Heatstroke in Cats

This is a fever caused by the failure of the body's temperature-regulating mechanism when exposed to excessively high temperatures.

Symptoms

Agitation and extreme distress. First, the cat will stretch out and pant heavily, then drool and stagger as if drunk. Finally, if untreated, it will collapse, pass into a coma and die.

Causes
Usually due to being in a car — either on a long journey or left inside one. Inside a car, there is poor ventilation and the temperature rises to a dangerous level quickly, even in the cooler sunshine of spring or autumn.

What to do
You must act fast. In mildly affected cats, simply moving them to a cool place and ensuring a steady passage of cool air will usually be sufficient.

Treatment
In bad cases, cool the cat down with cold water from a hosepipe (using a fine misting spray) or by gently pouring bowlfuls of cold water over it. In very bad cases, cover the cat with wet towels, including the head (but keeping the nose and mouth clear) and keep dousing him with cold water. Seek veterinary assistance urgently. In all cases of heatstroke, it is vital to keep the head cool, as the brain may literally be cooked, and brain death can occur.

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