Caring for animals in the sunny weather and Pickles the cat who suffered from skin cancer is now ready for a home
Submitted by GSPCA on 12:26, 7th May, 2013 |
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Many of us love to enjoy the sunny warm weather but we are urging pet owners to be mindful of their animals.
Every year the GSPCA receives dozens of calls about animals left in hot cars and we also receive strays that have suffered from skin cancer.
Pickles the 6 year old female cat is a feline that has come into the Shelter after suffering from skin cancer and due to this has recently had to have her ears removed. If you have a light coloured dog or cat the GSPCA would urge you to speak to your vet for advice on what to do to protect them.
To find out more on skin cancer in pets and the story of Pickles please click here.
Pickles in now looking for a home and if you are interested please call the Shelterr on 01481 257261 or pop into the Shelter in St Andrews.
Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager said 'Pickles is so sweet and it is wonderful we have been able to save her but we are asking all pet owners to be mindful of their animals with the lovely weather we are having.'
'Every year we receive dozens of calls about dogs left in hot cars and this is a real concern to animal welfare.'
'If anyone is every concerned about an animals welfare then please do call the GSPCA on 01481 257261.'
'On a brighter note Pickles is a real star and we are appealing for a home for this wonderful, friendly cat.'
Below is further advice on caring for your animals during sunny, warm weather -
Don't leave your dog alone in a car.
If it’s very warm outside and you’re going out in the car, think very carefully about what you are going to do with your dog. You should never leave a dog alone in a car.
It can get unbearably hot in a car on a sunny day, even when it’s not that warm. In fact, when it’s 22°C/72°F outside like it will be today, the temperature inside a car can soar to 47°C/117°F within 60 minutes. Unlike humans, dogs pant to help keep themselves cool. In a hot stuffy car, dogs can’t cool down – leaving a window open or a sunshield on your windscreen won’t keep your car cool enough. Dogs die in hot cars.
Even with current legislation in Guernsey if it can be proven that your dog is suffering you can face prosecution. You would also have to live with the fact that your thoughtless action resulted in terrible suffering for your pet.
If you see a dog in a car on a warm day please call the GSPCA on 01481 257261.
Heatstroke - early warning signs
Heatstroke can be fatal. Do everything you can to prevent it. Some dogs are more prone to heatstroke. For example, dogs with short snouts, fatter or heavily muscled dogs and long-haired breeds, as well as very old or very young dogs. Dogs with certain diseases are more prone to heatstroke, as are dogs on certain medication.
If dogs are unable to reduce their body temperature, they will develop heatstroke. There are some signs to look for:
heavy panting
profuse salivation
a rapid pulse
very red gums/tongue
lethargy
lack of coordination
reluctance or inability to rise after collapsing
vomiting
diarrhoea
loss of consciousness in extreme circumstances.
Heatstroke - first aid
If your dog shows any symptoms of heatstroke, move him/her to a shaded, cool area and ring your vet for advice immediately. Heatstroke can be fatal and should always be treated as an emergency.
Dogs suffering from heatstroke urgently need to have their body temperature gradually lowered:
Immediately douse your dog with cool (not cold) water, to avoid shock – you could put your dog in a shower and run cool water over him/her, or use a spray filled with cool water and place your dog in the breeze of a fan.
Let your dog drink small amounts of cool water.
Continue to douse your dog with cool water until his/her breathing starts to settle – never cool your dog so much that he/she begins to shiver.
Once you have cooled your dog down you should take him/her straight to the veterinary surgery.
Top tips for warm weather
Your dog should always be able to move into a cooler, ventilated environment if he/she is feeling hot.
Never leave your dog alone in a car. If you want to take your dog with you on a car journey, make sure that your destination is dog-friendly – you won’t be able to leave your dog in the car and you don’t want your day out to be ruined!
If you have to leave your dog outside, you must provide a cool shady spot where he/she can escape from the sun at all times of the day.Please remember that shade cover can move during the day.
Make sure your dog always has a good supply of drinking water, in a weighted bowl that can’t be knocked over. Carry water with you on hot days and give your dog frequent small amounts.
Never leave your dog in a glass conservatory or a caravan. Even if it is cloudy when you leave, the sun may come out later in the day and make it unbearably hot.
Groom your dog regularly to get rid of excess hair. Give long-coated breeds a haircut at the start of the summer, and later in the season, if necessary.
Dogs need exercise - even when it is hot. Walk your dog early in the morning or later in the evening. Never allow your dog to exercise excessively in hot weather.
Dogs can get sunburned too – particularly those with light-coloured noses or light-coloured fur on their ears. Ask your vet for advice on pet-safe sunscreen.
Please be mindful of the other pets in your care and where you keep them and ensure they don’t get trapped in places such as greenhouses and conservatories.
To see the story of Jethou Bumblebee the grey seal pup please check out this short video from start to finish on how staff rescued him with a lot of help.
There are many items on the GSPCA's Wish List and you can see many of them by clicking here including a list of Amazon items which would make a difference to animals in Guernsey.
To download our latest newsletter or become a member of the GSPCA please
The following are events planned for 2013
Every Tuesday during term time between 10.30am and 12pm at the GSPCA we have a coffee morning with bric-a-brac and pet supplies on sale. Please click here for more details
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