Spring has sprung and summer is not far away. It's a good time to think about preparations for the hotter weather. Here are a few hints we've preared for you.

GRASS SEEDS

• When the grass starts to dry seeds can be a problem. Grass seeds are able to wiggle their way into many places and dogs praticularly often suffer from their pointy ends. We spend a lot of time in their summer removing grass seeds from mouths, eyes, ears, feet, armpits, skin, groin, genitals and tails. While it is impossible fully to protect pets against the entry of grass seeds a few things can be of help depending on your pet's coat and habits.
  • check your pet thoroughly whenever they've been out in the dry grass
  • avoid dry grassy areas wehn possible
  • consider clipping completely or in part. (For some dogs just the feet may be enough, for others it may be beter to consider an undercarriage clip or whole body clip.)
  • clipping helps to prevent seeds entering, but is best at making iot easier for you to find them before they do too much harm.
• Signs of grass seed problems can include: sore eye, coughing or gagging, sore ear (especially when this comes on quickly), lameness or swollen paws, unexplained pain, swellings of skin or genitals

HEAT RELATED ILLNESS

• Dogs and cats generally are good at caring for themselves if they have the opportunity. Possible exceptions are very young, weak, aged, overweight or ill animals. These may require special care in the hot weather.
• For healthy adult animals provision of an ample reliable source of water in the shade, shady places with grassy or other surfaces that don't get too hot, and protection from the hot wind will be enough to keep them well and happy in the summer. They will be able to move around and find themselves a suitable place to relax and while away the day until things cool off.
• Being locked in a car for even a short period can lead to severe irreversible illness due to overheating. This can occur even with windows wound down. Dogs left unattended in or on cars in warm weather can lead to prosecution for cruelty.
• Many unwell animals, with obesity, arthritis or heart disease can suffer severely from heat conditions and special care should be taken to protect them and to avoid vigorous exercise which can bring on difficulties that require emergency veterinary attention.

Further information may be found at: https://kb.rspca.org.au/knowledge-base/what-can-i-do-in-hot-weather-to-prevent-heatstroke-in-my-pet/

FIRES

If you live in or near bush or grasslands, you should prepare a fire plan before the hot weather starts that includes how you will care for your family (including your pets) in the event that a fire starts near your home. It is always wise to enact your fire plan early when the Fire Danger Ratings reach your identified trigger levels. Don't wait for fire to threaten your property directly, by then it is often too late to leave or take action.

Please refer to the CFA or Emergency Vic websites and call the Emergency Vic Hotline for information about fires 1800 226 226.

https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare

https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/pets-and-bushfires

https://www.emergency.vic.gov.au/prepare/#understanding-warnings