Health Issues

Summer Health Tips For Dogs

Spring has finally sprung, as they say! We’re off to a fabulous start, and I, for one, can’t wait for the summer weather. Neither can Bailey and Yorke, and as I have been taking their health needs into account I thought it might be a good idea to share some important information with you. Please understand that these are general tips and recommendations, I am not a veterinarian nor am I qualified to give medical advice.

Fleas and ticks: This is probably the number one concern among dog owners as the warm weather approaches. Now that the temperatures are regularly above 55 degrees Fahrenheit, we can expect to see more and more of these horrid little pests. We recently tried a new product for Bailey and Yorke that we are pleased to say has worked wonderfully (smells good, too!), and it’s all natural!  

It’s called “Flea Flicker” and it is made by Aromadog. Locally, it is available at The Pet Cabaret, in Roslindale, Mass.  Visit The Pet Cabaret for more info!

Heat and heat stroke: It’s hard to believe, but I still see people leaving their dogs in the car on a sunny day. This is one of the most dangerous things you can do to your dog. Even on a 75 degree day with the windows open, the car can quickly heat to 120 degrees! Dogs can suffer heat stroke, dehydration, and even sunburn. Warning signs of dehydration and heat stroke may include:

• rapid breathing, increased heart rate
• discolored gums
• disorientation
• wild or panicked expression

If you plan to leave your dog in the car during the summer months, please just leave him at home instead. If your dog should overheat, the first thing you should do is plan to get to your vet ASAP. In the interim, the following tips will help your dog cool down: cool down your dog by wetting his feet and legs with cool water. DO NOT toss cold water over your dog’s whole body, you could send him into shock! Rather, wrap your dog in a wet towel, turn on a fan or get the dog into some shade or air conditioning.

Working Out: As you ease back into your outdoor exercise routine, remember that your dog needs to ease back into exercise as well. Start with a little today, a little more tomorrow, etc. until your dog can keep up with you for your whole program. Remember, their little bodies can’t handle what yours and mine can!

Watch What They Eat: Many dogs eat grass and their owners assume they are doing it to soothe their stomach – not true! They eat the grass because it tastes good to them and because they can. It doesn’t digest well and can cause vomiting and diarrhea. Plus, if the grass has been treated with pesticides, fertilizers or other chemicals you could end up making an emergency trip to the vet. Best idea of all – if your dog is eating any vegetation, stop him right away!

General Tips and Info: Regular heartworm medication is a must! See your vet to have your dog tested and then begin administering regular doses. Avoid leaving your dog outside all day if at all possible. If he must stay outside, make sure he has plenty of fresh water and a shady place to relax. Do not leave your dog tied to a tree – he could get himself tangled and be stuck in the sun all day! Don’t let your dog drink from stagnant ponds or other standing water – they’re algae factories!

General Health Issues

Tapeworms  

Common cause:  A dog swallows a flea that contains infected tapeworm larvae.  Less commonly, dogs can also become infected by eating a rabbit or a rodent which can harbor a different species of tapeworm.  

Diagnosis:  look for small white segments (about the size of a grain of rice) crawling near the dog’s anus or in it’s stool. Tapeworms are not detected through routine fecal examination.  

Prevention:  Your vet can prescribe a medication that will dissolve the tapeworms internally. Control fleas and ticks with any over the counter product and prevent your dog from hunting rodents that may carry a different strain of tapeworm.  

Whipworms 

Common Cause:  Transmitted to dogs when they eat soil containing the eggs of the whipworm. Because whipworms pass microscopic eggs in the dog’s stool, re-infection is possible when the eggs mature in approximately 30 days.  

Diagnosis:  Look for chronic diarrhea, stool that contains mucus or blood, weight loss, seizures which may be a sign of abnormal electrolyte levels.  

Prevention:  Treatment takes about 3 months to allow for the life cycle of the whipworm. Talk with your vet to determine the appropriate treatment and medication regime. Keep the dog’s outdoor play area clean and free of standing feces.

Heartworms  

Common Cause:  Transmitted to dogs by mosquitoes that have fed off another animal with heartworms. The heartworms circulate through the arteries to the heart where they mature into the adult stage, which takes about 6 months.   

Diagnosis:  Look for coughing, difficulty breathing, weakness, fainting or collapsing after exercise.  

Prevention:  Preventive medications available from your vet are nearly 100% effective in stopping heartworms before they start. If your dog does develop heartworms, consult with your vet about a treatment regimen.

Hookworms  

Common Cause:  Dogs can be infected either by ingesting hookworms in their larval stage, or they can become infected when the larvae penetrates their skin, most commonly the feet. Once inside, they will hook into the small intestine and eat away at the tissue and suck blood.  

Diagnosis:  Look for pale gums (a sign of anemia brought on by blood loss), bloody stool or diarrhea, weakness or weight loss. Puppies are more severely affected by the blood loss associated with hookworms than their older counterparts.   

Prevention:  Have your dog dewormed regularly, pick up and dispose of all feces immediately, clean and disinfect the kennel area regularly.

Parvo Virus

Common Cause:  Transmitted between dogs when one dog eats the feces of another (infected) dog. The parvo virus can remain toxic for months in the environment.

Diagnosis:  Look for diarrhea, vomiting, depression, dehydration or weigh loss.   

Prevention:  Since there is no cure for parvo, your best course of action is to keep the dog’s environment clean, prevent them from eating the feces of other dogs and have your puppy vaccinated. Talk to your vet to see that you are on the right vaccination schedule for your particular breed of dog.