Summer has arrived, and with it we will all be spending more time outdoors. This includes our pets, so there are some things you should be aware of to keep them, as well as yourself, healthy.

Heat Stroke

It seems like we were just wearing fleece, but that seldom seen sun is now high in the sky and it can create life threatening problems for pets. Heat stroke happens when heat generation exceeds the body’s ability to get rid of it. While rare in cats, it occurs frequently in dogs. There are several risk factors that increase a dog’s chance of suffering from heat stress, heat exhaustion, or a potentially fatal heat stroke. These include obesity, age (very young or older dogs), breed sensitivity (pugs), exercising in hot weather, and confinement in cars or being kept in yards without shade or water. Signs start with excessive panting and drooling, but then progress to shock due to decreased blood pressure and heart failure. You may then see seizures, bloody diarrhea and collapse. Quick action is critical at this point. Start cooling your dog immediately. Do not use ice! Immerse them in cool water or spray them with a hose. A fan can also increase cooling. Emergency care is essential in cases of heat stroke so call your veterinarian or the emergency clinic to let them know you are on your way.

Cold Tail

Getting in the water for a swim is great exercise for a dog, but be aware that the water temperature in Puget Sound averages in the low fifties year round. Dogs that spend a long time swimming in the water can develop a condition known as cold tail or limber tail. The tail will typically hang straight down and will not move on its own. It may also be painful when touched. Fortunately, most dogs recover spontaneously within a few days.

Parasites

Walking with your dog is a great summertime treat for both of you. This can also expose your dog to a few parasites (giardia and toxoplasmosis) or a bacterial infection (leptospirosis) that you should know about. These are important conditions because they can also affect people. Many people are aware that cats can get toxoplasmosis, which is why pregnant women are advised not to clean litter boxes, but dogs can also get this disease. Dogs do sometimes eat from the carcasses of dead animals or birds that may contain the organism. They can also get this parasite from eating contaminated dirt. The same can be said of giardia, which is a common parasite here on Whidbey Island. Giardia can produce a chronic diarrhea., which can be treated once it has been diagnosed. Toxoplasmosis can be more severe, as well as more difficult to diagnose, as the signs are more generalized and may not occur for months to years after the initial infection. Drinking ground water can expose your dog to a bacterial infection known as leptospirosis. This is passed in the urine of infected animals, and is most common here from July through November. The disease causes acute infection of the kidney and liver and can be fatal if not aggressively treated. This is also a disease that can affect humans, which is one of the reasons veterinarians recommend annual vaccination to help protect pets as well their people.

Salmon Poisoning

This problem is unique to the Pacific Northwest. It is caused by a small organism that lives in a parasite that infects salmon. Dogs become infected by eating raw salmon, developing symptoms a week to a month later. These include a high fever, depression, vomiting and diarrhea. Diagnosis is usually based on history as well as a fecal exam to identify the parasite. If detected early, treatment is usually successful, but untreated cases have a mortality rate of 50 to 90 percent. The best advice is to not feed your dog any part of a salmon that has not been thoroughly cooked and watch your dog when they are on the beach so that they do not scavenge on dead fish. Rolling on dead fish will not cause a problem, however, aside from the smell.

Blue-Green Algae

The combination of summer heat and decreased rainfall can lead to the growth of algae in ponds and lakes. These blue-green blooms can produce a toxin that affect pets when they drink or swim in the water. Signs include vomiting, diarrhea, and in severe cases, collapse and death. There is no antidote for the toxins and veterinary treatment is aimed at supporting your pet through the crisis. This problem spikes in July and August and tends to go away with the return of the fall rain.

It’s summer. Enjoy it. Just be aware of what your pets are doing and protect them, and yourselves, by exercising some common sense practices to keep them safe.

Dr. Kiel is the U.S. Army veterinarian currently supporting NAS Whidbey Island and Naval Station Everett. Send questions or comments to Dr. Kiel at joseph.kiel@navy.mil.