Heatstroke

Overheating is most common in dogs and often associated with hot humid weather, excessive activity and/or ineffective cooling.  In some cases it is secondary to accidental exposure (e.g. being locked in a car) or seizure activity.  In can be cause or effect of upper airway obstruction, such as larygneal paralysis or swelling. 

Overheated animals can suffer systemic complications, including multiple organ dysfunction, inabilty to clot blood, brain injury and death.  Rapid cooling is an appropriate first aid measure, but should not delay professional treatment. 

Cooling the dog with cold water from a hose or immersion, ice packs, etc, should occur rapidly and affected animal then immediately transported for emergency treatment. 

This is a classic situation where early and aggressive intervention notably increases survival rate.

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