Each season brings its own challenges for pet owners. The bitter cold snaps of winter make walks unbearable for owners and dangerous for pups. The waves of green pollen each spring and the invisible molds of fall can have our pets feeling uncomfortable. According to Kayla Hodges, DVM at All Pets Animal Hospital on the Greenway, there may be no more challenging season for pet owners than the summer months. We sat down with Dr. Hodges to learn a little about the most common summertime ailments pets might encounter, how to identify them, and what to do to prevent or treat them.
Do you see an increase in walk-ins and urgent appointments during the summer?
“Absolutely. It’s a combination of temperature and people being more active with their pets during these months. We see things from heat strokes, to wounds from things like dog bites and fences, to burned paw pads from hot surfaces, to Swimmer’s Tail.
How sensitive are our pets’ paws, and how do we keep them from burning their pads?
“If it’s too hot for you, it’s too hot for them. Anything above 125 degrees will burn paws in 60 seconds. That may sound like a high temperature for Arkansas, but asphalt can reach 130 degrees on an 85-degree day. An easy way to think of it is the seven-second rule; if you can’t hold your hand to the surface comfortably for seven seconds, then it’s too hot for your pet’s paws. The same risk applies to rocky outcrops on hikes and hot gravel bars on floats. That’s not to say that the pets have to stay home, though. There are plenty of high-quality pet footwear options on the market to protect their paws.”
What sort of plants should pet owners look to keep their pets away from?
“Oftentimes it’s the plants in our homes that pose the greatest risk. Take lilies for example. There are five types of lilies that are toxic to cats. Day, Asiatic, Easter, Tiger, and Stargazer lilies can all cause complete kidney failure. All parts of the flowers are toxic—even the water they sit in. Prevention is key. Start by keeping lilies out of your home. Signs can take up to three days to present and, by that point, there’s usually irreversible kidney damage. Even pollen transfer from your dog’s face directly to a cat could be deadly.”
You mentioned Swimmer’s Tail. What on earth is that?
“Swimmer’s tail occurs when a dog strains the muscles in their tail from swimming a lot. It is very painful and uncomfortable for the dog, but as pitiful as they may look, with rest and some pain medication from your local vet, they’ll bounce back quickly. Just like we need to condition for activity, so do our dogs. Prevention looks like letting your pup work up to longer swimming days. And don’t forget the life vest!”
What are some signs a pet might be dangerously hot?
“Signs your dog might have heat stroke would be excessive panting, collapsing, and, in severe cases, bright red gums, loss of consciousness, vomiting, and diarrhea. Certain dogs are more susceptible to heat stroke than others—like short-nosed breeds, obese dogs, or dogs with known respiratory disease. Heat stroke could even occur on a 75-degree day. The key to prevention is knowing when to say ‘no’. That Lab will chase the ball as often as you throw it, so we have to tell our pets when it’s time to take a break. If you suspect heat stroke, cover your pet in cool, wet cloths and get them to a vet immediately.”
An easy way to think of it is the seven-second rule: If you can’t hold your hand to the surface comfortably for seven seconds, then it’s too hot for your pet’s paws.