Mary Allen
Summer and sun are not only wonderful days. For the dog, many dangers lurk in the grass, on the beach, and at the grill. Veterinarian Lotta Moller gives tips on the ten most common dangers, how to avoid them, and treat your four-legged friend if the accident occurs.
Heat stroke
Never leave the dog in the car! Not even in the shade with open windows as the temperature rises quickly. It is life-threatening for a dog to become overheated. Put wet towels on the dog, not ice-cold water, or soak it in lukewarm water. Symptoms may include dizziness, high body temperature, respiratory distress, and confusion. Contact your veterinarian.
Vipers
Snake bites can be very dangerous for the dog. The snake’s venom attacks blood cells and tissues, affects the heart, can damage the kidneys and liver. The symptoms are swelling, the dog becomes tired and in pain. Keep a bitten dog in silence, preferably carry it and go straight to the vet. In 2017, around 1,000 dogs in Agria’s population became so ill that they went to a veterinarian for treatment.
Getting a Wasp Sting
A wasp sting is usually harmless. The dog may get redness, become swollen, and be a little sore. Remove the barb if it is still there, but do not squeeze. Pain relief with a cooling clamp wrapped in a towel. Attacks by aggressive ground wasps can be serious and cause an allergic reaction.
Cuts
Broken bottles or other sharp edges that are hidden on the beach or in the grass can give the dog nasty wounds. Missing wounds should preferably be sewn within 6-8 hours and at the latest within 24 hours. Clean by rinsing with table salt as soon as possible, put on a bandage, and preferably a collar to avoid the dog licking the wound.
Barbecue and Picnic Leftovers
Do not give the dog leftover barbecue leftovers, especially corn cobs. Symptoms that the dog has ingested something inappropriate are that it starts vomiting, gets diarrhea, drinks, and eats poorly.
Moisture Eczema
Do not forget to dry the dog dry after bathing or rain to avoid skin problems such as damp eczema – a red, purulent, sore spot on the skin. Treat by shaving clean around the infection, washing with chlorhexidine, and dabbing with a disinfectant a couple of times a day.
Water Tail
Water tail, also called retriever tail, can occur when the dog gets cold around the buttocks. It is an inflammation of the tail that passes with heat, rest, and anti-inflammatory treatment. Dry the dog dry after bathing or rain.
Algae Poisoning
Is the dog worried, trembling, vomiting and wobbling after the beach trip? If it has been drinking or bathing, it can suffer from algae poisoning. Algae-flowering water is very dangerous for the dog and if it ingests algae toxins, it can lead to death or within an hour. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect algae poisoning.
Tan
Dogs can also burn themselves and need protection from UV radiation. Make sure that the dog always has the opportunity to withdraw in the shade. Dogs with sparse or white fur are more easily sunburned, the skin becomes red and stinging. Use sunscreen in particularly exposed areas, such as ears, nose, stomach, and scrotum.
Ticks
Ticks can infect the dog with Lyme disease and anaplasma. Search the dog’s fur daily and remove the tick immediately. Symptoms of tick-borne diseases can include lameness, fever, fatigue, decreased appetite, and unwillingness to move. Buy tick repellent at the pharmacy – necklace or spot-on preparation. The veterinarian can also prescribe tablets for tick prophylaxis.