Summer is the season for outdoor activities with your pet. The weather is beautiful, the sun is shining, and there is no lack of fun to engage in. However, while it’s important to maximize your summer, it’s equally as important to identify the potential summer pet health hazards to ensure your pet can have an adventurous and exciting summer free of accidents or illnesses.
Fleas, Ticks, and Mosquitos
Perhaps the least anticipated part of summer is the emergence of several dangerous pests, including fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Fleas and ticks thrive in humidity, taking residence outdoors in areas that permit them to easily latch onto your pet as they pass by. Fleas and ticks carry a range of harmful illnesses that can pose significant health risks to your pet, and they can also travel into your home and result in uncomfortable infestations.
Mosquitoes are another summer pest, and they may carry heartworms. When they come in contact with an animal, they transmit these parasitic creatures to the animal. Once in the bloodstream, heartworms travel toward the heart and other organs resulting in decreased health and in severe cases, death. Fortunately, the risk of dangerous mosquitoes, fleas, and ticks can be mitigated by pursuing preventative medication from your trusted veterinarian.
Understand the Signs of Heatstroke
Your pet may enjoy basking in the hot sun, and while that is fine in moderation, excessive heat and sunlight can pose health hazards to your pet. It’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the symptoms of heat stroke in order to know how to move in the event that your pet begins displaying signs of being ill from the sun. The symptoms of heat stroke include the following:
• Restlessness, agitation, pacing, or visible distress
• Excessive drooling
• Red or puffy gums or tongue
• Intense panting or loud, troublesome breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Diarrhea or vomiting
If you notice any of the following symptoms of heat stroke it’s important to act fast and get your pet to your local veterinarian for prompt medical intervention.
For more information about summer pet hazards and trusted ways to keep your pet safe and healthy, contact your local veterinarian today.
