Spring is in the air; the sun is out and you want to get outside and enjoy your garden.

Whilst we are enjoying the sunshine, barbecues, fetes and other outside activities, however, it’s important to consider what your pet is getting up to, as there can be dangers lurking in the great outdoors!

Heat and sunshine

We can all suffer from the heat, and pets’ skin can burn, too.  Consider these simple tips:

• Try to provide plenty of shade for your furry friends
• Ensure that they have access to plenty of water to drink
• Take or allow pets out during the cooler parts of the day
• DON’T leave pets in cars – even if windows are left open
• Consider pet-friendly sunscreen, especially for noses and ears
• Look out for signs of heatstroke such as drooling, abnormal gum colour, elevated breathing rates

Poisonous plants

Dogs, especially, explore the world using their mouths.  This means that they might be at serious risk by eating, or even licking and chewing any plants or substances which are poisonous to them.  Some plants are irritants to the skin or mouth, causing rashes, ulcers or swelling to the lips, tongue or gums.  If swelling to the throat occurs, this can block your pet’s airway.

Many plants are poisonous, such as giant hogweed, ivy, laburnum and rowan.  Bulb species such as snowdrops, tulips, crocuses, onions and garlics are poisonous to animals.  In addition to being poisonous, some seeds can cause internal blockages such as horse chestnut (conkers) or oak (acorns).

There are too many plants to list here, but there are now apps available to identify plants in your garden which will outline whether a plant is likely to be poisonous.  Nurseries and garden centres now often state on the plant information label whether it is considered poisonous to animals as well.

Don’t wait for symptoms to present themselves if you have seen your pet eat a potentially poisonous plant.  Contact us for advice.

Pesky parasites and annoying allergies

Fleas, ticks and worms thrive in the warmer weather so it is important to keep flea and worming treatments up to date.  See our Top pet club – Peacock Vets details to find out how to do this via one of our monthly, cost-effective plans.

Lungworm is a parasite which lives in slugs and snails.  If ingested, the lungworm can be deadly.  Dogs can come into contact with lungworms through eating grass, drinking from puddles, outdoor water bowls, or toys that have been left outside in grass as well as eating slugs and snails directly.

Pets can also develop allergies, such as atopic dermatitis, other itches and skin irritation or asthma-like symptoms such as coughing, wheezing or constantly being out of breath.  It isn’t always possible to identify the causes of allergies, but it is helpful to your vet if you can try to work out the cause.

Stings and bites

Chasing (and catching) flying insects is a fun pastime for many pets, but if that insect has a sting, it can be dangerous, particularly if they are stung multiple times.  Others may suffer an allergic reaction to the sting which is much more serious.  Pets also inadvertently step on drowsy bees or wasps, which may not be so serious, but still distressing for your furry friend.

Coming out of hibernation in spring, the UK’s only venomous snake, the adder, will bite if they are disturbed.  Generally causing swelling and pain, approximately 5% of dogs who are bitten get seriously ill, so it is important to contact a vet immediately to limit the spread of the venom (poison).

Other dangers

Blue-green algae – if your pet enjoys swimming, or goes for a dip to cool down make sure that the water is safe.  Blue-green algae is a dangerous bacterium which often grows in stagnant or slow-moving water, particularly in warmer months.  It can show as a green-blue scum on the surface or as streaks in the water.  There may be dead fish or wildlife in the water and occasionally, warning signs.

Grass seeds – seeds are designed to spread and self-seed, so often become stuck in pets’ coats, paws, armpits and ears when walking in fields or areas with long grass.  Some seeds cause irritation or infection, others will embed themselves into the skin, and sometimes through into the body, causing potentially very serious problems.

Pesticides, weed killers and fertilisers – whether in the garden or in fields, these products are often toxic to pets.  Avoid spraying areas where your pets visit, put up barriers or covers and keep them away from treated areas.  This is more difficult for cats as they are likely to stray into other people’s gardens who may be using pesticides.  Care should be taken with any animals that use or walk in and around agricultural land for this reason.

Compost and grass clippings – dangerous moulds and bacteria can build up in garden waste, so it is advisable to keep it in a secure bin away from pets.

Fungi and mushrooms – not all types of fungi are dangerous, but some can be life-threatening if eaten, so it is best to remove these in your garden or avoid them when you are out and about.

How can Peacock Vets help?

We are happy to discuss any concerns you may have about your pets, whether outdoor danger-related or not.  We understand that they are part of your family and we will treat them as if they were our own.

Call in, or contact us in a variety of ways.