Any dog can suffer from heat stress. Animals that are particularly susceptible are very young or old dogs,
overweight dogs, and dogs with a pre-existing heart or breathing problem.
Some signs of heat stress are excessive panting or drooling, staring with an anxious expression, warm dry skin, high fever, rapid heartbeat, or weakness and collapse.
Help prevent heat stress by making sure your dog always has fresh water available, providing shade, keeping your dog indoors on the very hot days, and never leaving your dog in a parked car, even with the windows rolled down.
Fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes (which can spread heartworm disease), are prevalent in the warmer months. These insects present potential problems for your pet as they can transmit a variety of diseases.
There are many different products available today to help protect your dog from these parasites and/or the diseases they carry. Check with your veterinarian to find out about the best products for your dog’s needs.
Unusual swellings or soreness (especially around the face or mouth) may be the result of an allergic reaction to an insect bite or sting. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you see this.
During the summer months, you may be planning to take a vacation. Before you leave, you will need to decide what to do about your dog’s care while you are gone.
Whether you take your dog with you, leave her/him in a boarding facility or have someone check in on her/him at your home will depend on your pet’s personality, where you are going, and how long you are going to be gone.
Consider these factors carefully before choosing the form of care for your dog while you are away.
Plants and flowers are abundant in the summer months and many of them may be toxic or irritating to your dog. If you suspect your dog has eaten or been exposed to plant or flower material, call your veterinarian for advice.
Remove ice, salt and caked mud and snow from your dog’s paws and coat as soon as they come in from
outdoors. These substances can irritate and cause skin infections in sensitive areas.
Contact your veterinarian at once if you suspect your dog may have frostbite. Frostbitten skin may look reddish, white or gray, and it may appear scaly.
Keep holiday plants, decorations, tinsel, and ribbons up and out of dog’s reach. These things seem like fun new toys to dogs and puppies, and they love to chew on and play with them. However, they can cause serious health problems like intestinal blockages and poisoning.
Be sure to keep all chocolate treats away from your dog. Chocolate contains a substance that can be toxic to your dog if consumed in sufficient quantities.
Keep an eye out for toxic substances. Believe it or not, antifreeze smells and tastes good to dogs and even a small amount can kill them. Be careful that any spilled antifreeze is cleaned up immediately.
As the weather turns colder, rodents may try to get into your home. Be careful to put any traps or rodenticides out of your dog’s reach. Also rodents carry some parasites that your dog can pick up from eating them. If you suspect that your dog has eaten a mouse, contact your veterinarian to find out what to do.
Dry air inside in the winter can mean increased water needs for your dog. Make sure your dog has plenty of water available and if you leave water outside for your dog, check it several times daily to make sure it hasn’t frozen.
Dry air can also cause itchy, dry skin that can irritate your dog. Check with your veterinarian if your pet seems to be scratching more during the cold months. There are some specific dietary supplements that can help control dry skin.
Colder temperatures increase the body's need for calories. Working dogs and/or dogs that spend substantial time outdoors may need to have their food volume increased to compensate. However, for many dogs, winter is a time of less activity, and they actually gain weight. When in doubt, monitor your dog's weight during the winter months to avoid putting the dog through a spring diet.