SUMMERTIME!

Summertime in all its glory is here!!  At least in Texas, it has arrived but summertime everywhere means a lot of fun with our dogs! They love to keep us company outdoors but there are some things we need to be mindful of for them to enjoy summertime, too. In any scenario, a dog’s normal temperature, 101.5°, makes him more vulnerable in the heat to heatstroke at 105° especially when the outside temperature is over 100°.

​DOGS AND HOT SURFACES 
Hot surfaces can be anything from sand to cement, artificial grass, or pool decking.  If you put your palm down on the surface and cannot hold it there for 10 seconds, it is too hot for your pooch. Yes, the pads of their paws can burn and blister.  Surface temperatures can run more than 50° higher than air temperatures. Walking the dog should be done when the temp is lower than 89.9°. It is a good idea to take a towel for your dog to stand on if there is any question about the​

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surface temperature. Avoid walking on lawns because fertilizer or other yard chemicals can burn a dog’s paw pads. Protective booties are also available for your dog. A dog may not immediately show the pain of burned pads such as limping or licking the pads. Burned pads need to be examined and have running water over them.  DO NOT ICE THEM BECAUSE ICE CAN MAKE THE BURN WORSE.  Call your vet.
 
DOGS AND CARS
In less than 10 minutes a car can become a furnace.  Even if the outdoor temperature is 78° a car’s interior temp can reach 120°.  Imagine what it can be if it’s 90°!  At 100° the interior can reach 170°  Dogs cannot pant or sweat enough to cool themselves down.  Heatstroke is a danger when a dog’s temperature reaches 105°.
 
DOGS AND SUMMER PARASITES
Ticks are one of three external summertime parasites for dogs. Some common tick-borne diseases are:

1. Lyme Disease
2. Anaplasmosis or "Dog Fever"
3. Ehrlichiosis
4. Rocky Mt. Spotted Fever
5. Hepatozoonosis (ACH)
6. Babesuosis
7. Tick-Borne Relapsing Fever (TBRF),
8. Bartonellosis
9. AIHA or Autoimmune Hemolytic Anemia which can be catastrophic.

​Some of these diseases can be transferred to humans by ticks.  Lyme disease is one of the most serious concerns. Ticks can lay over 1000 eggs at one time. The most common ticks are the brown dog tick, deer tick, American dog tick, and the Lone Star tick.  The adult lifespan is about 3 months to 3 years. 

Fleas and mites round out this list. Fleas can lay 20 – 40 eggs in a day for weeks, adult lifespan is about 100 days. When swallowed, fleas become tapeworms. Mites live in the fur and ears.  They can cause intense itching in the ears and skin diseases like mange.

Internal parasites include tapeworms, hookworms, roundworms, and whipworms.  Roundworms, tapeworms, and hookworms can be contracted by humans. There are medications that can eliminate all worms in a single application. 
 
DOGS AND TOADS
Toads have dry, bumpy skin and their back legs are not so long.  They prefer to crawl versus hopping around and all toads are poisonous.  The most likely and dangerous time to find a toad is at dawn or dusk from May to August. The places the toads enjoy are gardens, ditches, lakeshores, sandy soil, fountains, and anywhere with water including a dog’s water bowl.  A toad such as Fowler’s toad (2”- 4”) soaking in a dog’s water dish can leave enough toxins behind to make the dog very sick. Usually, toads are only mildly toxic.  When a dog gets a toad in its mouth small amounts of toxin are absorbed through the mucous membranes and the poison goes directly into the bloodstream. It can also cause vision issues if gotten in the eyes. The dog may paw at its mouth or eyes or both and whimper or cry. Inducing vomiting will not help because the toxin is not in the stomach. If your dog eats, chews, or licks a toad call your veterinarian.   If you have to handle a toad, wash your hands.  Take the toad or a picture of the toad to your veterinarian.

​DOGS, PLANTS, AND MUSHROOMS 
The top very toxic outdoor plants in Texas for dogs include aloe vera, amaryllis,  azalea, begonia, caladiums, castor bean, daffodil, daisies, dumb cane, gladiola, holly, ivy, lilies, oleander, Sago palms, Texas Mountain Laurel, tomato plants, tulips, wisteria, and yew.

IMAGE COURTESY OF WALLY EBERHART/ GETTY IMAGES

​There are toxic and non-toxic varieties of wild mushrooms dogs find yummy. Dogs “explore the world by scent and taste, and the texture of a mushroom might also be intriguing to an inquisitive canine” according to American Kennel Club (AKC). Some mushrooms smell like fish and dogs like fish. Wild mushrooms could present dangers to dogs, specifically after prolonged, rainy weather. Common fairy ring mushrooms can make a dog sick.

If your dog has any of these symptoms, call your vet:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Depression
• Seizures
• Liver failure
• Cardiovascular
• Collapse
• Irregular heartbeat
• Loss of appetite, 
• Nausea, drooling,
• Tearing
• Lethargy
• Weakness
• Inability to urinate.

Blood issues:

• Bloody nose
• Bloody stool
• Bruising
• Anemia

Take the plant or mushroom or a picture to show the veterinarian.

DOGS AND HEATSTROKE
Vomiting, confusion, dark red gums, dry or sticky gums, lethargy, tremors, seizures, excessive panting, thick pasty saliva, drooling, and fainting are signs of heatstroke.  This can occur when the body temperature of a dog reaches or exceeds 105°.  A dog’s natural temperature does not allow much room for getting overheated or having hyperthermia when he can no longer self-regulate his body temperature.  The quickest thing to do to help your dog cool down is to get him in the shade or A/C. *NO ICE* Pour only slightly cool or tepid *NOT COLD* water over him or dip a towel in water and lay it over him briefly.  Offer little sips of water.  Call your vet immediately.  If you have sports drinks with electrolytes ask if this would help.  Dehydration and heat are problems.

DOGS AND DISEASE
It's easy to forget about a lot of things with your dog and summertime but do not forget that until your puppy has had his 16 week vaccination, he is susceptible to parvo.  The other night we were at the animal ER and there was this beautiful Doberman puppy brought straight in to quarantine with parvo.  Parvo is a deadly 10-day roller coaster ride.  Central Texas is having a particularly hard time with it.  Older dogs are not affected but they can carry and shed parvo.  It lives for 48 hours on inanimate things.  Wait out this brief period with you puppy at home.  Be safe.

References:
Caplan, Christy. “What Happens When Your Dog Walks on Hot Pavement Is Painful and Avoidable with These Tips.” Pets, 18 June 2019, https://www.wideopenpets.com/pavement-too-hot-for-your-dog/. 

Burke, Anna. “Can Dogs Eat Mushrooms?” American Kennel Club, American Kennel Club, 21 Oct. 2019, https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/nutrition/can-dogs-eat-mushroom/. 
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Wyoming Public Radio | By Ashley Piccone. “The Science (and Magic) of Wyoming's Fairy Rings.” Wyoming Public Media, 14 June 2021, https://www.wyomingpublicmedia.org/open-spaces/2021-03-12/the-science-and-magic-of-wyomings-fairy-rings. ​