Warm weather is here! With the warmer weather, many pet owners are getting outdoors with their pets. Commons areas in condo/apartment complexes and dog parks are becoming the place to be on a sunny afternoon. Here are a few things to remember before you and your pet head out for some playtime.
Vaccines: Dogs should have rabies, distemper/parvo, & bordetella. If you are planning to walk in the woods or tall grasses, they should also be vaccinated for lyme disease (tick-borne disease) & leptospirosis (bacterial disease transmitted via urine). Cats should have rabies, distemper/upper respiratory, & feline leukemia. Cats living outdoors should also have feline immunodeficiency virus. Make sure your dogs & cats are properly vaccinated per your veterinarian before venturing out. You never know if sick animals have been nearby or if the pets you meet while out are properly vaccinated.
Parasite Control-Internal: Your pet should have a stool sample checked at least annually for intestinal parasites such as roundworms, hookworms, whipworms & coccidia. All are easily picked up in commons areas & are spread in stool & water (puddles, ponds, etc). Several are also transmissible to humans! Keep your pet on heartworm prevention every month to help with some of the common intestinal parasites. Be courteous & pick up your pet's stool to help control the spread of intestinal parasites & illnesses.
Parasite Control-External: Common external parasites include fleas & ticks. You may not always see these parasites who sneak onto your pet & can cause serious illnesses. Check your pet daily, especially after outtings or walks, for fleas & ticks. Check the legs & belly, tail base, & face/ears as these areas are where these parasites tend to be found. Help prevent these parasites with monthly flea & tick control. Ask your veterinarian for recommended products.
Interaction with Others: Although you may think your pet won't bite or will be fine with other dogs or people, please remember that all animals can & will bite when they are scared or hurt. Like with people, dogs & cats have different personalities & may not get along with every animal or human they come into contact with. You also do not know what other animals you encounter will do. Keep your pet on a leash & secure collar or harness. Watch body language. If your pet seems nervous or frightened move to a different area. If your pet is a known nipper, consider investing in a basket muzzle. These allow the pet to breathe easily & take treats while protecting others from being bitten.
If you are in an off leash area, watch your dog closely. If he or she shows signs of fear or aggression, remove him or her from the situation. If you witness a fight, do NOT reach for the animals involved! Clap your hands, stomp, make loud noise to distract the animals. Empty pop cans with rocks or coins make good distractors. You may also spray the animals with water. Reaching into the mix of fighting animals puts you at a high risk for getting bit by accident. All fight wounds, both human & animals, should be seen by a professional as soon as possible as many require antibiotics.
High Temperatures: As summer days heat up, remember your pets outside. Always take water and a bowl with you on outtings and provide fresh water daily to outdoor pets. Pets living outside should have ready access to shelter from the hot sun. Watch your pets closely on walks or while playing. Fast breathing or heavy panting, vomiting, lethargy and collapse can be signs of heat stroke. If you are hot, your pet probably is too! Exercise or play in moderation, and take advantage of cooler temps during the early morning and late evening.
Take special precautions with bracycephalic dogs. Bracycephalic refers to what are commonly known as "smoosh-faced" dogs such as mastiffs, boxers, bulldogs and pugs. They tend to have a harder time breathing, especially in warmer weather and after strenuous exercise or play. If you notice any problems with your pet in regards to breathing, vomiting or lethargy/collapse during hot weather, contact your veterinarian immediately! You may be directed to the nearest emergency clinic as this can be life threatening.
By following this advice, you and your pet can continue to have fun in the sun!