Be Pupared for Summer Adventures

Posted by Animal Care Team on January 30, 2023

Red dog in a field with sunglasses and an orange hat, and Absorbine Silver Honey Hot Spot & Wound Care packaging

Your pup loves to be out and about exploring with you during the warm summer months. It's best to prepare in advance for those adventures. For you, that might mean stocking up on swimsuits and sunscreen. For your pet, it might mean a cooling summer cut—and being prepared for hot spots and other ailments that the heat can bring. After all, pets are a part of the family, and we want them to lead happy, healthy lives alongside us! Time spent outdoors does often come with a higher occurrence of cuts, scrapes, bug bites, chapped paws, rashes, and of course, the dreaded hot spots. But by keeping Silver Honey® on hand, you don’t have to let any of that ruin your summer fun. First off…

What Wounds Should I Watch For?

Hot Spots

Hot spots show up as a patch where there has been hair loss, often red and irritated. They can be intensely itchy or painful for the dog, causing them to bite and scratch at it. Hot spots are more common with certain breeds of dogs who have thicker coats, but that doesn’t mean other breeds can’t get them. Unfortunately, summer is also “hot spot season,” since hot, humid weather is the perfect condition for the bacteria that causes hot spot to thrive.

Flea Bites or Signs of Flea Allergy

The sun is out, you and your pet are enjoying the warm weather… but unfortunately, the fleas are out and about too! The first sign of a flea problem is excessive itching, but a flea allergy may present with more severe symptoms, such as hair loss, skin infection, and scabbing from intense scratching and biting. (Friendly reminder to make sure your pets are on a preventative flea medication or treatment!)

Sunburn

You’re not the only one who needs to watch out for harmful rays from too much time in the sun. Dogs with light skin, short, or thin hair are more susceptible to irritation from the sun. Keep an eye on areas where there is less pigmentation, such as inside the legs, your pet’s belly, and bridge of the nose.

Scratches and Scrapes

Frolicking through grass and brush during the summer months may be your pet’s summer dream, but it also means you need to check your fur baby for scratches and scrapes on the regular! Check vulnerable spots on your pet after hikes and time outside—neglecting even minor cuts and scrapes can present as a bigger problem down the road if it gets infected or is particularly dirty and irritated.

What Preventative Measures Can I Take?

The last thing we want is for summer ailments to slow you and your pet down. That’s why prevention is the key! With a few easy steps, you may be able to avoid summer wounds altogether.

Dry off Your Dog!

Water loving pups are at higher risk for hot spots. Why? Damp fur is an ideal environment for bacteria to thrive. If your pet is known to go for a dip in the pool or lake, make sure to dry them completely after they take a swim.

Get Your Pet Their Summer Haircut

A trip to the groomer will do a lot of good this time of year. Not only will a trim keep your pet cool (and looking cute!)—shorter fur is less likely to be home to hot spot-causing bacteria and will make it easier for you to identify problems like cuts, scrapes, sunburn, and other irritated spots.

Keep Up With Pest Prevention

This one is quite simple. Your pet is more likely to get oozing, painful hot spots if they have fleas or ticks. The bites, along with constant scratching, can lead to more uncomfortable wounds. So make sure you’re up-to-date on your pet’s pest medication or other preventative measures.

Always Have Fresh Water on Hand

Hydration, hydration, hydration! Just like people, pets can get dehydrated from the heat—and dehydration makes them more vulnerable to other things. Provide lots and lots of fresh water for your pet during the summer, so they aren’t likely to get into less sanitary water sources.

How Can I Treat Any Wounds My Pet Does Get?

Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent a wound from happening. The good news is, they are easily treatable, especially if you act fast, which is why we recommend being prepared by having Silver Honey® already on hand.

Silver Honey is a topical natural healing product formulated for pets that rapidly heals wounds without the use of antibiotics. Harnessing the natural power of Medical-grade Manuka honey and MicroSilver BG®*, Silver Honey® will heal without disrupting the skin’s natural microbiome. It is clinically proven to work on hot spots, along with any other cuts, scratches, chapped paws, or rashes that your pet might be dealing with! It's important to note that human medications such as Neosporin should not be used on pets. Among other reasons, these products contain antibiotics, which should only be administered in the care of a vet at times when it is medically necessary.

After you apply Silver Honey®, or if your pets are particularly persistent or stubborn, you’ll want to keep your pets away from the affected area. We suggest applying Silver Honey right before an activity like meal time, play time, or a walk. This will keep your pet distracted for at least a few minutes to allow Silver Honey® to get to work on healing.

Continue to apply Silver Honey® once a day until the wound is healed. If necessary, employ the cone of shame, errr, we mean healing to prevent scratching and biting while the hot spot is healing! As always, if the area looks especially raw or large, be sure to reach out to your Vet.

Have fun this summer, pet parents! By keeping some Silver Honey® on hand—especially if you are going on a road trip or camping—you’ll be prepared for hot spots and itchy skin.