Summer Vet Guide for Dogs

Can Dogs Get Heatstroke?

Dogs are unable to sweat like people and on warm days will instead rely on heat loss through panting. As panting is a less efficient way of cooling down than sweating, they can overheat at temperatures much lower than when people begin to feel uncomfortable. Some dogs are at risk of heatstroke when the temperature is below 25 degrees Celsius.

Dogs that have an increased risk of heatstroke include:

• Young puppies
• Very active, ‘high drive’ dogs
• Dogs with chronic illness
• Dogs with thick coats
• Brachycephalic breeds with shortened noses such as pugs and bulldogs.

Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs:

• Excessive panting
• Confusion
• Staggery gait
• Vomiting
• Collapse
• Seizures

Treating Heatstroke in Dogs:

• Stop exercise immediately
• Move your dog into the shade
• Poor cool water over the dog (avoid icy or very cold water – tap water is fine. If using a hose, run the water first until it is cool to touch).
• Offer cool water to drink if the dog is alert and capable of drinking.
• If your dog is not responsive or if it has collapsed, transport them to the nearest vet immediately for urgent treatment.

Preventing Heatstroke in Dogs

• Avoid exercise on warm days, particularly if your dog is at high risk of heatstroke
• Never leave your dog in a car on a warm day – the temperature inside can rapidly rise to dangerous levels
• Exercise your dog when the temperatures are cooler – early morning or at night is best.
• Consider swapping walking for swimming on warm days
• Make sure your dog has access to shade
• Provide plenty of fresh water for your dog to drink. Water bowls should be solid so that they cannot be knocked over.
• Some dogs love a paddle pool to cool off in when the weather is warm (make sure that no young children have access unless fully supervised).
• Consider freezing treats in blocks of ice to create a fun activity on warm days that also helps keep your dog cool.

Can My Dog Get Dehydrated

Although dogs cannot sweat at the same rate people can, they will still lose fluids through panting if the weather is warm. If they do not have access to fresh water, they may become dehydrated. If severe, dehydration can cause organ damage. Dogs are at greater risk of dehydration if they have pre-existing medical conditions like gastrointestinal or kidney disorders.

Some dogs are at increased risk of dehydration:

• Those with underlying health conditions
• Small and toy breeds
• Puppies
• Lactating bitches
• Active dogs

Signs of Dehydration in Dogs

• Dry gums which feel sticky
• Loss of skin elasticity
• Sunken eyes
• Dark, thick urine and infrequent urination
• Loss of appetite
• Confusion
• Weakness

Treating Dehydration in Dogs:

• For mild dehydration, allow your dog to drink fresh water. Flavouring the water may encourage additional drinking (you can use a little stock).
• Feed them tinned or wet food
• If your dog is dehydrated, unwell and not drinking, take them to a veterinarian – intravenous fluids may be required.

Preventing Dehydration in Dogs:

• Ensure your dog always has access to fresh water – make sure water bowls are sturdy enough that they cannot be knocked over.
• Take water with you to the park or carry some out on walks so that your dog can have a drink on the go.
• On warm days choose walk routes or exercise areas where you know drinking water will be available.
• Many underlying health conditions can lead to dehydration – make sure that your dog has regular check-ups with your vet to identify and treat problems early.

Can Dogs Get Burnt Paw Pads?

Another hazard lurking on hot days are hot surfaces. Surface temperatures are frequently much higher than air temperature, particularly surfaces that absorb heat well such as asphalt, sand and concrete. Sometimes surfaces can become so hot they burn your dog’s feet and owners are oblivious to the danger as they’re protected by their shoes.

Dogs jumping on barbeques or running through campfires are other risks resulting in burnt paw pads. Burns to the pads are very painful.

Signs Your Dog Has Burnt Paw Pads:

• Burns may not become apparent for a few hours after the injury occurs
• Lameness or holding a paw up
• Licking their feet
• Blisters on the pad
• Sores and bleeding
• How to Treat a Dog with Burnt Paw Pads:
• Hose the paws with cool water for a minimum of 10 minutes
• Bandage the feet – socks can be used in an emergency to provide a little protection to the damaged area
• Seek veterinary treatment urgently – burns are very painful and can become infected easily

How to Prevent Your Dog from Burning their Paw Pads:

• If you are unsure if a surface is safe for walking your dog on, place the back of your hand on the ground. Count the seconds. If you cannot reach 7 seconds because it becomes uncomfortably hot, it is not safe for your dog.
• Walk your dog on green grass rather than on heat-absorbing surfaces such as concrete and bitumen.
• Consider dog boots for extra protection
• Skip walks on hot days or walk in the cool hours of the day – early morning or at night after surfaces have had a chance to cool down.

What Happens If My Dog Ingests Saltwater?

Summer is a great time of year to visit the beach with your dog. One unexpected hazard is seawater. While most dogs are put off by the terrible taste and will only try to drink from the ocean once, some dogs can persist, and they can run into problems. The salt in the water can cause gastrointestinal upset or, if a large amount is drunk, it can lead to the dangerous condition of high blood sodium levels known as hypernatremia.

