It is great that we have had some sunshine after the rain in July. It is really lovely to go for walks with your dog. Fortunately we haven’t experienced the extreme heat seen in Europe but soaring temperatures bring a number of different problems for you and your pet.

As with humans, periods of high temperatures can pose problems for the elderly, young and infirm.

Every year at Dunedin Vets, we treat a number of pets suffering from heat stroke.

These are usually dogs that have been running around enjoying themselves, then suddenly collapse.

They may be panting profusely with their tongue hanging out, salivating a lot and with the gums looking a purplish colour.

If you suspect your dog is suffering heat stroke, take them immediately to your vet – this is an emergency. If you have cold water available, apply a wet cloth to your pet’s head.

Generally, dogs need to be cooled down slowly, in a tepid shower, and sometimes injections to combat shock need to be administered.

Another problem is sunburn. This is a particular problem with white cats, but any pet with light coloured areas at the extremities can be affected. The ear tips and nose are particularly vulnerable to sunburn, which can progress to skin cancer.

You can reduce the risk by keeping pets out of direct sunlight in the middle of the day and applying sun block to the at-risk areas. Sun block for kids is fine or, at Dunedin Vets, we recommend aloe vera products, which are soothing as well as protective.

If you notice reddening or skin changes on your cat’s ear tips, contact your vet as soon as possible.

Fly strike is a condition which can affect all species but is more commonly seen in rabbits.

As rabbits re-ingest their faeces, sometimes soiling can occur around the back end. In hot, humid weather, bluebottle flies lay their eggs on this. When they hatch, the larvae or maggots feed on the animal’s skin, destroying it and damaging the underlying tissue.

If treated quickly, the animal can survive but frequently the condition is fatal. Make sure you examine your rabbit’s bottom daily.

Over the last few weeks, we have seen a huge number of dogs and cats with berry bugs, or harvest mite parasites. They are actually a plant parasite, so they do not live on animals but can cause severe allergic reactions.

They are just visible to the naked eye as small, orange-coloured spots.

They can occur anywhere on the body but are often found between the toes, round the ears and along the abdomen. These can affect any species. Some cats have such severe allergies to berry bugs that we advise keeping the cat indoors during the bugs’ active period.

Prevention of contact with the berry bugs is the only way to stop the signs of allergy; not always an easy thing to do. Treatment is by washing them off and many animals require treatment for the allergic reaction and itching, which can be intense.

In the summer months, dry meadow grass seeds or barley awns can become trapped in your pet’s coat.

They tend to have pointed ends and are elongated, with barbs. They can penetrate the skin, causing pain and often infection. They often get lodged between the toes, especially in hairy-pawed dogs, and move through the skin. The armpit area is another place they may be found.

All too commonly, owners notice their dog shaking its head and, on examination, a grass seed is found in the ear canal. This can be so painful that it requires sedation to remove it. We recently removed one from a Labrador’s nostril.

Wherever dogs meet, they are at risk of catching kennel cough.

This may be out on walks, at training classes or in boarding kennels. Kennel cough is a highly infectious cough caused by both a bacterium and virus acting together, resulting in a severe whooping-like cough and breathlessness. Some dogs may have only mild symptoms but some dogs may cough for weeks and some develop further complications such as pneumonia.

The severe signs can be prevented by an annual vaccination, given by intranasal drops or injection.

There are quite a number of adders in the Lammermuir Hills. You may not even realise your dog has been bitten. They usually inadvertently step on the snake in the heather.

Soon afterwards, the dog may be lame or quiet, with a painful swelling around the bite. Two small puncture wounds may be seen. Your dog requires urgent veterinary attention.

The toxin in the adder’s venom causes damage to blood vessels and skin to die. It travels round the body and causes kidney failure, too.

Your veterinary surgeon will be able to give supportive care. Antivenom can be given but this is only kept at specialist centres such as The Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies. Take care on your walks in the hills on sunny days.

Warm weather brings out insects which are very attractive to dogs and cats. They may want to snap at them or play with them.

Stings may be painful but can also cause allergic reactions. If your pet is stung by a bee you can remove the sting, if you can see it, with tweezers but be careful not to squeeze the sac containing the irritant chemical; otherwise dab the affected area with a solution of bicarbonate of soda (baking soda). If a wasp has stung your pet, dab the affected area with vinegar.

Some animals may develop bumps all over (hives), especially if short coated. If you have any doubts about this being abnormal, contact your vet immediately.

Jellyfish can sometimes occur in large numbers and these can cause severe allergic reactions. They can cause vomiting and collapse and urgent veterinary supportive treatment is required.

Watch out for stray fish-hooks lying around if you are near the beach or a river. These can get stuck through the skin, often requiring surgical removal. We recently had to remove a particularly vicious one from an elderly collie’s lip.

We have just enjoyed our annual Dunedin Vets barbecue at Vogrie Country Park, where humans and dogs alike had a great time. There are, however, several potential hazards for pets at the family barbecue. Make sure your pet is kept away from hot charcoal.

Bear in mind this can take some time to cool down afterwards, and tasty meat juices on hot coals can lead to very severe mouth burns.

Administer cold water immediately.

Cooked chop, rib, lamb and chicken bones must not be given to pets, nor corn on the cob. These are notorious for causing severe digestive problems, from uncomfortable constipation to major digestive tract obstructions. This may require surgical removal. Onions, believe it or not, can actually kill dogs.

If your dog eats a bowl of chopped onions ready for the burgers, they can develop a type of anaemia which is very difficult to treat and will require intensive veterinary care.

I hope you have all managed to have a lovely summer with your pets, and long may the good weather last!