5+1 less-known dangers of rainy walks: be prepared for these too

You have to go out with your pet even in the rain, but there are a few precautions you need to take for their safety.

The spring weather this year rightfully deserves the fickle label: one day, it’s blazing sunshine and nearly 30 degrees, indulging people, and the next day, we wake up to barely a few degrees and pouring rain. However, as a dog owner, one thing is certain: you have to take your dog out. Yet, rainy walks conceal dangers that many people don’t even think about. Now we’ll go through these so you can be prepared for everything.

1.) Poor visibility

The gloomy, foggy weather, as well as pouring rain, significantly reduce visibility, which you must pay close attention to! Firstly, both of you should wear some visibility gear, and pay even more attention to traffic than usual! Not only motorists but cyclists can also cause serious injuries to your pet, so don’t let them wander far, even on a leash, and keep them close to you when crossing the road.

2.) Thunder

A sudden storm accompanied by thunder and lightning can frighten your dog, especially the more timid or reactive ones. If you get caught in a downpour during a walk, try to get home as quickly as possible. If you see that your pet is scared, be careful not to let them pull the leash out of your hand. It’s advisable to pick up smaller animals and carry them home safely.

3.) Infected puddles

Stagnant water can harbor numerous pathogens, so never let your dog drink from puddles, and don’t allow them to play in them either! One of the dangerous and most common bacteria is leptospirosis, which spreads through the urine of rodents. It can enter the body of both animals and humans through ingestion or contact with skin wounds, attacking the liver and kidneys. If left untreated, the condition can be fatal, warns the PetMD veterinary website. Fortunately, the combination vaccine provides protection against this, so be sure to have your pet vaccinated!

Another common inhabitant of puddles is the parasite called Giardia, which when ingested, causes nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Protection against infection is possible through vaccination, and treatment can be done with various medications, but it can cause a very serious condition in young or weakened dogs. Therefore, prevention is always the best approach!

In addition to parasites, water can also collect toxins, such as pesticides, antifreeze, oil, and gasoline. These all cause severe, potentially life-threatening poisoning, even with prompt medical intervention. They can also be problematic when in contact with the skin, so after a walk, always wash and dry your pet’s paws.

4.) Mushrooms

Rainfall favors the proliferation of fungi, some of which are toxic. Therefore, never allow your dog to sniff or, especially, taste them. If your dog has ingested any, always consider it a potential poisoning and immediately contact your veterinarian! It’s important to take a sample of the mushroom in question for examination.

The symptoms of mushroom poisoning include: lethargy or hyperactivity, vomiting, diarrhea, drooling, trembling, seizures, coordination problems, and ultimately death.

5) Frogs and snails

The curious dog can easily make the mistake of wanting to get to know a slimy naked snail, slug, or frog up close. However, their body covering material, especially when ingested, can cause nausea, vomiting, drooling, and discomfort.

Moreover, besides irritation, some snails can also infect the animal with lungworms! The larvae usually enter the snail through the feces of infected animals, then live in its body. So if the dog eats the mollusk, it becomes infected too. Additionally, they can also infect through their slime, so even licking the snail or its trail endangers your pet!

The symptoms of lungworm infection include coughing, difficulty or rapid breathing, lethargy, vomiting, diarrhea, weight loss, loss of appetite, internal bleeding, and fainting. The infection can be treated, but even better news is that there are preventive measures available. Consult with your veterinarian about it!

+1.) Pneumonia

Finally, we need to talk about an ancillary issue, namely pneumonia. The risk of pneumonia threatens the animal when it is exposed to prolonged cold, damp weather. Although an occasional rainy walk does not pose such a significant risk, it is still very important to dry your pet thoroughly when you get home. Additionally, you can protect them with a water-repellent coat while they are outside. It is especially important to be vigilant about protecting the health of young, elderly, chronically ill, or immunocompromised dogs.