Dog walks in western Hyderabad: timing, heat and ticks

Most of our patients live in apartment communities between Kondapur, Gachibowli and Madhapur, where dog walks happen on internal roads, along the edges of open plots and around the lakes. The area has its own hazards, and they change through the year.

In summer, from March to early June, afternoon temperatures in Hyderabad regularly reach 40 degrees and road surfaces get much hotter. Press the back of your hand on the road for five seconds. If you cannot hold it there, it is too hot for paws. Walk before 7.30 am and after 7 pm. Flat-faced breeds such as Pugs and Bulldogs, older dogs and heavy-coated dogs struggle most; keep their walks short and carry water.

The monsoon and the months after bring ticks, especially in the long grass of empty plots and along the edges of the larger parks. Ticks can carry infections, so check your dog after every walk. Run your fingers through the coat, paying attention to the ears, between the toes, under the collar and around the tail. If you find a tick, remove it with a tick hook, close to the skin, and do not crush it with bare fingers. Ask your vet about tick prevention suitable for your dog’s age and weight.

All year, watch for construction sites, which are common in this part of the city. Loose wires, cement and rubble can injure paws, and stagnant water collects in pits. Keep dogs leashed near main roads like Botanical Garden Road and the Old Mumbai Highway. Many public parks do not allow dogs, so check the rules at the gate.