Signs Your Dog is Suffering from Saltwater Ingestion:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Confusion
• Weakness
• Collapse
• Seizures

How to Treat Saltwater Ingestion in Dogs:

• Mild cases result in gastrointestinal upset (vomiting and diarrhoea). Stop your dog from drinking any more saltwater and feed them bland, low-fat food until the signs resolve.
• If your dog is showing signs of weakness or disorientation, they need immediate veterinary care. This often involves hospitalisation and intravenous fluid therapy over several days to slowly reduce blood sodium levels.

How to Prevent Saltwater Ingestion in Dogs:

• Beach play is thirsty work – make sure you bring plenty of fresh water along on your beach trips.
• If you see your dog drinking from the ocean, call them away and offer them a drink of fresh water.
• Dogs that repeatedly try to drink salt water may need to be kept on lead at the beach.

Dog Snake Bite First Aid
Venomous snakes present a risk to dogs throughout Australia over the warmer months. Snakes are not naturally aggressive towards dogs but will bite if they feel threatened or are attacked.

Snake venom contains a variety of toxins, but the most serious component causes paralysis and can be fatal. It is very rare to be able to see a snake bite on a dog as the fang marks are tiny and usually well hidden by the dog’s coat – but your dog may exhibit the below signs.

Signs Dog Has Been Bitten by a Snake

• Vomiting
• Tremors
• Weakness/difficulty standing
• Painful muscles
• Collapse (although dog may temporarily recover afterwards)
• Dilated pupils
• Red urine
• Paralysis
• Abnormal bleeding (blood noses, from small scratches)

How to Treat a Dog with a Snake Bite

• Antivenom is the main treatment for snake bites – seek veterinary attention immediately if you suspect a snake bite. Try to remain calm and keep your dog as still and quiet as possible.
• Dogs suffering from snake bites also need supportive care such as intravenous fluids and, if they are severely affected, they will need to be given oxygen.
• Owners should not attempt to kill the snake for identification purposes – this puts people at risk of being bitten and is usually not required for treatment as polyvalent antivenom is effective against the bites of most species of snakes.

How to Prevent a Dog from Being Bitten by a Snake

• Walk dogs on lead in high-risk areas – this includes bushy areas, near watercourses and where the grass is long.
• Keep yards well maintained to make them a less attractive snake habitat – mow your grass and clean up wood piles or areas where snakes like to hide
• Use snake-proof fencing on pens or yards where dogs are housed in

Dog Tick Paralysis First Aid
Along the eastern seaboard of Australia paralysis ticks pose a risk to the health of dogs. While ticks are a risk year-round, most cases of paralysis are seen over the warmer months when they are more active. Once the ticks attach to a dog, they slowly release a toxin which causes weakness and potentially can lead to respiratory or cardiac failure.

Signs Dog Has Tick Paralysis:

• Weakness
• Dilated pupils
• Vomiting/regurgitation
• Difficulty swallowing
• Altered or unusual-sounding bark
• Panting
• Coughing
• Difficulty breathing
• Collapse

How to Treat a Dog with Tick Paralysis:
Seek veterinary attention immediately if you think your dog may have tick paralysis. Tick anti-serum is required as well as supportive care

How to Prevent Tick Paralysis in Dogs:

• Keep up to date with your dog’s regular parasite control product (and make sure it is effective against ticks – check with your vet if you are unsure)
• Avoid walking dogs in high-risk tick areas – scrubby coastal areas have the highest numbers.
• Check your dog regularly (daily) for ticks. Remember to check in between toes, in the ears and around the lips. Clipping your dog’s coat short can make it easier to find ticks quickly.
• If you find a tick, remove it carefully. You can use tweezers, but specific tick-removing tools are best.

Fleas In Dogs
While fleas can be a problem for dogs at all times of year, during the warmer months the flea life cycle is rapid, so numbers build up quickly. Flea bites can cause irritation (which can be severe if your dog is allergic to the bites) and these pesky parasites can also spread intestinal worms.

Signs Dog has a Flea Infestation:

• Itching
• Hair loss and skin irritation, particularly along the back and at the base of the tail
• Dark flecks (flea dirt) visible in the coat – when wet these turn a dark reddish-brown colour
• Fleas seen crawling through the coat (they are less visible than would be expected as they move quickly).
• Pale gums in severe infestations – young puppies being most at risk of anaemia.
• Treatment of Fleas in Dogs:
• Flea products that kill fleas effectively – there is a wide range of products available including chews, tablets, spot-on treatments and collars.
• Severely affected dogs or those with an allergy to fleas will benefit from a veterinary visit for medications that can reduce the itching (pruritis).
• Shampoos, such as those with an oatmeal base, can relieve itching.
• Cleaning the environment – 95% of a flea population is on the ground in the form of eggs and larvae. Washing bedding, steam-cleaning carpets and the use of flea bombs can help.
  How to Prevent Dog from Getting Fleas?
  Many highly effective anti-flea products are available. These kill fleas quickly and have an extended duration of action to help reduce the flea burden in the environment.