Dog safety in summer

Whippets, like many other dogs, are always on the lookout for tasty scraps of food.   Barbecues, picnics and alfresco eating means there is a lot more scavenging for them and don’t they love it!   There’s a danger in leftovers though and too much fatty food can upset a doggy tummy.   Remember that dogs are carnivores so anything that’s meat based and natural is fine, sauces and spices will cause trouble.

Corn cobs – are deadly – the dog loves the buttery taste and down it goes only to cause a serious blockage.   A dog is likely to die without prompt veterinary treatment, usually an operation to remove the obstruction.  Keep corn cobs out of reach and dispose of carefully.  Many a dustbin has been tipped up to get at them.  Dogs love the butter so much they’ve been known to scavenge the neighbours dustbins and food waste bins to get at the sweetcorn.    Symptoms start with the dog looking unwell and going off his food, he’ll look miserable and it’s downhill all the way.

Sunburn – yes, light coloured dogs get sunburned just like us.   Their noses and tips of ears are particularly vulnerable.    The best plan is to keep your dog out of strong sunlight and in a shady spot.    The sun can cause overheating with disastrous consequences too – especially important is not to leave dogs in cars.  They get beyond being saved very quickly – another two dogs died in a hot car recently.   We use baby suncream on dogs who might get burnt, a light smear over the parts where there isn’t so much hair will do it, the hair protects most of the body.   Also aloe vera juice is very good as a soothing gel.  You can either buy the cream in a tube or use it direct from the plant.   An aloe vera is a very useful houseplant – cut off a stem and split it to get to the gel inside and smear this on the sore or burnt place.   If will help an injury or burn to heal.    You can use this as first aid if your dog is already sunburnt but it’s always best to check with the vet in case the damage is more severe than is immediately apparent.

Dehydration – Dogs need loads to drink when it’s hot in summer.   Give two big dishes of water and change it frequently.    If one gets knocked over there’s another to go at.    Check whether your dog is dehydrated by pinching his skin between your fingers – it will stay up in a ridge if he’s not having enough fluids.   The skin will go back to normal within seconds if your dog has had plenty of fluids.

Green slime – caused by the action of sunlight on water which makes a ‘bloom’ of green algae.    If a dog drinks this or even paddles in it, he may die.   The sudden mysterious deaths of dozens of dogs walking in a certain woodland last year was thought to be caused by the green slime on a pond.    Keep water dishes out of sun, change the water often and scrub the dish out every day.

Grass seeds – running through the long grass is great fun but for those pesky grass seeds.   If your dog keeps shaking his head and scratching at his ear, the cause may be a seed inside.   We’ve known them to lodge deep in the eye too.   A trip to the vet who will remove the seed is the only remedy.

Ticks – are more common in summer months.  If your dog comes back from a walk with what looks like a grey seed attached to him and it won’t brush off, then it’s most likely to be a tick.   This is a nasty dangerous parasite that will suck your dog’s blood (when it will become red and swollen).  It’s also harmful to humans so you have to get it off and destroy it without getting bitten yourself or leaving any of the hooks still in your dog.   You can go to the vet who will remove the tick easily (years of practice) or you can spray with Frontline which will kill the tick straight away.    Check your pet for ticks on a regular basis.

Cuts and bruises – Keep a doggy first aid kit ready – antiseptic, purple spray (gentian violet), bandages, lint, wound powder – are all good to have at hand.   Cuts to the feet are common in summer months – bathe with antiseptic and cover with a clean bandage till you can get to the vet.   There’s not usually much can be done except for giving antibiotics.   A cut pad won’t stay stitched so you have to wait for it to heal – lots of tea (for you) and sympathy for the dog are all that can be given.

Keep the gate closed – it’s easy to leave doors and gates open when the weather is warm and people are enjoying the outdoors.   While people seem to think that more dogs are lost at Christmas, it’s usually the summer months when most dogs go missing.