Heatstroke in cats can occur in various scenarios, often when they are unable to escape extreme heat. It’s not uncommon for cats to be left in a hot car or outdoor without adequate shade or access to water. During hot days, when cats exercise too strenuously, they expend a lot of energy. This can lead to long episodes of health crises, such as seizures and tremors. Particularly, flat-faced cats may find themselves struggling to breathe on warm, humid days. A critical point is when their body temperature surpasses 104 F, initiating a significant release of inflammation throughout their body. This sets off a cascade of reactions, adversely affecting every major system in the body, leading to the breakdown of essential proteins and enzymes, increasing the risk of organ failure or, in severe cases, potentially causing death.
What Is the Difference Between Heatstroke and Heat Exhaustion?
Heat exhaustion represents the early stage of heatstroke, where a cat’s temperature is approximately 103–104 F. From my veterinary experience, recognizing these signs and acting quickly can prevent serious tissue damage. The first response should be moving the cat to a cooler area, like a tile floor or a shady spot. Cats with heat exhaustion may pant, drool, show sweaty paws, drink more, or groom themselves excessively to cool off.
If you notice any of these signs, immediately do the following
- Move your cat to a cool, air-conditioned area.
- Apply a slightly cool, damp towel on the cat’s back and belly. This gentle approach allows for effective cooling. Rubbing cool water on paw pads and ears can further help in reducing body temperature.
- Always offer your kitty cool water to drink. Many cats are fond of ice cubes, which can be an enticing way for them to hydrate.
- If your cat’s symptoms are not relieved within 15 minutes, or their condition appears to worsen, it’s crucial to seek immediate veterinary attention. Prompt action is essential in these cases.
Heatstroke represents a severe stage where a cat’s body temperature rises to over 104 F, and tissue damage begins to occur. When a cat develops severe symptoms, it’s a critical health crisis.
It’s important to start brief cooling at home by applying cool damp towels to the cat’s water, ears, paws, and head. If the condition persists, directly seek a veterinarian or emergency care.
Symptoms of Heatstroke in Cats
To recognize heatstroke in cats, watch for the following symptoms:
- Rectal temperature greater than 104 F
- Disorientation
- Reddened gums
- Vomiting and/or diarrhea, which may contain blood
- Pinpoint spots of bleeding on the skin, whites of the eyes, gums, inside of the ears, and belly
- Labored breathing, panting, and wheezing
- Seizures
- Collapse, inability to walk or stand up
Also Read: Why Your Cat is Sneezing?
Causes of Heatstroke in Cats
Cats most at risk for heatstroke include:
- Outdoor cats on very hot days or very humid days with little shade or water available are at high risk.
- Indoor cats that are let outside in hot temperatures are vulnerable, especially if they are not used to the heat.
- Indoor cats in homes with no power for air conditioning can also suffer from heatstroke.
- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats, on any warm day
- Obese cats
- Senior cats
- Kittens 4 months of age or younger
- Underlying health issues like kidney disease or diabetes mellitus can impair a cat’s mobility, hindering their access to water.
- Heart, respiratory, or neurological conditions can exacerbate the risk, particularly if the cat experiences seizures.
- Cats can be inadvertently trapped in places like a running clothes dryer, leading to a rapid increase in body temperature.
- Being unintentionally confined in a car on even mild days can be dangerous, as the interior can quickly become dangerously hot.
How Veterinarians Diagnose Heatstroke in Cats?
The diagnosis of heatstroke in cats largely relies on the cat’s history and a thorough physical examination. A history of exposure to a high-temperature environment, particularly if prolonged or associated with seizures, tremors, or if the cat is flat-faced and struggling to breathe on a warm day, is critical. When a cat’s body temperature is above 104 F, it’s a strong indicator of heatstroke.
The veterinary team will immediately take blood samples and use pulse oximetry to determine the oxygen saturation in the blood. They might start an ECG to monitor the heart. In some cases, supplementary oxygen may be needed initially. Lab tests are conducted to check for major and minor infection throughout the cat’s stay, including evaluating for kidney and liver injury. Vets pay close attention to the cat’s body temperature, ensuring that cooling efforts do not cause it to drop too low.
