Heatstroke

Carl Gorman BVSc MRCVS
Companion Animal Vol 16
June 2011

Heatstroke is one of the genuine emergencies seen in practice. The recognition, assessment and initial treatment of the condition is vitally important to improve survival rates. Studies suggest that 25-50% of severe cases may not survive. Patients that survive the initial 24 hours, however, will usually go on to recover. This article summarises the risk factors and physiological processes involved in heatstroke, and recommends monitoring and therapy to improve survival rates