04/13/2023
Pet owners, be aware - we might have a new hospital record for our earliest recorded case of heat stroke! Yesterday Dr. Johnson and the team at our Urgent Care hospital in Madison treated a patient with symptoms of lethargy, heavy breathing, vomiting and diarrhea, and a temperature of almost 107 °F – classic signs of heat stroke. Thankfully the patient’s family acted fast and took him to Urgent Care where we cooled him down, but this could have ended much worse.
Heat stroke can occur VERY quickly – especially at this time of year when many homes don’t have their fans and AC units set up yet. In this patient’s case, the room he was sleeping in received full sunlight, which caused it to heat up dangerously fast like a greenhouse. Over the next few days while temperatures peak, please make sure your pets have access to shade, fresh water, and have plenty of air circulation – even if you’re only stepping out to run a quick errand. Dogs with short snouts (such as bulldogs), thick fur, or that are overweight are especially at risk. And NEVER leave your pets in your car! If you notice signs of overheating such as lethargy, heavy panting or hyperventilation, excessive drooling, GI upset, loss of balance or collapse, call your nearest emergency vet immediately! The warm weather’s only just getting started – help keep your pets safe!
