Latest news with #NinaDowning
The Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
Vets issue tips for keeping pets cool during UK heatwave
It's time to soak up the sun once more in the UK (while wearing the best SPF, of course), as the fourth heatwave of summer 2025 is here. While many of us are rushing to buy one of the best fans – including portable devices – air conditioning units and even wearable air conditioners to help us beat the heat, what about our pets? When temperatures soar, our four-legged friends feel it the most. 'Too much sun or heat can be extremely dangerous for our canine companions, especially for flat-faced breeds and overweight dogs, who find it more difficult to cool themselves down', PDSA veterinary nurse Nina Downing told The Independent. 'Older dogs and those with ongoing health problems may also find it more difficult to manage their body temperature.' During a heatwave, skipping your daily walk may be the safest option. 'Walk or play in the early morning and later in the evening; missing a walk is less dangerous than exercising when it's too hot,' advises Anna Ewers Clark, vet and veterinary standards lead at Blue Cross. 'Check the pavement before letting your pet walk on it- hot pavement can burn paws.' 'Never leave them in a car, conservatory or any room that gets heated quickly in the sun – these can get dangerously hot in minutes,' Clark adds. It's important to know the signs of heatstroke in your dog, which can include increased or noisy panting, drooling, vomiting or diarrhea, and being wobbly on their feet. 'If you notice any of these signs, offer your dog some water to drink, cool them down straight away by pouring cool water over their body and call your vet immediately,' Downing advises. Beyond ensuring your pet has access to shady areas and plenty of water, there are plenty more things you can do to alleviate the heat. Pup-friendly sunscreen can protect exposed snouts and paddling pools can provide sweet relief, while innovative solutions like cooling mats or jackets can keep animals chill. With the heatwave here, we've rounded up the simple things you can do to keep your pets cool – plus, the products to buy, according to experts. Sunscreen 'When it's sunny, remember that you can apply pet-safe suncream to pink noses and areas of exposed skin to prevent sunburn,' Downing says. 'Choose a sun cream that is pet safe SPF30 or higher, and waterproof.' This Noseprint SPF 30 (£15.99, is designed for dogs, cats, horses and other animals. It's got a non-toxic formula, meaning it doesn't contain zinc oxide, which is harmful to pets. Or, try this Dermoscent sunfree for dogs and cats (£16.45, which is waterproof and fragrance-free. Sunscreen is particularly important 'for light coloured pets or on areas with little fur such as the nose, ears and belly,' Clark says. Cooling mats Downing also advises that you place an ice pack wrapped in a towel in your pet's bed to keep it, and them, cool. 'You could also consider laying down a wet towel or cooling mat.' This Rosewood checkered mat (£12, fits the bill. It's activated by weight or pressure from your pup, with the pad remaining cooler than the surroundings for between three to four hours. Or, Clever Paw's cooling mat (from £3.99, comes in three different sizes for various breeds. 'Always supervise your dog to ensure they don't chew the ice pack or cooling mat, as the contents can be harmful,' Downing recommends. Clark also notes that 'mats will warm up to body temperature after a while,' so they aren't an all-day solution. Paddling pools 'There are a lot of fun and inventive things that you can do to help keep your dog comfortable on a hot day,' Downing continues. 'Filling a shallow paddling pool or washing up bowl with cold water can give your dog a much-needed chance to cool their paws.' This Crufs medium-size pool (£14.99, is foldable and portable with a reinforced wall, while Pet's At Home's pool (£20, pops up in seconds with no inflating needed. Alternatively, this mat (£10, features fun sprinklers to entertain pets while keeping them cool. Treats 'Advice circulates on social media every summer claiming that the cold temperature of ice cubes can trigger a pet's heat-regulating system, which results in their body warming up – however, this is untrue,' Downing explains. 'As long as your pet is healthy, providing a few ice cubes to play with or in their water bowl is a great way to cool them down.' All you need is a reusable ice cube tray (£8.98, for the freezer. If your pet is small or is prone to eating quickly, you could shave the ice. 'Have a go at making some frozen dog treats to keep your pooch cool,' suggests Lauren Bennett expert in dog welfare at the RSPCA. Using an ice cube tray, you can freeze bananas, apples or celery. 'Use cold treats from the fridge for added moisture or make an ice lolly for your dog from pet-friendly ingredients,' Bennett adds. Alternatively, you could buy Jude's ice cream for dogs (£3.50, Grooming 'Grooming will also help your dog to regulate their temperature, especially if they have long or thick hair,' says Downing. 'Although dogs don't sweat through their skin like humans, a tangle-free coat will allow your dog's skin to breathe better.' With that in mind, this de-shedder groomer tool (£23, will safely remove undercoat fur and is available in various widths to fit pets of different sizes and fur lengths.
