If your dog is panting heavily, weak, unsteady or collapsing in hot weather, treat it as an emergency. Move them out of the heat, begin gentle cooling with cool tap water and airflow, and phone Mandurah Emergency Vets on (08) 6313 4800. Come straight to 13A Gordon Road. Do not wait to see whether your dog improves on their own.
When should I bring my dog in right now?
Seek urgent veterinary care if your dog has any of these signs:
Heavy, persistent panting or obvious trouble breathing.
Weakness, wobbling, confusion or collapse.
Vomiting, diarrhoea or excessive drooling after heat exposure.
Seizures, loss of consciousness or severe distress.
Heat exposure followed by unusual tiredness, even after cooling.
These signs may indicate heatstroke, which can injure organs even when a dog initially looks better. Our 24-hour pet emergency team can assess your dog whenever you arrive.
What causes heatstroke in dogs around Mandurah?
Dogs do not cool themselves in quite the same way people do. They mostly lose heat through panting and limited sweating through their paw pads. During a warm, humid or still WA day, that may not be enough. Their body temperature can rise faster than they can bring it down.
A hot car is one obvious danger, but it is not the only one. Dogs can overheat while exercising, playing fetch, walking on exposed paths, resting in poorly ventilated areas or travelling in enclosed spaces. A dog that has been swimming may still overheat after running hard on the beach. Heatstroke can happen outside the hottest part of the day, too.
Flat-faced breeds, older dogs, puppies, dogs carrying excess weight and pets with breathing or heart problems can be at higher risk. However, any dog can develop heatstroke. You do not need to know exactly how hot they became before asking for help.
What does heatstroke in dogs look like?
Early signs can resemble ordinary tiredness: faster breathing, an unusually long recovery after exercise, seeking shade or refusing to keep walking. More serious signs include difficulty standing, changes in behaviour, vomiting, diarrhoea and collapse. Gum colour may change, but you should not rely on that sign alone.
One challenge is that heatstroke does not always look dramatic. A dog may stop panting as they become exhausted. They may also appear brighter after a few minutes of cooling while internal complications are still developing. That is why a veterinary assessment matters, even when the first aid seems to work.
What should I do for a dog with suspected heatstroke?
Start cooling and arrange veterinary care at the same time. You can do these simple things while someone phones the clinic:
Stop the activity and move your dog into shade, air conditioning or another cool, ventilated place.
Wet their body with cool tap water, avoiding their nose and mouth. Use a fan or airflow if available.
Offer a small amount of drinking water if they are alert and able to swallow normally. Do not force them to drink.
Arrange safe transport to the emergency hospital. Keep cooling and ventilation going as you travel where practical.
Tell our team what happened, how long your dog was in the heat and what cooling you have already done.
Do not use an ice bath, cover your dog in wet towels that trap heat, give medications or delay the journey while trying to take repeated temperatures. A dog that is unconscious or struggling to breathe needs immediate assistance. If you are alone, focus on safe transport and call when it is safe to do so.
How can an emergency vet help a dog with heatstroke?
At Mandurah Emergency Vets, you will be met by reception and a veterinary nurse will triage your pet. A veterinarian then examines your dog and recommends the next steps according to their condition. Treatment may involve controlled cooling, monitoring, fluid support and tests to look for effects on internal organs.
The hospital has in-house blood testing, digital X-ray, ultrasound and a purpose-built intensive care unit (ICU) for patients requiring close support. Not every dog needs every test. Your vet will explain what is appropriate and provide an estimate before treatment. Because we prioritise the sickest pets, arrival order does not always determine the waiting time.
For more on our assessment process, read what happens during a pet emergency visit or visit our contact and directions page.
How can I prevent heatstroke during a WA summer?
Plan walks for cooler periods, and shorten them during unusually hot or humid conditions. Carry drinking water and choose shaded routes. Check the ground with your hand before allowing your dog to walk on hot pavement.
Never leave your dog in a parked car, even briefly or with windows open. Keep outdoor rest areas shaded and well ventilated, and make sure fresh water is available. If your dog is flat-faced, elderly or unwell, ask your regular vet for individual advice about exercise in summer.
At the beach or around the Peel estuary, balance play with rest. Swimming does not remove the risk of overheating, particularly if your dog is sprinting or highly excited. Stop early when you notice increased panting or slowing down rather than pushing for one more game.
Frequently asked questions
Can a dog recover from heatstroke without seeing a vet?
Some dogs appear to improve after cooling, but complications can develop later. If heatstroke is suspected, your dog should be assessed urgently rather than watched at home.
Should I use ice-cold water to cool my dog?
Cool tap water and moving air are sensible first-aid measures. Avoid delaying veterinary care to arrange ice or an ice bath.
Can dogs get heatstroke in the shade?
Yes. Heat, humidity, poor airflow, heavy exercise and individual health conditions can all contribute. Shade helps reduce risk but does not guarantee safety.
How much does emergency heatstroke treatment cost?
The cost depends on your dog's condition and the care needed. We provide an estimate before treatment and discuss any proposed changes. Eligible pet insurance policies may be supported through GapOnly claims.
Do I need an appointment at night?
No. Mandurah Emergency Vets is open every hour of the year. Please call ahead if you can so we can prepare, then come straight in.
Worried about heatstroke? Call (08) 6313 4800 and come straight to Mandurah Emergency Vets, 13A Gordon Road, Mandurah WA 6210. We are open 24/7, 365 days a year, with no appointment needed and onsite parking available.