Many of us look forward to the summer months eagerly, excited about all the seasonal fruits, ice cream, and long holidays. As a pet parent, though, you need to also watch out for the health of your little canine companions.
Here are 4 common summer diseases you need to be careful of.
Hyperthermia
Also referred to as “overheating,” hyperthermia occurs in both dogs and humans. Hyperthermia is when your body absorbs more heat than it can release, causing temperatures to rise alarmingly. It’s also important to note that dogs with dark-colored fur are more vulnerable to hyperthermia.
Here are some primary causes of hyperthermia in dogs:
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Excessive heat or humidity due to extreme weather conditions or being enclosed in a small, unventilated space.
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An underlying health condition like airway breathing problem or obesity.
Exposure to toxins like compost, chocolate, moldy food, slugs, snails, etc.
Symptoms of hyperthermia:
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Warm body temperature (considerably warmer than usual)
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Increased heart rate
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Flushed skin
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Heavy panting
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Excessive drooling
Black stool
How to protect your pet from hyperthermia?
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Ensure that they’re indoors during the hottest parts of the day.
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Provide them with access to cool, fresh water at all times.
Brush their fur regularly to encourage healthy airflow to their skin.
Lyme Disease
One of the most common tick-transmitted diseases in dogs globally, Lyme disease occurs by the transmission of the Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria through a tick bite. This disease isn’t limited to just dogs and can also be found in cats, horses, and humans.
The warmth of summer is ideal for the hatching of tick eggs, which makes it a common problem during this time.
Symptoms of Lyme Disease:
Most dogs that suffer from Lyme Disease do not show any symptoms. But in those rare ones that do, you’ll see:
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Constant fatigue and loss of appetite
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Lameness
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Swelling in joints and lymph nodes
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Fever
Stiffness in walking
How to protect your pet from Lyme Disease?
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Avoid letting them play in grassy or woody areas where the presence of ticks is higher.
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Check their coat thoroughly for ticks, particularly after playtime.
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Make your backyard inhospitable to ticks by regular use of pesticides.
Talk to your vet about the best flea and tick control products for your pet.
Sunburn
It might come as a surprise to many, but sunburn is not a condition limited to humans. A dog’s skin also runs a risk of burns, particularly in the areas with thin or no hair, such as their belly, nose, mouth, ears, and paws. In fact, breeds with a light-colored coat can also get sunburn through their fur.
Symptoms of Sunburn:
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Skin dryness, resulting in cracks in worse cases.
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Redness in the affected areas.
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Excessive scratching.
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Whimpering.
Shying away from touch.
If not treated effectively, the sunburned areas of your pet’s skin can also be vulnerable to skin diseases like cancer.
How to protect your pet from Sunburn?
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Avoid taking them out during daytime by setting their walk timings before 7 AM or after sunset.
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If your pet enjoys playing in the yard, get a shade installed for them.
Purchase a dog sunscreen and apply on the sensitive areas of their skin when going out during the daytime.
Flea allergies
Clinically referred to as Flea Allergy Dermatitis (FAD), flea allergy is a condition in dogs and cats where even a single flea bite can prove to be lethal.
When fleas bite animals, they inject saliva into their skin, which causes mild irritation in a majority of them. In some dogs, the saliva triggers an allergic reaction, worsening the otherwise moderate symptoms.
Symptoms of flea allergies:
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Constant itching, clawing, and biting that continues for longer than 2-4 hours.
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Rashes or bleeding in the area of the bite and several raised bumps that appear like pimples.
Loss of hair in the bite-infected area.
How to protect your pet from flea allergies?
There are two ways of protecting your pet from flea allergies: medicative and hygienic.
On the medicative front, consult veterinary doctor for advice on which anti-flea shampoo would be ideal for your pet. As these allergies can worsen in summer, you’ll need to bathe them with this shampoo once a week.
Ramp up home hygiene by washing your beddings, rugs, and carpets in warm water to get rid of fleas. If you use a vacuum cleaner, always empty the vacuum bag outside.
Lazy summer days are joyous but the safety of your pet is your topmost priority. We hope this post helps keep them safe and sound this summer!
