Canine care can be tricky in the rainy season.
The onset of rains draws very different reactions from man and his best friend. Unlike us, a dog’s mind is not preoccupied by thoughts of roadside Irani chai and samosas, instead they face discomfort and a host of serious infections and allergies.
Bacteria and viruses multiply rapidly in the rainy season and this is the main cause for many problems that can trouble your pet dog. It is impossible not to take your pet for a walk at least twice a day and as inquisitive creatures, they tend to lap up contaminated water from the puddles on the road. Jayant Tagore complains that an upset stomach is one of the problems his dogs, a beagle and a Labrador retriever, face during the monsoon.
Dr. M. Praveen Kumar, a veterinarian in the city says, “Gastroenteritis is one of the common problems; it begins with vomiting and then develops into diarrhoea.” Their curiosity can also result in eating up frogs which triggers an allergic reaction that spreads swiftly causing the face and eyes to swell and bumps appear on the body. Immediate medical help must be given to the dog/puppy as this can be quite serious.
Fungal infections, especially in the ears, are also widespread in this season, since in many breeds the ears are covered and don’t get much air to dry out any water that may have entered the ear canal. The digits of the paws are also potential areas for fungal infections if they are not cleaned properly after the dog’s walk. There are anti-fungal powders that can be used after grooming the dog.
Seema Kumar, the owner of a pug, says she prevents infections by wiping the nose, ears and body of her dog. Using tick collars and sprays along with constant grooming also prevents ticks and fleas from staying on the coats of the dog. Looking after a pet dog is all about taking precautionary measures and observing his/her behaviour to detect any sort of discomfort the pet may be facing. Dr. Praveen advices pet dog owners to be aware of different types of infections and their symptoms in order to give it the right first aid before heading to the veterinarian.
Keywords: pets care, canine care
