Paragon Veterinary Practice in Carlisle has launched a new summer guide packed with practical advice to help owners keep their dogs safe during warm weather.
The free guide covers some of the biggest seasonal risks facing dogs, from heatstroke and burnt paws to ticks, blue-green algae and the problems of travelling abroad.
It combines expert veterinary advice with straightforward tips that owners can easily put into practice at home or while out walking.
Veterinary surgeon Graham Lewis, one of the authors, said: “Summer is a busy time in small animal vet practices and we see common themes. The guide is there to raise awareness of them and try to avoid people having trips to the vet.”
One of the key messages is the importance of recognising the dangers of heatstroke, which can develop rapidly and prove fatal if left untreated.
Graham says the condition remains one of the biggest summer hazards he sees in the practice.
“We vets bang on about heatstroke because every year dogs are brought to us that are critically ill,” he said. “The message is one that we are happy to repeat because we don’t want to see dogs coming in that condition.”
The guide explains how owners can recognise early warning signs such as excessive panting and unusual behaviour, as well as the immediate steps to take if a dog begins to overheat.
It also offers practical advice on avoiding problems in the first place, including walking dogs during the coolest parts of the day, ensuring they always have access to fresh drinking water and using the simple “paw test” to check whether pavements are too hot for sensitive pads.
The publication also looks at ways of keeping dogs entertained in hot weather, suggesting frozen food treats while warning against feeding them barbecue leftovers which can pose serious health risks.
Summer hazards beyond the garden are also covered. Owners are reminded to be aware of blue-green algae in lakes and ponds, grass seeds that can burrow into the skin, ticks that may carry disease, and insect bites and stings that can cause severe allergic reactions.
For those planning holidays, the guide includes advice on travelling safely with pets, including never leaving dogs in parked vehicles, even for a short period, and preparing well in advance for trips to Europe, where Animal Health Certificates and vaccinations are required following Brexit.
It also highlights some of the diseases dogs may encounter overseas and encourages owners to seek veterinary advice before travelling.
Paragon Vets says the guide has been designed to help owners enjoy the summer with confidence while reducing the risk of avoidable emergencies. People can pick it up at the Dalston and Newbiggin practices and a digital version will be available to download on the website here.
Graham said it was aimed at visitors to Cumbria over the summer as well as local people and added: “We are very keen that people get out and enjoy the great outdoors with their pets as much as possible during the summer. We all love it and we are all pet owners ourselves so this is not to try to put anyone off.
“It’s just raising awareness of some of the potential issues to make sure everyone has a good time in the warm weather.”
