Heat stroke and its consequences

Abstract

Kali, a two year old spayed female Labrador Retriever, was referred to the Emergency Service at the Cornell University Hospital for Animals (CUHA) for suspected heat stroke twenty-four hours earlier now complicated by vomiting, diarrhea, and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). At the CUHA, Kali was normothermic, yet tachypneic, tachycardic, and dehydrated with petechiae on her ventral abdomen and blood in her feces. Routine hemogram, serum biochemical panel, urinalysis, and coagulation profile confirmed renal failure and DIC as well as several other abnormalities consistent with heat stroke. Kali was hospitalized and treated with intravenous fluids, fresh frozen plasma, gastroprotectants, broad spectrum antibiotics and antiemetics. For the next five days, Kali was managed by the Small Animal Internal Medicine Service for complications associated with heat stroke, but was subsequently discharged to the care of her owners. This paper will cover the recognition and diagnosis of heat stroke, its treatment in the acute stage, and the management of the numerous complications that can arise secondary to hyperthermia.