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 Summer Health Tips
Erin Hicks, DVM
Bright, beautiful days have returned, the school year has ended, and summer is upon us once again. The warm weather does present its own special health concerns, however. To keep your pets healthy and happy, prepare your family for safe summer fun with these tips.
Puppies and Kittens
This is the season when most new puppies and kittens join families. (Still searching? Try Petfinder or Kindred Souls Foundation to locate your new family member!) Growing pets require frequent check-ups to ensure they are developing normally, adjusting well with obedience training, and bonding properly with your family. They also need a series of vaccines and parasite treatments to protect them from disease threats.
When you bring a new pet home, please schedule an appointment with one of our doctors for an examination prior to introducing them to other pets in the home. This helps prevent transmission of illnesses and parasites. Be sure to bring a fresh stool sample with you on your appointment day. Most puppies and kittens are born with intestinal parasites, some of which can be transmitted to humans, and we want to be sure we treat any parasites they may have with the appropriate medication. If you have any prior health records for your new pet, please bring them with you as well so that we may have accurate records of their health needs.
Heat Hazards
Heat stroke: Pets are prone to overheating in the summer months. NEVER leave your pet in an unattended vehicle. Even with the windows down, a parked automobile can rapidly become an oven for your pet.
Sunburn: You may be surprised to learn that animals (especially lightly-colored ones with thin hair) can develop sunburns. And just like people, long-term skin damage from the sun can predispose pets to developing certain types of skin cancer. Avoid prolonged exposure to the sun and use sunscreen developed specifically for pets.
Paw pad burns: Hot asphalt or sand is painful to walk on with bare feet, even when you have thick paw pads. Take your dog for walks in shaded areas and save your longer walks for morning or evening, when the temperature is cooler.
Dehydration: It's easy for pets to become dehydrated. Much of their temperature regulation ability is through panting, especially when exercising in the heat. Ensure your pets have access to clean, fresh water at all times to help them keep cool and hydrated.
Summer Health Risks
As we spend more time outdoors with our families, pets develop a higher risk of contracting certain diseases and parasites. Our hospital offers a variety of options for reducing that risk.
Fleas: Fleas tend to be a problem year-round in western Washington due to our relatively mild winters. But they can be particularly bothersome in the summer as pets romp in parks or stroll the neighborhood. Not only do their bites itch, but they serve as vectors of disease! Keep fleas at bay with monthly flea control, which may be performed year-round. Chambers Creek Veterinary Hospital offers diverse flea control methods ranging from a monthly pill or topical liquid to an injection that offers protection for six months, as well as environmental control for your home. Please consult with our staff to determine the method most appropriate for your pet.
Ticks: Ticks are troublesome in some areas of Puget Sound and many parts of eastern Washington. They can also transmit several diseases, some of which can also sicken people. If ticks are ticking you off, please talk to our staff about tick control methods.
Intestinal parasites: Most intestinal parasites (worms) are transmitted through fecal-oral contact. Some of them can be transmitted to people as well. Most dogs and cats who go outdoors are exposed to these parasites by coming into contact with contaminated stool, drinking contaminated water, or hunting birds and rodents. This poses a risk for small children, who cannot always be trusted to wash their hands after playing outside. To help keep your pets and family safe, please talk to our doctors about preventive de-worming. Depending on your pet's lifestyle and family needs, we can determine the best method for keeping intestinal parasites at bay.
Leptospirosis: This bacterial infection infects animals when they drink from a contaminated water supply such as a pond, lake, outdoor water feature, etc. It can cause serious complications in dogs and people, including liver and kidney failure. Help protect your dog with regular vaccination against leptospirosis.
Toxic Threats
Our pets may be exposed to toxins through common household hazards. Is your pet exposed to any of the following?
Garden Plants: Many common garden flowers, vegetables, fruits, and herbs can poison pets. Please refer to the ASPCA's list of toxic plants for more information.
Fertilizer: Some fertilizers contain ingredients that can be toxic to pets. Others are non-toxic, but smell so tempting that pets may indulge themselves and upset their digestive system. Refer to the fertilizer's label instructions and keep your pet away from the fertilizer for the specified time.
Mulch: When ingested, mulch may cause digestive upset in pets. Cocoa mulch can be quite toxic to dogs as well. If your pet has indiscriminate eating habits, make sure they do not have access to mulch and are not allowed in the yard unsupervised when mulch has been applied.
Pest control: Many people use insecticides including slug and fly bait around their homes. This is also a common time of year for people to lay out mole bait and rat poison. Please refer to the label's instructions for safety information and proper use, and do not allow your pet to come into contact with these products. If your pet has ingested any of these products, please contact our hospital immediately for emergency treatment.
Now that you know how to keep your pet safe and healthy in the summer months, go ahead and enjoy the gorgeous weather together!
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