Paws and Claws: Keeping pets safe during hot summer days

by Cindy Anderson, DVM

As much as we—and our pets—enjoy summer, it’s important to remember that summer can come with pet hazards. Photo credit: Josh Rakower on unsplash.com

We all love spending the long, sunny days of summer outdoors with our furry companions, but it’s important to remember that summer can come with hazards.

Fleas, ticks, and heartworm are important pet care concerns in the summer. Make sure you recognize the signs and symptoms so you can help your pets if necessary.

Fleas: Fleas are the most common external parasite to plague companion animals. They are wingless insects that feed on blood, can jump up to 2 feet high and are persistent in the environment.

Ticks: Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of unlucky host animals, such as cats and dogs. Ticks can transmit many diseases through their bite. Species and disease transmission tend to vary based on where you live, so check with your veterinarian about what is common in your area.

Heartworm: Canine heartworm disease develops when a dog is bitten by a mosquito carrying microscopic heartworm larvae (juvenile worms) of a parasite called Dirofilaria immitis. The larvae can quickly penetrate the skin and migrate to the dog’s bloodstream. Adult heartworms can grow 10 to 12 inches in length, often causing lung disease and heart failure. Although easy to prevent, heartworm disease continues to be a major health problem for dogs.

Some other helpful summer tips for your pet:

Give pets plenty of fresh, clean water: When it’s hot or humid, pets can get dehydrated quickly. Make sure your pets have a shady place to get out of the sun and don’t over-exercise them. Keep them indoors when it’s extremely hot.

Know the symptoms of overheating in pets: These symptoms include excessive panting or difficulty breathing, increased heart and respiratory rate, drooling, mild weakness, stupor or even collapse. Symptoms also can include seizures, bloody diarrhea, and vomit along with an elevated body temperature of more than 104 degrees.

Never leave pets alone in a parked vehicle: This can lead to fatal heatstroke, and it’s illegal in several states!

Know that animals with flat faces, like pugs and Persian cats, are more susceptible to heatstroke: These animals cannot pant as effectively. These pets, along with elderly or overweight pets and those with heart or lung diseases, should be kept cool as much as possible.

Do not leave pets unsupervised around bodies of water: If you plan on spending time near a pool, lake or beach with your pets, make sure you give them fresh water and avoid letting them drink from pools, lakes, or oceans. When swimming, introduce your pets to water gradually and make sure they wear flotation devices when on boats. Rinse your dog off after swimming to remove chlorine or salt from their fur.

Close unscreened windows and doors; secure screens: Make sure adjustable screens are tightly secured. Open, unscreened windows pose a real danger to pets, who often fall out of them.

Trim longer hair, but never shave your dog: Dog coat layers protect them from overheating and sunburn. Brushing cats more often than usual can prevent problems caused by excessive heat. Any sunscreen or insect repellent product you use on your pets should be labeled specifically for use on animals.

Don’t let dogs linger on hot asphalt: Your pooch’s body can heat up quickly because it is so close to the ground. Sensitive paw pads can burn. Keep walks during these times to a minimum.

Use caution when using herbicides and insecticides and fertilizer. When applying these products to your yard, it is best to keep your pet away from the area being treated, follow directions on the packaging and prevent your pet from accessing the area until it is dry or has been appropriately watered. Additionally, keep citronella candles, tiki-torch products and insect coils out of pets’ reach as well.

Be mindful of what you are planting in your garden: Identifying possibly harmful plants in your yard or garden ahead of time may prevent unwanted exposures. Always keep an eye on your pet when they are outside as even nontoxic plants can cause stomach upset if ingested.

Food and drink can pose big threats to pets: Sticks to your pet’s normal diet and treats and avoid food high in fat or foods that may be toxic. Keep the garbage out of reach and away from snooping noses. If you’re enjoying alcoholic beverages at your festivities, keep your drinks up and away from pets and clean up any spills before your pets get to them.

Never use fireworks around pets: Exposure to lit fireworks can potentially result in severe burns or trauma, and even unused fireworks can contain hazardous materials. Many pets also are fearful of loud noises and can become lost, scared or disoriented around fireworks, so try to keep them away from the noise in a quiet, sheltered and escape-proof area of your home.

If you have any questions about how to keep your pet safe during the summer months, please call us at Lakelands Trail Veterinary Clinic, 4525 S. M-52, Stockbridge; 517-655-5551.

Cindy Anderson, DVM

Cindy Anderson, DVM, is a graduate of MSU Veterinary College (1992) and has practiced veterinary medicine for over 28 years.