Heatstroke
CRITICAL
Heatstroke
Environmental
Body temperature above 40°C — a real risk in Ho Chi Minh City's hot season and for flat-faced breeds (Pug/Bulldog/Persian).
Symptoms to watch for
- ▸ Violent panting, bright red or purple tongue
- ▸ Heavy, watery drooling
- ▸ Gums dark red, then pale
- ▸ Loss of balance, falling over
- ▸ Vomiting, bloody diarrhoea
- ▸ Seizures, coma
DO THIS NOW (in order)
- 1 Move your pet somewhere cool with moving air or a fan RIGHT NOW (no sudden blast of cold air conditioning)
- 2 Wet the body with normal-temperature water (NOT iced water) — focus on the belly, armpits and groin
- 3 Offer cool water in SMALL sips — DO NOT force large amounts
- 4 Fan the wet body hard → evaporation is what brings the temperature down
- 5 Call the clinic — even if your pet seems fine, organ damage can appear 24-48h later
NEVER DO THIS
- ✕ DO NOT use iced water or ice cubes — they constrict vessels, delay heat release and cause shock
- ✕ DO NOT wrap your pet tightly in wet towels — that traps the heat in
- ✕ DO NOT force a lot of water at once (it causes vomiting and choking)
- ✕ DO NOT give human fever medicine (paracetamol → KILLS dogs and cats)
Getting there safely
Travel in a car with the air conditioning at 22-24°C (not colder). Keep wiping the body with a wet cloth. Open a window for airflow. Reach the vet within 30 minutes.
While you wait for the vet
- ▸ Take the rectal temperature if you have a thermometer (aim for 39°C, then stop cooling)
- ▸ Monitor breathing — still panting hard after 15 minutes of cooling = emergency
- ▸ Watch the gums — turning pink again is a good sign
- ▸ Note the time the symptoms started
RED FLAG — get emergency care right away if you see:
- Temperature above 41.5°C
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Bloody diarrhoea
- No drop in temperature after 20 minutes of cooling
This guide does NOT replace a vet's diagnosis. Always contact the clinic, even if your pet seems fine.