During the summer months, many of us enjoy being out in nature where we can enjoy the sun, warmth and swimming.
Some others who also enjoy the outdoors are our four-legged friend. It is no secret that curious dogs like to discover outdoor environments.
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The dangers for your dog during the summer
Getting a dog to expand the family is popular in many Swedish households. But the fact is that once you let your dog rest, there are certain dangers that can lurk outside in nature and that can harm your dog, especially during the summer.
The insurance company Agria has collected some of the most common injuries that dogs can suffer in the heat. And which in the worst case can have serious consequences.
– The most common injuries affect many dogs every year and the accident can happen when you least expect it. My best summer tips are to update the first aid kit and download the app for digital healthcare advice, then you have a good chance of helping the dog if needed, says Patrik Olssondog expert at Agria in one press release.
Vipers:
Several thousand dogs are bitten by vipers every year. It can be dangerous as the poison attacks blood cells and tissues, which can affect both the heart, kidneys and liver. If your dog is bitten, you should keep an eye on symptoms such as swelling, fatigue and pain.
Hotspots:
Dogs like to bathe during the summer months. But then it is important that you as the owner dry the dog properly to avoid hotspots, or moisture eczema. It is redness that is painful and is treated by shaving the area where the infection is. Then wash with wound cleaner and bathe with disinfectant a couple of times a day. You can also use a milder cortisone ointment that can reduce the inflammation.
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Watertail:
Another injury that can affect your dog during the summer is water tail. It is a painful inflammation that often occurs when bathing. Often it helps to warm the tail, let the dog rest and give an anti-inflammatory treatment.
Cut:
It is not uncommon for nature to be littered with everything from plastic and grills to glass bottles and cans during the summer. There is also the risk of the dog cutting itself on sharp objects hiding in grass and bushes. Some injuries may need to be stitched, cleaned with saline and bandaged. The dog then also needs a collar to avoid licking and tearing off the stitches.
Photo: Stella Pictures
Insect bites:
Being stung by, for example, a wasp is in most cases harmless. However, the dog may still experience redness, swelling and be sore. Then you can advantageously relieve the pain with cold packs wrapped in a towel.
If the dog is instead stung by a wasp, it can suffer a more serious allergic reaction.
The dangers that can kill your dog this summer
We must always take the dangers lurking out in nature seriously. In the worst case, an accident can lead to death.
Heatstroke:
Leaving the dog in warm environments, such as the car, is something most people know not to do. Even so, it occurs repeatedly every summer. If the dog suffers from heatstroke, it can in the worst case lead to death, as a temperature of 20-22 degrees outside is enough for the car to heat up to around 85 degrees.
If your dog shows symptoms such as shakiness, elevated body temperature, impaired breathing or confusion, it may have suffered from heat stroke. Place wet towels on the dog or shower it in lukewarm water. Give it water to drink and contact a veterinarian if the dog is included.
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Photo: Jon Eeg
Algae poisoning:
That some dogs like to jump in the pool is nothing new. But if you notice that your dog is more anxious than usual, trembles, vomits and wobbles, it may have ingested water that is poisoned with algae. In the worst case, it can lead to death within only an hour if it has ingested algal toxins. If your dog exhibits any of these symptoms, you need to seek veterinary care immediately.
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Photo: Roland Bengtsson/HD-NST/TT