Summer dangers

Summer Dangers for Staffordshire Terriers

Summer is the time to spend time outdoors, relax and enjoy the sun. Like any other time of the year, summer presents a danger to dogs that owners should be aware of and be aware of. If you are concerned about your dog due to any of the following, seek advice and assistance from your veterinarian.

Heat and dehydration

Dogs do not handle high temperatures as well as humans, as they have a harder time cooling themselves. It is important to pay attention to signs that your dog is too hot (such as rapid breathing and lethargy) and take the necessary precautions to avoid heat stroke. Make sure your Staffordshire Terrier gets plenty of water and a place in the shade to cool off.

Learn more about how to help your amstaff on a hot day

Hot sidewalks

On sunny days, sidewalks can often be deceptively hot and are usually much warmer than the air outside. Under certain conditions, the pavement can become hot enough to cause pain, discomfort, and even burn your Stafford's paws. The best way to determine if the pavement is too hot for your dog is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it's too painful for your hand, it's also too painful for your pet's paws.

Grass seeds

When going for a walk during the hot summer months, be aware that some grass seeds can injure your dog. In our area they are called "ustyuk" or "ustyug". These seeds act like small arrowheads and can get caught in the dog's fur, ears, paws, or even stuck in his nose. These seeds can penetrate deep into the skin and soft tissues when the dog moves, causing pain, swelling, and infection. Dogs with hairy paws and ears are especially at risk. Always check your Amstaff after walking in meadows, woods, or any green space and take him to the vet if you think he may be infected.

Picnics

All kinds of picnics and field trips are popular in the summer, but they pose a considerable risk for dogs. Since food is readily available, your staff can use every opportunity to snack from your guests' plates and from the floor. Set boundaries to prevent your dog from taking picnic food and warn your guests not to feed your dog inappropriate food that is dangerous to your dog (such as cooked bones). Also, make sure your Amstaff doesn't get too close to the grill or campfire. Don't leave trash such as plastic wraps and barbecue skewers where your dog can get to them.

Blue green algae

Blue-green algae can be found in many types of water bodies throughout Ukraine (such as rivers, ponds, lakes, artificial ponds, etc.) and they can release toxins that can be harmful to animals and humans. The types of chemicals produced by algae can vary and therefore can cause a wide range of different clinical effects. These effects can range from vomiting and diarrhea (both may be bloody) to drowsiness, effects on the heart and blood pressure, twitching, breathing problems, liver and kidney problems, or even death shortly after exposure.

Dogs are most often exposed to toxins when they swim, play, or drink from contaminated water. Water containing blue-green algae may have a different color or may be recognizable by algae blooms appearing on the surface of the water or near the shore. Unfortunately, without analysis it is impossible to know if any toxins are present in the water.

The maximum number of blue-green algae in the reservoir will be from mid to late summer. If you come across a body of water known to contain blue-green algae, do not allow your dog to swim in or drink from it.

Flowers and plants

Summer is the perfect time to get out of the house and relax in the garden or park. However, some plants and flowers can be toxic to dogs and cause serious clinical consequences.
There are various lists of plants that are considered poisonous to dogs. We don’t even know about the danger of some plants, because we breed them as indoor plants. Some plants are dangerous not only to gnaw, but also to drink the water in which they stood. Try to study these lists and be on the lookout.

Insect bites

Along with blooming flowers, summer brings an abundance of insects. The severity of an insect bite depends on the insect itself, the site of the bite, and whether your dog is allergic. Typical signs include redness, pain, and swelling.

Learn more about how to help your amstaff with bee or wasp stings

Chemicals and fertilizers

All kinds of chemicals are the main danger for dogs in the garden. The most dangerous and common are pellets from slugs and snails containing metaldehyde. Small amounts can cause serious toxic effects, so contact your veterinarian immediately if your dog has swallowed the pellets. Signs include muscle spasms and rigidity, tremors and seizures, and incoordination.

Ant powders, baits and gels are also dangerous. They rarely cause serious poisoning, as the concentration of active ingredients is usually low. If swallowed, you may see salivation, constricted pupils, elevated body temperature, and staggering. In severe cases, toxic effects include respiratory depression, convulsions, and may lead to coma.

Toads

The common toad is mainly found near bodies of water, in damp places or in forested areas. Poisoning occurs when dogs lick or eat toads. Toad exposure is highest between June and August when they spawn. Signs include vomiting, foaming and foaming at the mouth, hypersalivation, trembling, mouth pain, and collapse.

Beach hazards

There can be several dangers for your dog on the beach, so precautions should be taken. Do not allow your dog to drink sea water as this can lead to salt poisoning. Make sure you have enough fresh water for your dog. Make sure your dog has a shady area where he can cool off. Sometimes you can use sunscreen on sensitive areas like the nose and ears. Running on sand requires more energy than running on grass, so make sure your dog doesn't overwork and gets enough rest. Rinse the salt and sand from the dog's fur and paws and check for cuts.

Amstaff in hot cars

In no case should you leave dogs in the car unattended, even on a warm day. Dogs can die even if the car has been left in the shade and the car windows are open. The rate of heating inside the car is so fast that the dog can easily die from overheating (after 5 minutes, the interior heats up by +4°C, after 10 minutes by 7°C). If you are traveling in a car with your dog for an extended period of time, make sure you take the necessary precautions such as making many stops, having plenty of water and a suitable shady spot for your dog.

© Tatyana Lazko, co-owner of the American Staffordshire Terrier kennel "Strider in Diversity"