Summertime means beach time, no school, popsicles and swim shorts. Our pets enjoy summer, too. Summertime in hot climates like ours can come with some challenges for our pets; however, with a little planning ahead, we can make sure everybody has a safe and enjoyable summer!
One of the biggest dangers to a pet during a Florida summer is heat stroke. If a pet’s internal temperature gets too high, seizures, injury to the internal organs, and brain damage can result. Heat stroke can be fatal. Make sure your pets have plenty of water available at all times. If your pet is outside, make sure they have a cool place in the shade to retreat to. Take your dogs for a walk in the early morning (before 9:00AM) or in the evening after sundown when it’s a little cooler. And of course, never, ever leave your pet in the car, even if the windows are open, even if you think you’ll just be gone for a minute. They can overheat and die very rapidly, sometimes before anyone realizes something is wrong.
Florida summers mean intense Florida sun, and that can heat up roads and sidewalks rapidly. If the pavement is too hot, dogs and cats both can burn and blister their paws, which is painful and takes a long time to heal. To test it, place the back of your hand on the pavement. If it’s too hot to comfortably keep your hand there for at least ten seconds, it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.
Many dogs LOVE swimming in the sea, and unfortunately many of them wind up drinking salt water, either accidentally or deliberately. Drinking a little seawater will not harm them; a lot of seawater can lead to vomiting, diarrhea, or in extreme cases neurologic disease (this is call salt toxicity and is rare). If your pet is having any of these signs after a visit to the beach, call your veterinarian.
Summer means that small wild animals are on the move. Be aware that rats, mice, and other rodents can carry rodent poison into your yard, where it will be harmful to your pets. Pets can also get sick from eating a rodent that has itself eaten rodent poison. Use kill traps instead of rodenticides to treat rodent problems in and around your home. It’s better for your family, your pets, and for local wildlife, too!
Summer is a great time to take your bird or reptile to the vet for a wellness check up! Birds and reptiles need annual wellness exams just like dogs and cats, and warmer temperatures mean it is less likely that your pet will get chilled going to or from the vet. For our exotic pet friends, wellness checkups are even more important than for our dog and cat friends, so call for your pet’s appointment today!
One thing summer brings that is less appealing: bugs. Flies and other insects are out year-round in Florida, but many species get more numerous during the summer heat and rains. Make sure that your dogs, cats, and ferrets are up to date on their heartworm preventatives—heartworm disease is spread by mosquito bites, and mosquitos thrive in the summer rainy season. (They can also get in your house, so indoor pets need protection, too!) Fly strike, otherwise known as maggots, is more likely in the summer. Flies lay eggs into damaged skin; infected skin, open wounds, and skin that is covered in urine or feces is at risk. This is especially a problem in rabbits and other small mammals if they cannot clean themselves effectively; outdoor rabbits are very prone to fly strike, but all species of pet can be affected.
If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s summer health, please call us any time. Stay safe, and have fun!