Complications associated with heat stroke in a dog

Abstract

A 7 year-old male intact American Staffordshire Terrier was referred to the Cornell University Hospital for Animals with a history of heat exposure, seizures, and the current chief complaint of melena, hematochezia, hematemesis, and thrombocytopenia. Additional clinical findings included generalized muscle fasiculations, clotting assay abnormalities, multiple electrolyte disturbances, azotemia, and elevated liver enzymes. Treatment consisted of fluid resuscitation, gastroprotectants, and broad-spectrum antibiotics. Serum was submitted for Leptospiral and Rickettsial titers to rule out infectious causes of thrombocytopenia. Clinical signs gradually abated and the dog was discharged with a good prognosis. This Senior Seminar will discuss the pathogenesis, sequelae and treatments for heat stroke will be discussed.