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MILITARY WORKING DOG (MWD)

MWD Heat Injury Treatment

MILD heat injury MODERATE heat injury SEVERE heat injury
(heat stress) – excessive (heat exhaustion) – heat (heat stroke) – heat exhaustion
thirst, discomfort associated stress present, as well as are present, coupled with
with physical activity, mild weakness, anxiety, and varying degrees of CNS
dehydration, but with controlled uncontrolled panting (i.e., the abnormalities (changes in
panting (i.e., the patient can patient cannot reduce panting mentation and level of
control or reduce panting when when exposed to a noxious consciousness, seizures,
exposed to a noxious inhalant inhalant), but central nervous abnormal pupil size, blindness,
such as alcohol). system (CNS) abnormalities head tremors, and ataxia.
are not present.

- Remove patient from source - Same as MILD but more - Triage
of heat, discontinue exercise, aggressive cooling required • Establish airway
cool by fans or air condition, Remove patient from all heat • Provide oxygen
give cold water to drink. and stop all activity. • Establish IV for shock
treatment
- Cool by fans or air condition.
- Monitor patient for - Thoroughly soak the hair coat - Aggressively cool patient until
• Body Temp q15min to the skin (room–temp) in order rectal temp is less than 105°F.
to reduce core body
• Mentation/LOC temperature <105F. • Use only room temperature
• Weakness/collapse -Give IV fluids 3–5mL/kg/hr if fluids.
• Anxiety/restlessness not in shock • Give IV fluids (shock
• Shock protocol)
-Monitor patient for -Monitor patient for
• Body Temp q15min • Vitals, Blood Glucose
• Mentation/LOC • ECG arrhythmias
• Petechiae/ecchymoses • Mentation/LOC
• Weakness/collapse • Gait abnormalities
• Anxiety/restlessness • Vision changes
• Shock • Seizure
• Rebound hypothermia
Clinical Pearls:
• PANTING is the only significant cooling mechanism for dogs.
• NO specific body temperature defines heat stroke in MWD’s. Normal rectal temperature is 101° to
103° F in the MWD. Temperatures as high as 105.8°F have been associated with pathology. Most
commonly, heat stroke is seen in MWDs with rectal temperatures greater than 107°F.
• DO NOT use of cold intravenous fluids, ice packs, or ice-water baths for cooling.
• Once the MWD’s body temperature is =103°F CEASE all cooling efforts and monitor for rebound
hypothermia, and prepare for rewarming measures. Actively warm the dog if the temperature <100°F
• Treat seizures with midazolam or diazepam 0.3mg/kg IV/IO or Intranasal prn

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