Heat-induced illness in dogs: 42 cases (1976-1993)

• Published in: Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association Vol. 209; no. 11; p. 1894
• Main Authors: Drobatz, K J, Macintire, D K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01-12-1996
• Subjects: Animals; Blood Glucose - analysis; Body Temperature; Creatinine - blood; Dog Diseases - blood; Dog Diseases - etiology; Dogs; Female; Heat Stress Disorders - blood; Heat Stress Disorders - etiology; Heat Stress Disorders - veterinary; Hot Temperature - adverse effects; Male; Physical Conditioning, Animal - adverse effects; Retrospective Studies
• ISSN: 0003-1488
• DOI: 10.2460/javma.1996.209.11.1894

To determine the typical history of and physical and clinicopathologic findings in dogs with heat-induced illness, and to correlate these findings with outcome.
Retrospective study.
42 dogs with heat-induced illness.
Dogs were included in the study if other medical problems had not been previously diagnosed and if clinical signs of illness developed after exposure to a warm environment. Information obtained from each record included time of year heat-induced illness developed, signalment, history, clinical signs, physical examination findings, results of clinicopathologic tests, treatment, clinical course, outcome, and necropsy results.
Overall, 27 dogs survived and 15 died or were euthanatized. Time of year was recorded for 40 dogs. Thirty-one of the 40 were examined before July. Hypothermia and coma at the time of initial examination were associated with a poor outcome. Serum cholesterol, albumin, and total protein concentrations were significantly lower, serum total bilirubin and creatinine concentrations were significantly higher, and ventricular arrhythmias were detected significantly more frequently in dogs that did not survive than in dogs that did.