- Dogs are susceptible to a variety of ailments as the weather heats up during the summer.
- Heat stroke, allergies and water intoxication are common health risks dogs face in the hotter months if not cared for, or supervised, properly.
- If your dog is showing symptoms of any of these health issues, promptly seek help from a professional.
Summer means warmer temperatures and more outdoors fun for everyone. If your seasonal itinerary includes a four-legged friend by your side, make sure you know how to keep them safe and healthy this season.
Whether you’re going on a midday walk with your dog, spending a day at the lake playing fetch or hanging out at a backyard barbecue together, Fido needs just as much warm weather maintenance as his humans do.
When it comes to our furry friends, summer is not without its own dangers. Dogs are at risk of heat stroke, toxic algae ingestion, water intoxication, allergies and more, and pet owners need to take proper precautions in the heat to protect their pets.
Now that the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has released data indicating this summer season will see “above normal” temperatures in parts of the United States, make sure you’re keeping your pets safe in the coming months.
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Here are some pet health risks to be aware of during the summer:
Heat stroke in dogs
When temperatures are higher, so is the frequency of heat strokes in dogs, according to Canine Journal:
Heat strokes or heat exhaustion stem from an animal getting too hot and can lead them to have difficulty breathing, experiencing dizziness or even dying if left untreated.
Heat stroke can occur when temperatures reach 105 degrees and above. An outside temperature of 75 degrees translates to 118 degrees inside a car, meaning dogs are at a higher risk when traveling in vehicles that are not adequately cooled because they are unable to use cooling techniques like panting to reduce their body’s warmth.
Excessive panting is a common sign that a pet could be adversely affected by the heat.
To avoid any heat mishaps, owners should never leave dogs in warm cars, regularly hydrate pets when exposed to the sun and avoid strenuous exercise. If you believe your pet is overheating, move them into the shade and promptly give them water.
Blue-green algae ingestion
Running through sprinklers and going for a swim have been fan-favorite ways for humans to cool off for years. For pets, a dip in the local pond or a game of fetch through the marsh will do the job.
However, if you and your four-legged friend like to cool down outside, beware of the water you’re wading in and what your dog might be ingesting.
Blue-green algae, known as cyanobacteria, is a type of toxic algae that clumps together in bodies of water. It can be found in non-flowing freshwater during the hot seasons with little rainfall and can grow in decorative ponds and backyard pools if they are not cleaned routinely, according to the American Kennel Club.
Blue-green algae is caused by nutrients, such as phosphorus and nitrogen, being present in bodies of water that are stable, slow-moving or stagnant. Hot temperatures and intermittent exposure to high light intensity are conditions that exacerbate the growth of cyanobacteria, making summer a peak season for run ins.
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Dogs are vulnerable to ingesting toxic algae because of their tendency to play in water either by swimming or enjoying a few rounds of fetch. If high concentrations of cyanobacteria toxins are consumed, dogs (and humans) can become poisoned.
Not only can dogs contract these toxins by opening their mouths to grab tennis balls or other round-shaped toys in the water, but they also can become afflicted by licking the bacteria off their paws when leaving the water.
To avoid blue-green algae poisoning, the American Kennel Club advises the following:
- Do not let your dog drink out of lakes and ponds.
- Keep your dog leashes around bodies of water, especially if the water looks foamy, dirty or has mats on the surface of the water.
- Remember that algae blooms can be vibrant green, brown, blue or red, and sometimes look like paint floating on the water. Toxic algae often have an unpleasant, almost nauseating, smell, which sometimes attracts animals who want to taste the water. Do not let your pet do this.
- If you believe a body of water has blue-green algae, contact your local government to see if they can treat the water to protect both animals and humans in the area.
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Symptoms of cyanobacteria poisoning can appear anywhere from 15 minutes to several days after exposure. Signs of blue-green algae ingestion include:
- Breathing difficulties.
- Collapse/unconsciousness.
