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The British Small Animal Veterinary Association recommends the principal
of pet health insurance to its members and their clients. |
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Turning the Heat Up!
(05/08/2003)
With record temperatures being recorded we can at last confidently cast
aside jumpers, jeans and umbrellas and reach for sun cream, summer
dresses and short-sleeved shirts.
However, we must spare a thought for our animal companions, who cannot
discard their thick fur coats.
Pet insurance provider, Pinnacle Pet Healthcare Limited, have analysed
the claims received for problems relating to the hot weather. The
message from animal welfare organisations, do not leave pet’s in hot
cars, certainly seems to be hitting home as claims of this nature only
represent 1% of the total claims received at this time of year.
Pinnacle Pet Healthcare has come up with some hot tips for keeping pets
cool this summer:
- Never leave a pet in the car – even if the window is partially open.
Cars can heat up to well over 100 degrees in less than 5 minutes.
- Choose exercise times carefully. It is better to walk a dog early in
the morning or late in the evening when the days heat has subsided. It
is a good idea to restrain a dog to lead exercise as this prevents over
exertion and potential over heating. This also prevents damage to pads
as the pavement becomes excessively hot.
- If your pet is to be left in the house during the day, try to leave a
window open. A tiled floor is ideal as this tends to be cooler than
carpet. If a pet is outside in the garden ensure that there is plenty of
shade available.
- A fresh supply of cool water should be readily available.
- Some pets, particularly white cats, can be prone to sunburn which can
lead to skin cancer. Put high factor sun cream on any visible pink skin
and on the tips of white cats ears.
- Keep the pet well groomed – it is a good idea to have long haired
breeds trimmed in the summer months to keep fur to a minimum.
- Now that pets can travel abroad with their owners under the PETS
Travel Scheme, extra care must be taken by owners with the more extreme
temperatures.
Dr E Jackson, veterinary advisor to Pinnacle Pet Healthcare has listed
the signs to look out for if your pet is suffering from heat stroke:
Early Stages
Heavy panting
Rapid breathing
Excessive drooling
Bright red gums and tongue
May be standing 4 square, posting or spreading out trying to maintain
balance
Advanced Stages
Gums may be white or blue
Lies down, unwilling to move
May defecate or urinate uncontrollably
Difficult or noisy breathing
Shock
What actions to take:
- Place a wet towel or shower the animal with tepid water.
- Get the animal to a veterinary surgeon as quickly as possible.
- NEVER shower or immerse the animal in freezing cold water as this can
drop the body temperature too quickly and lead to shock.
Pinnacle Pet Healthcare offers comprehensive lifetime insurance for dogs
and cats (and includes cover for pets travelling abroad under PETS
Travel Scheme). Cover starts from as little as £5.83 a month for cats
and £9.10 for dogs. |
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