With the arrival of summer the temperatures are rising and with them increases our concern for the welfare of domestic animals. Like people the pets also need to adapt to the heat and humidity. Small changes in routine ensure the health of dogs.
The
hirpertermia, infestations of ectoparasites, mosquitoes and mosquito
bites, viral infections and skin diseases are some of the problems that
affect the animals in this period. Dogs do not sweat like we do. The breath is the only way to control the cooling process and maintaining ideal body temperature. Therefore,
when submitted to intense heat or stress situations dogs may not be
able to lose heat and enter a process known as hyperthermia. The first sign that the animal needs cooling is when it shows very breathless. In
the context of hyperthermia the body temperature can reach 42 º C,
causing vomiting, disseminated intravascular coagulation, pulmonary
edema, heart stops and even get to coma. Brachycephalic dogs that have short muzzle, as the Bulldogs, Pugs,
Boxers, Shitsus, Lhasas Apso, Boston among others, suffer more from high
temperatures due to anatomical difficulty breathing and lose heat.
So
we should never submit dogs to situations of intense heat environment
as bathing and grooming, walking at times very hot, stay inside parked
cars or traveling long, and other stressful situations. This time of year the animals should stay pleasant and shady, with fresh water available.
During the summer is also more common the proliferation of flea and tick infestation. During
this period the baths should be less frequent, since they reduce the
period of action of most of the products used in the control of
ectoparasites. In this case, keep the animal's coat short aid in the visualization of the possible parasites. When
bathing is necessary to observe whether or not the presence of
parasites, possible injuries bites, reddened areas in the body or even
bruises. In
the case of the presence of fleas or ticks should look for a vet to
make the statement of the application of preventive and antiparasitic
drugs and blood tests if necessary.
Dogs
also suffer from the bites of insects, in addition to causing
discomfort, can transmit diseases such as leishmaniasis and
dirofilariasis. Quinzani
emphasizes that bites usually occur in regions hairless - tip of nose,
ears, around the eyes and abdomen - where it is possible to visualize
lesions with intense itching bites on site.
The
wounds of animals should never be exposed because they can attract
flies that lay their larvae, causing infections that bring discomfort to
the animals. Furthermore, flies lay their washing leather integrates the known grubs. In
all these cases there is the possibility of preventing collars and
repellent sprays, mosquito control with window screens, control waste
and stagnant water and other environmental waste that may attract these
insects.
The rainy period also increases the incidence of disease, leptospirosis transmitted by rat urine spread by flooding and floods. To prevent this virus the animal should be vaccinated regularly. Animals
that live in the house must be particularly careful, for example, in
the case of rodents that may be carried in search of food scraps, even
feed and feces of animals. If
the animal come into contact with flood waters and symptoms such as
high fever, listlessness, vomiting and diarrhea medical referral should
be immediate.
Skin cancer is another concern. Dogs
and cats that have very light skin - or pink - when subjected to
exposure to the sun can also develop sarcoma, which usually occurs in
areas without hair. The
biggest victims are the albino animals, or animals that not all white,
have the tip of his nose, ears, around the eyes and abdomen depigmented.
These animals should not sunbathe, but if exposure is unavoidable should use sunscreen on these areas.
The
routine pets as bathing, grooming, tour schedules, nutrition and health
care are of particular concern in the hottest period of the year!