- Diarrhea or vomiting.
- Disorientation/confusion.
- Drooling.
- Seizures.
- Weakness.
If your pet has been exposed to blue-green algae, immediately rinse them off with clean water and call your vet.
Water intoxication
Water intoxication, also known as water poisoning, hyperhydration and water toxemia, is when a dog’s body becomes overwhelmed due to ingesting an excessive amount of water, according to the American Kennel Club.
Sodium levels outside the cells are depleted, resulting in the body responding to low blood sodium by increasing fluid intake inside the cells. Some organs, such as the liver, can accommodate the increased volume of swelling cells, but others, most notably the brain, cannot.
As the pressure in the brain increases and cells begin to die off, dogs may develop seizures, have difficulty breathing or slip into a coma.
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In dogs, water poisoning usually occurs when water-retrieving, swimming or diving. Even play-biting a stream of water from a hose or sprinkler can overload a dog’s system.
To prevent water intoxication, which is irreversible in advanced cases the American Kennel Club suggests the following:
- Take note of your dog’s swimming style. If it holds its head low in the water with an open mouth, it is at a greater risk for water intoxication.
- Do not allow your dog to retrieve or swim in water without supervision, routing checks and frequent rest breaks.
- Give your dog ample potty breaks between swimming sessions to help remove excess fluid.
- Avoid using tennis balls or round-shaped toss toys for fetching in the water. Opt for a flatter object that allows dogs to better close their mouths around it.
- Do not allow dogs to dive for objects or bite at the high-pressure stream from a hose.
Water poisoning can come on suddenly and be fatal if not treated properly. Symptoms of water intoxication include:
- Bloating.
- Dilated pupils.
- Drooling.
- Glazed eyes.
- Lethargy.
- Loss of coordination, including stumbling, falling or staggering.
- Pale gums.
- Restlessness.
- Vomiting.
To treat dogs with water intoxication, electrolytes are typically administered in moderation to decrease pressure in the brain.
In mild cases, dogs might have a staggering gait but eventually may recuperate and return to normal. In severe cases, brain damage is irreversible and results in death or euthanasia.
If you are worried your dog has water intoxication, immediately take it to a vet or emergency clinic.
Pet allergies
As with humans, dog allergies can wreak havoc at any time of year but are typically more problematic during the summer when pollen levels and insect activity are on the rise.
At-home allergy test kits can help owners identify the cause of the reaction, and veterinarians can provide solutions or allergy medications depending on the allergen.
Symptoms your dog may be suffering from environmental allergies include rubbing around the eyes, constant scratching (with no relief) and obsessive licking.
Hot spots
Canine hot spots (acute moist dermatitis or pyotraumatic dermatitis) are red, inflamed skin lesions common in the summer months. They appear quickly, may contain pus and ooze, and can be painful, smelly and itchy, according to VCA Animal Hospitals.
Hot spots can be found anywhere but often appear on a dog’s legs, head and hips. They can be triggered by various factors, including poor grooming, flea allergies and insect bites, which result in a dog scratching an itch so vigorously it creates an open wound.
If you find a hot spot on your pet, you can treat the problem site by removing the fur from the area and cleaning the infection with an antiseptic solution.
Be sure to cover up the impacted area to prevent the dog from licking it or otherwise disturbing it until it is fully healed.
Ear infections
The likelihood of a dog developing an ear infection increases when temperatures start to heat up because bacteria grow faster in hotter conditions.
Symptoms of an ear infection in dogs include ear odor, repeated shaking of their head, loss of balance and yellow, brown or bloody discharge, according to Canine Journal.
The best way to prevent ear infections in pets is to routinely clean and dry their ears.
If treated improperly or left untreated, ear infections can lead to hot spots behind the ears or the neck and ear flap. If you believe your dog is suffering from an ear infection, contact your vet for treatment options that fit the severity of the infection.
If your dog shows any symptoms of being affected by the above dangers, contact your vet immediately.
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