Dogs treated for heat stroke may need to stay in the hospital for 24 to 72 hours, although some can go home sooner and others need several days of intensive care. The length of the stay depends on how severely the heat affected your dog and whether complications develop.
Heat stroke is a life-threatening emergency, even if your dog seems to improve after cooling. Contact a veterinarian or emergency animal hospital immediately rather than waiting to see whether symptoms resolve.
Your veterinary team will assess your dog’s temperature, breathing, circulation, hydration, and mental state. Blood and urine tests can help identify complications that are not obvious from outward signs alone.
A dog with mild complications who responds quickly to treatment may be ready to go home earlier. A dog with seizures, abnormal bleeding, kidney injury, or other organ damage may need a longer stay and more intensive monitoring. Some complications can emerge after the initial episode, so a normal temperature does not necessarily mean your dog is ready for discharge.
Treatment usually begins with controlled cooling if your dog is still overheated. Depending on your dog’s condition, the veterinary team may also provide intravenous fluids, oxygen, medications, or other support. They may repeat blood tests and monitor urine output, blood pressure, heart rhythm, and clotting.
Before discharge, ask your veterinarian what changes to watch for and when your dog should return for follow-up testing. Recovery at home may require a quiet, cool environment, restricted activity, and medication as prescribed.
Move your dog away from the heat and call an emergency veterinarian. Begin cooling with cool or room-temperature water and use a fan or air conditioning while arranging transport. Do not use ice or an ice-water bath, and do not force your dog to drink. Follow the veterinary team’s instructions during the trip.
For more on warning signs and emergency care, read our guide to spotting heat stroke in dogs.
Yes. Dogs can develop heat stroke during exercise, in hot or humid weather, or in a poorly ventilated space, especially if they cannot cool themselves effectively.
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