Summer is just around the corner and its the perfect time to be out enjoying the weather, albeit sometimes wet, with your four legged friend. Grassy meadows, picnics in the park and cooling off in the woods. There is nothing your pet loves more than exploring, but are they safe to do so? You know the old expression ‘if you go down to the woods today you’re sure of a big surprise’, well its better to prepare your pet, than get a surprise you really don’t want.
There are lots of ways to keep your pet safe this summer, and its all down to a bit of pet maintenance and knowledge.
Ticks: Ticks are ectoparasites (external parasites), living by feeding on the blood of mammals, birds, and sometimes reptiles and amphibians. They are a mobile syringe for disease.
Ticks carry a lot of different diseases, some of them serious for dogs i.e. Babesia — it’s worse than you think. Babesia, a tick-borne infection that causes malaria-like symptoms, has had confirmed cases in both Essex and Kent. PREVENTION is essential and this can be easily administered to your pet either with the use of a special collar or drops. ALWAYS check your pet after a walk to ensure they do not have any ticks.
Lung Worm – A parasitic worm (nematode) that settles in the lungs and windpipe (trachea), causing severe respiratory problems. Dogs that spend a lot of time roaming in the woods and/or on fields are at higher risk of developing this type of parasitic infections.
Dogs become infected with lungworms when they drink water or eat prey infected with the larval stage of the worm. The larvae then migrate out of the intestines via the bloodstream to the lungs, where they develop into adult worms and lay eggs in the host’s lungs. The eggs are then coughed up by the animal or passed in feces, which may then be eaten by birds, rodents, snails, or other pets. Again PREVENTION is the answer here with a 12 month product readily available at Ark Vets, which can be easily applied in secondsby the owner at home.
Heat Stroke – One of the most important things to be aware of with your pet are the dangers of heat stroke. A dogs heat loss mechanism is pretty poor, and owners need to be able to monitor how their four legged friend is coping. NEVER leave your pet in your car unattended, even for 10 mins with a few inches of the windows open. The temperature in a car can raise quickly to 130 degrees, equivalent to your kitchen oven. Make sure you always carry water with you, and try and walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening when it is cooler, lead walks are preferably when the temperature is high.
Art Vets are based just off the High Street, with a welcoming team to make you and your pets feel at ease. They are available to offer advice and medication to keep your pets happy throughout summer. Please do give them a call :
Telephone 0208 467 0600
