Remember that taking extra time in your summer fun preparations will not only prevent stress in the event of an emergency, but it can save your pet’s life.
With summer weather finally here, there are many opportunities to get outdoors and make up for the long winter we all spent inside.
The downside of outdoor time includes pet health hazards lurking in and around your home.
Ticks and parasites
As a veterinarian, the No. 1 health hazard for pets in our region is ticks. The diseases they carry including Lyme disease, Bartonella, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, anaplasmosis and ehrlichiosis, can cause life-threatening, acute syndromes, in addition to long-term debilitating illness. Additionally, ticks can be carried indoors where they can transmit diseases to you or your family members.
You can protect your pets by using excellent, veterinarian-recommended tick control products. Be aware that many fake and pirated products are being sold through the internet and discount pet-care outlets. This is the one area where I caution owners about getting into trouble with tick-borne illness because they are trying to save a few dollars. Seek and follow your veterinarian’s recommendations.
Heat exhaustion and heat stroke
Signs of heat stroke include lethargy, collapse, panting and bright red or purplish tongue and gums. This condition can rapidly cause shock and death. It most often affects pets that won't take a break from playing or running on hot, humid days.
It also affects dogs with seizure, respiratory and heart conditions, and those breeds with narrow airways like bulldogs and boxers, who cannot pant enough to reduce their internal body temperature. Pets with a condition known as LarPar or laryngeal paralysis will rapidly become overheated.
You can prevent your pet from heat stroke by avoiding intense outdoor playtime when the temperature is higher than 80 degrees, giving your pet frequent water and exercise breaks, assuring that your pug or bulldog has brief walks and frequent access to cool water/air conditioning and preventing dogs affected by LarPar from being in the heat.
Sidewalks and sand
Have you ever walked barefoot on the sidewalk or in the sand on a hot summer day? Remember how much hotter the pavement and sand get compared to surrounding grassy areas?
It is important to keep pets’ feet protected on sunny days by watering down hot surfaces or having them wear boots.
Social gatherings and picnics
Picnics and barbecues pose many threats. Barbecued ribs with bones, corn cobs, toothpicks, fruits like peaches with pits, chocolate, sugary treats and snacks, sugar-free drinks with Xylitol and alcoholic beverages are often dropped and spilled. Accidental or intentional consumption can turn a fun gathering into an ER trip for treatment of pancreatitis, foreign body removal, gastroenteritis or toxin ingestion.
Gatherings can also cause extra stress for animals with lots of people, noise, music and fireworks.
A good option for protecting your pets during picnics and parties is to board them for the day in a crate or kennel within your home or at an outside facility. Herbal and natural remedies can be recommended by your vet to further reduce pet stress. For noise sensitivity, Sileo is a safe and effective remedy for dogs, but only available by prescription from your veterinarian.
Water and swimming pools
During my years in practice, I have seen pets present with fish hooks picked up in lakes, near-drowning experiences and eye irritation from chlorine. It is true that many dogs can swim, but not all of them are good at it. Additionally, older pets who jump out of boats can become exhausted in the water trying to reach shore.
Your best precaution for pets who hang out near water is a well-fitted dog life vest. And take extra precautions with pets who visit fishing ponds and lakes to avoid hook injuries.
Bee, bug stings and snake bites
Many pets are allergic to bee stings. If your pet is one of them, ask your vet to prepare an emergency bee sting kit to keep with you while enjoying the outdoors.
Though our area isn’t affected by many venomous snakes, there have been cases of bites in recent years along the Montour Trail. Since many clients take pets on hiking vacations in the Western and Southern states where venomous snakes are more prevalent, be sure to research where you will be traveling and discuss precautions before you take your pet along. In some areas, snake bite vaccines are recommended. No matter what you decide, snake bites require veterinary attention. When hiking, be sure to carry phone numbers for the nearest 24-hour veterinary facility.
Remember that taking extra time in your preparations will not only prevent stress in the event of an emergency, but it can save your pet’s life.
Dr. Cynthia Maro is a veterinarian at the Ellwood Animal Hospital in Ellwood City and the Chippewa Animal Hospital in Chippewa Township. She writes a biweekly column on pet care and health issues. If you have a topic you’d like addressed, please email ellwoodvet@msn.com.