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Don't cook your dog during heatwave, warns Kennel Club
Dog in car

Warning comes as the Met Office declares a level two heat-health alert

The UK's largest dog welfare organisation, The Kennel Club, is reminding dog owners about the dangers of leaving their pets in cars during the hot weather, and has issued a set of simple tips to keep dogs safe in the heat.

Caroline Kisko, Kennel Club secretary, said: “Every year the Kennel Club hears of dogs being literally cooked to death inside hot cars, and the chance of this happening increases dramatically during a heatwave. 

“In common with many animals, dogs are extremely sensitive to heat, more so than humans, and even on a mildly warm day they can quickly overheat,  even with the car windows open and water available, as temperatures can rapidly heat up to around 50 degrees Celsius. This is accelerated significantly on scorching hot days."

The organisation has issued the following advice to keep dogs safe during the heatwave:

  • Always provide access to fresh, cool water and shade, preferably in a well-ventilated area
  • Don’t expose your dogs to unnecessary heat – consider walking them early in the morning or later in the evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day and take cool water with you on your walk. Also be aware that high humidity can equally cause risk to a dog’s health
  • Plan your days carefully and never leave a dog unattended in a car or tied up outside
  • Never let your dog take part in unnecessary exertion in hot or humid weather, or stand in exposed sunlight for extended lengths of time
  • Be aware of the signs of overheating in dogs, which include panting, disorientation, excessive thirst, dark gums, vomiting, diarrhoea and losing consciousness
  • Never pass by a dog if you see one suffering in a car. Whether it be in a supermarket car park or at the pub, make sure you let someone in authority know and if in doubt call the police on 101 or the RSPCA on 0300 1234 999

If your dog does overheat, The Kennel Club recommends that you move your dog out of the heat and contact a vet immediately. If possible,  fan the dog with cold air and offer it cool, rather than cold water for small drinks. Owners can also cool the dog's tongue by dabbing with a cold, damp cloth.

Images courtesy of The Kennel Club/H Hudson & KC Picture Library/Andy Biggar

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Vets to run marathon for World Animal Protection

News Story 1
 Two recently graduated veterinary surgeons will be running the London Marathon in April to raise money for the charity World Animal Protection.

Alex Bartlett and Maeve O'Neill plan to run the race together if they are given the same start times.

Dr O'Neill said: "You're always limited in what you can do to help animals, so it is nice to raise money for a charity that helps animals around the world."

Dr Bartlett added: "I have never run a marathon before and am excited to run my first one for such a good cause!"

Both Dr Bartlett and Dr O'Neill have fundraising pages online. 

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News Shorts
BSAVA releases new Guide to Procedures

The British Small Animal Veterinary Association (BSAVA) has published a new edition of its Guide to Procedures for Small Animal Practice.

It has added four new procedures; cystostomy tube placement, endotracheal intubation, point-of-care ultrasound and wet-to-dry dressings.

BSAVA says that it is an essential step-by-step guide to diagnostic and therapeutic procedures performed in practice. The textbook includes new images and illustrations, as well as high-definition videos for use prior to procedures.

Nick Bexfield and Julia Riggs, editors of the new edition, said: "We have built upon the success of the previous editions by responding to the feedback received from the BSAVA readership, and hope this new guide helps to further increase the confidence and accuracy with which these procedures are performed."

Print copies are available in the BSAVA store, with a digital version in the BSAVA library.