5 Most Common Summertime Pet Ailments
Summertime is the perfect season for outdoor adventures, with pets often joining the fun. But with more time outside, it's important to keep our furry friends safe from common seasonal health issues that could land them at the vet. Here are the top five summer ailments pets face and some steps you can take to keep them healthy and happy.
Insect Bites and Stings
Just like us, pets can be bothered by mosquitoes, ticks, and other pesky insects. Although there's no evidence that pets can catch the Zika virus, bug bites can still irritate and even be dangerous. These bites, if untreated, can carry bacteria, viruses, or parasites that can make pets very sick.
Common insect bites on pets include:
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Fleas
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Ticks
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Mosquitoes
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Bees, hornets, wasps
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Mites
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Ants
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Flies
The average cost to treat an insect bite can be around $155, but prices may vary. It's a good idea to ask your vet about topical or oral treatments to keep your pet protected.
Heat Stroke
Pets can overheat quickly, especially on hot summer days. To avoid this, walk your dog or let your cat out during the cooler parts of the day, like early morning or evening. Heatstroke can happen fast—when a pet's body temperature reaches 106°F, they're at risk, even on days that may not feel overly hot to us.
Watch for these signs of heatstroke:
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Excessive panting
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Drooling
Treatment for heatstroke can cost around $695, so it's best to be cautious. Keep pets indoors during peak heat, never leave them in parked cars, and avoid enclosed, unventilated spaces like garages.
Burns
Hot sidewalks and pavement can burn your pet's paws. If the ground feels hot to your touch, it can harm your pet's sensitive pads. Consider dog booties if you need to walk your pet in warmer weather. Pets, especially those with light fur, can also get sunburned on their nose, ear tips, and belly, which may even increase the risk of skin cancer.
Talk to your vet about pet-safe sunscreen, especially for pets with light fur and pigmentation.
Near Drowning
Not all pets are natural swimmers. Even a confident dog can fall into a pool or get swept by a wave at the beach, leading to panic and potential Drowning. Thousands of pets die from drowning each year, and the cost to treat near-drowning incidents can be around $409.
To keep your pet safe around water:
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Never leave pets unattended by pools or open water.
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Consider a pet life jacket for weaker swimmers.
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Make sure there's a safe exit from pools, such as a pet-friendly ladder.
Snake Bites
In areas with venomous snakes, snake bites are a serious threat to pets. Bites can cause life-threatening injuries, including muscle, liver, and neurological damage. Around 300,000 dogs and cats are bitten by venomous snakes each year in the U.S.
If you live in a high-risk area, ask your vet about rattlesnake vaccines and check for local rattlesnake prevention classes. These programs can teach dogs how to detect and avoid snakes.
By staying aware of these risks and taking steps to protect your pet, you can make the most of the summer without unexpected trips to the vet. Enjoy the season safely together!
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