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During the hot days of summer, there are several health hazards that may affect your pet. Anticipating problems before they occur can make your pet’s spring and summer a safe and healthy one.

Environmental Risks

Heat Stroke and Heat Exhaustion

Dogs are very resilient in their ability to cope with changes in their environment such as cold and hot weather changes but with excessively high temperatures, dogs can only disipate their heat through panting and sweating through their feet. Therefore, a short exposure to a very high temperature could be life threatening. Most people are aware that leaving a pet in a locked car on a 100F degree-day would be dangerous. However, it is the seemingly mild days of spring (and fall) that pose great danger, too. Even with the windows open some, temperatures can reach over 120 degrees or more in minutes.

The critical temperature for organ failure in the dog is 109 Degrees F. At this point, proteins begin to denature and cell membranes start to malfunction.

Symptoms

1. Panting
2. Salivation
3. High temperature, above 106oF
4. Dark or bright red tongue and gums
5. Excitability
6. Convulsions

Treatment

1. Remove From Heat
2. Cool down with cold water bath or hose
3. Apply alcohol to foot pads
4. Get veterinary treatment rapidly for associated renal failure, cerebral edema, heart arrhythmias, and abnormal bleeding.

Conditions increasing the risk for heat stroke

1. Confinement in a car
2. Exercise such as jogging and ball playing
3. Limited access to shade
4. Limited access to water
5. Old or young animals are more susceptible to heat stroke
6. Cardiac or respiratory conditions
7. Dogs with impaired breathing such as bull dogs

Water Safety

Not all dogs are excellent swimmers. Animal life jackets are available for dogs that are going to be in boats. Care should also be taken with dogs near swimming pools or shorelines that are not easy to climb out of. You should teach your dog to swim the same as you would a child.

Becoming lost when traveling

Always have identification on your pet when traveling and when at home.

Parasitic Risks

1. Mosquito borne diseases including heartworm disease and encephalitis may be especially problematic this year because of the especially wet season. Having your dog on heartworm preventative medication and mosquito control will help prevent these problems.



2. Flea and Tick borne diseases are expected to be especially bad this year with two consecutive mild winters and the recent wet spring. Heartworm and Lyme disease can both be prevented with proper medication or vaccination. In addition, dogs that are allergic to flea bites can develop flea allergy dermatitis, which, if severe, would probably require veterinary treatment to control. Ticks can also cause a local dermatitis. If found, they should be removed by pulling them off at the level of the skin with tweezers or fingernails.



3. Deer Flies can cause problems that involve their eggs being laid along pathways and when a host rubs up against it, it immediately hatches and crawls onto the host’s fur, entering a body opening, and migrating into the tissue under the skin. They frequently infest rabbits, cats, and occasionally dogs. Treatment involves removal of the larva with forceps.



4. Black Fly bites are common this time of year and commonly occur on the lower abdomen of dogs causing a dime-sized area of red inflammation with a dot in the center where the bite occurred. These lesions resolve with time and usually do not require treatment. Dogs left outside for long periods tend to receive multiple bites on the ears.



5. Maggots are a potential problem in animals with wounds or mats of hair that get wet. They attract flies that lay their eggs in the adjacent tissue. They hatch out and borrow into the adjacent tissue causing severe reactions that may become live threatening. If seen, these animals should be taken to a veterinarian immediately.

Food Risks

1. Fatty foods from summer picnic cookouts such as chicken skin, hot dogs, and fat from steak trimmings cause severe inflammatory disease of the pancreas known as pancreatitis. The pancreas is an organ that produces digestive enzymes used to digest food. With this condition, cells of the pancreas are damaged releasing their enzymes into the adjacent tissue causing further damage.

Symptoms

1. Vomiting
2. Diarrhea
3. Not eating
4. Arched back due to abdominal pain

Treatment requires veterinary care and should be sought immediately.

2. Corncobs tossed aside are frequently chewed on by dogs. If a large enough piece is swallowed, it can cause an intestinal obstruction requiring surgical removal to resolve. Avoid letting your dog chew on corncobs.



3. Bones can be lethal to a dog. If a bone is large enough to be gnawed on but not consumed, it is ok for the animal to chew on it. If, however, a dog is able to chew it into pieces and swallow them, a potential laceration or obstruction may occur that would require surgery. Do not let your dog eat bones!