It’s no secret that fireworks continue long after the Fourth of July.
For pet owners, it’s also no secret that noise can frighten furry friends. What is less known, though, are the other issues that might plague pets during the summertime.
Often, animal shelters see high intake rates during the summer months, according to the Shelter Animals Count National Database.
While there’s no local metric to reflect these rates, Dr. Melissa Justice, the companion programs director and veterinarian for the State of Indiana Board of Animal Health, identified potential factors that might lead to dogs getting loose or being surrendered.
“The most common thing for dogs to be getting loose would be thunderstorm phobias or noise phobias or fireworks,” Justice said.
It is important to pay close attention to dogs with noise phobias, as they might become frantic and bolt if they aren’t managed possibly, she added.
For noise phobias, she suggested covering up windows to hide lightning, or covering sounds of thunder or fireworks with music or a fan.
Fleas and ticks often can also become a burden.
Leading often to infections, the cost of medications can be an “unexpected expense for a lot of owners,” she said, something which contributes to surrender of animals to shelters.
When dealing with pests, Justice suggested purchasing pet-specific medication. Due to affordability, it is important to be transparent with veterinarians when choosing medications, she said.
Heat-related stress can be another obstacle.
Being left in a hot car while an owner goes shopping, having to walk on hot pavement or even being outside in hot environments can lead to heat stress and overheating in pets, which can cause health complications.
In hot weather, Justice said it is important to ensure hydration and ventilation to prevent heat stress.
For owners who might opt to take pets for a dip to escape the heat, be warned — blue-green algae, a bacteria found in freshwater, can have life-threatening effects on dogs.
If a pet experiences symptoms like vomiting or seizures after swimming in freshwater, Justice said to take pets immediately to the veterinarian in case of blue-green algae exposure.
Generally, she urges pet owners to ensure dogs have identification and microchips with up-to-date information.
“There are just so many animals out there that are available for adoption, so going in and looking … finding an animal that is compatible with your needs and your family … is good,” Justice said.
