Top 10 tips for looking after your pets (and wildlife) during the heatwave:

So it looks like the hot weather is here to stay, for the time being at least (we hope).

and while after a long wet winter we could all do with topping up our Vitamin D levels we should also know of the dangers of the sun and how to protect ourselves. We must also be aware of the dangers that this heatwave can cause for our pets? Yes we know about heat exhaustion and heatstroke, but what other dangers can arise? and what precautions do we need to take. While we love to see you in our surgery, we would rather it not be with a medical or surgical emergency.

So here are our top ten tips for taking care of your pets (& wildlife) during this heat wave.

Free access to water and shade. So this might sound obvious but there is a lot more to it than just filling a bowl of water. Firstly if your dog as a metal bowl, the water will get very hot and not very thirst quenching, also remember to leave out a small saucer of water high up for the birds. This will not only quench their thirst but perhaps keep them from drinking and defaecating into your dogs’ bowl and hence spreading bacterial infections which can be very serious for our domestic pets. Haemorrhagic diarrhoeas can often result and a trip to the vet for Intravenous fluids, antibiotics and several days hospitalisation. If your dog or cat isn’t a big drinker, try adding water to their food or give more wet food (tins’), this will increase their water intake. Ensure you dogs are vaccinated against Leptospirosis, this is spread through rat’s urine, and in this hot weather it is not just the birds that your dog maybe sharing it’s water bowl with. Leptospirosis is a fatal disease so please vaccinate your dogs. Also, let’s not forget the bees, they too need water. Put out a bowl of sugary water, and they can replenish their thirst and their energy at the same time, because we need bees too. Once there is plenty fresh water we just need some shade. Avoid metal and plastic crates & cages, as they can become extremely hot. This goes for our rabbits and guinea pigs too, wooden hutches and kennels are much better.

Do not leave pets in cars for any length of time at all, even in the shade, with the windows open a crack. Yes, you can run in to pay for your petrol, but no you can’t go in and do a full shop in the supermarket. It is common sense, cars are multipliers of heat and you would be surprised at how quickly a dog can die if left in a car during these high temperatures. As for going to the beach or driving with your dogs, as long as you turn up the air conditioning and stop for regular water breaks, they will be fine.
If your dog or cat isn’t a big drinker? Try adding water to their food or give more wet food (tin’s) to them, this will increase their water intake.
Sunscreen for the tips of your cat’s ears. Anywhere their coats are quite thin and especially covered in white hairs, like the ear tips are very prone to getting sunburn and sun damage. As with people, repeated burning can lead to skin cells transforming into a skin cancer called squamous cell carcinoma. This is a very malignant cancer and a surgical procedure to remove the tips can be curative, but it does need to be caught early before you get spread. So in this instance prevention is better than cure- human factor 50+ children’s sunscreen applied twice daily.
BBQ-ing ? There is nothing I enjoy more in the summer, but watch where you are disposing of bones, or the ‘cob’ from the corn on the cob. Otherwise an expensive trip to the vet for surgical removal could really but a dampener on the gathering.
The ‘5 second rule’, if you can’t place the palm of your hand on the ground for 5 seconds because it is too hot, then you can’t walk your dog. If you need flip flops to walk down the road because the tarmac, sand etc is too hot, then your dog cannot be walked. Go out a dusk and dawn when the temperatures are cooler and surfaces have had a chance to lose heat.
Breeding plays a role, we need to be especially cautious when it comes to our flat nosed breeds, they just cannot cool themselves down as effectively as others, breeds like Pugs, French Bulldogs, Boxers, Persians, Himalayans, to name but a few, they really need extra care. Wetting them down, and using fans can really aid them. Rabbits cool themselves through their ears, so ‘Misting’ their ears is far more effective. We also really need to watch our guinea pigs and rodents too as their ears are smaller than rabbits and hence they are not as effective at cooling either. Wooden hutches for shelter as I said earlier. Leaving Ice packs around their hutches is also very useful as the animal can use them to help cooling if needed. Do not submerge your small furry friends in ice cold water as you could send them into shock, and they could die from this.
Grooming, so often we hear “can you clip my dogs coat off, they are too hot?’ In some breeds it is appropriate, but believe me or not, it is not always the case. I had a discussion today with an excellent dog groomer at Ballyclough Kennels, & Groomers and we are both in agreement that it is more about correct coat maintenance. Removing matts and BRUSHING out the coat, so the coat can actually work effectively to protect and cool the animal is more important. Their coat actually has a function in heating in the winter and in cooling and protecting from the sun in the summer. For many breeds ‘Clipping them off” is not the answer. To see what is best for your dog, have a chat with your professional dog groomer, as they do know best.
Going to the beach with your pets, always carry plenty fresh water and as drinking of salty seawater can often cause a nasty diarrhoea and vomiting. It is usually self-limiting but best avoided for everyone’s sake. Also please please please bring plenty of poop bags and “scoop the poop”. We must start taking responsibility for our pets or we won’t be allowed bring them to the beach anymore, not to mention the public health risks especially to children.
Finally, what are the signs of heat exhaustion, heat stroke -Dull, depressed, listless, increased respiratory (breathing) rate, excessive ‘Panting’, bounding pulses. In more severe cases vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures and even comatosed.

If you are worried your pets are getting to warm, firstly bring them into the shade, cool them down through wetting, misting, etc, fan them, offer them fluids little and often rather than gorging (free access during the day but if you are worried about heat stroke, little and often) which can cause vomiting, put a wet towel in the room with them as it reduces the overall temperature within the room. If they progress to vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures call you vet immediately and make your way to their clinic without delay.