{"id":45453,"date":"2025-07-03T14:43:06","date_gmt":"2025-07-03T14:43:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/balmesvet.com\/cop-de-calor-en-gossos-gats\/"},"modified":"2025-07-03T15:29:43","modified_gmt":"2025-07-03T15:29:43","slug":"heatstroke-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/balmesvet.com\/en\/heatstroke-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Heatstroke in dogs and cats: symptoms, prevention, and treatment."},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year, the heat gets hotter and hotter. Extreme temperatures, which were once sporadic, have become a constant during the spring and summer months in many regions of Spain, including Barcelona. According to the State Meteorological Agency (AEMET), recent summers have been among the hottest since the first recorded events, and heat waves are becoming more frequent, longer and more intense.<\/span><\/p>\n

This scenario not only affects people, but also cats and dogs \u2013 especially those living in urban environments or without sufficient protection from the heat \u2013 are also exposed to the consequences of rising temperatures. Among the most serious risks is <\/span>heat stroke<\/b>: a potentially fatal <\/span>veterinary emergency<\/span><\/a> that can develop in a matter of minutes if not detected and treated in time.<\/span><\/p>\n

At <\/span>Balmesvet<\/span><\/a>, as a veterinary hospital that works 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, we are direct witnesses of the increase in cases related to extreme heat. That is why we have prepared this article with a clear objective: to offer useful, updated information based on scientific evidence so that you can recognize the signs of heat stroke, understand why it occurs more frequently, and take effective preventive measures that protect the health and life of your cat or dog.<\/span><\/p>\n

Prevention saves lives. And in the face of climate change, being well informed is the first step in taking better care of those who depend on us.<\/span><\/i><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

What is heat stroke?<\/b><\/h2>\n

Heat stroke is a <\/span>serious veterinary emergency<\/b> that occurs when a cat or dog’s body temperature rises above its physiological limits and its body loses the ability to self-regulate. Under normal conditions, dogs release excess heat mainly by panting and, to a lesser extent, by sweating through their footpads. Cats, on the other hand, do not use panting as their main mechanism: they remove heat through their pads and by licking their fur, which promotes evaporation. However, when the ambient temperature is too high or there is no access to shade, ventilation or water, these mechanisms may be insufficient, and the risk of heat stroke increases significantly.<\/span><\/p>\n

From a medical point of view, heat stroke is a form of <\/span>non-febrile hyperthermia<\/b>, i.e. an abnormal rise in body temperature caused by a <\/span>failure of thermoregulation<\/b>, not by infection. In cats and dogs, the risk of organ damage usually increases from a body temperature of around <\/span>41\u00b0C<\/b>, although this threshold may vary depending on factors such as species, breed, age, physical condition of the animal or previous illness. In brachycephalic breeds, older or overweight dogs and cats, the heat tolerance threshold is considerably lower, implying a higher risk even with shorter exposures or moderate ambient temperatures.<\/span><\/p>\n

When heat stroke occurs, the body enters a critical state:<\/span><\/h4>\n