Ticks, adders and heat: Be aware of summer hazards with your pet

The Finnish summer is a wonderful time for both pets and their owners. Nature is at its best for outdoor activities, and the gentle weather invites you to slow down and explore new scents and places together.

However, summer also brings certain risks. Spending time in nature increases exposure to parasites and potential accidents. With the right preparation and awareness, you can still enjoy the summer safely with your four-legged friend.

Ticks and their prevention

Ticks can transmit serious diseases to pets, such as Lyme disease (borreliosis) and anaplasmosis. The best way to protect against these is prevention.

Today, there are effective topical treatments, collars, and chewable tablets available that either repel ticks before they bite or kill them quickly after attachment, thereby preventing the transmission of pathogens to the pet. There is also an injectable product available for tick prevention that provides protection for up to 12 months. In addition, tick removal tools are available to make removing ticks easy and safe.

We are happy to help you choose the most suitable products for your pet. We also recommend performing a tick check after walks in grassy areas.

An adder bite is an emergency

If an adder bites a dog or cat, it always requires immediate veterinary treatment. Adder venom is a complex mixture of enzymes that destroy tissue around the bite site but can also cause serious systemic damage.

The venom can lead to blood clotting disorders, cardiac arrhythmias, and kidney or liver damage. In the worst cases, the bite can cause shock, which is life-threatening without rapid intensive care.

The most important instruction is to keep the pet as still as possible so that the venom does not spread quickly through the bloodstream. Do not give a cortisone tablet on your own initiative unless specifically instructed by a veterinarian, as it may complicate other treatments and place additional strain on the kidneys.

Heatstroke can occur quickly

Heat can be particularly dangerous for pets. Never leave a pet in a car, even if it is parked in the shade.

Symptoms of heatstroke include heavy panting, excessive drooling, and unsteadiness. If you suspect heatstroke in a dog or cat, cool the animal immediately by pouring lukewarm or cool water over its coat (avoid ice-cold water, as it can cause blood vessels to constrict and slow down cooling). You can also use wet towels, especially on the abdomen and groin area.

Contact a veterinarian immediately.

A summer first-aid kit for your pet

We recommend putting together a small summer first-aid kit for your pet. It is useful to include tick tweezers or a tick remover for removing ticks, disinfectant and saline solution for cleaning wounds and rinsing eyes, as well as gauze, elastic bandages, and cleaning pads to protect wounds.

A digital thermometer and lubricant are also useful for monitoring body temperature. A dog’s normal temperature is 37.5–39.0 °C, and temperatures above 41 °C are life-threatening. For sudden digestive issues, anti-diarrhoea medication and probiotic preparations can help, and it is also good to carry paw boots or protective booties to protect injured paws.

Adder tablets (cortisone) should only be given according to a veterinarian’s instructions, especially if the bite is in the head area, where swelling could obstruct the airways.