24/05/2026
Hot Forecast Due đ
Is it true that if we use cold water on heat stroke pets they will go into shock?
One of the most common things we still hear is that we can only use tepid water on a pet with heat stroke, incase they get some complications like hypothermic overshoot, peripheral vasoconstriction hindering a cooling response, and cardiogenic shock...
We have heard not to use cold water in case it causes shock... this rarely happens!
But guess what? In a recent study over 26% of dogs presented with heat stroke died, with flat faced breeds making up nearly half of heat stroke cases seen in the study.
You should:
đ§Get someone to call the local veterinary practice and tell them you're going to travel down with a heat stroke patient
đ§Pour, hose or if possible immerse the pet in very cold water (this should obviously be done under constant supervision, ensuring the head is fully above water and immersion should not be attempted if the animal is too large, at risk, or you are unable to do so without hurting yourself)
đ§Note: If using a hose pipe, make sure it has run through until cold, as they can often contain water that is extremely hot in the tubing initially
đ§Do not drape in towels and leave them in situ. Keep the cold water flowing.
đ§Move to a cool, shaded area
đ§Prepare to transport to vets in a cold, air conditioned car
In studies they found that:
đ
International consensus from sports medicine organisations supports treating EHS with early rapid cooling by immersing the casualty in cold water.
đ
Ice-water immersion has been shown to be highly effective in exertional heat stroke, with a zero fatality rate in large case series of younger, fit patients.
đ
Hyperthermic individuals were cooled twice as fast by Cold Water Immersion as by passive recovery.
đ
No complications occurred during the treatment of three older patients with severe heat stroke were treated with coldâwater immersion.
đ
Cold water immersion (CWI) is the preferred cooling modality in EHS guidelines and the optimal method applicable to UK Service Personnel
đ
Studies suggest using either ice-water or cold-water immersion
The best intervention is PREVENTION, but if you find yourself with an animal with heat stroke, using cold water either by pouring, hosing or ideally (if safe) immersion then this may help reduce their temperature to safe levels while you transport to a veterinary practice.
Read more below:
https://www.vetvoices.co.uk/post/cool-icy-cold-or-tepid
And listen to our podcasts on Vet Voices On Air
Too Hot to Handle: The Truth About Canine Heatstroke
Heatstroke is one of the most lethal yet most misunderstood emergencies in veterinary medicineâand it doesnât only happen on scorching summer days.
In this in-depth episode Robyn from Vet Voices on Air is joined by two leading voices in the field: Dr Emily Hall, primary care vet, educator, and researcher whose PhD focused on the epidemiology of heatstroke in UK dogs, and Emily Cockerill, referral RVN and Lowland Rescue search dog volunteer with extensive real-world experience managing dogs working in extreme conditions.
Together, they unpack what heatstroke actually is, why itâs so dangerous, and why time and temperature matter more than almost anything else. Using clear, evidence-based explanations, they explore what happens inside the body when temperatures riseâhow proteins âcook,â organs fail, and why once a critical threshold is crossed, the damage is irreversible.
The conversation tackles long-standing myths head-on, including:
The belief that cold or ice water causes âshockâ
âĄWhy wet towels can worsen overheating
âĄThe dangers of lemon juice in brachycephalic dogs
âĄMisconceptions around double-coated breeds and clipping
âĄWhy ice cubes might not meaningfully cool dogs but can be used for indoor and cool enrichment
Crucially, the episode highlights that exertional heatstroke is the most common cause, not hot carsâand that heatstroke can occur in winter, during travel, stress, anaesthesia recovery, or even inside veterinary practices. Certain breeds and health conditions increase risk, but any dog (or cat, rabbit, or other small animal) can be affected if heat production exceeds the bodyâs ability to lose it.
Listeners will come away with clear, practical guidance on:
âĄRecognising early and late signs of heatstroke
âĄWhat owners should do immediately at home or in the field
âĄWhy pre-cooling before transport dramatically improves survival
âĄCurrent best-practice protocols for active cooling in clinic
âĄWhen to start and stop cooling based on body temperature
âĄHow prevention, timing, and informed decision-making save lives
If youâve ever wondered when itâs too hot to walk your dog, how heatstroke presents beyond âjust panting,â or what the evidence really says about cooling, this episode is essential listeningâfor veterinary professionals and pet owners alike.
Because when it comes to heatstroke, minutes matterâand myths can kill.
Listen Here on Vet Voices On Air
https://open.spotify.com/episode/5MMO1STWzFzyhYiExBp9gN?si=achtyAFISSSt8bwmykDHqg
