Pet Health Information

Give Your Pet the Pet Factor!

Who says that 1st January is the only time you can make a New Year’s resolution?  Summer is a great time to make sure your pet has the Pet Factor and get good habits going for the whole year.

• Scratch out fleas With the warmer weather coming along, flea infestations are more likely, which can be a very irritating problem for your pet!  If you spot the signs of flea infestation – your pet scratching or nibbling themselves, black specks of dirt in your pet’s coat or on their bed, or small, black or dark brown insects crawling on your pet – take them down to your vet, country store, pet shop or pharmacist and they will be able to advise you how best to treat your pet.  If you have more than one pet, it’s best to treat them all at the same time, even if you haven’t seen any symptoms in your other pets. Warmth and light make fleas jump around more and as they can jump 150 times their own body-length, they don’t stay put for long!

• Enough to make you squirm… They’re long, white and live in your pet’s intestines…This isn’t the plot for a new sci-fi film - we’re talking about worms!  Roundworms and tapeworms are the most common type of worm that can infect dogs and cats, and they can be very dangerous if your pet is left untreated.  Dogs and cats should be wormed at least every three months, as signs of an infestation can be difficult to spot before serious damage sets in.  Worms can also infect humans, causing a number of diseases, and are particularly dangerous to children.  If your pet isn’t wormed, head on down to your vet, country store, pet shop or pharmacist and they will be able to advise you how best to treat your pet.

• That’s Fat! You may be more likely to go out with your pet in the summer and get in some quality exercise.  But obesity is a year round problem – lack of exercise and overfeeding being the most common causes.  Making sure that you get into a regular exercise routine with your pet will give them something to look forward to. Getting your pet checked over by your vet will make sure that he or she is a healthy weight for their size and allow you to discuss feeding regimes if they are overweight, or underweight.

Sun Time's Fun Time!

With better weather and longer evenings, summer means more time to spend with your four-legged pal.  We’ve put together some ideas of fun things to do with your pet over the coming months.

• Let’s get active! Why not take your dog out for an early morning jog?  By taking your morning walk and making it that bit longer (and faster!) you’ll get time to enjoy a fun, relationship-building activity together while making sure that you both get some good exercise into your day.

• Go exploring… Summer is a fun time for cats too, although they may spend the hottest part of the day sleeping (they are covered in fur, after all!). Encouraging puss out into the garden in the morning or evening for a game of exploration or chasing will make them feel like they’ve got their own private jungle playground in their back garden, and give you plenty of fun spending time with your furry friend.

• Wet play If there’s one thing that can be counted on, it’s that we’ll have rain over at least some of the days of the summer – but that’s no reason not to have fun!  A game of tug with your dog, a chasing game with your cat or making some simple toys for your house rabbit are great ways to pass the time until the sun comes out again.

Risky Business – how to stop summer health problems before they happen

Although summer is a great time to get outside with your pets, it’s worth keeping in mind the specific risks that summer presents.

Probably the most well-known summer hazard for pets is sunburn, which can, over time, lead to skin cancer.  If your pet has a white nose, face or ears, or has any bald spots, it is important to apply sun cream – vets recommend using the same high protection, factor 60 cream as for the rest of the (human) family - to that area, as this is where their skin is most delicate as there is no skin pigment or coat covering to protect it from the sun’s rays.  Be careful none of the cream goes in your pet’s eyes, nose mouth or ears, as this could cause them discomfort or injury.  If you have a white or hairless pet, such as a Sphynx cat, it is best to keep them in shady conditions during the hottest, sunniest parts of the day.

Overheating and heat stroke are serious dangers in the summer.  No pet should be left in a car during the summer, even with a window open, as temperatures on a sunny day can reach up to 56°C (133°F) in 30 minutes, and as a result of overheating your pet could die.  It’s best to either leave your pet at home while you go out, or, if you have to bring them with you, take them out of the car when you get out to prevent them getting to hot.

It is also important to offer your pets adequate fresh, clean water over the summer, at they will need to drink more to regulate their body temperatures and stop them from dehydrating.  We should also remember that animals can’t sweat like we do, so are more sensitive to the heat – giving them somewhere shady and cool to take a break from the sun is important to keep them comfortable.

Bee and wasp stings can be uncomfortable for anyone, including your pet.  To treat a sting, remove the barb if it is still in your pet’s skin using your fingernails or a pair of tweezers and if they still seem bothered by it later that day you can apply come calamine lotion to sooth it.  If your pet has eaten the insect, or is showing any signs of an allergic reaction having been stung elsewhere – such as difficulty breathing or a bumpy rash – take them straight to the vet as they may need specialist care.