Pet heatstroke in Multan doesn’t creep up slowly. A dog can be chasing a ball at four in the afternoon and lying flat on the floor, panting hard, twenty minutes later. Max is 3 years old a playful Labrador habitual of the exercising and trips. His owner shifted Multan recently, and he was not aware of the exceptionally hot weather in Multan. He took Max to walk the restored with having him lying in his lap, panting, trembling and unconscious.

Multan is among the hottest cities in Pakistan, and daytime highs reach about 41 °C in May and June. Add a hot rooftop, a power cut that stops the fan, or five minutes in a parked car, and a pet’s body simply can’t keep up.

Why do pets overheat faster than people?

Dogs and cats barely sweat. They cool down mostly by panting, with a little help from their paw pads. That works when the air is cooler than their body. When the air is just as hot, panting only moves hot air around. This is why heatstroke in dogs can hit so fast, and why a pet can go from fine to critical within minutes.

Puppies, older pets, overweight animals and flat-faced breeds like Persians, Pugs and Bulldogs are at the highest risk. Monsoon humidity makes things worse, because it makes panting even less effective, so don’t relax in July and August just because it feels slightly cooler.

What are the signs of heatstroke in dogs and cats?

• Heavy, noisy panting or drooling
• Bright red gums or a very dry mouth
• Weakness, stumbling or collapse
• Vomiting or diarrhoea

One sign is enough to act on. Cats hide when they feel unwell, so check on them during hot afternoons even if they look relaxed.

What should you do in the first ten minutes?

1. Move your pet to shade or a cool room.
2. Offer small sips of cool (not ice-cold) water, without forcing it.
3. Wet the belly, armpits and paws with cool water, and put a fan on them. Skip the ice, which can cause shock.
4. If you have a pet thermometer, stop cooling once the temperature reaches about 39.4 °C (103 °F). Cooling too far is also harmful.
5. Call a vet straight away, even if your pet seems better. Organ damage can show up hours later.

7 ways to keep pets cool in summer

1. Walk early or late. Go out in the early morning or after sunset. Hold the back of your hand on the pavement for five seconds. If you can’t, it’s too hot for their paws.
2. Carry water. Take a bottle and a small bowl on walks, and leave fresh water in a shaded spot at home.
3. Never use the car as a waiting room. Even a few minutes in a parked car can be fatal.
4. Plan for power cuts. If your fan or cooler stops, move your pet to the coolest, best-ventilated room and keep a wet towel for them to lie on.
5. Keep them off the roof. Rooftops and open courtyards turn into ovens by noon, and a pet tied in direct sun has no way to escape.
6. Watch the high-risk pets. Puppies, seniors and flat-faced breeds need extra attention from May to August.
7. Brush regularly. Loose, matted fur traps heat against the skin.

Birds and poultry feel it too

Parrots and poultry suffer in extreme heat as well. Keep cages and coops shaded and ventilated, and give clean water all day. Open-beak breathing, drooping wings and unusual quietness are early warning signs. Never place a cage in afternoon sun or against a hot wall.

When should you call a vet in Multan?

If your pet collapses, struggles to breathe, keeps vomiting or doesn’t improve after cooling down, call right away. If you’re just not sure, call anyway. I’d much rather hear “false alarm” than see a pet that came in too late.

Book a visit: Message The Passion Pet Hospital on WhatsApp or call +92 304 1758259. We are on Bosan Road, Multan, open Monday to Saturday, 2PM to 8PM.