organ failure
🩺 Severe inflammation affecting nearly every organ system
How can you help prevent heat stroke?
✅ Set timers and alarms when your dog is outside.
✅ Always provide fresh, cool water.
✅ Be mindful of the temperature and humidity. Even temperatures that don’t seem “extreme” can be dangerous, especially for puppies, seniors, brachycephalic breeds, overweight dogs, or dogs with underlying disease.
✅ Know the signs of heat stroke:
• Excessive or frantic panting
• Collapse or weakness
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea (especially with blood)
• Acting confused, “drunk,” or unusually quiet
• Seizures
• Or simply… something just isn’t right.
If you ever find yourself asking,
“Do I need to take my dog to the vet?”
The answer is almost always:
➡️ Yes. Call us or bring your dog in immediately.
Please stay safe, keep your pets cool, and share this with someone who loves their dog.
You might help save a life. ❤️🐶
