When the Summer heat is upon us, it’s vital to consider your pet and make sure they are safe and cared for. Here are a few things you need to keep front of mind:

Heat exhaustion
Our pets are very susceptible to heatstroke. Dogs are not able to sweat like humans, so they rely heavily on panting to regulate their body temperature. Brachycephalic dogs (pugs and bulldogs) are particularly vulnerable as they have shorter muzzles and as a result, air-flow is restricted in and out of their mouth. This makes it harder for them to effectively exchange hot air for cool, and they can easily overheat.

Keep an eye out for excessive, exaggerated or noisy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse. If you think your pet might have heat stress, bring your pet to us immediately (or seek emergency veterinary care). It's best to place your pet in front of the air conditioner or a fan while you are in the car. You can also place wet towels on hairless parts of the body (footpads and groins).

Hot underfoot
Many people forget that footpaths, decking, tin roofs and bitumen roads get incredibly hot during the summer. Even sand can sometimes be too hot to walk on. This can cause painful burns to your pet's paws that may not appear for 24 hours, so be extremely careful in the heat. A good test is to hold the back of your hand to the ground, if you cannot hold it there for five seconds, it is too hot for your dog to walk on.

Hot cars can be deadly
Never leave your pet in the car during the warmer months. The internal temperature of a car can become like an oven in minutes (even on a mild day). 

We are always here to help you and your pet so please contact us if you have any concerns about your pet in the heat.

Dogs and cats are adventurous creatures, and at this time of year, they can occasionally be found harassing a snake. Snakes are common in rural areas but they are increasingly popping up in more urban areas, so it’s important to know the symptoms of snake bite and what to do if your pet is bitten.

Different species of snakes possess different types of venom, and your pet may show clinical signs anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours after a bite. Even if you only suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake you should see a vet. It is better that your pet is checked over rather than wait and be sorry.

The early signs of snake bite include:

- Enlarged pupils
- Salivation
- Vomiting
- Hind limb weakness
- Lethargy
- Rapid breathing

How can you help your pet survive a snake bite?

- Seek veterinary attention immediately
- Keep your pet as STILL AS POSSIBLE - this is critical to help reduce movement of the venom around the body

DO NOT try treatment options such as cold packs, ice, tourniquets, alcohol, bleeding the wound and trying to suck out venom in place of getting your pet to the vet - they are a waste of VERY precious time. NEVER attempt to kill, handle or capture the snake as you risk being bitten too. Providing a description of a snake, or a photo of the snake can be helpful but only if it is safe to do so.

Always be vigilant and supervise your pet when they are off leash. Keep them inside from dusk (snakes like to hunt at night) and take care in off leash areas and around rivers and dams and long grass. This is especially important if you are heading to areas over summer with your pet that you are not familiar with such as camping trips or farm visits.

If you are ever concerned about your pet you should call us for advice.

At this time of the year, it is not uncommon for us to see wildlife suffering from heat stress and dehydration. Birds, possums and koalas are often the ones commonly affected and it’s handy to know what to look out for and how you can help.

Signs of heat stress:

- Weak and lethargic
- Confused
- Venturing down to ground level searching for water (especially possums and koalas)
- Birds opening their beaks constantly or holding their wings away from their body

How you can help our native furry and feathered friends at home?
Provide multiple containers of water around your garden at varying heights - try and put them in protected areas such as hidden under a bush amongst the garden so the animals feel safe. Don't forget to place a stick or rock in the water, so if an animal falls in, they won't drown. Be sure to keep your dogs and cats away from wildlife to allow them to come down and drink safely.

What should you do if you find injured or heat stressed wildlife?
We recommend you have a read of the information provided here. It gives detailed instructions on helping wildlife affected by bushfires but is also applicable for many situations. Remember, whenever you are helping wildlife you need to make sure YOU are safe (a good example of this is when you stop to check wildlife on the side of the road as other traffic can pose as a potential hazard to you). Always make YOUR safety the priority!

If ever you have any questions about wildlife, we are always here to help.