Treatment of Heatstroke in Cats
The treatment of heatstroke in cats begins with bringing the body temperature back to a normal range. This is primarily achieved through intravenous (IV) fluid therapy. Upon arrival, the vet will pay attention to how alert the cat is and how the treatment progresses. Cooling the ears, feet, and belly with tepid water is a common practice in the hospital.
Upon arrival, many patients experiencing heatstroke may have low blood sugar. To address this, addition of glucose to the IV fluids is often necessary. This treatment may continue for several days to prevent seizures and other side effects. Lab tests are conducted to screen for kidney and liver injury, as well as breakdown of the lining of blood vessels, increasing the risk of bleeding. In some cases, there might be a benefit from transfusions of fresh frozen plasma from a healthy donor cat to replace lost clotting factors.
For comatose cats or those with cerebral edema (brain swelling), treatment may include mannitol, a diuretic medication. Cats susceptible to sepsis, a severe infection of the entire body, often require antibiotics. If there’s difficulty breathing, supplementary oxygen in an oxygen cage is used, or in cases of severe respiratory distress, the cat may be intubated and ventilated to help it breathe. In instances of kidney failure, fluid therapy is essential and must be carefully monitored by the veterinarian. In severe cases, the vet may recommend a referral to a facility where ventilator support or kidney dialysis is available.
Recovery and Management of Heatstroke in Cats
In mild to moderate cases of heatstroke, cats often make a full recovery and are discharged from the hospital. They may need to take home medications like antibiotics and gastrointestinal protectants to aid in their recovery.
Your veterinarian will want to see your cat back for a follow-up within five to 10 days to perform a recheck examination and lab tests to assess organ function. If your cat sooner experiences symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, or disorientation, they will need ample rest at home to recover soon.
In severe cases of heatstroke, the prognosis can be guarded, poor, or reasonable. It’s important to ask your veterinarian about what expected long-term care your cat may need. Some pets may require ongoing treatment for kidney failure, heart disease, or neurological problems.
Keep in mind, cats that have had heatstroke are more sensitive to its recurrence in the future. They should be kept indoors and protected from the heat to prevent future episodes.
Also Read: Why is My Cat Crying?
Prevention of Heatstroke in Cats
To prevent heatstroke in cats, take the following precautions:
- On hot days, keep your cats indoors with air conditioning to maintain a cool environment.
- Do not let your cats in the catio or yard on hot, warm, or humid days to prevent overheating.
- When using the clothes dryer, always check for the presence of your cat to prevent accidental entrapment.
- Place a bag or purse next to the cat carrier to ensure you don’t accidentally leave your cat in the car.
- Install a Wi-Fi thermostat in your home to receive alerts if the power goes out and get your cat to a cooler place if you’re not home.
- Make sure that outdoor cats have plenty of shade and access to water.
- Give cats with seizures their medications regularly; missed doses can trigger further episodes.
Heatstroke in Cats – Symptoms & What You Should Do
In Somerset County, emergency vets have observed fewer cases of heatstroke in cats compared to dogs, but it does still happen. In today’s post, I want to share the symptoms to look out for if you think your cat may be suffering from this condition. Recognizing these signs early is vital for prompt and effective treatment.
Why Cats Get Heatstroke?
Heatstroke in cats, unlike dogs, is mainly caused by exposure to excessive ambient heat, with several common causes behind it.
- Extremely hot outdoor temperature
- Lack of access to shade
- Trapped in hot unventilated space (such as a car)
- Lack of access to water
What to Do If You’re Cat Has Heatstroke?
If you suspect your cat is suffering from heatstroke, a serious condition, and is displaying any symptoms, it’s an emergency. Take your cat to the vet straight away or the nearest animal emergency hospital.
If the cat is still conscious and you suspect it is suffering from heatstroke, move it to a cool room. Wet the cat’s fur with cool water (NOT COLD), and place ice packs gently on the cat’s feet.
While transporting to the vet, keep the vehicle’s air conditioning on full, or open the windows to allow airflow and help cool the cat down.
First Aid for Heatstroke in Cats
When you suspect heatstroke in your feline friend, quick and calm actions are crucial. The key is to cool down your cat rapidly, as this significantly enhances their prospects of full recovery. In my experience as a cat owner, I’ve found that immediate response can be lifesaving. Remember, the faster you act, the better the outcome for your beloved pet.
