Summer in Keysborough is no joke. On a scorching 35–40°C day, a dog left in a parked car for just 10 minutes can reach a fatal body temperature. It sounds extreme, but this is the reality that vets at Keysborough Veterinary Practice see every single summer. Heat stroke in dogs is one of the most common and most preventable emergencies we deal with during the warmer months.
The scary part? Many pet owners don’t realise how quickly things can turn serious. One minute, your dog seems fine after a walk along Dandenong Creek Trail. Next, they’re collapsing on the driveway.
Knowing what to do in the first 10 minutes can genuinely be the difference between life and death. This guide covers everything you need to know: the warning signs, the step-by-step first aid at home, and when to call us immediately.
Why Keysborough Dogs Face a Real Risk of Heat Stroke
Keysborough sits in Melbourne’s south-east, and if you’ve lived here through a few summers, you already know how brutal the heat can get. Melbourne hit a high of 40.8°C in December 2024, and according to Victoria’s 2024 Climate Projections, heat extremes across Greater Melbourne will continue to become hotter and more frequent in the coming decades.
That means the risk of heat stroke for local dogs is only going to grow.
Some of the most dangerous spots for dogs in summer aren’t always obvious:
- Parked cars: even with windows cracked, internal temperatures can become fatal within minutes
- Concrete paths and footpaths: radiate heat long after the sun has passed; if it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for their paws
- Backyards without adequate shade: dogs left outside during peak heat with no relief
- Popular walking spots like Tatterson Park and the Dandenong Creek Trail: beautiful routes, but the exposed sections can be brutal mid-morning or afternoon
Certain breeds are also far more susceptible to heat stroke than others. Brachycephalic dogs, meaning flat-faced breeds, are particularly at risk. This includes bulldogs, French bulldogs, English bulldogs, and pugs. These brachycephalic dogs have shortened airways, which make it much harder to regulate body heat by panting. Thick-coated breeds, older dogs, and overweight dogs also suffer from heat far more than a healthy, lean dog with a short coat. Cats can also develop heat stroke, and Persian and Himalayan cats are especially vulnerable for the same brachycephalic reasons.
As the RSPCA Australia and the Australian Veterinary Association have both warned, any dog can develop heat stroke in high temperatures, but some breeds are starting on the back foot before the mercury even rises.
Know the Signs: Symptoms of Heat Stroke in Dogs
Every pet owner should be able to recognise what heat stroke looks like. The tricky thing is that heat stroke in dogs and cats can progress very quickly: by the time you notice the severe signs, you may already be in emergency territory.
Here’s how to read the signs and symptoms before things get critical:
Early signs (act now: don’t wait):
- Heavy panting that won’t settle
- Excessive drooling
- Restlessness, pacing, or desperately seeking shade
- Slightly glazed or distant eyes
Moderate signs (this is getting serious: call the vet):
- Weakness or wobbling when walking
- Vomiting
- Red or dark pink gums
- The dog is unable to settle or is clearly distressed
Severe signs (this is a life-threatening emergency):
- Collapse
- Seizures
- Loss of consciousness
- Blue, white, or very pale gums
The signs and symptoms of heat stroke can appear quickly, especially in brachycephalic breeds. Dogs cannot regulate body heat in the same way humans do: they release body heat almost entirely through panting, and their sweat glands are limited to their paws. When the temperature rises faster than they can pant away the excess heat, their body temperature rises dangerously fast.
Heat exhaustion is the stage before heat stroke occurs: it’s your window to act. If your dog is showing subtle signs like heavy panting and restlessness, that’s a form of heat stress that needs immediate attention. Once it becomes heat stroke, you are dealing with hyperthermia that can cause multiple organ failure within minutes.
The signs and symptoms of heat are easy to overlook early on, which is exactly why so many cases of heat stroke end up becoming emergencies. If you suspect heat stroke, don’t wait and see.
Emergency First Aid: What to Do If Your Pet Has Heat Stroke
Time is of the essence. If you believe your pet has heat stroke, here is exactly what to do: in order. This is your emergency first aid guide:
Step 1: Move them immediately.
Get your dog out of the heat and into shade or air conditioning straight away. If they’re in a car, get them out now. Don’t leave your dog unattended even for a moment.
Step 2: Offer cool water, not cold.
Let them drink small amounts of cool water if they’re conscious and able to swallow. Don’t force water into a dog that’s collapsed or semi-conscious, and don’t give iced water: it can cause the blood vessels near the skin to constrict and actually worsen the situation.
Step 3: Apply a wet towel to key areas.
