Avoiding the pitfalls of the Dog - Days of Summer

The summer holiday season already upon us and these days an increasing number of us choose to take our dogs with us be that within the UK or abroad. Whether the intended destination is the coast or countryside, Summer is a fantastic time to enjoy taking your dog out and about but it always pays to be prepared for perhaps unfamiliar potential hazards.

One potential hazard is the heat - dogs do not manage excessive temperatures as well as we do, with panting being their main mode of heat loss and sweating really occurring only through the feet. It is all too easy to forget about how hot cars can get and this can prove a serious and potentially fatal hazard all too easily. Never leave your dog in a car unattended in the summer weather- even a small amount of sunshine can rapidly heat the car and deaths occur every year even when dogs are left for a few short minutes even when windows are partially open. When travelling with a dog in the car allow plenty of free ventilation, and ready access to cool water and regular comfort stops.

One risk on country walks are the parasites that can be picked up and especially significant are ticks and the potential risks posed by the diseases they can carry. Ticks are blood-feeding parasites which are widespread and can inhabit woodland, scrub and rough moor and grassland. Often feeding on deer and other wildlife, ticks lie in wait until they detect an animal (or human!) wandering past whereupon they attach and commence feeding until fully engorged with blood. An adult tick can ingest as much as 8ml of blood in one meal, so infestations with multiple ticks can be particularly unpleasant.

Although commoner in the warmer months ticks can be encountered through much of the year even in the UK; they vary in size and appearance depending on the type of tick. The commonest tick seen on pets in the UK is the “Castor Bean Tick” with an adult tick fully engorged typically looking like a smooth blue-grey wart or bean attached to the skin. Close scrutiny with a magnifying glass however will reveal a set of legs at the skin surface.

Ticks are unpleasant not only because they feed on blood but also because they can carry a range of unpleasant diseases. Ticks in the UK can sometimes carry Lyme disease, but as close as France other serious and potentially fatal tick-borne diseases such as canine babesiois and ehrlichiosis also occur. Whenever ticks attach it is important to remove them as soon as possible being careful to ensure that they are removed intact. Never burn them or simply pull them off since it is all too easy to partially remove them leaving the head or mouthparts embedded in the skin. Tick removal devices make this a far easier procedure and these are available at the surgery with appropriate advice on use.

Even with care, physical removal can still be tricky so taking steps to prevent them attaching is better than cure!. At the practice we sell a range of products that are effective against ticks, both removal devices and preparations to prevent them. Some products have a very useful dual action both helping repel these parasites and subsequently killing them. Useful products effective against ticks include a collar giving convenient season-long protection, as well as spot-on products which can be effective for short term protection.

So, if you are planning to take a holiday with your pet or packing the sun lotion, sunglasses and insect repellent that you need don’t forget to consider your dog’s health on your list of things to consider! Whether you are taking your dog out and about at home or abroad talk to reception to find out more about the steps you need to take to give your dog a safe, healthy and happy summer break.