Step 1: Move your cat indoors to a cool room or into the shade
Step 2: Start cooling your cat straight away
- Slowly pour cold water from a cold tap over your cat’s whole body; remember, cats don’t like getting wet, so be gentle.
- Be extremely careful not to let them inhale water, keeping it away from their nose and mouth.
- Create a breeze by turning on a fan, opening doors, and windows.
- Offer your cat a drink of cold water, but do not force them to drink.
- Place them on top of a cold, soaking wet towel.
- Don’t cuddle or cover them with the wet towel, as it might make them hotter.
- Wrap an ice pack or a bag of frozen veg in a tea-towel and place it between their legs.
Step 3: Call your vet as soon as possible
- Head to the nearest vets as swiftly as you can.
- Transport your cat in a car with air-conditioning on or windows open, ensuring they aren’t able to escape.
- If possible, bring a companion to keep cooling the cat during travel.
Also Read: What is a Cats Average Lifespan?
Are some cats more at risk of heatstroke than others?
Indeed, while heatstroke can affect any cat, certain felines face a higher risk. These include:
- Cats with long coats
- Obese cats
- Brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats, such as Persians
- Very old cats and very young kittens – they aren’t as good at regulating their body temperature
- Cats with heart and lung disease
Heatstroke in brachycephalic (flat-faced) cats
In the world of brachycephalic, or flat-faced cats like Persians, heatstroke presents a unique challenge. These cats struggle more to get rid of significant amounts of body heat due to their shorter noses. When they breathe out, there’s less space inside their nose to release heat efficiently. As a result, they are at a higher risk of heatstroke, even on seemingly cool days. This calls for extra precautions to ensure their environment remains cool and stress-free to prevent heat-related health issues.
Conclusion
Heatstroke in cats is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition that requires immediate attention. It’s crucial to recognize the early signs of heat exhaustion and heatstroke, such as elevated body temperature, disorientation, and labored breathing. Quick and appropriate first aid measures, like moving the cat to a cooler area and using cool damp towels, can be lifesaving. However, veterinary intervention is often necessary, especially in severe cases. Prevention is key: keeping cats in a cool, shaded environment, ensuring access to water, and being vigilant about their exposure to heat can significantly reduce the risk. Special attention should be given to cats more susceptible to heatstroke, like brachycephalic breeds, the very young or old, and those with preexisting health conditions. Remember, a well-informed and proactive approach is the best defense against heat-related emergencies in our feline companions.
People Are Also Interested In:
How do I know if my cat has heat stroke?
Signs of heat stroke in cats can include panting which progresses to distressed, noisy breathing as it worsens. Restlessness, agitation, pacing, seeking shade and water, drooling, red gums and tongue, increased heart rate, and vomiting or diarrhea are key indicators.
What should I do if my cat is overheated?
Move your cat to a cool area. Offer them water to drink. Spray their fur with cool water, and use a fan to create a breeze to help cool off. Continue these treatment steps while transporting your cat to the vet immediately.
Do cats recover from heat stroke?
If caught early and treated immediately, cats can recover quickly from heatstroke. However, it’s a serious health risk; therefore, it’s crucial to examine for signs of organ damage or other serious complications before they return home.
Also Read: Ways to Make Your Cat’s Vet Visit Less Stressful
Is heat in cats painful?
Many feline owners question whether a cat in heat feels pain. While it’s uncomfortable and the cat may appear irritated, it isn’t painful. However, it’s a good idea to have them checked out by a vet.
Can cats get heatstroke?
Yes, cats can suffer from heatstroke, especially if they cannot escape the heat. Underlying medical conditions, obesity, flat-faced breeds, and those that are very young or older are most susceptible.
What are the signs of heatstroke in cats?
Signs of heatstroke in cats include drooling, panting, seeking a cooler spot, disorientation, red gums, vomiting, diarrhea, pinpoint spots of bleeding on the skin, heavy breathing, seizures, and collapse. It’s crucial to use a cool towel soaked in cool water on the back and belly and to seek immediate veterinary care.
