Heat Stroke
Heat Stroke
The nature and body functioning of cats makes them very tolerant of high temperatures. However, when exposed to extreme hot and humid temperature, cats are very likely to get a heat stroke.
What is heat stroke? Heat stroke is a fever caused by high environmental temperature. Heat stroke in cats occurs when effective evaporated cooling in cats fails to happen in an excessively hot environment. In such conditions a cat's body core temperature rises severely to above 40º C and when it exceeds 41.5º C, cellular function is seriously affected causing unconsciousness and death.
When does this happen? Your cat can suffer a heat stroke:
- When left outdoors on a hot and humid day with no shade or water
- When left in a closed car parked directly under the sun or on a warm day with slightly open windows
- When they have a history of seizures, heart or lung disease or are exposed to hot and humid temperature
- Cats are heavy coated
- Flat faced and short snout cats find it difficult to breathe well
Symptoms: Initially, your cat may pant, sweat, salivate, be dehydrated, find difficulty in breathing, and might even vomit and have blood diarrhea. His temperature may exceed 40ºC and he may also have an increased heart and respiratory rate and be anxious. In severe cases, he may be depressed, have bright red mucous membranes, respiratory diseases, experience shock and a seizure before he collapses and goes into a coma.
First Aid: If you follow these first aid pointers, your cat will be safe from heat stroke:
- Cool the cat down as fast as possible bringing the body temperature back to normal
- If the cat is outdoors or in a car, get it out to a cool, shaded area
- Wash him with cool water
- Put wet towels on the cat's head, neck, feet, chest and abdomen
- If air conditioning is available, keep the cat there
- If at home, place cat in bath tub under running cold/cool water tap/shower
- Apply alcohol/menthol under the toe pads. This helps to cool the body
- Check its temperature every five minutes. Stop cooling when the temperature returns to normal (38.5-39.5º C)
Heat stroke often leads to other medical complexities like: kidney failure, neurological and cardiopulmonary issues.
Avoiding heat strokes: Be cautious about leaving your cat in the vehicle or out in the direct sunlight during hot, sunny days. Even a few minutes can be critical.
On extremely hot days try to keep your cat indoors in a cool room. Give him plenty of water and drop an ice in his water once in a while. Taking a little care of your cat will save both of you from a lot of tension.