A wet towel (cool, not cold) applied to the neck, armpits, groin, and paws helps draw heat away from the body. Gently wetting their coat with cool water also helps. Do not use ice or ice-cold water.
Step 4: Use a fan if you have one.
Moving air accelerates cooling. Even a phone or a piece of cardboard fanning them can help while you get organised.
Step 5: Call us immediately, even if your pet seems to be recovering.
This is the most important step. Even if your pet seems better after cooling, internal organ damage from heat stroke can develop hours later. Get to the vet as soon as possible. Call Keysborough Veterinary Practice straight away so we can prepare for your arrival.
What NOT to do:
- No ice baths: sudden extreme cold can cause shock
- Don’t force water into an unconscious dog
- Don’t wait for them to “come good” on their own: even if your pet seems fine, get them seen by a vet immediately
Remember: act fast and protect your pet’s life by treating first aid at home as a bridge to professional care, not a substitute for it.
What Happens When You Arrive at the Vet
Many pet owners feel relieved once they’ve done the cooling steps, but immediate care from a vet is still critical. Even if your dog looks okay, heat stroke treatment goes well beyond cooling down.
At Keysborough Veterinary Practice, our urgent care for heat stroke includes:
- IV fluids to stabilise the pet’s body temperature and prevent organ damage from dehydration and circulatory stress
- Oxygen support where needed: especially important for brachycephalic dogs who were already struggling to breathe
- In-house blood tests to assess kidney function and check for early organ damage: this is something many pet owners don’t realise is essential after a heat stroke episode
- Monitoring and observation over a recovery period, because the pet’s body temperature rises and falls and needs tracking
The reason we stress calling the vet immediately, even when your dog seems to have bounced back, is that heat-related organ damage often doesn’t show up straight away. Veterinary treatment started early gives your dog the best possible chance. Waiting until symptoms return could mean it’s too late.
Veterinary care for heat stroke requires urgent attention, and the earlier treatment begins, the better the outcome.
How to Prevent Heat Stroke in Keysborough This Summer
Prevent heat stroke before it ever happens. It genuinely isn’t hard: it just requires a bit of planning and knowing your dog’s limits.
- Walk before 8 am or after 7 pm. The pavement test is simple: press the back of your hand on the path for 5 seconds. If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for their paws.
- Always carry water when you head out to Tatterson Park or along the Dandenong Creek Trail, especially in hot weather.
- Never leave dogs in cars: not even with the window down, not even in the shade, not even for a few minutes. A car becomes an oven fast.
- Set up proper shade and fresh water in your backyard at all times. Dogs left outside in direct sunlight with no shelter are at serious risk.
- Know your breed. If you have a pug, bulldog, or any brachycephalic dog, they need extra care that every pet owner should be taking during summer. These breeds can struggle even at moderate temperatures.
- Save our number before you need it. The warmer months can turn dangerous fast: don’t be searching for the vet’s number while your dog is collapsed on the floor.
According to new Australian research published in the Australian Veterinary Journal (2025), dog deaths rise by nearly 10% on days above 32°C and by 1% for each degree above 25°C. That’s not a number to ignore when Melbourne summers regularly push well past those thresholds.
Act Fast and Protect Your Pet’s Life
Heat stroke is one of the few pet emergencies where the outcome really does come down to what happens in the minutes before you reach us. If you suspect your pet has heat stroke: cool them, call us, and get here fast.
Call Keysborough Veterinary Practice immediately if your dog shows any signs of heat stroke.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my dog has heat stroke or is just hot?
A hot dog will pant and seek shade but settle once cooled. With heat stroke, the panting doesn’t ease, they become weak or wobbly, and gums may turn red, white, or blue. If you’re unsure, call us straight away.
Can I treat heat stroke at home without going to the vet?
First aid at home buys critical time, but it’s not a replacement for veterinary care. Many dogs appear to recover and then develop organ failure hours later. Always get your dog seen by a vet, even if they seem fine.
How long does a dog need to recover from heat stroke?
Mild cases may recover within a day or two. Severe cases can require hospitalisation and ongoing monitoring for organ damage. Your vet will give a clearer timeline once they’ve assessed your dog.
Are some dog breeds more at risk than others?
Yes. Brachycephalic breeds like bulldogs, French bulldogs, and pugs struggle most because their shortened airways make panting less effective. Older, overweight, and thick-coated dogs are also more vulnerable.
What’s the fastest way to cool down a dog with heat stroke?
Move them to shade or air conditioning, wet their coat with cool (not cold) water, apply a wet towel to the neck and armpits, and fan them. Then call your vet immediately. Avoid ice or ice baths.
