Once the veil of winter lifts, the fresh air of spring shines like new. It’s the best time to take leisure walks with your pet. These walks become short when your dog falls prey to seasonal diseases. So, watch out for potential health risks that can affect your furry companion. Fret not and be au fait with an understanding of springtime diseases in dogs. After all, what else matters more than providing proper healthcare to your darling pawwfects.
Let’s know about some of the most common and deadly springtime diseases in dogs and easy spring safety tips and treatments for fur kids.
Leptospirosis
If your pet is acting uncanny, it’s time to wear your inspection glasses and check symptoms for leptospirosis. It is caused by bacteria when in contact with nasal secretions, urine, or infected animals’ saliva. Zoonotic in nature (human transmissible), leptospirosis infects kidneys and might leave permanent damage. Look out for signs like fever, increased thirst and urination, diarrhea, lethargy, or jaundice. If positive, do not panic and take your dog to the veterinarian for immediate examination. Fluid therapy and antibiotics are recommended treatments by vets and have a good recovery rate.
As a preventive measure, limit your dog’s exposure to possible infectious sources, how inviting it may sound. Keep their vaccination chart updated at all times.
Ticks
Who enjoys wandering in fields more, if not dogs! However, beware of those spring shrubs that become home to Ticks. These eight-legged parasites infest on your dog’s coat and start feeding. You can easily spot them on your pet’s head and neck area. Tick bites cause redness and irritation. Do not pick or pull them out as it may cause increased inflammation or leave behind an infection. Instead, seek medical assistance and learn to remove dog ticks from the vet. Be very careful while caressing your dog as ticks bite humans too and can cause some serious diseases.
Lyme Disease
People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA), a U.K.-based veterinary charity, found a whopping 560% rise in Lyme disease in the last six years. This consensus sounds insane but sadly true. While this tick-transmitted disease causes symptoms in a small percentage of affected dogs, closely monitor your pet for signs of fever, lameness, depression, and anemia. A positive blood test confirms Lyme disease. Veterinarians normally recommend antibiotics for treatment.
But be patient because it might take a little longer than usual to recover. Since prevention is better than cure, examine your dog daily for ticks. Also, ask your vet if the Lyme vaccine is suitable for your pet.
Flea
Do you know fleas have wings but can only jump, not fly? Well, that’s even more alarming because their constant motion causes a commotion. While a flea may not be visible, it leaves behind black, dried ‘flea dirt’ on the infected area. So, take a very close look at your pet’s entire coat to know the flea’s whereabouts. Although many treatments are available, vets recommend treating the dog’s environment for better protection. Fleas can also transmit parasites like tapeworms and bacterial infections. Hence, flea control is a must from the earliest signs of infestation.
In addition to pet care, stay extremely careful for yourself, as fleas can bite humans too. History records the fatality caused by fleas and the pandemic they rooted in Europe during the 14th century, taking down 25 million lives- reports WHO. Since then, fleas are considered no less than a nightmare.
Heartworm
As the days become longer and warmer, mosquitoes become super active, and so is heartworm disease in dogs. Heartworms are internal parasites that infest a dog’s heart and cause severe damage to their circulatory system and lungs. Caused by an infected mosquito bite, this disease can be prevented by killing heartworm larvae before it matures and breeds. Check for signs like lethargy and coughing. Seek medical assistance and help your dog undergo immediate treatment for effective results. Heartworm prevention involves year-round treatment, so calm and care is what your dog requires throughout the treatment.
Spring plants
Spring flowers brighten and beautify your garden with new hues. But it is important to note that some blossoms can be dangerous to your pets due to the presence of toxins and fertilizers. Tulips, hyacinths, daffodils, and lilies are few spring flowers that can make your dog sick. Whether sniffed or eaten, these toxins cause vomiting, diarrhea, cardiac arrhythmias, and possible seizures with significant ingestion. If you suspect that your dog has ingested a toxic flower, call your vet immediately. Timely identification of an ingested substance is important to save your fluff’s life. Avoid taking them too close to plantations for their own good.
Bee stings
Dogs love trotting around in gardens and snapping flying birds. And that’s when they are most likely to be stung by bees or wasps. In such situations, dogs can experience mild to life-threatening reactions. Look for signs of bee stings such as swelling, redness, itching, and sensitivity to touch. Normally, these symptoms improve within a day or two, but if a dog is allergic to bee stings, he/she can develop severe symptoms. Call for immediate medical intervention if symptoms reflect more than usual.
Spring diseases in dogs are inevitable but cannot let their life be chained to domestic space. Keep yourself updated with dangers associated with seasonal changes, and stay healthy, happy, and safe with your little pawsome.
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