From grass awns to overheating: these summer 'ailments' in pets can be life-threatening

Photo: Unsplash/Marina Helena Muller

Doctors and other staff in pet emergency rooms are currently working overtime. It's summer, and that means many pets are arriving with "typical summer-related emergencies." Prevention is, of course, better than cure, so here are some important tips for pet owners.

From grass awns and botulism to blue-green algae and overheating: here's what you need to look out for.

Grass awns are the hard tufts at the ends of some grasses. They are known for their sharp, barbed seeds. Because of these barbs, grass awns can easily get caught in the fur of a dog that walks past or through them, but this can also happen while urinating. The sharp points can lodge in your dog's nose, ears, eyes, toes, and skin folds and then burrow inside. Because of the barbs, they can only go one way, deeper into the body. This can cause nasty infections, but the grass awns can also lodge in the lungs or other vital organs, leading to serious complications or, in rare cases, even death.

You can significantly reduce the risk of grass awns in your pet by not walking your dog in areas where the grass isn't mowed. If you can't avoid these areas, it's important to thoroughly check your dog after every walk. If the grass awn hasn't been in the fur for very long, you can easily remove it yourself. Here are some important symptoms to look out for:

Is your dog gagging? He or she might have a grass awn stuck in his or her throat.
Does your dog have a painful paw or a swelling or fluid-filled lump near the paw? It's possible there are grass awns between the paws.
Is your dog constantly sneezing and sputtering, and rubbing his nose with his paw? This could indicate a grass awn lodged in his nose.
Does your dog often shake his head and flap his ears? He might have a grass awn in his ears.
Is your dog squinting and rubbing his paw across his head? He might have grass awns in his eyes.

If you experience the above complaints, it is important that you contact your vet.

Another danger lurking in the summer is blue-green algae. This is the green, reddish-brown, or brownish-green layer you sometimes see on open water. Blue-green algae occurs in both fresh and salt water and thrives in warm weather, in nutrient-rich water, and especially where there's little current. If your dog takes a dip in a swimming pond or your cat drinks from a ditch, they can become ill from the blue-green algae.

Symptoms to look out for include:

Tremors, seizures;
Lethargy, weakness;
Vomiting and diarrhea;
Jaundice, blue mucous membranes;
Shock.

If you suspect your dog has ingested blue-green algae, it's important to call the vet immediately. Inducing vomiting immediately can help expel any remaining blue-green algae. It's also important to wash your dog with tap water. This will remove any remaining blue-green algae from the coat, preventing them from licking it again later. Give your dog activated charcoal (Norit), which binds toxins.

You can reduce the risk of blue-green algae poisoning by keeping your dog away from stagnant water, such as ponds, ditches, and lakes, especially during warm weather. Also, always check for warning signs near water and always rinse your dog immediately with clean water after swimming. Also, take plenty of drinking water with you when you go for a walk to prevent your dog from drinking from stagnant water.

Another thing to watch out for is botulism. Fortunately, it's rare in dogs and cats, but it's still important to be vigilant. Botulism is caused by a nerve toxin from the Clostridium bacteria. This toxin blocks the signal transmission from nerve to muscle, causing paralysis.

The bacteria naturally occur in the intestines of waterfowl and fish, but when temperatures rise or the bird or fish dies, these bacteria multiply dramatically. Dogs are primarily infected by eating fish and waterfowl that have died from this. An animal can also become ill by drinking contaminated water. The disease is particularly common in the summer.

Important symptoms to look out for include the following:

Nausea;
Vomiting and diarrhea;
Fatigue, general weakness;
Walking stiffly;
Muscle weakness, paralysis;
Problems with pooping and peeing;
Dehydration.
Difficulty breathing.

If you suspect botulism, it is important to contact your veterinarian .

To reduce the risk of botulism, it's important not to let your dog swim in shallow, stagnant water, especially when it's warm. Also, always be on the lookout for dead waterfowl and fish, and notify the municipality if you find any. This will also prevent other animals from becoming victims.

Finally, your pet can also suffer from overheating , which is more common in dogs than cats. When overheated, the body can't properly dissipate heat. The dog wants to cool down, but can't. If the temperature gets too high, organs such as the heart, liver, brain, and kidneys can be damaged. Your dog can overheat from being in the sun, in a hot car, or from running or playing on a hot day, for example. The following symptoms can indicate overheating:

Panting;
Drooling;
Not wanting to walk any further;
To panic;
To become unconscious.

If you experience the above symptoms, it's important to immediately remove your dog from the sun and place it in a shady spot. Here's what you can do if you suspect overheating:

Make sure he doesn't get up, as this will only cause his temperature to rise further.
In addition, let your dog drink water at a normal temperature (not ice water).
Don't let your dog drink seawater, it will only cause more damage.
If possible, let your dog lie or swim in the water and do not dry him off afterwards.
Also, do not cover your wet dog with a towel or leave him in a draft.
Call your vet for advice.

Prevent overheating by always leaving your dog in shady places during the summer. Don't take your dog to the beach on a sweltering day, and don't leave them in the car, even if you leave the window open.