Greencross Vets Our pets’ needs change as the weather heats up, so we’ve put together our Essential Spring/Summer Pet Health Checklist. Whether you’re staying at home or taking your pet on holiday, it’s important that you’ve checked in on their regular health care, ensured ongoing preventative treatments are up to date and prepared for any additional risks the warmer weather and festive season can bring. Keeping them healthy and happy will mean a stress-free time for everyone.
1. Don’t Skip Tick Protection
While ticks can be active year-round, they are much more prevalent during the warmer months. The most common varieties are the brown dog tick and the paralysis tick – the latter being potentially fatal to your pets. Preventative treatments for ticks should form an ongoing part of your pet’s care, particularly if you live on the East Coast of Australia.
If you live in a tick-prone region, you should check your pet daily, paying close attention to the face and neck, as these are the most common attachment areas, also making sure to look under their collar, and the rest of their body, including their ears and between their toes, as the ticks can really be anywhere.
2. Check Yearly Vaccinations
Staying up to date with vaccinations is essential, but it’s particularly important if you’re taking your pet away on holiday or hosting get-togethers. New environments, people and their pets present additional infection risks, so you’ll want your pet’s vaccinations in check.
3. Update Microchip Details
Make sure your most recent address and contact details are linked to your pet’s microchip, particularly if you’re heading away with them on a holiday. This way, you’ll ensure they’ll be reunited with you should they undertake solo wanderings.
4. Watch for Heat Stress
Rising temperatures can pose serious health risks for your pets. Be alert for signs of heatstroke, including increased panting, a bright red tongue/gums, diarrhoea and vomiting.
Keep your pet cool by avoiding taking them out during the hottest parts of the day. This is also important as we don’t want to burn their pads when walking. If you are ever concerned, please seek prompt care with your local Greencross Vets team if needed.
5. Get Snake Savvy
Australia’s venomous snakes become more active as the weather heats up, so pet owners need to be alert. Keeping grass short, the garden tidy, and your pets on a lead when walking through bushy areas are some ways to keep them safe from potentially fatal snake bites.
Should you suspect that your pet has been bitten, please seek immediate veterinary attention. Often after an initial collapse, dogs appear to get better. Unfortunately, this apparent recovery is soon followed by a deterioration requiring immediate care.
6. Remove Toxic Plants
Common household plants, including lilies, can be deadly to cats and cause stomach upsets in dogs. But there are a whole host of plants that can prove dangerous for pets. Download our list of toxic plants and keep your pet safe by removing potential risks from your surroundings, particularly if you’re staying somewhere new.
7. Groom for Comfort
Keeping coats trimmed short and sleek will help your pet stay cool in the heat and also assist you in catching any signs of parasites, like ticks and fleas, early. Long-haired breeds will benefit from regular grooming to ensure they’re as comfortable as possible in spring and summer.
8. Create an Emergency Plan
Extreme weather events are a part of life, so it’s well worth taking the time to refine your plan in the case of bushfires, floods, etc. This emergency plan should include every member of your family – your pets, too. It needs to consider how you will transport them, and some additional equipment – such as a travel crate – may need to be bought to ensure you’re prepared. Do a run-through with your family if you live in a high-risk area to ensure everyone is familiar with the plan.
9. Know Your Nearest Emergency Hospital
Accidents can happen at any time, and the festive season offers slightly differing hours for some Greencross Vets locations. If you need assistance at any time, or aren’t sure, you can contact WebVet here and you can always rely on our partner network of emergency hospitals, which are open 365 days a year, including public holidays. Why not have your closest location’s details close at hand so you’re always prepared?
These are just some of the considerations to keep in mind coming into the end of the year. Don’t forget that Christmas can offer up a lot of dietary-related red flags for pets, and fireworks can cause a lot of anxiety for some, too. If you need any additional guidance, feel free to reach out to your local Greencross Vets team so every member of your family can make the most of a beautiful time of year.
