Table 5 Development of the novel VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool for Heat-Related Illness in dogs, based upon the JAAMHC human heat-related illness scale.
From: Proposing the VetCompass clinical grading tool for heat-related illness in dogs
Japanese Association of Acute Medicine Heat-Related Illness Classification stages | Human symptoms | VetCompass Clinical Grading Tool for Heat-Related Illness in dogs grades | Adapted canine clinical signs |
|---|---|---|---|
Stage I | Dizziness, faintness, slight yawning Heavy sweating Muscle pain, stiff muscles (muscle cramps) Impaired consciousness is not observed | Mild | No impaired consciousness observed Lethargy or stiffness Panting heavily or respiratory distress |
Stage II | Headache, vomiting, Fatigue, sinking feeling Declined concentration and judgement | Moderate | Vomiting and/or diarrhoea (no blood present), hypersalivation Collapse (intermittent only) A single seizure |
Stage III | Includes at least one of the following: Central nervous system manifestation (impaired consciousness, cerebellar symptoms, convulsive seizures) Hepatic/renal dysfunction Coagulation disorder | Severe | Includes at least one of the following: Central nervous system impairment (ataxia, two or more seizures, profound depression, unresponsive, coma) Hepatic/renal dysfunction (confirmed on blood tests) Gastrointestinal haemorrhage Coagulation disorder |
Unreported | N/A | Unreported | No clinical signs or diagnostic results recorded in the clinical history |
