Barbecues

Now that the days are starting to warm up, we begin to make plans for a get together with our family and friends, and many will dig out the barbecue and organise some food. However, the family pet will also look for an invite, so we need to be aware that a barbecue can expose your dog to several hazards. If you really want your dog to be a part of your gathering, be sure to follow some safety tips to ensure that everyone is protected.

The most important thing to remember is to ensure that dogs are not left unattended in the vicinity of a hot barbecue in case they jump up and burn themselves. Whether you are working with a gas grill or using charcoal for cooking, be aware of the burn dangers.

If you want to give your pet some barbecue food, please make sure that the meat is cooked, as uncooked meat can carry salmonella. Make sure the meat has no sauce or seasoning, such as garlic, as this is poisonous to your pets.

Do not give them too much, as they will not be used to the fatty meat. Too much can make them sick and can also cause diarrhoea.

Never give bones. Although not poisonous, if given to dogs, these bones can shatter easily and are a choking hazard. Splinters from the bone can become lodged in, or puncture, your pet’s digestive tract. An emergency visit to the Vet will soon bring an end to your party!

Plastic plates, packaging, wrappers, wooden skewers, and any discarded food should be bagged up and stored out of reach. Wooden skewers are a choking hazard. If they are consumed, they can pierce holes in your dog’s stomach and intestines, so they are VERY dangerous.

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke is when your pet has an extremely high temperature that is not caused by a fever, but rather when they can no longer regulate and maintain their own body temperature. Any dog is susceptible to heat stroke, regardless of their fitness. However, dogs who are obese or suffer from brachycephalic syndrome (typically short nosed breeds) are at increased risk. A change as small as 2°C in your pet’s body temperature is all it takes for heat stroke signs to begin.

There are two main causes of heat stroke - exertional and non-exertional.

Exertional:

Exertional causes tend to arise when dogs are exercised on hot sunny days and have not had a chance to acclimatise to the heat rise. Acclimatisation can take months, which is less than ideal in our varied UK weather. It is, therefore, essential on these days that you only exercise your pet early in the morning or later in the evening when it is cooler. Always take water with you on a walk.

Another point to remember is if you cannot hold your hand to the tarmac without discomfort for five seconds, you shouldn’t walk your dog as they could burn their pads.

Non- Exertional:

Non- exertional causes arise when your pet is left in locations such as hot rooms or cars without access to ventilation and water. Therefore, never leave your dog in a sun trap room or a hot car. Always ensure that shade and cool drinking water is available and remember that having the window open is often not enough. You can also spray your dog with water to help keep them cool.

Signs of heatstroke in dogs include:

• Faster, heavier panting

• Excessive thirst

• Drooling

• Increased heart rate

• Dark coloured gums

• Glassy eyes

• High body temperature (over 40°C)

• Wobbly stance / collapsing

• Seizures

• Vomiting

Ticks

We have reached that time of year again where ticks are more prevalent due to the warmer weather, and we are seeing many more people bringing their pets into the practice to have them safely removed.

Ticks are small arachnids which hook onto our pets and feed off their blood. Adult ticks grow to approximately 3-5mm and are bluish grey and egg shaped. They can easily be mistaken for warts, skin tags, and sometimes even nipples!

They are commonly found around the head and neck areas, as they attach to our pets when walking through long grass, woodland, and farmland areas. Ticks are usually found in places with lots of wildlife such as sheep, hedgehogs, foxes, and wild rabbits.

Please make sure to keep your pet up to date with tick parasite prevention and always carry a tick remover on you.

Please also read our dangers on the beach article on how to keep your pet safe on the beach this summer.

If this article has raised any concerns about your pet, don’t hesitate to contact us on 01665 252 250.