PETS - BEWARE THE PITFALLS OF SUMMER

(13/06/2002)

Warm sunny weather and walks in the countryside are what many dog owners long for, but even meadows and fields can hold hidden dangers for pets.

Bruno, a three year old rough-coated Labrador, suffered severe discomfort and became lame after a grass seed lodged between the toes of his right fore paw. Minor surgery and a course of antibiotics was required which totalled £120 in vets bills, fortunately in Bruno’s case, this was covered by his pet insurance policy.

His owner, Mrs Buckmaster said: “Bruno is a very active dog who enjoys at least four walks a day. I love taking him over the fields, where he can run off the lead and was very surprised when I later learned how common these grass seed related injuries are. The grass isn’t very long on our walk and is regularly cut so there appears to be little that a dog owner can do to avoid these hidden dangers.”

July was the worst month last year for grass seed injuries, Brookend Veterinary Surgery in Essex, saw several cases a week and pet insurance providers, Pinnacle Pet Healthcare, received the highest number of claims for grass seed related injuries last summer.

Veterinary Surgeon, Mike Probert of Brookend Veterinary Surgery, said: “Grass seed injuries are very commonplace especially amongst long-haired dogs, like Spaniels, who can pick them up easily in the fur around their legs, ears and between their toes. Pet owners don’t realise how easy it is for these seeds to lodge in the skin where they can easily become infected.”

Pet owners can take the following steps to avoid the hidden dangers:
1) Owners should feel between their dog’s toes, the outer ear and run their hands down each leg after a walk to check for any sharp seeds, which should be carefully removed without delay.
2) A regular grooming regime can also help and special attention should be paid to ears, feet and legs in case seeds have moved since checking after returning from the walk.
3) Certain types of grass are more likely to drop seeds. So, avoid walking in meadows with long grass, which are more likely to harbour larger seeds. Hillsides grazed by sheep are less likely to accommodate these seedy grasses.
4) Spring and early summer is the time of year when seeds will be most prevalent.

He said: “Unfortunately, most pet owners will not spot anything until the seed has entered the skin. The seeds are shaped like darts and once they have entered the skin the dog will worry at the cause of the discomfort and the injury will become infected. By then the only course of action is a visit to the vet.”

To avoid any heavy veterinary expenses, pet owners could consider taking out pet insurance, which will cover the expense of any accidental injuries and provide a safety net against such eventualities.

No matter what precautions pet owners take, illnesses and injuries can occur and for peace of mind all round, it is worthwhile taking out a comprehensive insurance policy. Pet insurance providers, Pinnacle Pet Healthcare, has a range of insurance policy options for pets, all of which will provide peace of mind to owners concerned about their pet’s welfare.

Pinnacle’s policies offer lifelong cover for pets and, unlike many other policies, do not restrict claims for chronic or on-going conditions to just 12 months. Even complementary treatments are covered along with hospitalisation and referral. For those pets who travel abroad with their owners on holiday, an extension of cover is available under the Pet Travel Scheme.

Simon Wheeler of Pinnacle Pet Healthcare said: “Unfortunately, no matter what measures pet owners introduce to guard against it, accidents and injuries will happen. Taking out insurance for your pet will give you peace of mind – whatever the resulting bill.”