In the spring our beloved dogs suffer a series of inconveniences caused by the association of several allergens that may result in mild or severe allergic reactions, unique to this season: allergic dermatitis, digestive sensitivity and diseases transmitted by parasites or mosquitoes that require some special care.   

When the weather begins to warm, ticks begin to hatch and start looking for a host to feed off. They are mostly found in gardens, lawns, shrubs, etc.. This parasite is not a big deal for dogs, only taking a small amount of blood, the problem arises when these ticks are carriers of other microorganisms. Microorganisms that are carried inside the parasites normally cause serious complications, they can infiltrate the dogs’ blood destroying cells and cause severe anaemic states, immunosuppression, and clotting problems in fundamental organs such as the kidneys and liver. The best and easiest thing to do is prevent our pet getting ticks in the first place, so they can't develop any disease from them. 

Another common ailment is mosquito-borne Leishmaniasis. Leishmaniasis is caused by a microscopic parasite abundant in certain areas of our country, coinciding with rivers and marshes, and other bodies of water such as swamps, pools, etc.., ie where sandfly mosquitoes- the transmitor- live. This produces a series of symptoms such as apathy, loss of apetite, weight loss, skin and joint problems, haemorrhaging, etc. It is very important to keep an eye out for these symptoms since the development of the disease depends largely on the animal’s immune system. In endemic areas it is best to do two serological tests per year to ensure that the dog does not have the disease or if it does, that there is enough time to treat it. As soon as Spring arrives, we recommend extreme precautions to avoid life threatening situations.

Luposan Spain Conrado Grandville (notes) on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 at 15:13