First, how urgent is this?
Go now
- Any suspected heatstroke: go now.
- Short-muzzled breeds (French Bulldog, Pug and others) are at higher risk.
- Fast breathing, heavy drooling, a bright red or purple tongue.
- Wobbling, seizures or collapse.
Contact your vet today
- Was in heat or a stuffy space, panted but seems back to normal: still needs a check today.
- Brief sun exposure with normal drinking and energy, followed by vomiting or diarrhoea.
Record and observe
- Panting more than usual after being outdoors, settling with rest and water, normal for the rest of the day: record it and avoid long exposure again.
- A dog with known heart or breathing disease under vet care: record any increase in panting and go back for a review.
Before you set off
- Move the dog somewhere cool and ventilated, wet its body with room-temperature water, and set off; do not use ice water or alcohol, and do not wrap it in a towel or blanket.
- When it started, the surroundings (car, outdoors, indoor ventilation) and the rough temperature.
- Whether there was vomiting, diarrhoea or a seizure.
- A list of medicines and the time of the last dose.
- Do not give human medicine; do not let the dog drink a large volume at once.
What your vet may ask and do
- Ask: when it started and where the dog was.
- Ask: any vomiting, diarrhoea, seizure or loss of consciousness.
- Do: temperature, circulation and hydration assessment.
- Do: blood tests (electrolytes, kidney values, clotting).
- Do: fluids and active cooling, with admission for severe cases.
- Do: monitor for organ damage that shows up later.
Where to go in Hong Kong
- Hong Kong 24-hour vet list
- 24-hour emergency, Hong Kong Island
- 24-hour emergency, Kowloon
- 24-hour emergency, New Territories
- Clinics with inpatient care
- What emergency and test fees look like
Call the clinic before you drive over, to confirm tonight's arrangements and the location.