22/07/2026
SUMMER RiSKS FOR YOUR DOG -
1. Awns - nasty plant parts with barbs! We did find quite a lot of them so far this summer! They get stuck on ears, eyes, paws and anywhere in the skin. Control if excessive licking, redishness, swelling and/or fistulas occur! Due to their barbs they only know one direction deep into to the tissue, causing damage, pain & inflammation.
2. Water Intoxication - does not mean the water your dog plays in, swims or drinks from is toxic but by playing too long & intense in/with water (not saltwater) or even with hoses and ingesting it. Red blood cells as well as others & brain cells might swell leading to neurological issues, seizures, or even death.
3. Insect bites - be prepared to contact a vet if swelling of the head and especially the mouth/tongue shortly after the sting occur and/or your pet starts to become very apathic. If heavy breathing is detected it is assessed as an emergency! Control the area, try to get the sting out, cool the area and contact your vet immediately.
4. Water tail - muscle sprain that is typically causing a dog’s tail to go limp, hanging straight down or sticking out horizontally before dropping. Causes like prolonged swimming, intense exercise, or being crated for long periods can lead to it. Quite common in sporting breeds and often triggered by exposure to cold or wet water.
5. Heat intolerance, stroke - after exposure to sun, excersise in heat or just warm weather, especially ill, senior pets and brachycephalic dogs tend to react very severe. Possibly nausea, vomiting, excessive panting, lethargy, circulation issues due to overheating occur… prophylactics are always better than any therapy in these cases.
6. Food intoxications, check for grapes, avocado, garlic, chocolate, plants such as Lillys and Oleander.
7. barbecue risks include ingested bones, wooden sticks, corn on the cob, even burns on skin…
8. Fireworks (check Swiss national day, 1st of August) can be lit anytime - check & secure your pets, contact us for anxiety relief options… enjoy a happy, relaxed summer ☀️ with your pets, your team Kleintierpraxis Kreis 2