Summertime in Northampton brings longer days, warmer climates, new adventures and outdoor socialising, which with pets in tow, can be made even more enjoyable! However, when the temperatures rise, the dangers to our pets increase too. To keep pets safe, you should be aware of the potential hazards, as well as some top tips to help prevent your pet from endangering themselves throughout the summer months and ending up having to visit us at Spinney Vets.<\/p>\n
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Heatstroke and dehydration Some of the key symptoms which may show in pets in Northampton are:<\/p>\n To minimise the risk of dehydration and heatstroke,\u00a0your pet should have access to clean, fresh drinking water.\u00a0You should avoid\u00a0exercising\u00a0your dog during the hottest part of the\u00a0day\u00a0and\u00a0try and get out early morning or late evening. If\u00a0you are out with your dog for the day, you should carry a portable drinking bottle or bowl which\u00a0is\u00a0easily\u00a0accessible\u00a0and dispensed as required.\u00a0Short-nosed dogs, dark-coloured pets and animals that are overweight are more susceptible to heatstroke and should be carefully monitored.<\/p>\n If you do think that your dog is dehydrated, or is demonstrating one or more of the symptoms listed above, cool them down with a hose, or place a cool, damp towel over them and call us as soon as possible for advice.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Ticks If you do discover a tick,\u00a0and are confident to so\u00a0do, you\u00a0should remove it straight away.\u00a0You should avoid squeezing the body or leaving the head in your pet. Removing a tick can be\u00a0done\u00a0using a tick removal tool, which can be purchased from your local\u00a0practice.\u00a0\u00a0If you are unsure how to remove a tick, please call us and we can assist.\u00a0If the tick is not removed\u00a0correctly,\u00a0it\u00a0can leave\u00a0the\u00a0tick\u2019s\u00a0head\u00a0in\u00a0your pet,\u00a0which can cause a nasty reaction.<\/p>\n To prevent your pet from getting bitten, you can purchase preventative treatments from your local Practice which will repel ticks. Please call us at Spinney Vets to discuss and purchase the best treatment for your pet.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Bee or wasp stings If they have been stung near their mouth or nose, you should contact us at Spinney Vets straight away, as this can be a medical emergency.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Extra Fur Some pets are more susceptible to getting burnt by the sun. Fair haired animals, such as white dogs and cats, tend to have fair skin under their fur. Pets with fine, thin hair and hairless breeds are also at risk of sunburn. Remember, regardless of how much fur they have, all pets are vulnerable on areas which do not have much fur, including their ears, nose and on their tummy. To protect your pet, you can buy pet-friendly sunblock from us here at Spinney Vets.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Barbecues and alfresco dining Some food and drink\u00a0that should be\u00a0kept\u00a0out of reach of your pet include:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Swimming pools, sea, rivers, and lakes Keep a look out for blue-green algae and associated warning signs, as this is often poisonous for dogs. Don\u2019t let your dog swim in or drink water which you suspect is contaminated. You should contact us straight away if you suspect your dog may have come into contact with some.<\/p>\n If your dog does enjoy swimming, after they have played in the water you should ensure they are always thoroughly rinsed to wash away salt, chlorine and harmful bacteria.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Walking on hot pavements and artificial grass To prevent your pet from burning its\u00a0paws, you should follow the measures listed below:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Fertiliser and pesticides <\/p>\n Flowers and Plants <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Cars <\/p>\n Summer is an enjoyable time of year with our pets, but it pays to be aware of the hazards to which your pet could be exposed to, to ensure they remain safe. If you are concerned about your pet and would like some further advice, please\u202f contact us\u00a0 \u00a0<\/a>at Spinney Vets in Northampton<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Summertime in Northampton brings longer days, warmer climates, new adventures and outdoor socialising, which with pets in tow, can be made even more enjoyable! However, when the temperatures rise, the… <\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Our pet\u2019s fur is great in the cold winter months, however, in the summer it can make them very uncomfortable; especially long-haired dogs, who require regular grooming. Heatstroke occurs quite often in Northampton when the body\u2019s temperature rises above its normal levels and therefore cannot accommodate any additional heat.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>Our pets will be spending more time outside and\u00a0will\u00a0become\u00a0more prone to ticks. Ticks are commonly found in woodland and grassland. Ticks are small parasites, which suck blood from other animals and have an egg-shaped body, which expands\u00a0and\u00a0becomes darker when they are filled with blood.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>As humans, we fret around the buzzing noise when a bee comes close,\u00a0however, an inquisitive pet may seek to investigate, and as a result, could get stung.\u00a0Commonly, most stings will cause your pet some irritation and some pain.\u00a0Dependent on where your pet has been stung, and if they have been stung before, there can be a lot of swelling\u00a0and they may\u00a0continually scratch\u00a0the stung area, which can\u00a0result in fur\u00a0loss.\u00a0If your pet shows any of the following symptoms, they could have been stung:<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>Keeping your pet well-groomed is particularly important in warmer weather. Brushing your pet to remove any excess or\u00a0matted fur and to reduce the thickness of their hair will help. Having thick, ungroomed hair could contribute to heatstroke, as highlighted above. However, it is also important to remember that your pet\u2019s coat also protects them\u00a0from getting sunburnt.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>There\u2019s nothing more enjoyable in the Northampton sunshine than cooking up a feast and enjoying your favourite tipple outdoors, however for your pet there are many things to be mindful of including hazardous foods, toxic drinks, scalding surfaces and kebab skewers to name a few.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>For many dogs a pool, river or lake may look inviting when the temperatures are high,\u00a0however, it\u2019s important to remember that not all dogs like the water or can swim! If you are introducing your dog to water, we would advise initially trying a shallow children\u2019s paddling pool. If they enjoy that, you could then introduce them to wider, deeper waters using a dog-specific flotation device for their safety. If you are near water with a current or tide, please be wary; even if your dog is a strong swimmer, they could quickly find themselves in trouble if swimming against a tide.<\/p>\n
\n<\/strong>Hot pavements in Northampton can burn your pet\u2019s paws. Their paws are just as sensitive as the bottom of our feet, so if it is unbearable for you to touch, then it will be the same for your pet. We would advise trying the seven-second rule; if you can place the back of your hand on the surface for seven seconds or more, then your pet should be able to withstand the temperature of the surface. If you cannot, then it\u2019s too hot for your pet to walk on.<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>Most fertilisers contain nitrogen and iron, which can poison your pet and cause severe stomach problems which can lead to\u00a0irritation. Coming in to contact with pesticides can cause your pet to have tremors and seizures.\u00a0If you are not sure if your pet has been exposed to such chemicals (but your pet is showing one of the following symptoms) please call us and we can provide the appropriate treatment recommendations:<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>Many plants and flowers in Northampton are poisonous to our pets. If they consume a poisonous plant, depending on how much and their level of toxicity, they may become quite unwell. Below is a shortlist of some of the plants you may find in the summer months, which can be hazardous to our pets:<\/p>\n\n
\n<\/strong>You should never leave your dog in a car on a hot day, even if\u00a0it is\u00a0just for a few minutes.\u00a0Heatstroke can happen quickly, and it can be fatal. In warm weather, the temperature in a car can increase rapidly, making it hotter inside the car than outside.\u00a0If your dog was to become distressed in your hot car, passers-by are encouraged to dial 999 and the police will act to release the dog \u2013 even if that means damage to your vehicle.<\/p>\n