Heat stress in dogs is more common in the warmer months but can occur at any time throughout the year. In dogs heat stroke can occur when they have been left outside in hot, humid conditions without adequate shade, when they have been exercised on a hot day or when they have been left sitting in a hot car. Even on a relatively cool day, cars may heat up to temperatures beyond what your pet can cope with.

If your pet is overheated you may notice excessive panting, salivating, vomiting and diarrhoea which can progress to collapse, seizures and death.

As panting is the main form of heat loss in dogs, any condition that impairs proper ventilation can become fatal. Laryngeal paralysis is a common disease of older large-breed dogs and a common manifestation of this disease on a hot day is heat stress. Dogs that are obese or have very short noses (such as Pugs, Boston Terriers or Bulldogs) are particularly susceptible to heat stroke. 

What to do immediately: