The dog days of summer – it’s supposed to be something to look forward to. Fortunately, that’s the case for most dog owners, who find that summer is a blissful time of relaxation and fun. As thrilled as we are that summer’s almost here, it’s important to talk about how to keep your dog safe when it arrives, too.
The bad news: higher temperatures and more time outdoors can increase your dog’s risk for certain diseases, some communicable and some not. Add to this the propensity for getting bit by insects and you can wind up with one very sick, furry little invalid on your hands.
The good news: knowing how to spot symptoms and respond when they hit can keep your pup safe all summer long. Settle in and grab a notepad – you’re about to learn about 10 of the most common summer diseases that could make your dog sick.
Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is perhaps the most serious disease that rises in frequency over summer. It’s a problem not only for your dog, but potentially your family, too, as it is zoonotic (meaning it can be transferred to humans).
This unfortunate disease is caused by a germ called bacterial spirochetes. It penetrates the skin and quickly travels throughout your dog’s body after cuts and scrapes. Leptospirosis can also be passed to your dog from other animals he comes into contact with.
The best way to prevent leptospirosis is to have your dog vaccinated for it. Monitor him closely after encounters for gastrointestinal upset. See your vet if you suspect your dog may have contracted leptospirosis right away.
Lyme Disease
Lyme is a hot topic lately, and with good reason: tick populations are exploding and as many as 65 percent of all ticks test positive for Lyme. Your dog can contract it from a single tick bite, and may even pass the tick on to you without even showing symptoms.
Common lyme disease symptoms for both canines and humans include aching joints, nausea, restlessness, diarrhea, and even convulsions.
If you find a tick on your dog, remove it immediately. Watch the spot carefully; most (but not all) tick bites with Lyme will appear like a red target with a white circle in the center. If you’re unsure, have your dog (and yourself) tested.
Heartworm Disease
Heartworm is single-handedly one of the most devastating canine illnesses in existence. Unbeknownst to most human parents, it takes just a single mosquito bite to impart heartworms into your dog. That one bite can travel through your dog’s bloodstream into his heart, where the worms then multiply quietly until they take his life.
Summer is especially problematic because of increased amounts of mosquitos, but heartworm may be an issue for anyone in the southern states all year round.
The best (and really, the only) way to prevent heartworms is to give your dog a heartworm preventative regularly all year round. Don’t take breaks in the winter; it’s just too risky.
If your dog does contract the disease, treatment needs to occur swiftly and early – late heartworm can be fatal as it causes cardiac arrest, strokes, and other cardiac struggles.
Heat Stroke or Heat Exhaustion
Heat stroke and heat exhaustion refer to the same physical condition: a state of overheating and dehydration that throws your dog’s electrolytes off. Exhaustion refers to the early version, whereas stroke refers to advanced overheating that can in some cases be fatal for your dog.
Dogs have fur coats (shocking revelation, we know). Contrary to popular belief, that won’t insulate them after temperatures reach a certain point. At lower temperatures, your dog’s fur does improve circulation and reduce his temperature, but after temps reach around 80 Fahrenheit, it’s just not effective or efficient.
Shaving your dog isn’t the answer, either; this can expose her to severe sunburns and may impede her comfort at lower temperatures.
Instead, you should monitor environmental temperatures and bring your dog into the shade often. Provide cool, fresh water regularly and wet your dog down if there’s a breeze.
How much water is enough? Your dog should have access to water as needed, but most dogs will drink at least a couple of liters over the course of an afternoon.
If your dog begins to show signs of heat stroke/heat exhaustion like trembling, weakness, vomiting, fainting, diarrhea, or seizures, get to the vet immediately. IV drugs can reduce further damage and prevent eventual stroke or heart attacks.
Most importantly, never leave your dog in a hot car or other enclosed space – not even for a minute. When temperatures are high, skip the trip and hang out at home.
Yeast Infections
“Yuck,” you’re saying. “Yeast infections. Really?” The unfortunate answer is yes, your dog can get yeast infections. Furthermore, he’s more likely to get them in the heat of temperature when it’s humid (the perfect environment for yeast).
Though it is possible for canines to experience yeast infections in the mouth and genitals like humans, it’s much, much more common for them to experience it in the ears.
Crusty, bumpy outer ear skin and smelly inner ears, tilting the head, scratching at an ear, and appearing off-balance are all signs that your dog may be experiencing a yeast infection in and around his ears.
On the rest of the skin, yeast often presents as white patches with red, angry edges. It is intensely itchy, so many pet owners notice it first by their dog’s itchy skin.
Yeast is fairly easy to treat, but you should always seek the advice of a vet when you expect it’s taken hold. Some dogs do fine with topical treatments, while others may need oral medications or even antibiotics if they have secondary infections, too.
That said, you can prevent yeast in your dog’s ears by using a good, reliable canine ear rinse regularly. Wipe away wax on the outer ear if it builds up. Beware small black dots; these are often a sign of ear mites and will require treatment. Finally, never push Q-Tips into your dog’s ear to remove wax or infection. You can push it in further and cause more harm.
If this article seems all doom and gloom, understand that most dogs enjoy summer just fine without even experiencing these issues. But a small number just seem to be extra-susceptible. Understanding symptoms and treatments will ensure that you’re informed if and when an illness strikes. Most importantly, see the vet at least once before summer arrives. Get booster shots and flea preventatives out of the way.