Canine heat-related illness – new perspectives from recent research

Abstract

Heat-related illness (or heatstroke) is a potentially fatal condition in dogs that can be triggered by hot environments or physical activity. Awareness by dog owners and veterinary professionals of the key risk factors and triggers for heat-related illness can promote mitigation strategies to reduce the incidence and severity of the condition. Owners should seek veterinary treatment if their dog develops heat-related illness, but should always ‘cool first, transport second’ before travelling to their vet clinic. Recommended active cooling methods include immersing the animal in water or pouring water over the animal and ensuring air movement, for example using a fan or air conditioning. This article summarises recent research exploring the epidemiology of heat-related illness in UK dogs and aims to debunk common myths related to canine cooling.