What better time to enjoy the great outdoors with your furry friend than the hot summer months? But before you go and enjoy the sunny days with your pooch, here are 4 sneaky summer dog diseases you should watch out for.
1. Heatstroke
Walking a dog in hot weather puts him at risk of heatstroke. Many pet owners ask: “What weather is too hot to walk a dog in?”
When the temperature rises to over 68°F, it is too hot for your dog to walk. Anything over 70°F is enough to trigger heatstroke in dogs walking in hot weather.
The condition can make a pooch’s normal body temperature of around 99.5 to 102.5°F shoot up to over 105.8°F. Extreme heatstroke may cause irreparable damage to your canine companion’s body. It can impair his brain permanently and cause severe organ damage.
Pet owners should be aware that certain breeds are more likely to develop heatstroke than others. Brachycephalic dogs such as Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Chow Chow are some of them.
Signs of Heatstroke in Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
- Lethargy
- Bruised gums
- Bright red gums
- Disorientation
- Seizure
- Coma
Preventive Measures to Take When Walking Dogs in Hot Weather
- When walking your dog, consider decreasing the duration of strolls to lessen his exposure to heat.
- If possible, choose a route with plenty of shade as it will help your dog cool down.
- You should never leave your dog in a parked car without supervision.
2. Heart Disease
Walking a dog in hot weather will strain his respiratory system and abnormally increase his heartbeat. Because of the summer heat’s high temperatures, they may also experience breathing difficulties.
Older dogs and obese pooches are some of the most vulnerable to this health issue. There are also several dog breeds prone to developing heart disease and these are the Irish Wolfhound, Dachshund, Great Dane, Cavalier King Charles, Boxer, and Doberman.
Signs of Heart Disease in Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
- Loss in weight
- Fatigue
- Breathing difficulties
- Bloating of the abdomen
- Frequent coughing
- Lack of willingness to engage in activities
Preventive Measures to Take When Walking Dogs in Hot Weather
- Avoid taking your pooch for a walk from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. since it is the hottest part of the day. Opt to walk your dog early in the morning or evening instead.
- If you have a senior dog, reduce the amount of time in taking him out for a walk.
- Make sure that your pet’s water bowl is full of fresh water.
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3. Canine parvovirus infection
Canine parvovirus is an illness known for its high mortality rate. Whilst any dog may catch this disease, puppies aged 6 weeks to 6 months are the most susceptible. Dogs walking in hot weather are in danger of contracting this illness due to their heat resistance.
Pooches that contract canine parvovirus typically suffer from gastrointestinal issues. The disease is spread through direct and indirect contact with an infected dog’s faeces.
Signs of Canine Parvovirus Infection in Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
- Lack of energy
- Lack of appetite
- High body temperature (39.5°C to 41°C)
- Diarrhoea
- Sneezing
- Depression
- Vomiting
- Increased thirstiness
- Bloody stool
- Mucus discharge
- Fast heart rate
- Coarse hair
- Unresponsive
- Rapid breathing
Preventive Measures to Take When Walking Dogs in Hot Weather
- Complete vaccination is recommended to fight parvo infection.
- Ensure that your dog gets his yearly booster vaccinations.
- Limit your pooch’s interactions with other dogs when you are walking him.
Read: Parvovirus in Dogs: Signs and Treatments
4. Leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is an infectious disease that can cause severe damage to the kidney and liver. If left untreated, it can cause organ failure, which can be fatal.
Dogs walking in hot weather commonly catch leptospirosis by drinking water from a puddle, lake, or ditch that contains infected urine from affected wild animals.
Signs of Leptospirosis in Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
- Jaundice
- Depression
- Increased thirstiness
- Vomiting
- Lethargy
- Bloody stool
- Lack of appetite
Preventive Measures to Take When Walking Dogs in Hot Weather
- Never let your dog drink from standing water.
- Do not let your dog swim in infected water.
- Ensure that your dog gets vaccinated against leptospirosis.
5. Lime Disease
Dogs walking in hot weather can contract the lime disease from bites of infected ticks. These disease-carrying parasites commonly live in grasslands, wooded areas, and sandy places.
Depending on where you live, they might be present all year round. However, they thrive the most during hot summer months. Ticks can successfully transmit lime disease to dogs walking in hot weather once they latched on to them for about 24 to 48 hours.
Dogs with the lime disease rarely show early symptoms, meaning this ailment tends to go unnoticed most of the time. Severe cases of the lime disease may badly affect the kidney, central nervous system, and heart of affected canines.
Signs of Leptospirosis in Dogs Walking in Hot Weather
- Inappetence
- Depression
- Loss of appetite
- Fever
- Swollen joints
- Limping
- Renal issues
Preventive Measures to Take When Walking Dogs in Hot Weather
- Before your dog walks in hot weather, make sure you have administered anti-tick treatments to him.
- Avoid areas with plenty of trees and tall grass when walking your dog in hot weather.
- One of the best ways to protect your dog from lime disease is to have him vaccinated against the illness.
