Hyperthermia/

Heat Stroke
Dr. Muhammad Waqas (Ph.D.)
Assistant Professor (Clinical Veterinary Medicine)
Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences,
Faculty of Veterinary & Animal Sciences,
University of Poonch Rawalakot
 Definition
• The term "hyperthermia" refers to a
remarkable elevation in body temperature
caused by either excessive heat
production/absorption or insufficient heat
dissipation.
• Hyperthermia is purely a physical condition,
and is not an infectious one.
 Etiology
• High environmental temperature and humidity in the
tropics and subtropics.
• A decrease in heat loss through sweating. Sweating is an
important way of loss of absorbed heat.
• Severe muscular exertion, dehydration and electrolyte
imbalance.
• Damage to the hypothalamus.
 Susceptible Host
• Ruminants are especially susceptible to this illness
because they cannot sweat.
• Exotic breeds are more susceptible to heat stroke
than crossbred and indigenous ones.
• Animals with lengthy hair coats and obesity are
particularly susceptible.
 Pathogenesis
• Heat production occurs due to metabolic processes, muscular activity and
maintenance of muscle tone. Shivering thermogenesis, a reaction to abrupt
exposure to cold, is also thought to be a significant factor in enhancing heat
production. For the body temperature to maintain constant, the rate of heat
production must be equal to the rate of heat loss. This balance is maintained by
the thermoregulatory center i.e. hypothalamus.
• When heat production increases and the homeostatic mechanism of
temperature regulation fails to dissipate heat, the body temperature increases.
The associated changes within the body due to this high temperature are an
increase in metabolic, heart and respiratory rates, a decrease in liver glycogen
and hypoglycemia. When the body temperature reaches the critical point i.e.
>106°F, the nervous and respiratory center becomes depressed, thus leading to
death of an animal.
 Clinical Signs
• Sudden rise in body temperature
• Increased heart and respiratory rates
• Increased thirst
• Dyspnea
• Absence of sweating
• Depression
• In case of prolonged hyperthermia, abortion, early embryonic death, renal and
hepatic dysfunction may occur
• In untreated animals there may be convulsions, collapse and terminal coma
• Death in most cases occurs when the core body temperature exceeds 8°F above
the normal.
 Diagnosis
• High environmental temperature and humidity
• History of severe muscular exertions
 Differential Diagnosis

• Septicemic, toxemic, and infectious conditions are

characterized by high temperature, specific clinical
signs, changes in blood parameters and presence
of causative agents
• In hyperthermia; no such manifestations except
high temperature.
 Treatment
• Continuous application of ice cold water on the head, neck and
whole body until the body temperature falls to 1-2°F above the
normal temperature.
• Rectal enema with Ice cold water.
• Adequate drinking of ice cold water with common salt and ice
blocks to lick.
• Antipyretics
– Piroxicam, Meloxicam, Aspirin, Mefenamic acid, Ketoprofen,
Paracetamol
• Tranquilizer drugs to sedate the animal with signs of
convulsions.
– Diazepam (Valium)
– Alprazolam (Xanex)
• Supportive therapy including dextrose (5-10%), multivitamins,
amino acids and mineral supplementations.
• Broad spectrum antibiotics to combat secondary bacterial
infections.
 Management Practices
• Provide clean cold water and plenty of trough space for drinking
• Provide well ventilated shelter with good air movement or provision
of fans.
• Use intermittent sprinkler system
• Adjust ration timings. Feed a large percentage of ration in the
evening when the temperature is not too high
• Minimize handling during periods of greatest heat stress
• Select the animal based on breed and coat characteristics
• Exercise, working, or grazing during hot sunny days with high
humidity must be avoided.