By Pauline Machado
Summer is the season when families usually go on trips, spending more time away from home with their pets, whether on walks in the street, in parks, on beaches, at clubs, or in daycares.
However, although it is a time of year when many people take the opportunity to relax, it is important to pay attention to the most common diseases during this period that can affect dogs and cats.
To explain what these diseases are, as well as how to prevent and treat them, we spoke exclusively with Veterinarian Fabiana Volkweis, professor of Veterinary Medicine at CEUB – Centro Universitário de Brasília.
Watch the interview!
Pet Med – To begin, please explain, in general terms, why summer is a season conducive to the development of diseases in dogs and cats?
Fabiana Volkweis – Several factors contribute to the increase in pet illnesses during the summer. First, the rise in temperature favors the proliferation of vectors such as fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes, which transmit various diseases. In addition, changes in routine, such as travel, dietary variations, and greater exposure to the environment, can impact the health of animals. In places like beaches, pets are exposed to intense sun, excessive heat, restricted access to drinking water, and even the ingestion of saltwater, factors that can compromise their well-being.
Pet Med – What are the most common diseases at this time of year and how are they transmitted to dogs and cats?
Fabiana Volkweis – In the summer, pets become more vulnerable to various diseases caused by different agents and risk factors, such as:
An increase in fleas and ticks is a concern, since tick bites can transmit serious diseases into the bloodstream, causing severe anemia, systemic disorders, and coagulation problems. Fleas, in turn, can transmit bacteria and parasitic diseases.
Skin diseases, such as itching, sores, and hair loss, can be caused by food allergies, parasites, and exposure to environments like ponds, beaches, and swimming pools, which promote skin infections.
Food poisoning resulting from changes in diet can lead to gastrointestinal disorders. Furthermore, improperly stored or unsuitable foods, such as leftover barbecue, fatty foods, and chocolate, can cause pancreatitis and severe poisoning.
Dehydration and hyperthermia due to physical exercise without adequate fluid replacement and exposure to intense sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm can result in dehydration and hyperthermia, a serious and potentially fatal condition.
In addition to mosquito-borne diseases, which can transmit Dirofilariasis, a disease caused by a worm that affects the heart and can be fatal if left untreated, as well as Leishmaniasis, transmitted by the sandfly, a chronic and highly debilitating parasitic disease with no cure.
Pet Med – What is the risk of these diseases spreading to other animals and people, especially during beach vacations?
Fabiana Volkweis – Contamination can occur through contact with water unfit for consumption, such as puddles and unfiltered springs. Excrement from other animals is also a source of transmission of viruses, intestinal parasites such as giardia, and worm infestations. Therefore, it is essential to prevent pets from consuming water of dubious origin and from coming into contact with the feces of other animals.
Pet Med – Once one of the typical summer illnesses has been diagnosed, what should the treatment be?
Fabiana Volkweis – In cases of food poisoning and mild dehydration, providing fresh water and fluid replacement are essential. However, if symptoms persist, it is crucial to seek veterinary care for accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Pet Med – What are the characteristic clinical signs of typical summer illnesses?
Fabiana Volkweis – Clinical signs vary depending on the disease, but may include episodes of vomiting and diarrhea due to inadequate nutrition, dehydration, and intestinal parasites; skin lesions and itching due to allergies and dermatitis caused by parasites, fungi, and bacteria; and fever, apathy, anemia, and bleeding (tick-borne diseases).
Pet Med – What preventative measures should be taken to protect pets?
Fabiana Volkweis – To prevent illnesses in dogs and cats during the summer, the following precautions are recommended:
Avoid sudden changes in diet;
Increase fluid intake to maintain hydration;
Protect pets from strong sunlight, avoiding exposure between 10 am and 4 pm;
Consult a veterinarian before traveling to update vaccinations and prescribe parasite control measures;
Use collars and specific medications to prevent fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes.
Pet Med – Should these precautions be taken only in the summer or throughout the year?
Fabiana Volkweis – Pet health care should be constant, regardless of the season. Therefore, a balanced diet, control of external parasites, and up-to-date vaccinations are fundamental preventive measures that should be maintained year-round to ensure the well-being of animals.
Pet Med – Finally, what other precautions are important to keep pets healthy and safe during the summer?
Fabiana Volkweis – It's important to be aware of other situations that can also pose risks to pets, such as:
Drownings are a risk factor, which is why it's important to monitor animals near pools, lakes, and beaches to prevent accidents.
Therefore, during walks, it is essential to keep pets on a leash to prevent them from escaping and being hit by vehicles.
And fights with other animals, therefore, you should avoid letting pets roam freely in unfamiliar environments, preventing conflicts.
