Beware of dog days
Springtime safety tips for dog owners
Vets Now, the leading provider of pet emergency care for small animals in the UK, notes a significant increase in the amount of cases brought to its out-of-hours clinics during spring and summer time.
With the warmer weather it is natural that pets will spend more time outdoors than before and while the fresh air is beneficial for them, it is also important for pet owners to be aware of common hazards at this time of year.
On sunny days it is essential that pets have access to both shade and clean drinking water to avoid discomfort and potential heat stroke.
Pet owners should always be aware of the rising temperature and shouldn’t leave pets in the car on a sunny day even for a minute.
At 25 degrees Celsius, dogs in hot cars begin to pant excessively within
two minutes, and can die in less than 15 minutes.
However it’s not just heat that can pose a problem to pets in the warmer months, with common garden matters also being the cause of numerous veterinary emergencies.
As well as plants, insecticides such as slug pellets and chemical sprays can also be harmful to other animals. Pet owners are advised to make sure that when protecting their garden from pests, that they use products that are pet friendly.
It is also important for pet owners to bear in mind that anything that could cause distress to a human, such as insect bites or bee stings, will also affect a pet.
While most cases of these are not emergencies, if a pet is stung near the neck or the mouth it is important to seek emergency care.
Animals, like humans, can also have or develop allergies to bites and stings, if a pet has any swelling, breathing difficulties or general discomfort it should be taken to the nearest vet.