The Sun
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Vet issues urgent warning for dogs facing common threat this summer – what to do if your pet is affected
A VET has issued an urgent warning and advice on what to do for dogs facing a common threat this summer. You may start to see more bees buzzing around your pet as the weather warms and flowers bloom. 2 Bees are more active in the spring and summer months so it's crucial that pet-owners know what to do in the event their dog is stung. Nina Downing, a veterinary nurse at charity PDSA has offered advice if your dog or cat gets stung over the coming months. She said: " Insect bites and stings are quite common in dogs during the spring, summer and early autumn. "They're most often stung or bitten around their face or paws, as these are the bits of them that go investigating first!" Signs that your dog or cat has been stung by a bee could include mild swelling, drooling or whining and crying. Nina added: "If you notice any of these then have a look through your pet's fur - if they've been stung by a bee there may be a stinger left behind. "If you see a stinger left in their skin, it's important not to try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers - this could squeeze more venom into your dog, causing more pain." Instead, dog-owners can use the edge of a credit card under the venom sac which may look like a yellow-coloured blob. From there, you can use the credit card to gently scrape out the sting. You can then use a cold, damp cloth on the affected area to help reduce the swelling and sooth your dog's skin. If your dog is comfortable with it, it might also be helpful to use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel. An anti-histamine may also be beneficial but it's important to seek advice from your vet first. They will advise on the appropriate medication and dosage for your pet. Some may turn to home remedies such as using vinegar for wasp stings or bicarbonate and water for bee stings. However, while these may not cause your pet any harm, there's little evidence to suggest these methods will help relieve symptoms. Nina says: "If your pet has suffered a bite or a sting, it's important to monitor them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. "Allergic reactions are fairly rare, but they can happen. "Signs include hives or a severe rash, rapid swelling around the affected area, rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. "If you notice any of these things, then call your vet straight away. Usually pets will only experience mild symptoms when bitten and, in most cases, these can be treated at home. Signs to look out for if your dog has been stung If you're dog or cat has been stung by a bee, you might notice the following symptoms: Mild swelling in the affected area Licking, biting, or pawing the area Whining and crying Limping or holding up a paw Drooling Veterinary nurse, Nina Downing from the PDSA charity also warns of stingers being left behind in your dog's fur if they've been stung. She said: "If you notice any of these then have a look through your pet's fur - if they've been stung by a bee there may be a stinger left behind. "If you see a stinger left in their skin, it's important not to try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers - this could squeeze more venom into your dog, causing more pain." A bite or sting may also cause an allergic reaction. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: Hives or a severe rash Rapid swelling around the affected area Difficulty in breathing Vomiting or diarrhoea Collapse If you see any of these symptoms, Nina advises to contact your vet straight away. A leading vet also recently issued a warning to take extra care as ticks thrive in warmer weather. They urged dog-owners to watch out for ten symptoms of Lyme disease which can lead to kidney failure in dogs if not treated early. Pet owners themselves have been warned too about the consequences of letting their dogs lick them. Owners have also been advised to avoid this costly mistake if you let your pooch off the leash on a country stroll this summer. 2
Powys County Times
05-05-2025
- Health
- Powys County Times
PDSA shares what to do if your dog or cat is stung by a bee
