Heat stress means that an animal is having trouble maintaining its normal body temperature due to its environment. It's caused by a combination of high temperature, humidity and poor ventilation. Initial signs of heat stress include panting, red mucous membranes and an increased heart rate. The animal's legs, nose and ears will feel hot. This condition can progress to heatstroke, where the animal's natural control mechanisms can no longer deal with the heat stress and the animal shows clinical signs of overheating.
Owners can help prevent heat stress problems by providing a proper environment.
If your pet is kept outside on warm days, be sure to provide shade and free access to plenty of cool drinking water. Don't exercise your dog on a hot day and never leave a pet in a closed car or in an area where it cannot get out of the sun. With heatstroke, there may be vomiting or diarrhea and collapse. Eventually, the animal will get dehydrated and may go into shock, kidney failure, have bleeding problems, or even go into a coma. Death can result if the condition is allowed to continue.