Meet Fizz!
Florida summers can be brutally hot and humid and the risk of heat stroke becomes an unwelcome threat to our pets.
The most common scenario is an animal unintentionally left in a car, but heatstroke becomes a risk even during normal playtime in the hottest summer months. When temperatures soar, prolonged exercise or even being left outside too long in the heat of the day can lead to severe hypothermia. Such was the case for little Fizz, an eight month old Lhasa Apso puppy brought into our emergency service on a hot Saturday afternoon.
Fizz had been playing outside for less than an hour, but when the puppy sitter went to let him in they found him in an unresponsive state by the back door. Feeling his burning hot body they dunked him in the pool and then rushed him to our hospital. Temperatures above 108 degrees can trigger severe damage to the brain and other organs and initiate a severe clotting abnormality which can be fatal. Fizz’s body temperature was 109.4 degrees. He had the tiny bruises all over his body indicating blood clotting abnormality and shortly after his arrival he began to have seizures. Fizz’s life was in danger and the VHA emergency team had their work cut out for them.
Life saving treatment includes rapid IV fluids, a controlled cooling of the body, valium to control seizures, antibiotics, dextrose, hetastarch, pain management, oxygen therapy and in Fizz’s extreme case fresh frozen plasma. Fizz was closely monitored 24 hours a day.
Fortunately over the next several days Fizz’s young body responded to his aggressive therapy. He went home a happy puppy on day five to the amazement of his owners and with great pride from our doctors and staff who worked literally around the clock to save his life.
Fizz’s story does not end there however as he was brought back one week later with an uncommon complication. A portion of the skin on his back was sloughing from extreme heat and damage to the blood vessels. He is currently undergoing routine bandage changes and the wounds are healing nicely, but he will likely be left with a small scar down the top of his back as a reminder of his brush with death in the Florida heat.
• Remember; never leave a pet or child unattended in a vehicle even with the windows cracked.
• Younger and older animals, just like people, are more sensitive to the effects of the heat.
• Anxious pets can become so excited even tolerable temperatures can become deadly.
• Limit exercise to cooler morning or evening hours and always provide plenty of water.
• If an accident should occur begin cooling your pet with towels soaked in cool water and transport them to an emergency veterinary care center immediately.
Hopefully they will be one of the lucky ones like our little friend Fizz.
