Look out, the sun´s about!

Summer is a wonderful time of year (provided the sun shines!) and it is a great chance to get out and about with our pets. However, the warm weather can hold hidden dangers for animals and it is very important to be aware of them, so we can all enjoy the sun safely.
Dogs
The two biggest issues for dogs in the hot weather are being left in hot cars and heat stroke.
Never leave a dog in a car in the warm weather, even if you crack the windows and park in the shade, it can still be deadly. The temperaure in a car can quickly rise to dangerous levels and, despite panting, the dogs cannot cool themselves down and they start to over-heat. They can die within 30 minutes in the worst cases.
Heat stroke is a significant problem in the warmer weather and usually occurs when a dog has been over-exercised. Short nosed breeds such as Staffies and Cavilears are particularly prone to this problem as they can find it difficult to pant enough to cool themselves down and the insides of their mouths can swell, blocking off their breathing. Avoid walking or playing with your dog in the warmer weather, particularly in the mid-day sun, and make sure they have plenty of water. If you are concerned animal has heat stoke you should contact your vet immediately for advice but do try to cool them down. This can be achieved by turning a fan on them, laying cold, damp towels over their backs and keeping them still in a cool, shaded area.
Cats
Cats, as we all know, love the sunshine and most, given the chance, will lie out in it all day! The biggest sun related issue we see in cats is sun burn and skin cancer. This is particularly common on white ear tips and pink noses. On sunny days always apply a high factor suncream to these areas. The best are the waterproof kind for children, which are non-irritant and most likely to be resistant to being licked off!

Rabbits
The biggest summer problem in rabbits is a horrible condition called ‘Fly Strike’. This occurs when rabbits become dirty with faeces around their bottoms and flies lay eggs in the matted fur. These eggs quickly turn into maggots which start to, literally, eat the rabbit alive. It is a very distressing condition, for both the rabbit and its owners, and is often fatal. It is more common in the warmer weather but can occur at any time. ALWAYS check your rabbit twice daily and turn them upside down to ensure they are clean.