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The Irish Sun
12 hours ago
- Health
- The Irish Sun
Major warning to ALL dog owners over seasonal hazard that can cause injury, swelling or sore spots
DOG owners have been given a major health warning for their animals over a seasonal illness. A leading Irish Advertisement 5 Pet owners have been given a major warning Credit: Getty 5 Dogs of any age or breed can be affected Credit: Getty Irish Blue Cross have said that grass seeds are one of the most common health issues among And they're more of a risk during this time of the year, firstly because there is a higher pollen count and more grass growing. And secondly, because more people are tempted to bring their dogs further afield and into the countryside when the Pet owners out walking their dog can easily miss a grass seed become stuck in their pet's fur. Advertisement READ MORE IN Fabulous But the hard to detect seeds can cause major health issues for animals. And they can affect dogs of any breed, age, or size. Main concerns about grass seeds is that they can pierce a dog's skin and cause serious discomfort. And there are some signs to watch out for which could indicate that your pet has been irritated by a grass seed. Advertisement Most read in The Irish Sun Exclusive Exclusive If there is a grass seed stuck in their paw, a dog might limp, lick continuously at the area, or you might notice swelling between the toes. If the same issue occurs in a dog's ear, they might scratch their ear, shake their head a lot, or you might notice redness on the area. Drivers face new $250 fines for driving with pet in car – it's all down to where your furry friend sits in vehicle And if a grass seed is stuck in a dog's nose, they might sneeze continuously to try and get it out. Early detection is essential when dealing with a grass seed related issue as it can stop a minor injury turning into a major Advertisement Dog owners have been urged to check their pet's feet, fur, and ears after walking through areas with long grass. Head of Veterinary Services at The Irish Blue Cross, Dr Sophie Olah, explained: 'Grass seeds can easily attach to dogs' fur during walks, especially in long grass. "Once embedded, the seeds can pierce the skin, causing intense discomfort. "Any dog can be affected by grass seeds when walking through long grass, so it's important to check your dog's feet, ears, and coat after walking in areas with long grass.' Advertisement Veterinary Surgeon at The Irish Blue Cross, Dr Ciara Sweeney, said: 'Early detection can prevent a minor irritation from becoming a serious veterinary issue. "If your dog has a grass seed stuck in their paw, they could lick vigorously at their paw, you might spot a swelling between their toes, or they may limp. "If one has gotten into their ear or eyes, they may shake their head, paw at their ear or eye, or you might notice redness, swelling or discharge from their eye. "They can often sneeze violently to try and dislodge a seed if one has entered their nose, and if a seed enters under their skin, they may chew or lick at the sore spot.' Advertisement 5 Grass seeds can cause dogs pain and discomfort Credit: Getty 5 Catching the issue early is important in preventing a major issue Credit: Getty 5 Grass seeds are a more common issue in the summer Credit: Getty
The Irish Sun
13-05-2025
- Health
- The Irish Sun
‘Heat stroke can be life threatening' – Vets give top tips to keep your pet cool this summer
IRISH vets have issued an urgent warning to pet owners ahead of rising temperatures on the way. Dog owners can look out for key signs to identify if your pet is overheating. 4 Keep your pets safe with these top tips Credit: 4 Brachycephalic breeds are more susceptible to the heat Credit: The Head of Veterinary Services, Dr Sophie Olah, explained: 'Thankfully most people are aware that pets should never be left in cars in hot weather. "Unless it's cool enough to take them out early in the morning, please avoid exercising dogs on hot days. "Instead, keep them indoors, in the shade with access to plenty of cool water. READ MORE ON PETS "If your pet is older, overweight, or flat-faced, take extra care, as it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke. "In fact, it doesn't need to be that hot for flat-faced pets to get heat stroke, so keep an extra special eye on them.' For the safest walking experience for your dog, the best times to bring your four-legged pal out are 6am in the morning and 8pm at night when it's a bit cooler. Veterinary Surgeon at The Irish Blue Cross, Dr Ciara