Summer is a fun time of year. People love it and pets love it. Enjoy the season, but keep a watchful eye on Fido and Fluffy. This glorious weather brings with it some hazards.
Heat stroke is one of the biggest summer risks for pets. Never leave your pet in a parked car during warm days, even briefly. An errand may take longer than expected, putting your four-legged friend in harm's way. Parking in the shade or cracking the windows has little effect. Every year, pets die needlessly by overheating in their owners' vehicles.
Exercising Fido on warm days may also cause heat stroke. A safe outdoor temperature for one pet may not be safe for another. Certain breeds are less tolerant of heat than others. Senior pets are also less heat-tolerant. Medical conditions, such as obesity, heart disease and respiratory disease, increase pets' risk for heat stroke.
It is important to monitor your pet for signs of heat stroke. Initially, the animal will pant rapidly and have thick, sticky saliva. His tongue will be deep red. As heat stroke progresses, his gums may become pale. He may vomit, stagger and collapse.
If you think your pet has the initial signs of heat stroke, administer first aid. Lower his body temperature by bringing him out of the heat, soaking him with cool (not cold) water and using fans or air conditioning. Offer him water when he can drink. Then bring him to your veterinarian. Advanced heat stroke is life-threatening and requires immediate veterinary attention.
Another condition that can cause overheating is laryngeal paralysis. This is an abnormality of the nerves that control the larynx, or voice box. Owners often notice coughing or gagging, especially during eating, and increased noise when panting. Sometimes the dog's bark sounds different. This medical condition is most common in older dogs, especially Labrador retrievers. It is not caused by summer weather, but the clinical signs often become most apparent during this time.
Because dogs with this condition cannot pant normally, they are unable to cool themselves properly and overheating results. During panting, the abnormal larynx prevents the open flow of air in the throat. Heavy panting exacerbates this problem. The larynx becomes inflamed and swollen, further restricting airflow. The throat can swell to the point of asphyxiation and death. These dogs need immediate veterinary care.
Dogs with signs of early laryngeal paralysis should be examined by their veterinarian. Early diagnosis can prevent an emergency situation and save the dog's life. Surgery is an effective treatment.
Skunk encounters are another summer hazard in Greater Newburyport. If you have a pet that goes outside, you may want to be prepared. Over-the-counter products such as Skunk-Off are available. A homemade recipe of 4 cups 3 percent hydrogen peroxide, one-quarter cup baking soda and 1 teaspoon liquid soap should also be effective. Leave this mixture on your pet's coat for several minutes, then rinse. This will need to be repeated a few times. Be sure to prepare this formula outdoors and discard any remaining solution, as it will get hot and become unstable.
As soon as you are able to put your pet in a car, animals that have been "skunked" should be seen by their veterinarian. The skunk spray can irritate the eyes and cause conjunctivitis. Many of these patients are also nauseous.
Insect stings are annoying for everyone in the summer. Pets may be allergic to certain stings, resulting in hives and a swollen face. It is a good idea to keep Benadryl at home for your pet. Benadryl comes in numerous combinations for various symptoms; be sure to use only plain Benadryl for your pet's allergies. Ask your veterinarian for your pet's dose.
Lawn burn is a frustrating and common summer problem. It occurs when the urine from your dog kills the grass, resulting in unsightly patches on your lawn. Contrary to popular belief, it is not caused by the acidity of the urine. Lawn burn is caused by high levels of nitrogen in the urine.
The best solution for lawn burn is to follow your dog outside with a bucket of water, and pour it over the freshly urinated grass. This will dilute the nitrogen so that the grass will not be harmed. However, this is not always practical.
Several other approaches may minimize lawn burn. Encourage your dog to drink more water, so that his urine is more dilute. Dogs can also be trained to relieve themselves in one inconspicuous corner of your yard. Or, you may seed your lawn with more urine-tolerant grasses, such as perennial rye grasses and fescues.
On those dog days of summer, find ice water and a shady spot. Your four-legged friends will enjoy some rest and relaxation, and maybe a cat nap, with you.
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Dr. Heidi Bassler is medical director of the Veterinary Center of Greater Newburyport (www.vetcgn.com). Do you have questions for Dr. Bassler? Send them to heidibasslerdvm@comcast.net.
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