The Dog Days of Summer - Watch Out for These Common Canine Challenges

Michelle at Vet Organics September 3, 2019 Tags: dog allergies (2)dog ear infections (1)dog health (68)ecoears (2)

Summertime for the majority of the United States falls between mid-June to the end of September. However, there are common canine diseases to watch for whenever there’s summer weather, whether it occurs during summer months or not. There are tons of fun to be had under the sun, for our canine pals and us. Not to darken our sunshiny adventures, but we need to make sure our best buds are safe from overheating as well as common summertime canine diseases. Our dogs can only genuinely enjoy this season if they’re in the best of health.

Allergies

Spring may be over but allergy season depends more on the weather, length of the day, and blooming plants than the season. Pollen can last well into November. In some warmer regions, our pups may have to face allergies year-round. So if our furry pal is allergic to pollen or other environmental factors, we should minimize his exposure and keep an eye out for symptoms. These include rashes, sneezing fits, red and runny eyes, itchy and irritated skin, and shedding in patches. One of the most common, but under-recognized symptoms of allergies in dogs are ear infections.

Unfortunately, this might mean that we cannot let our pal roll around in the grass or, worse, that we would have to limit his time outside. His vet might also recommend antihistamines, steroids, or other medications, such as Apoquel or Cytopoint, to combat his symptoms.

Ear Infection

Spending more time outdoors means more prolonged exposure to harmful agents - such as allergens, mites, and parasites. Dogs ears are susceptible to infection mostly because of their shape and because foreign particles and moisture can easily get stuck on hair and trapped inside the ear canal. If Fido has any of the following symptoms, he might have an ear infection and should be taken to the vet.

An unpleasant and strong smell coming from the ears
Constant head tilting and shaking
Excessive scratching of his ears
Ear canal redness and irritation
Swelling of the outer ear
A yellowish or brownish ear discharge
Some loss of balance
Tenderness or difficulty chewing on one side

When it comes to ear infections, whether resulting from allergies, mites, or fungal, yeast, or bacterial infections, EcoEars is one of the best possible remedies. It’s gentle enough to be used as a regular ear cleaner to help prevent ear infections. Or use EcoEars to eliminate painful, itchy ear infections. EcoEars is all-natural and fast-acting. Try it now and see the difference for yourself.

Flea Infestation

This is something all dog owners dread. A flea infestation, if not detected early enough, can quickly lead to up to 1,000 blood-sucking fleas terrorizing our pooch. In fact, fleas only need three weeks to multiply into a horde. Unfortunately, summer is also flea season. A more accurate statement would be that warm weather is flea season. We should already be familiar with the early symptoms of a flea infection, and should promptly treat our dog before it gets worse:

Allergic dermatitis, or a skin rash due to allergy
Excessive scratching, biting, and licking of the skin
Hair loss
Black dots on the skin, or flea dirt
Tapeworms can be acquired from fleas
Many other flea-borne infections and diseases can occur. For more about the diseases fleas can carry that can transfer to our pups as well as ourselves and our families, check-out these articles about fleas:

Leptospirosis

This is a serious bacterial infection caused by spirochete bacteria. It is usually contracted through direct skin contact with another infected animal. However, it can also be acquired by drinking water from a lake, ditch, or puddle that has been contaminated with urine that contains spirochetes. Leptospirosis can become fatal if not treated immediately. There is a Leptospirosis vaccine available for dogs. We can check with our vet regarding the presence of Lepto in our region and whether a vaccine is warranted. If Fido shows any of the following symptoms, we should bring him to the vet posthaste.

High fever
Joint and body pain
Weakness and general malaise
Vomiting
Diarrhea
Eye and nose discharge

Intestinal Parasites

Spending more time outdoors means a higher risk of exposure to intestinal parasites. Our pooch usually acquires parasitic worms through contact with another infected dog, from soil or water contaminated with worm eggs, or from fleas. The most common intestinal parasites in dogs include hookworms, ringworms, roundworms, and tapeworms. A parasitic infestation requires immediate medical attention because it can have serious health consequences and can even become fatal, especially in puppies and senior dogs.

Symptoms include:

Diarrhea, which may be bloody and may have worms
Vomiting
Loss of appetite
Quick and significant weight loss
Dry and coarse coat
Dragging and rubbing bottom on the floor
A generally sickly appearance

Dehydration

Although not a disease, this is an all too common occurrence during summertime. It can be easy to forget that our dogs do not have the same efficient ability to cool down like we do. Dehydration is not only caused by inadequate water intake, but also excessive water loss due to vomiting, diarrhea, and high fever. Dehydration should be taken seriously, as it can quickly lead to overheating, heatstroke, or a fatal systems shutdown. Symptoms of dehydration include:

Excessive panting
Dry mouth
Weakness and general malaise
Sunken eyes
Loss of appetite
Excessive urination
Sudden weight loss

Immediate treatment involves giving Fido water and keeping him cool. Then be sure to take Fido to the vet as soon as possible. If the body has been taxed too much by the heat, a shutdown can occur hours or even an entire day after extensive exposure and dehydration.

Summer spells fun for us and our best buds because we get to spend more hours outdoors. That said, we should also be aware of the common summer health risks to our dogs and take the necessary precautions to keep them safe and healthy.