Summer Safety for your Pets
| Published: 27th June 2008 13:20 |
Summer is a great time for all of us including our pets, but there are also a number of potential hazards associated with the season which should be borne in mind.
My late mum with Flinty
The sun itself is not only damaging to our skin but can affect cats and dogs too, particularly those with white ears and noses. Cats are particularly at risk with sunburn often leading to skin cancer of these areas. A high-factor waterproof sun block should be applied daily to reduce the risk of sunburn and development of skin cancer. (If you use a child's coloured sun block you can see when it wears off).
When out on walks don't allow your dog in stagnant ponds which may contain dangerous algae. It's not a good idea to throw sticks for your dog as this can be hazardous. One of the most common causes of serious throat and mouth injuries is caused by dogs trying to catch sticks. Occasionally these injuries can be fatal.
Check cats and dogs thoroughly when they come in for grass seeds and ticks so they can be removed before they penetrate the skin and cause problems. Grass seeds can work their way into feet and ears causing severe pain and infections.
NEVER LEAVE YOUR DOG UNATTENDED IN THE CAR. Even with the window open in the summer heat, heatstroke can happen very quickly and can be fatal. Please only walk your dog in the mornings or evenings when it's cooler.
During the summer months check your rabbits regularly, particularly around their rear end to make sure it is clean and dry. If damp and dirty they will attract flies which lay eggs which develop into maggots causing very painful and often fatal results.
Wasp stings, bee stings and snake bites can also be a concern in the summer so if you have any doubts that your pet may be reacting to a bite or sting please call the surgery for advice.
Itchy problems?
With the warmer weather on its way it's the perfect time for the fleas' eggs lurking in the grass, carpets or bedding to start hatching and develop into adult fleas. Adult fleas are able hoppers and will quickly make their home in your pets' coat where they repeatedly feed on their blood. This can cause various problems including itchiness, rashes, infections, hair loss and, in small animals, severe infestations that can cause anaemia and weakness. They can bite us too! Each female lays around 50 eggs a day which drop off the pet into the bedding, carpets or grass. Within a month the number of fleas can rise rapidly if not treated.
Ticks are another parasite to watch out for this time of year. Dogs and cats will pick them up in areas of grassland and heath land. The ticks will feed on your pets' blood for several days before dropping off. They can cause two types of problems. The first is a localised reaction at the attachment site where the tissue reacts to the tick's saliva. The second is transmitting serious blood-borne diseases such as Lyme disease. So make sure your pet is up-to-date with his/her flea and tick treatments. And don't forget the carpets and bedding.
HAVE A GREAT SUMMER EVERYONE
To discuss any of the issues raised in this article, or any other aspect of your pet's care and health, please contact Boyatt Wood Veterinary Surgery on 023 8062 9050 or Chandler's Ford Veterinary Surgery (formerly Davies & Aylott) on 023 8025 2543.
Community Comment:
Add your comment:
You will need to sign in to post a comment to this article. if you do not have an AboutMyArea account, you can join now for free.
