Early Warning Signs of Heat Stroke in Pets

by | Aug 12, 2025 | Blogs, Pet Safety, Veterinary Urgent Care

Even though many folks jokingly say that summer ends after the 4th of July in New England, we know that we are still in the dog days of summer! The heat will stick around well into September and for our pets that means a lingering risk of heat stroke.

Late summer and early fall days can still bring high temperatures, and some can forget that our pets deal with the heat differently than we do.

It’s important to notice the early warning signs of heat stroke in pets and to seek out veterinary care immediately at one of our 8 urgent care hospitals in Massachusetts and Rhode Island or your closest 24/7 emergency medical center.

If you notice your pet experiencing any of these signs, please get them out of the heat and to a veterinary urgent care facility immediately:

  • Excessive Panting – Heavy, rapid breathing that doesn’t ease after rest or water.
  • Bright Red or Pale Gums – Color changes in the mouth are often a warning sign of overheating.
  • Lethargy or Weakness – If your pet suddenly seems tired, wobbly, or uninterested in normal activities.
  • Drooling or Thick Saliva – An unusual increase in drool can signal heat stress.
  • Vomiting or Diarrhea – Especially if it happens suddenly during warm weather.
  • Collapse or Seizures – These are signs of severe heat stroke and require immediate veterinary attention.

Move your pet to a cool, shaded area immediately. Offer fresh, cool (not ice-cold) water, and use cool, damp towels on their body—especially the belly, paws, and armpits. Then, get to your veterinarian or the nearest emergency animal hospital without delay. Heat stroke can become a life-threatening emergency in a matter of minutes.

Veterinary Urgent Care Center has 8 locations across Massachusetts and Rhode Island and we are available 7 days a week. Book online or view our hours before you walk-in, for Braintree, Dedham, East Providence, Easton, Narragansett, Plymouth, Saugus, and Worcester, at veturgentcare.com.

 

Let’s Get Social

Explore Our Blog

Explore by Category

Book an Appointment

It's Easy to Book Online

Click the button below to be redirected to our easy-to-use online scheduling system. Schedule in just a few clicks!

A Full Range of Services to Keep Your Pet Healthy

At Veterinary Urgent Care Center, we understand your busy schedule. As much as we love our pets, sometimes life gets in the way and prevents us from booking that last-minute kennel cough vaccine or routine check-up. That’s why we are here for your furry friends – and you – when you need us.

We offer a variety of treatments for both dogs and cats to get your pet caught up on all their routine wellness needs, today. With on our state-of-the-art in-house diagnostic laboratory and our expert staff, your pet will be well attended to whether they are a canine or a feline!

What We Offer

  • Vaccines
  • Fecal Testing
  • Tick-Born Disease Testing
  • Heartworm Testing
  • Routine Blood Work
  • Urine Testing

How It Works

Register and Book Online… Book by visiting the online scheduler – linked below – to identify your closest hospital location.

Stay Patient… Please note, as an urgent care facility, we will prioritize the sickest patients first. We ask for your patience if a sicker pet needing immediate care comes to our facility while you are here for your wellness visit.

Visit Any of Our Convenient Locations

VUCC Braintree

27 Commerical St., Braintree, MA 02184
617-481-5197 | braintree@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Dedham

926 Providence Highway, Dedham, MA 
781-373-8080 | dedham@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Easton

25 Washington Street (a.k.a. 3 Roche Bros. Way), North Easton, MA 02356
508-817-5088 | easton@veturgentcare.com

VUCC East Providence

73 Highland Ave., East Providence, RI 02914
401-354-1099eastprovidence@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Narragansett

91 Point Judith Rd., Narragansett, RI 02882
401-244-8298 | narragansett@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Plymouth

34 Long Pond Rd, Plymouth, MA 02360
774-608-7016 | plymouth@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Saugus

880 Broadway, Saugus, MA
339-204-4990 | saugus@veturgentcare.com

VUCC Worcester

70 Gold Star Blvd, Worcester, MA 01606
857-416-9009 | worcester@veturgentcare.com

Do I need an appointment for routine services or do you take walk-ins?

Yes, we recommend registering and booking online before visiting the clinic. Scheduling your appointment ahead of time will help us serve you and your pet more efficiently.

Please note, as an urgent care facility, we do prioritize the most critical cases. While we aim to minimize wait times, please be prepared for potential delays if emergency cases arise during your visit.

Can I bring my pet in just for vaccines or testing?

Absolutely! Our team is here to help get your pet up to date on vaccines, lab tests, and other routine wellness services—no annual exam required.

What should I bring to my pet’s appointment?

Please bring any prior medical records if available, along with a list of current medications and your pet’s most recent vaccine history. This helps us provide the best possible care.

Are routine services covered by pet insurance?

Coverage depends on your provider and plan. We recommend checking directly with your pet insurance company to confirm which routine services are included.

If my pet looks fine, does it really need routine blood work or other testing?

Definitely. Pets are masters at hiding discomfort and illness, and even healthy, young pets can develop hidden conditions that routine blood, urine, or fecal testing can catch early.

Regular wellness screenings establish a baseline for your pet’s health, making it easier to detect changes as they age—or even before symptoms appear. Early treatment is the most effective and least expensive in the long run.

Does my pet still need annual check-ups if their already vaccinated?

Vaccinations are just one part of preventive care. Annual visits allow you to monitor your pet’s weight, dental health, and internal organ function.

We can also update vaccines based on lifestyle changes and new health risks—vaccines are not a one-and-done solution.

Do I need to bring my indoor cat to the vet?

Many owners assume that their “indoor only” cats cannot develop disease, but this is simply a myth. Don’t forget about your feline friends. The most common diseases we see in cats include thyroid disease, kidney disease and diabetes. Early detection through simple, inexpensive blood testing can help your cat live a longer, happier, and healthier life. Don’t let your cat be one of the 60% of cats that go without consistent veterinary care!

Can I skip a fecal test if I don’t see worms?

Not necessarily. Many intestinal parasites aren't visible to the naked eye and may not cause obvious symptoms right away. Fecal testing helps ensure your pet stays protected, as well as keeping your human family members safe since some parasites are transmissible to humans (zoonotic).

Do small dogs and cats need heartworm prevention?

Yes! Heartworm disease is spread by mosquitoes, which can easily enter your home can affect furry friends of all sizes. Preventive care is much easier and less expensive than treating heartworm disease, which can be severe and—in the worst cases—even fatal.

If Lyme disease is spread by ticks, can my pet still get Lyme if I live in the city?

Ticks aren’t just in suburban and rural areas. Urban areas have ticks, too. Ticks can be picked up in the park, on a walk around the block, or anywhere else your pet interacts with the outside environment.

It’s a myth that your pet doesn’t need testing or prevention if you live in an urban area. Annual tick-borne disease testing is recommended, especially if you live in a region where tick exposure is common.