If your pet becomes too hot or too cold they could develop heatstroke or hypothermia. These dangerous conditions can be life threatening, so don’t delay your visit to a Diamond Bar pet emergency clinic!
Here at East Valley Emergency Pet Clinic in Diamond Bar, we specialize in providing urgent care to animals in need. No matter the emergency, our state-of-the-art facility is equipped to get your animal back to normal health.
Signs of Heatstroke & Hypothermia in Dogs
Heatstroke
Animal fur is useful for staying warm in the winter, but it can be problematic in the summer, especially in Diamond Bar’s warm climate. Dogs keep cool, not by sweating, but by panting. When this isn’t enough to keep the body temperature down, heatstroke often sets in.
Signs that your pet is overheated include:
- Panting and drooling excessively
- Reddened gums
- Rapid heartbeat
- Breathing distress
- Muscle tremors (are signs of more advanced heatstroke)
If you notice these symptoms in your dog, remove him from the hot environment immediately. Place your dog in the bathtub and run cool (not cold) water over his body. Allow the water to fill the tub, making sure to keep your dog’s head elevated above the water. If this bathtub approach isn’t an option, spray your dog with a garden hose or apply an ice pack to the back of his head to help bring his body temperature down.
Hypothermia
Hypothermia sets in when body temperature drops below 98 degrees. In severe cases, body temperature can fall to 82 degrees or lower!
The first signs of hypothermia in animals include:
- Shivering
- Muscle weakness
- Mental fogginess
As the condition progresses, muscle stiffness, low blood pressure and shallow breathing set in. If you see these signs of hypothermia in your dog, wrap him in a blanket, preferably one that has been warmed on a radiator or in the clothes dryer. Wrap a warm water bottle in a towel and place it on your dog’s abdomen. Give him warm fluids to drink. Take your dog’s temperature and if you find that it’s still below 98 degrees despite your efforts, bring him to East Valley Emergency Pet Clinic for care.
Treatment of Heatstroke & Hypothermia at Your East Valley Emergency Pet Clinic
A visit to our Diamond Bar pet emergency clinic may be necessary if your dog continues to act abnormally. Treatment of heatstroke includes replacing lost fluids and minerals through an IV drip. We’ll also monitor your dog’s kidneys, blood pressure and electrolyte levels that can be affected by heatstroke.
While hypothermia is less common in Diamond Bar’s warm climate, we’re equipped to treat this condition if your animal needs emergency care. We’ll provide warm IV fluids and oxygen if necessary to help restore him to a normal body temperature.
Visit Our Diamond Bar Pet Emergency Clinic for Expert Care
If your pet is experiencing heatstroke or hypothermia, bring him to our Diamond Bar pet emergency clinic – no appointment necessary! Just call us at (909) 861-5737 to let us know you’re on your way.