From heatstroke and sunburn to insect bites and flystrike, it’s important to protect your pets from summer-related dangers so they can enjoy the new season safely alongside you!
PDSA Vet Nurse Nina Downing has put together a round-up of some of the seasonal hazards to watch out for:
“Warm, sunny days are lovely, but too much sun or heat can be extremely dangerous for our canine companions – especially for flat-faced breeds and overweight dogs, who find it more difficult to cool themselves down.
“When it’s sunny, remember that you can apply pet safe suncream to pink noses and areas of exposed skin to prevent sun burn. During hot weather, it’s important to give your doggy plenty of shade and fresh, cool water to drink, and make sure they go for walks during the cooler times in the day, such as at dawn or dusk. However, skip the walk altogether if it’s hot all day.
“It’s also important to bear in mind that playing games outside when it’s hot can be very dangerous; time flies when you’re having fun and dogs can quickly overheat. If you notice any signs of heatstroke, such as increased or noisy panting, drooling, vomiting or diarrhoea, being wobbly on their feet – offer them water to drink, cool them down straight away by pouring cool water over their body and call your vet immediately.
“Cats are fantastic at taking it easy in the summer, they’re less likely to suffer from heatstroke than dogs, but do seek vet help if you’re concerned they are showing signs. However, if your feline is flat-faced, fluffy, unwell, very young or elderly they might find it more challenging to recognise ways to stay cool. Stay alert and move cats into the shade if they don’t do it themselves and make sure they have access to water.
“It’s important to check before closing up any spaces such as sheds, greenhouses and conservatories, just in case a curious cat has snuck in for a nap! Again, you can apply pet safe suncream to little pink noses and ear tips, to prevent the risk of sun burn.
“The summer can heat our houses up significantly, putting our small pets at risk of heatstroke. From rats to guinea pigs, hamsters to degus, chinchillas to mice and gerbils, it’s important to make sure that all of your pets are able to enjoy the summer and stay comfortable in their living space. Pop their home in a cool room, without direct sunlight, give them plenty of ventilation, and constant access to fresh, cold drinking water and remember that some species like a sand bath, which will help them to stay refreshed too. Never leave them in a conservatory, shed, greenhouse, porch, or anywhere else that is likely to get hot.
“Swimming is one of the joys of warm weather and is a great way to cool your pup down, but it’s important to check the water is safe before you let your pooch dip their paws. One water hazard is blue green algae, which is a dangerous bacteria that grows in stagnant water during warm weather. It’s not very easy to spot, but signs include blue/green scum on the water’s surface that may look a bit like paint, cloudy water, brown/green clumps which may look like seaweed or foam at the water’s edge. It’s important to look out for blue green algae because it can be deadly if it’s swallowed, so don’t let your dog swim if you are concerned. If your pet has jumped in and you’re worried, don’t let them lick at their fur and wash them thoroughly as soon as possible. If your pet shows any signs of being unwell, contact your vet.
“It’s not just us that enjoy the warmer weather – bugs and parasites thrive too, which is why you’re much more likely to find a tick attached to your dog or cat in the summer. Ticks are unlikely to cause any problems if they are removed quickly and properly, but some carry diseases such as ‘Lyme disease’ and ‘babesiosis’ which can cause severe illness in dogs. One way to protect your pooch from ticks is to stick to paths and open areas without long grass. After a day out exploring, always give your pet a quick check to make sure they haven’t picked up any little critters on their travels. If you live in an area that is known for ticks, or your pet is prone to picking them up – adventurous dogs and cats that hunt are likely, it’s a good idea to speak to your vet about tick treatments or repellents.
“Wasp whacking, bee biting, and horse fly hounding is a dog and cat’s idea of a good time, however, unfortunately for them, it often ends in a sting! Whether it’s their paw or their mouth, the sting site is likely to become red, swollen and painful. If you think your pet has been bitten or stung, it will be sore. If the stinger has been left behind, gently remove it by scraping it out using a credit card placed under the venom sac and ease it out, then apply a cold compress to ease any discomfort. Most stings aren’t serious, but if your pet is allergic, the sting is around the mouth, nose or throat and is swelling, or their breathing is affected, it’s important to act quickly! Call your vet immediately for advice.
“Dogs are curious creatures and often explore the world with a nose-first approach, which can result in a bite if they come across a sunbathing snake! Luckily, two out of the three species of snake in the UK are non-venomous, but if your curious canine disturbs an adder, the outcome is likely to be a bit more serious. Adders are venomous, which means their bite can cause serious illness – if your dog is bitten you should keep them as still as possible and contact your vet immediately.
“As rabbits and guinea pigs tend to attract fly attention, they are at a high risk of flystrike – a serious and potentially fatal illness. Flystrike develops when a fly lays its eggs on your pet’s fur, which then hatch into maggots, and bury themselves under the skin. Flystrike tends to develop in rabbits and guinea pigs with a mucky bottom, those that are unwell or have an open wound or live in a mucky home. Which is why it’s so important to check your pets every day; check them from nose to tail, to make sure they are clean and healthy. Spot clean their living space daily and clean their home thoroughly every week. It’s also sensible to apply a rabbit and guinea pig safe parasite treatment throughout the summer as a prevention, your vet can recommend this.”
For more advice about keeping pets safe in the summer, visit PDSA’s website: www.pdsa.org.uk/summer-hazards-for-pets
