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Heat Stroke Kills Silently and Swiftly
Heat stroke occurs when a pet's internal body temperature rises to levels high enough to lead to death. For heat stroke to occur, a combination of factors must come into play: a confined space, poor ventilation, and high ambient temperatures, such as that produced in direct sunlight. Approximately 70% of total body heat loss, in both dogs and man, occurs via the body surface. As a result, continual air changes (i.e. good ventilation) in the immediate surrounding area of the body are essential in order to remain cool.

In dogs, heat is also released through panting. You will note that a hot dog will have an enlarged tongue while panting. This helps to increase the surface area through which heat can be dissipated. Heat lost in this way can contribute to an increase in the ambient temperature in an enclosed space. Lack of ventilation increases the temperature without allowing the body to effectively remove the excess heat.

Cats are better able to cope with high temperatures but only within reason. They can usually tolerate higher body temperatures because of their desert origins and their ability to cool themselves through licking. Longhaired cats are less likely to release heat than shorthaired cats.