Health Hazards for Dogs

Health hazards for dogs is something to be aware of since summer is often characterized by carefree fun in the sun, as it should be, but there are many summer hazards that exist for dogs. Making yourself aware of the summer hazards for dogs could potentially save your dog’s life and at the very least, make your dog’s life more comfortable.

Top 3 Health Hazards for Dogs

Heatstroke

Summer temperatures soar, thereby encouraging us all to hit the great outdoors. As we head to the beach, the pool, the parks and more, many of us don’t want to leave man’s best friend behind. That’s understandable. However, doing so could put your dog at risk for heat stroke. Did you know that heat stroke can be deadly? That’s a scary thought, but it’s avoidable. Remember this – if you are hot, so is your dog. As a human, you’re better at self-regulating than your dog is. A dog may not always show you that he’s suffering so you should be aware of the signs. Excessive panting, drooling, confusion, glazed over eyes, muscle tremors, and increased heart rate are some of the signs you should be aware of. Take care to walk your pet in the early morning or evening hours to avoid heatstroke. Also take special care with puppies, older dogs, dogs with pushed in faces and dogs that have any health issues.

Pests

Pests are not only a nuisance, but they do carry with them health risks to your dogs. Many dogs are allergic to flea saliva. This can result in excessive itching, rashes and general misery for your dog. Similarly, ticks can easily find their way onto your dog. This is of special concern if you live in an area that deer call home. Ticks can be the cause of Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Canine ehrlichiosis, and canine anaplasmosis. Additionally, mosquitos spread heartworm to dogs. The scary part is that symptoms may take months to present themselves. Heartworm is deadly. Prevention and early detection is key to the best prognosis for your dog. In fact, putting in place a prevention plan can reduce the likelihood that your dog will become a statistic when it comes to these pests.

Sunburn

Just like you, your dog is susceptible to getting sunburn. In fact, your dog may be even more susceptible than you are. Your dog is most likely to get sunburn in areas where not much fur covers him! The eyes, nose, belly and ears are common areas where dogs get sunburn. Hairless dogs, white dogs, and short haired dogs are at a higher risk of sun burn, but all dogs are susceptible. Sunburn causes cancer in dogs, so you need to take precautions to protect your dog. Keeping your dog in the shade when the sun is strongest is the best idea, although we know that’s not always possible. Using a natural sunscreen can help to keep your dog protected. Just be sure you never, ever use sunscreen intended for people. Not only is your dog sensitive to the scents in human grade sunscreen, but the ingredients are toxic to dogs. If your dog has red, dry, or cracked skin that is a sign that he may be suffering from a sun burn. Also, signs of fever, earls curling at the edges and signs of distress while scratching may also indicate the presence of sunburn.

Taking precautions to protect your pet from these 3 summer health hazards should never be taken lightly. If your dog is your best friend, he deserves the best from you. Part of your job is to educate yourself, protect your dog and even better, spread your awareness to others.