Common Health Problems Arizona Dogs & Cats Face

Although your pet may know how to beg for a treat or look for attention, it may not know how to tell you when it is in great pain. There are hundreds of different medical conditions faced by pets in Arizona and if you don’t stay vigilant, your pet may be forced to suffer unnecessarily. Catch certain illnesses too late and you may be unable to save your beloved pet. Below, we look at some of the most common medical conditions faced by pets in Arizona.

Hyperthermia is classified as an elevation in body temperature that is above the normal range. Cats and dogs in particular are similar to humans in that their normal body temperature is in the 99-102 degree Fahrenheit range and once it goes above 103 degrees, heat stroke is possible. This is a condition that could result in multiple organ dysfunctions with symptoms including dehydration, rapid heart rate, seizures, vomiting blood and excessive drooling. Excessive heat and humidity is one of the causes, so don’t leave your pet outside in the Arizona sun too long. If your pet suffers hyperthermia, you need to use cool water to reduce the body temperature and bring your pet to a veterinarian immediately.

This is a pretty broad topic since a pet can develop dozens of skin conditions if it is left exposed to excessive heat. There are a number of parasites that attack a pet’s skin including ticks, ear mites, fleas and sarcoptic mange mites. Itching and rashes can be triggered by allergens such as pollen, dust mites and mold. On certain occasions, you may actually see the fleas and ticks on your pet. There are special medicated shampoos available to kill these parasites and give your pet some badly needed relief.

As well as having to watch out for traditional pet illnesses, Arizona owners have to account for the effect of the sun on their pets during the searing summer heat. Although pets love being outdoors and being active, a responsible pet owner will know when to keep the animal indoors for its own good. It goes without saying that you need to provide clean and fresh water for your pet each day and never keep your pet inside a car if the temperature is more than 75 degrees outside. In such circumstances, the temperature inside the car can rise to dangerous levels in minutes and literally act like an oven.

As well as regular vet check-ups, you need to use common sense for the sake of your pet’s health, especially during the warm Arizona summer months. Otherwise, your pet could suffer heat stroke, one of many skin conditions, or worse, death.

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