With the warmer weather upon us and plenty of flowers blooming, you might notice more bees buzzing around you and your pets. Bees will be more active in spring and summer so it's important that you know what to do if your dog or cat gets stung. PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: 'Insect bites and stings are quite common in dogs during the spring, summer and early autumn. 'They're most often stung or bitten around their face or paws, as these are the bits of them that go investigating first!' What symptoms might a dog or cat get if stung by a bee? If your dog or cat is stung by a bee, you might notice the following symptoms: Mild swelling in the affected area Licking, biting or pawing the area Whining and crying Limping or holding up a paw Drooling Nina adds: 'If you notice any of these then have a look through your pet's fur – if they've been stung by a bee there may be a stinger left behind. 'If you see a stinger left in their skin, it's important not to try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers – this could squeeze more venom into your dog, causing more pain.' What to do if your dog or cat gets stung by a bee Instead of trying to pull a stinger out of your pet's fur if you think they've been stung, you can place the edge of a credit card under the venom sac (yellow-ish blob) sting and gently scrape out the sting. Put a cold, damp cloth on the affected area to soothe the skin and reduce swelling. You could also use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel if your dog is comfortable with this. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PDSA 🐾 (@teampdsa) Anti-histamines can help to reduce swelling but it's important to speak to your vet first so they can advise on what type of medication might be appropriate and what dosage is safe for your pet, PDSA explains. Home remedies such as vinegar for wasp stings or bicarbonate and water for bee stings won't do your pet any harm, however, there's little evidence that they are effective in relieving symptoms. Nina says: 'If your pet has suffered a bite or sting, it's important to monitor them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. 'Allergic reactions are fairly rare, but they can happen. Signs include hives or a severe rash, rapid swelling around the affected area, rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. 'If you notice any of these things then call your vet straight away.' In most cases, stings and bites are fairly mild and can be managed at home and most pets will only experience mild symptoms and feel better after a few hours.
Business Upturn
05-05-2025
- Health
- Business Upturn
Goldiam International secures Rs 80 crore export order for lab-grown diamond jewellery
Bees will be more active in spring and summer so it's important that you know what to do if your dog or cat gets stung. PDSA Vet Nurse, Nina Downing, said: 'Insect bites and stings are quite common in dogs during the spring, summer and early autumn. 'They're most often stung or bitten around their face or paws, as these are the bits of them that go investigating first!' What symptoms might a dog or cat get if stung by a bee? If your dog or cat is stung by a bee, you might notice the following symptoms: Mild swelling in the affected area Licking, biting or pawing the area Whining and crying Limping or holding up a paw Drooling Nina adds: 'If you notice any of these then have a look through your pet's fur – if they've been stung by a bee there may be a stinger left behind. 'If you see a stinger left in their skin, it's important not to try and pull it out with tweezers or your fingers – this could squeeze more venom into your dog, causing more pain.' What to do if your dog or cat gets stung by a bee Instead of trying to pull a stinger out of your pet's fur if you think they've been stung, you can place the edge of a credit card under the venom sac (yellow-ish blob) sting and gently scrape out the sting. Put a cold, damp cloth on the affected area to soothe the skin and reduce swelling. You could also use an ice pack wrapped in a tea towel if your dog is comfortable with this. View this post on Instagram A post shared by PDSA 🐾 (@teampdsa) Anti-histamines can help to reduce swelling but it's important to speak to your vet first so they can advise on what type of medication might be appropriate and what dosage is safe for your pet, PDSA explains. Home remedies such as vinegar for wasp stings or bicarbonate and water for bee stings won't do your pet any harm, however, there's little evidence that they are effective in relieving symptoms. Recommended reading: Nina says: 'If your pet has suffered a bite or sting, it's important to monitor them closely for signs of an allergic reaction. 'Allergic reactions are fairly rare, but they can happen. Signs include hives or a severe rash, rapid swelling around the affected area, rapid breathing or difficulty in breathing, vomiting, diarrhoea or collapse. 'If you notice any of these things then call your vet straight away.' In most cases, stings and bites are fairly mild and can be managed at home and most pets will only experience mild symptoms and feel better after a few hours.
