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Dog heat stroke: cooled, but unresponsive & vomiting. No vet!

Updated On September 23rd, 2025

Pet's info: Dog | Mixed Breed Medium (23 - 60lb) | Male | unneutered | 3 years old | 53 lbs

My dog is suffering from a heat stroke and we have no vets available! We've got him cooled down, but he is unresponsive. He's breathing back to normal and his heart beat slowed back down a good bit! He is still unresponsive and he just threw up a lot and we don't know what else to do! His eyes are starting to open up more but he's still limp and not responding please help!

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1 Answer

Most Helpful Answer

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Answered By Jeffrey Milner

Veterinarian

Published on June 30th, 2017

Hi, heat stroke is a very serious condition that requires a vet's intervention. he needs fluids to help cool him. If you are unable to find a vet to take him to, you can cool him down by using cool water. Get a thermometer and take his temperature by inserting it into his rectum about one inch. The normal temperature is 99.5-102.5. You don't want to cool him down too quickly or he can go into shock so it is important not to use ice or cold water. IF his temperature is still elevated, you can soak towels in cool water and drape them over him. If he can swallow, spoon or syringe cool water into his mouth. Keep him comfortable and cool and stop cooling measure when his temperature reaches 101, so you don't make him too cold. It is important to take him to a vet as soon as possible because heat stroke can have long lasting effects that can be deadly. He will need fluids and antibiotics to help his GI system recover from shock. Vets should be open first thing in the morning. Good luck!

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