Spring and Pets: Practical Prevention Guide for the Modern Guardian

Spring is a period of increased activity for pets — and correspondingly increased incidences in veterinary practice. More walks, greater exposure to the environment and more frequent contact with other animals form a framework of opportunities, but also risks.

At “NEA Weekend”, together with veterinarian Michalis Katsiboulas, DVM, PhD, Researcher B — Associate Professor of Surgical Research at the Institute for Biomedical Research of the Academy of Athens and President — CEO of Attica Animal Hospital, we compiled a short, practical prevention guide of vision. The role of the modern guardian — or, if one prefers, the “parent” of a quadruped — is not to restrict this activity, but to support it with prevention and knowledge.

1. Bites: the problem that seems less than it is
Recently, the dog Barnie was presented with minor injuries after being bitten by another animal. Outwardly, the picture looked bland. In the surgical investigation, however, extensive damage to the underlying tissues and significant infection were found, points out Mr. Katsibulas.
This is the main feature of bites: the true extent of the lesion is not visible.
Practically:
- Avoiding uncontrolled contacts
- Use of a leash in unfamiliar environments
- Immediate veterinary assessment, even in “mild” injuries

Immediate reaction
- Gentle cleansing with saline
- No pressure or attempt to close the wound
- No human medicines
- Immediate transfer to a veterinarian

2. Allergies: when seasonal becomes chronicAn increase in pollen, dust and parasites leads to an exacerbation of allergic cases. Itching, otitis and dermatitis are among the most frequent causes of a visit to the veterinarian.Delay or empirical use of drugs without diagnosis can lead to chronic inflammation and more complex therapeutic management.

3. Exoparasites: carriers of diseases, not mere nuisance
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Fleas, ticks and gnats are not a mere nuisance. They are carriers of pathogens with a significant clinical burden. Prevention should be individualized and systematic.

‍4. Foreign bodies and ingestion: an underestimated danger
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In a recent incident, a dog was presented with an abscess on the last ribs. The investigation revealed an intra-abdominal abscess caused by ingestion of a wooden food straw (e.g. skewer). Foreign bodies do not always cause an immediate blockage. They can penetrate tissues and lead to serious, delayed complications.What to look out for:- Avoiding access to waste and street food- Vigilance for vomiting, anorexia or lethargy- Early evaluation before the condition becomes surgical5. Heat stress: the “premature” dangerThe first high temperatures especially affect animals that have not yet adapted. The burden can be rapid, especially in short-headed breeds and animals with increased body weight. Spring is not a dangerous period — it is a time of increased demands. Most emergencies are not accidental. They are predictable. And this is precisely the point at which modern guardianship is judged: not in reaction, but in anticipation.