Keep dogs from barbie
Q
We are planning a barbecue and know we need to be careful with our one-year-old male Labrador (who loves food). Are there any particular hazards we should be aware of?
A
There are general hazards to be aware of and you should take common-sense precautions to avoid burn injuries, such as those you would take for children.
All young dogs, Labradors in particular, love food and the smells from barbecues are especially enticing.
For dogs on standard commercial foods, pretty much everything on a barbecue should be off limits. It is important to get the agreement of the whole family, including young children.
The dog should be kept away from the food. Giving morsels encourages the bad habit of begging at the table.
Most barbecue meat has a lot of calories, and feeding extra encourages obesity – a common problem with the UK dog population.
Sudden changes in diet will often lead to gastro-intestinal upsets. I used to see lots of examples of this, not only due to barbecues, but also Christmas dinners, and Boxing Day was always busier than Christmas itself.
Young dogs will pinch food if not supervised and it’s the leftovers that cause most problems.
Some I’ve seen include wounds due to kebab sticks, choking on chicken bones and obstructions due to corn on the cob, either in the oesophagus or intestines, causing severe vomiting and life-threatening illness.
Q
A
The dangerous rabbit disease, particularly in summer months, is ‘fly strike’. This is a very serious, often fatal condition for which prevention is better than cure.
It would be a good idea to register with your local vet if you haven’t already done so, and have a general check-up. Your vet can ensure that the rabbits are not overweight, and being fed an appropriate diet – two important features that help to prevent fly strike.
This disease is an emergency and it is useful to have your vet’s arrangements for emergency care to hand.
The flies involved are blowflies, blue flies and green bottles. These are attracted to wet and dirty areas on the rabbit – most often the bottom, where they lay eggs. The eggs can hatch in just a few hours, becoming maggots that then burrow into the skin.
Treatment involves sedation or general anaesthesia, removal of the maggots, and intensive postoperative care, which must not be delayed.
Underlying causes for the dirty areas include urinary infections, gastro-intestinal problems (invariably due to an incorrect diet with inadequate hay), an inability of the rabbit to clean itself due to obesity or arthritis, and dirty accommodation.
Prevention is helped by daily checking of the bottom, ensuring it is clean and dry, and daily cleaning of the accommodation so that it is free from smells that attract flies.
Find further detailed information at rabbitwelfare.co.uk.
My daughter’s two littermate rabbits have a large outdoor run, eat well and are playful. She would like to know more about the danger from flies.
David Grant MBE has been a vet for more than 50 years. Email questions to him at pamperedpets@people.co.uk