06/18/2026
Hey everybody!! This is gonna be a long one, but give it all a read please!
Summer is just about upon us but it's already been getting pretty warm!
I want to start with a reminder that THE BEST protection against tick-born illnesses is PREVENTION! This is always, always the BEST PROTECTION! Just a couple weeks ago, Abilene Animal Hospital in Abilene, Ks. posted about losing two feline patients to Cytauxzoonosis, AKA Bobcat Fever. It originates primarily from Lonestar Ticks, but sometimes American Dog Ticks that have previously been in contact with...you guessed it: bobcats. Bobcats are immune to the disease, (domestic) house cats CANNOT infect other cats, nor can humans or dogs contract the disease. This is disease has also been notably on the rise lately as tick populations have shifted and spread.
In domesticated house cats, this a RAPIDLY progressing, life-threatening disease. Literally always considered a medical emergency. It is often fatal, even with veterinary intervention within 2-3 days of symptoms appearing.
What to watch for: severe lethargy, fever or high fever, loss of appetite, jaundice, anemia, respiratory distress and physical discomfort. IF you suspect at all that your feline friend might have contracted this disease, TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE. But again, the BEST PROTECTION is PREVENTION. Talk to your vet about tick prevention medications, ESPECIALLY if your cat is an outdoor or indoor/outdoor cat.
On to the next!!
IT'S GETTING HOT.
We all know and *love* Kansas summers. Dog's don't. Anything over 80 degrees F outside can become life threatening, especially to brachycephalic breeds (Think pugs, or anything with a shortened or squished snout) and double coated breeds (looking at you, Husky's and relatives).
DOG IGLOOS ARE NOT SHADE, OR COOL, ESPECIALLY IN THE SUN.
We've all seen them, the plastic dome shaped dog houses. During mild winter weather they can be ok for short periods for keeping pets out of the weather. But an igloo dog house during spring and summer, especially when it's sitting in the sun just becomes a solar powered oven.
We're talking 10-20 degrees HOTTER inside than the outside temperature.
Insulated versions with a vent on top, when placed in the shade can be good about keeping the temperature about ambient. Anything outside of that, again...it just becomes an OVEN.
With that, dog's placed on tethers outside should be supervised at all times, and especially once temperatures start reaching 80 and above, should only be left outside for about 30 minutes at a time.
Dogs that stay outside: Shelter, shade, fresh water often, good airflow!
Pets should NEVER be left in locked vehicles. No quick errand is quick enough or worth losing a pet to heat stroke (or a window...legal in a lot of places).
Stay tuned throughout the coming weeks and all throughout summer as we'll be posting information and reminders about these topics and more!
And remember, if it's too hot for you, it's too hot for them!
🐱🐶🌞☀️⛈️🚗🚑🚓🏠
