Mild Heat Injury (Heat Stress)

Mild heat injury is characterized clinically by development of excessive thirst, discomfort associated with physical activity (e.g., seeking shade, reluctance to move, or both), but with controlled panting (i.e. the MWD can control or reduce panting when exposed to a noxious inhalant such as alcohol or when presented their toy reward).

Treatment of mild heat injury (see Table 1) involves removing the patient from the source of heat, stopping exercise, cooling by use of fans or movement to an air-conditioned area, and offering cool water for the dog to drink.

Close monitoring for several hours is necessary to ensure heat stress does not progress.

Key parameters to monitor, in addition to frequent body temperature measurement, include changes in mentation, development of petechiae or ecchymoses, hematuria, weakness or collapse, clinical signs of shock (e.g., tachypnea, tachycardia, weak pulse quality, pale mucous membranes), and anxiety or restlessness.