Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
July is full of pool parties, fireworks, patriotism, and barbecues. Humans enjoy their summer holidays in their backyard or around the water. Although these weekends are extra fun for humans, they are the riskiest for your pets. Humans will think of sunscreens and watch out for the kids but not enough will think of dangers that come with the summer to their pets.
Statistics from The American Humane Association show that one out of three pets is lost at some point in their lives. The same statistics show that about ten million pets, both dogs and cats, are stolen or lost in the US every year. Additional information from Coalition for Reuniting Pets and Families shows that less than twenty-five percent of these pets are reunited with their families.
Cases of pet death are also on the rise during the summer. These cases are caused by the increasing number of crimes towards animals and the unconducive temperatures and weather conditions. Summer increases cases of heat stress-related injuries and possible deaths for both cats and dogs.
As sad as those statistics are, the summer also provides a perfect chance to be smart and creative with how you keep these cuties comfortable and safe. Here’s a list of some summer dangers for pets and smart tips to avoid them.
Dehydration and Heatstroke
This is the first and the most overlooked pet danger that is very common during the summer. Dogs can become dangerously overheated, becoming sluggish, tired, and restless. They may also start to vomit and diarrhea or excessively salivate. During your summer outings with your pet, always check for dehydration. Pinching the skin to check whether it’s elastic is a viable way of checking whether the pet is dehydrated. It’s also important to provide shade, rest, and sunscreen to your pets. The nose, the ears, eyelids, and the paws are especially susceptible to sun burn. Pets are especially at risk if they are light colored (ginger/white) or have any thin fur/bald patches. It’s important to protect your pet from sunburn, not only because it’s painful but because it can also sometimes lead to skin cancer.
BBQ dangers
There are obvious risks of burning and some grave risks, such as overeating. This shows that you should be very careful with your children and petscin case of outdoor cookouts. The dog can be invited to overeat or any other danger. The trash should be covered, and children strictly advised not to overfeed the dogs and cats. All bones are NOT the same! Bones can get stuck. Sometimes they get stuck across the roof of the mouth. This causes the dog to paw at their face and drool heavily. More worryingly, they can lodge of the back of the throat. The signs of this include breathing difficulties, choking noises, and heavy salivation. When a dog eats a lot of bone, there’s a risk it knits together inside the intestine. That ball of bone then forms a blockage, much like hair clogging a drain. The consequences of a blocked gut are more serious. Firstly, food can’t pass along so the dog vomits and becomes dehydrated. Then the stagnant gut contents release toxins, which poison the dog. And finally, the gut wall can die off. Avoid your pet eating poultry bones. If they do sneak a bone from a chicken or turkey, monitor your pet closely for signs of distress.
Pet drowning in swimming pools
As you enjoy your time in an outdoor swimming pool, be aware that it can only take a few seconds for a dog or a cat to drown. There are some breeds of cats and dogs that are at the greatest danger. This is an overstated summer danger because most people assume their dogs and cats are excellent swimmers. The fact remains that even excellent swimmers may fail to get out of the swimming pool safely. Puppies and Kittens are at the greatest danger of drowning.
Spiders and snakes
Another pervasive danger that comes with summer is one humans don’t always see. Although the risks of a snake and spider bites are not common in all the places, some areas report more severe cases than others. This means that you should protect your pet from venomous animals such as rattlesnakes and black widow spiders. How serious a snake and spider bites is depends on several factors. Some common factors are the pet’s age, size, weight, and breed. It’s now essential to be on the lookout for slithering snakes and spiders when walking your dog in rural areas.
Solar dermatitis
Solar dermatitis is a common condition caused by prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. This condition is prevalent in cats and dogs that have pale and white patches on the skin. The condition usually affects the non-pigmented areas such as the ears, nose, and eyelids. We all know that the harmful rays of the sun can cause skin damages to humans. This is the same issue with cats and dogs. Remember, humans can wear sunscreens, unlike pets. So, always provide enough shade for your pets during those long summer outings.
Pool poison
You will probably be spending a lot of your time in the swimming pool with your dog. Although experts never disclose this, the ingestion of chlorine and other pool chemicals can cause more problems in pets than in humans. For example, dogs may experience stomach distress (diarrhea and vomiting in dogs) and kidney problems. Ingesting some of these chemicals can be hazardous for some pets and can cause serious heart diseases and kidney failure.
Contact Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital to schedule a wellness exam, vaccinations, and calming medications for your pets today!
Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital in Naples offers the most up to date and progressive veterinary services for your pets. Ranging from laser surgery, ultrasound, dental X-rays, radiology, full pharmacy, and in house diagnostics, Animal Oasis Veterinary Hospital provides your pets with the necessary options for treatment.
ANIMAL OASIS VETERINARY HOSPITAL
239-431-9667
www.aovethospital.com
