Summer Illnesses in Pets: How to Keep Your Pet Safe

With the arrival of summer, people begin spending more time outdoors and planning vacations. However, while enjoying these seasonal pleasures, pet owners should remain vigilant about their animal’s health. Rising temperatures can pose a variety of risks. Learn more in this article and take preventive measures in advance.

Parasite-Related Diseases

During summer, pets are at greater risk of parasite-borne infections due to longer walks and increased time spent outside. Even indoor pets are not fully protected. The following parasites become especially active in warm weather and can harm your pet’s health to varying degrees:

• Ticks. Tick activity peaks in summer. These arachnids transmit several dangerous diseases:
  • Babesiosis (piroplasmosis). Leads to anemia, damage to internal organs, and can be fatal without treatment.
  • Lyme disease (borreliosis). Symptoms may appear months or even years after a tick bite and include fever, appetite loss, lethargy, limping, and swollen joints.
  • Anaplasmosis. If untreated, it can cause difficulty breathing, enlarged lymph nodes and liver, and lead to chronic bleeding disorders.
  • Ehrlichiosis. Symptoms range from drowsiness, apathy, nausea, and fever (acute stage) to weight loss, limb swelling, and internal bleeding (chronic stage).
• Mosquitoes. Can cause:
  • Dirofilariasis. Caused by helminth larvae. These worms mature under the skin and may migrate to the lungs or heart, leading to shortness of breath, fatigue, and serious internal damage.
  • Allergic reactions. Mosquito bites can result in redness, swelling, and itching.
• Fleas. Especially active in summer. They may cause:
  • Dermatitis
  • Allergic reactions to flea saliva
  • Tapeworm infections

Use special repellents to protect your pet from mosquitoes. Drops, sprays, shampoos, and chewable tablets (prescribed by a veterinarian) can help prevent flea and tick infestations. However, these treatments can only help neutralize the parasite — they don’t guarantee protection from infection after a bite. The most effective preventive measure remains scheduled vaccination.

Bacterial Infections

In summer, dogs are at higher risk of leptospirosis, often contracted from contaminated bodies of water. Leptospira bacteria can cause serious kidney and liver damage — or even be fatal.

Salmonellosis is another risk that becomes more common in hot weather. It can be transmitted through contaminated food or water and may lead to fever, bronchopneumonia, or acute gastroenteritis. Death can occur within 2–4 days of infection.

To protect your pet from bacterial infections, monitor their diet carefully. Don’t allow them to eat food found outdoors or drink from puddles. Avoid letting them swim in natural bodies of water, which may contain dangerous pathogens. At the first signs of illness, contact Animal Clinic immediately.