Dr Ankur Sharma
We all love the monsoon season but even with the outside mercury dipping, your pets life becomes extremely stressful. Elevated levels of atmospheric humidity seem to be treacherous for them making the rainy season next to unbearable for them. We might enjoy the rains, but the same cannot be said for them. They get really irritated by it and while it may seem that your pet likes to play in the downpour, but actually he is unhappy.
It is very hard to keep a check on your pet, as he is dirty the next minute you give him a bath. Using too much water can result in skin infections in your hairy pet. Thus, the best option would be to use a dry shampoo and clean him thoroughly. These shampoos do not require the use of water and can be used to get rid of dirt and grime from the coat. A hairdryer can be used to dry the damp hair and then trendy monsoon dog shirts can protect them from getting wet again. Coolers are not advisable as they further increase the humidity and stress due to heavy rainfall.
Dogs do not sweat much through their skin which makes them susceptible to fungal and yeast infections and may result in a lot of discomfort resembling an itchy rash or lump around the eyes, ears or muzzle or dominating the pads of their feet and having a need to scratch. Scratching makes skin diseases become more severe. Sometimes the infections may even cause death so it is important to keep the fur dry. This can be prevented by cleaning the skin with a clean dry towel and dabbing anti-fungal powders or ointments for localized infection.
Infectious diseases like parvovirus diarrhoea, distemper, foot wounds, maggots and hepatitis spread among dogs during the rainy season. But the most life-threatening disease among these is leptospira. Humidity during the rainy season causes the spread of leptospira among pets that can further be passed on to human beings and cause serious problems. Pets contract these infections through rats so it is necessary to control the spread of such diseases among domestic animals to prevent its outbreak among human beings.
Pets are very susceptible to worms in this rainy season so deworming is absolutely necessary for them. Worm infestation may lead to anaemia, general debility anorexia, dullness of coat and many other complications. Another problem that seems to haunt most pet owners at this point is that of ticks and fleas. The best way to prevent tick infestation is to avoid taking your dog for a walk on grass and also keep their sleeping area free of mosquitoes, fleas, ticks and bugs. You must remember to use anti-tick preparations such as dog collars, shampoos, lotions or powders to protect your pet from ticks and fleas. Since their ears, paw and fur are more prone infection, the long hairs of the dogs like the Retriever, Cocker Spaniel can be trimmed short. The ears and paws also need cleaning so use cotton swabs to remove all the fine dirt. To test whether you have done a good cleaning is by seeing if your dog is licking itself. The less it licks the cleaner is its body. Even the nails collect dirt so trim them to avoid infection.
Monsoon pet diet should mainly consist of fiber rich food like banana that help pets who suffer from indigestion. Dairy products need to avoided as for some it may be allergic. Always make sure the food is freshly prepared and free from fungi. Addition of multivitamins during the rainy season is highly recommended, especially when rains come each day. Maintaining a good hygiene, keeping the feeding area clean, feeding a balanced diet, clean water and regular exercise will keep your pets healthy in the wet season. During the rainy season you must look out for the poisonous mushrooms that may sprout up in your garden or anywhere your pet goes for a walk. These are extremely toxic and may result in poisoning. In case, your pet comes down with uncontrollable vomiting or diarrhoea, you must rush to the vet.
It is hard to take pets for a walk everyday during rainy season, if you are unable to do so for a long time, you may notice obesity problem especially in case of Labrador dogs. So make them climb up the stairs or leave them free inside to keep them active. Playing Frisbee or a soft ball in the indoor can also help in keeping the pets fresh and active.
Rainy season increases the chance of pets falling ill. Number of problems related to skin, coat, stomach etc are common during this season. With a large numbers of pet lovers in the city, numerous pet shops and chemists have latest kinds of medicines, shampoos and accessories to avail and keep pets healthy. Along with proper medication, the foremost thing is to keep the surroundings clean, dry and avoiding the chances of birth of infections. If you still find your pet suffering from repeatedly scratching, feeling uncomfortable and sick, take it to the vet for specialised treatment. Neglect may lead to chronic diseases that need time-consuming and costly treatments.
Do remember that prevention is better than cure. The pet care tips for monsoon season above are not very hard to practise. It is very important that you give more to your loving, faithful friend, “Happy pet care during the rainy days!”
(The author is Assistant Professor, Division of Veterinary Surgery, Faculty of Veterinary Sciences and AH, SKUAST-J, RS Pura, Jammu).
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