Protect your pet from the harmattan (2) Last week, I began to shed some light on the effects of the harmattan on our pets; and I talked about a few ways in which we could provide the necessary care to meet their health needs in this cold, dry and dusty season. Today, I will shed more light on this topic, and bring it to a conclusion. Like I reiterated last week, the harmattan puts a lot of stress on our pets due to the excessive heat that they are constantly subjected to during this arid period. In fact, the heat experienced can actually deprive their body of certain important vitamins and minerals that they need for healthy cellular function, optimum growth and development. By taking multi-mineral or multi-vitamin supplements during the harmattan, your pet can get these nutrients restored to their body. In addition to this, there may be the need to discontinue the supply of some mineral and vitamin supplements during the hot season. For example, you may discontinue the use of supplements containing vitamin D during the harmattan period because of the abundant and extended hours of sunshine, especially if your pet participates in outdoor activities. Another necessary vitamin that is required by your pet in this season is the Vitamin C. This vitamin is absolutely essential during this season because it helps your pet to deal with the heat better because it acts as a natural antioxidant, improves the production of collagen in the skin and protects your pet’s skin from sun damage. Vitamin C also helps to prevent serious problems caused by excessive heat, such as heat stroke. Taking vitamin C can also help prevent or ease your pet’s allergy symptoms, as it works as a natural antihistamine. Giving your pet some fruits this season may not be a bad idea at all. However, it must be done in moderation. Fruits such as bananas, apples, oranges, etc., are rich sources of vitamin C that will be useful for our pets in this harmattan season and beyond. Grooming of pets Grooming your pet in this season may or may not be necessary. Resist shaving shorter-haired breeds because not only do they get no benefit from it, but they also run the risk of sunburn once shaved. However, if you have a dog with a very thick coat and if it seems to suffer from the heat, you can have a professional groomer take off some fur. Please, note that at this time, you should resist the temptation to shave your pet close to the skin. The groomer should leave at least an inch of hair to protect your pet from the sun’s rays and the cold chilly night that accompanies the harmattan season. In addition, pet owners will agree with me that many pets can be very impatient and not cooperate when you are grooming them, hence, raising the potential for painful accidents. It will be a lot cheaper to take your pet to a groomer, than to have to pay the veterinary doctor for a skin laceration repair. If a hair clipper is being used for grooming, please ensure that the clipper is kept cool because the clipper blades, within a few minutes, can get hot enough to burn your dog. To prevent this, take frequent breaks to let those clippers cool down. Ectoparasite infestation is common The warm harmattan weather brings out undesirable pests such as fleas, ticks and mites, because the ambient temperature increases the hatchability of their eggs and also provides conducive environment for rapid growth and development. During this season, I advise you to routinely check your pet for ectoparasites, and put in plac, a routine flea and tick programme. If your pet picks up a tick from walking in long grass or wooded areas, removal must be done correctly. Ticks should be removed without leaving the mouth parts of the tick planted into the skin. In addition, ticks should never be crushed. If you do, they will multiply because the internal organs will spill out along with the blood. The eggs will hatch into hundreds of new ticks, hence a re-infestation. Care for birds Birds are not left out. If you have a balcony or a garden, you should give your birds the opportunity to enjoy the sun and the fresh air outdoors. Spending time outdoors is very beneficial for exotic birds because sunlight helps them to produce many vitamins and contributes to healthy feathers. The UV light and fresh air will also boost their immune system. However, the outdoor temperature should be at least 20°C before you take the cage outside. Anything else would result in a temperature shock for the birds. If the outdoor temperature exceeds 30°C, the birds are best kept indoors. The location of the cage/aviary must also be sheltered from the wind to prevent birds from coming down with a cold. In conclusion, ensure that the food supplied is clean and fresh. During the harmattan, food can collect dust and spoil more quickly. For this reason, fresh food should only be left out for a few hours. Any leftovers should be disposed of. For hygiene reasons, I recommend cleaning the birds’ feeding and drinking vessels thoroughly, regularly, and ideally on a daily basis. Have a splendid weekend. Concluded 9jahealth.ng/category/articles/protect-your-pet-harmattan-2
Posted on: Sat, 17 Jan 2015 11:00:00 +0000
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