The Seaforth Vet: Changing of the Seasons

As the vibrant hues of spring and summer start to fade, and the cooler mornings and shorter days announce the arrival of autumn, veterinarians along the Northern Beaches will often see a shift in the cases they see. 

During the spring and summer months I see many dogs with skin conditions, ear infections, wounds (from self-inflicted cuts from running on oyster shells, to run-ins with other animals), and insect bites. When I graduated, I very occasionally saw an anaphylactic-type reaction as the result of an insect bite. Recently I have seen more and more of these cases. Dogs often come in collapsed and can vomit or pass diarrhoea. They often require intense medical intervention. As these insects mainly lie dormant over the cooler months it’s not something we generally see through winter. 

The high pollen counts, abundant fresh-cut grass and high humidity of the spring and summer months, mean dogs suffering from allergic dermatitis are at their most vulnerable. I spend much of my time trying to reduce the itch and clear up secondary bacterial infections. As the pollen count and humidity drops their skin often improves dramatically, reducing the need for trips to the vet. 

Another summer plight is ear infections in our dogs with big floppy ears and a love for the water (Golden Retrievers and Labradors of the Northern Beaches, I’m looking at you). Their ear canals get wet and then don’t dry out because of their conformation. This, combined with the humidity, creates the perfect environment for an overgrowth of yeast and bacteria. As trips to the beach and the humidity drop, I spend a lot less time looking down dog’s ear canals and the microscope.

As Autumn sets in and the temperature drops, the focus of pet care shifts towards addressing the needs of our older animals, particularly those with arthritis. The colder weather can exacerbate joint pain and stiffness in these animals. I often spend a lot of time discussing different things we can do minimise the impact of arthritis on a pet’s quality of life. These include managing diet and exercise, bedding, nutraceuticals, and, where appropriate, analgesic medications. If you are concerned that your pet (cats can suffer from arthritis as well) has arthritis, please contact your vet.

Although not weather-related, with the Easter long weekend just around the corner, remember that while chocolate tastes amazing (and there is nothing more fun than to watch the sheer delight on young children’s faces during an Easter egg hunt), chocolate is toxic for dogs. So, keep the chocolate well away from your dogs. If they do manage to get hold of some and eat it, please contact your vet. I will never forget the look I got from a dog I made vomit, after we found out it was his sister who had eaten the stash of Cadbury easter eggs.