{"id":596,"date":"2014-09-01T15:23:24","date_gmt":"2014-09-01T15:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/phosdev.com\/todaysveterinarypractice\/?p=596"},"modified":"2022-07-05T14:05:55","modified_gmt":"2022-07-05T14:05:55","slug":"todays-technician-heatstroke-in-dogs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navc.sitepreview.app\/todaysveterinarypractice.com\/emergency-medicine-critical-care\/todays-technician-heatstroke-in-dogs\/","title":{"rendered":"Heatstroke in Dogs"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"pdf_button\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\n

Heatstroke is a common problem in pets during the summer months, especially in hot, humid climates. This life-threatening condition can affect dogs of any age, breed, or gender.<\/p>\n

Heatstroke in dogs is defined as a\u00a0nonpyrogenic increased body temperature above 104\u00b0F (40\u00b0C), with a spectrum of systemic signs<\/span>.1<\/sup>\u00a0The ability to rapidly recognize and begin treatment of heatstroke is vital to maximize the chances of saving the animal’s life.<\/p>\n

HYPERTHERMIA
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Maintenance of normal body temperature is an important aspect of preserving homeostasis and preventing interruption of normal metabolism.<\/p>\n

The thermoregulatory center, located in the anterior hypothalamus, maintains body temperature within a narrow range, or\u00a0set point. A pyrogenic hyperthermia, or fever, may be induced by an increase in the set point in response to disease.<\/span><\/p>\n

Differentiating between pyrogenic and nonpyrogenic hyperthermia is important, due to the variation in pathophysiology and treatment of each disease process.<\/p>\n

Pyrogenic Hyperthermia<\/strong><\/h3>\n

If a dog develops pyrogenic hyperthermia, the underlying cause guides treatment. Active cooling of a patient with pyrogenic hyperthermia causes metabolic stress and physical discomfort.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

In one human study, pyrogenic hyperthermia was induced via an injection of IL-2, a pyrogenic cytokine; then subjects were actively cooled, resulting in an increase in oxygen consumption and reported physical discomfort. Within that study, pyrogenic hyperthermia subjects exposed to forced air warming were most comfortable.2<\/sup><\/p>\n

Nonpyrogenic Hyperthermia<\/span><\/strong><\/h3>\n

A nonpyrogenic hyperthermia, such as heatstroke, is not due to a change in the hypothalamic thermoregulatory set point, which allows us to perform active cooling without the consequences previously mentioned.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n

THERMOREGULATION<\/span><\/strong>
\nThe body uses several methods to cool itself, which are described in\u00a0Table 1<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Table 1. Methods of Cooling<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EVAPORATION<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • Occurs through panting, which dispels heat via evaporation of water from the surface of the tongue, and is one of the most important ways a dog thermoregulates<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Most effective when the ambient temperature reaches 89.6\u00b0F (32\u00b0C);1 less efficient with high ambient humidity, which increases the risk for heatstroke
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CONDUCTION<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • Occurs through transfer of heat from one object to another<\/span><\/li>\n
  • In dogs, commonly achieved by lying with their sparsely haired abdomen in contact with a cool surface, allowing transfer of heat to this surface
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
CONVECTION<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n
    \n
  • Occurs by movement of air over the body to disperse heat, such as wind or air from a fan<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Plays an important role in treating heatstroke
    \n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
RADIATION<\/span>
\n<\/span><\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\n