Heat stroke is a life-threatening welfare emergency in dogs that is almost entirely preventable, caused by hot weather, exercise in heat, hot vehicles and brachycephalic conformation.
Heat stroke causes acute suffering and high mortality or lasting organ damage in surviving cases. Prevention is straightforward and highly effective: avoiding exercise in heat, never leaving dogs in vehicles, and recognising early warning signs. The welfare case for education about heat stroke prevention is strong given the entirely preventable nature of most cases.