Fleas, heat stroke and kennel cough are just a few of the threats Wimbledon’s pet owners are being warned to look out for as summer approaches.
By Heidi Vella, Joe Thomas, Mohamed Moallim and Patrick Barrett
Fleas, heat stroke and kennel cough are just a few of the threats Wimbledon’s pet owners are being warned to look out for as summer approaches.
With weathermen predicting a barbecue summer this year, local vets are bracing themselves for a busy season.
Dane Walker from 4 Paws Vet, Merton Road, said: “We see a lot of cases of conjunctivitis, fleas, ring worm and mange caught from foxes and even lung worm in the warmer months.”
Sometimes the dangers to pets are more obvious, but nevertheless prevalent. Lesley Holt of Kydd & Kydd Veterinary Health Centre said: “The most important thing in summer is not leave pets in cars.
“It sounds obvious but it still happens, they can get heat stroke. The rule is don’t leave them, even with window open.”
According to the RSPCA, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47 degrees within 60 minutes even when the outside temperature is just 22 degrees.
The sun provides a threat of more than just heat-stroke. Just like humans, animals can suffer from sun-burn and even skin cancer.
White animals especially need to be protected from the sun.
Ms Holt said: “If you have a white cat or a white dog you need to protect them from the sun. They are just as susceptible to skin cancer as humans.
“Owners should buy pet specific products from their veterinary surgeon to protect them and not just use Ambre Solaire!”
Lisa Graham, Battersea Dogs & Cats Home Communications officer, said: “We have a lot of white cats come in who have to have the ends of the ears cut off, because they have had skin damage due to sun.”
“Summer is quite a busy time. Obviously we see increased cases of heat stroke, but we also see more cases of fly strike and kennel cough,” said Ms Holt.
“Kennel cough exists all year round, but with more dogs going into kennels in the summer, the problem is more prevalent.”
Fleas flourish in warm weather and owners should be especially careful at the beginning and end of summer.
“If dogs are being taken up to the Common they should also be treated for ticks and fleas.”
Owners need not have their summer ruined by pet problems as most of these problems can be avoided by using the appropriate preventative treatments.
Ms Graham adds: “Summer can be a great time for animals as well. But pet owners need to be responsible and not only take care of themselves but their animals too.”
For more advice contact the RSPCA on 0300 1234 555.
