Monsoon…a sigh of relief from the blistering heat. But much as we enjoy the season, we need to follow some precautions, especially for the sake of our furry friends. In the case of pet dogs, there is an almost 50 per cent rise in the illnesses they suffer from once monsoon arrives.

Here are some tips to keep your pet healthy this wet weather — 

Tummy trouble: The rate of stomach infections increases in monsoon. One reason is that dogs tend to lick the ground when they go out for their walk but the wet soil causes the bacteria to come to the surface. So when the dog licks the soil the bacteria goes straight to their stomach. 

Take extra care to give your dog clean drinking water this season. This is because they can get water-borne diseases like humans do. People who leave their dog home in the morning and return in the evening often leave a whole lot of food in their bowl, thinking the dog can grab a bite whenever hungry. 

This is not healthy for the dog as the food starts getting bad. Dog food should be removed after half an hour. Feed him at set intervals and do not over-feed or under-feed him. 

To increase immunity this season, the dog can be given Vitamin C supplements. You can consult your vet and get your dog immunised. 

De-worming: Deworming is a must in monsoon. The proper de-worming schedule is once at an interval of every 15 days, up to the age of three months. Then on, it should be once every month up to the age of six months. Till the age of one year, it should be once every two months. From then on, your dog should be dewormed once every three months. 

However, in monsoon, it is advisable to deworm your dog in two and a half months instead of three months. 
If your dog has liver issues, then before giving deworming, start giving him liver stimulants at least for seven days. 

Skin care: Many pet owners do not bathe their dogs in the rainy season but it not healthy to leave them dirty. 
Ectoparasites like ticks, lice, mite and fleas breed in the monsoon and so your dog is very susceptible to catching them. Bathe him with anti-tick shampoo at least once or twice a week and on the other days bathe him with water alone. What is most important is to dry him quickly after the bath. You can use a hair dryer on him but some dogs get scared of the sound it makes. Otherwise it’s fine to towel-dry him. 
If the dog is prone to cough and cold, spray “dry bath” solution on his coat and rub well. This will keep him clean and odourless. 

Walk in the park: After every walk out in the open, clean your pet’s feet with sponge and an antiseptic soap. A plain water wash is not enough. Since the muck on the road is likely to have splashed on to the dog’s underbelly, it is important to clean him there as well. Again, remember to wipe him dry immediately after the wash so he doesn’t catch a cold. 

It is best if your dog agrees to wear shoes, socks and a raincoat with a hood, as they will protect him (picture left). 
Regular grooming: Brush your dog regularly this season so as to maintain the fur and remove dirt and dead parts of the hair follicles. 

Keep the dog’s nails clipped, ears cleaned and dental hygiene maintained. 
Keep the above in mind and have a fun and safe season ahead. 

(The author is a vet at Animel Planet, BD Block)