NAVLE Emergency Guide
Heatstroke in Dogs and Cats: Controlled Cooling and Critical Monitoring
Heatstroke is a time-sensitive emergency where overcorrection can be as risky as under-treatment. This guide focuses on controlled cooling, perfusion support, and complication surveillance priorities.
Use this guide to move from first-pass pattern recognition to structured diagnostic and treatment logic. The flow is designed for NAVLE-style decision sequencing and practical ward preparation.
Rapid Algorithm
- Identify hyperthermia with systemic dysfunction and initiate immediate cooling protocol.
- Stabilize airway, breathing, circulation, and perfusion while reducing heat load.
- Use controlled cooling and stop at target range to prevent rebound hypothermia.
- Monitor coagulation, neurologic status, and organ function for delayed deterioration.
- Escalate intensive care when perfusion, mentation, or hemostatic markers worsen.
Diagnostic Flow
- Serial temperature trends guide cooling intensity and stop points.
- CBC, chemistry, and coagulation profiles help detect multi-organ injury progression.
- Blood gas and lactate trends support perfusion and ventilation interpretation.
- Urine output and renal markers are important because AKI can develop after initial stabilization.
- Frequent neurologic reassessment helps identify cerebral complications early.
Treatment Flow
- Use cool water and airflow methods that allow measured, monitored temperature descent.
- Provide perfusion-guided IV support and oxygen according to clinical response.
- Stop active cooling at target threshold and transition to monitoring-focused support.
- Address coagulation instability, GI injury risk, and neurologic complications proactively.
- Plan staged reassessment because delayed deterioration is common in severe cases.
Exam Traps
- Aggressive cooling below target can create rebound hypothermia and instability.
- Treating heatstroke as resolved after temperature normalization misses delayed injury.
- Ignoring coagulation trends can delay recognition of life-threatening complications.
- Under-monitoring neurologic status may miss progressive CNS compromise.
- Insufficient owner education on recurrence prevention weakens long-term outcomes.
Practice Prompts
- What is the safest endpoint for active cooling in canine heatstroke?
- Which complications should be monitored after initial stabilization?
- How does coagulation monitoring change management urgency?
- What findings indicate escalation to critical care support?
- Which prevention counseling points should be prioritized at discharge?
Related Content
- Return to pillar: NAVLE Emergency and Critical Care: Triage, Stabilize, Treat
- Veterinary Transfusion Basics: Product Choice, Monitoring, and Reactions
- Rodenticide Bleeding in Dogs and Cats: Triage and Stabilization Plan
- Open the ER Algorithms Library
- Try 5 free practice questions on this topic
- Unlock unlimited practice (Premium)
Sources and Review Notes
- Drug label search (DailyMed)
- IRIS stages
- Normal lab values
- Heartworm treatment protocol
- Lab test protocols
- Microchip lookup
- Vertebral Heart Score
- BCS charts
- ACVIM cardiology consensus guideline references
- Dental charts
- AAHA vaccination guidelines
- Flea/tick product info
- Dog/cat breed search
- RECOVER CPR guidelines
Last reviewed: February 13, 2026
Educational only. This page is designed for study and does not replace case-specific diagnosis, local protocols, or direct supervision.