Sweeney, warned: 'Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Most read in Fabulous "Signs of heat stroke include, restlessness, excessive panting, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing, drooling, change in gum colour from pink to dark red, pale, purple or blue. "Pets may also be drowsy or uncoordinated and may collapse or vomit in severe cases. When Is It Too Hot to Walk Your Dog? Vet's Essential Advice "If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught and keep them still and calm. "Wet their chest and stomach areas, where they have less hair, with cool water and contact your vet immediately." In a video on TikTok, veterinary nurse Eve told her viewers that even though the sun is shining, taking your dog on a walk isn't worth risking their life. She mentioned that these tips apply to all dog breeds but some can be more susceptible to the Eve said: 'Your Brachycephalic breeds, so your French bulldogs, any kind of bulldog, your pugs, any dog with a short snout - if you can hear your dog breathing on a day to day basis and you think that's just normal - your dog struggles to breathe." A key sign that your pet is suffering from heat stroke is if they are regurgitating their food. E ve continued: 'Also a - so you've got a dog that's unable to calm their panting down and then you add in vomit or regurge into it, so they inhale it, which ends up with fluid on the lungs.' But this heat wave isn't just affecting dogs - other pets are at risk for overheating too. Air flow is deemed the most important thing in keeping cats, dogs and all feline friends safe this summer. Be mindful to give your pets shade without covering their direct air flow. Ceramic bowls are recommended for these warmer weeks for storing your pets' water as they are best for keeping the water cooler for longer. Other trained professionals are taking to their platforms to give their purr-fect tips on One vet Up to around 23 degrees it is ok to lightly exercise your dog but any strenuous exercise could put them at risk of heat stroke. She advised that most breeds are okay in temps up to 19 degrees but you should be keeping a watchful eye on your pet for any signs of overheating. A dog's age, breed and overall health are factors that determine how much your pet is at risk for heat stroke. Kathleen explained that any temperature above 32 degrees is extremely dangerous for dogs Vet Pohl has stated that this type of heat can cause dogs to die of multiple things some as serious as organ failure. 4 Vets issued urgent advice to keep your pets cool this summer Credit: 4 Flat nose dogs are most at risk for heat stroke Credit:
Dublin Live
13-05-2025
- Climate
- Dublin Live
Urgent heatwave warning to Irish cat and dog owners as temperatures soar
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info Pet owners in Ireland have given an urgent heatwave warning to protect their furry friends from the scorching sun. The Irish Blue Cross sounded the alarm on Tuesday, urging cat and dog lovers to take extra care as temperatures soar across the country. With a sizzling spell on the horizon, the charity is stressing the importance of keeping pets cool and comfortable, especially during exercise. Dogs are at particular risk, and the Irish Blue Cross has highlighted that certain breeds, those with thick coats, older pooches, and flat-faced canines might struggle more in the heat. Hot pavements can be a real danger to dogs' sensitive paws, so if it's too hot for your hand, it's definitely too hot for their pads, reports the Irish Mirror. Dr Sophie Olah, Head of Veterinary Services at The Irish Blue Cross, has issued a plea to dog owners: "avoid exercising dogs on hot days". "Thankfully most people are aware that pets should never be left in cars in hot weather, however, many pet owners are still unaware of the risks of walking their dog in the heat," explained Dr. Olah. "Unless it's cool enough to take them out early in the morning, please avoid exercising dogs on hot days. Instead, keep them indoors, in the shade with access to plenty of cool water. "If your pet is older, overweight, or flat-faced, take extra care, as it may still be too warm early morning or late evening to take them out without risking heat stroke. In fact, it doesn't need to be that hot for flat-faced pets to get heat stroke, so keep an extra special eye on them," she added. While exercise is crucial for dogs, The Irish Blue Cross emphasises that in extreme heat, it's not necessary and all dogs should stay indoors, in the shade during such sweltering conditions. Dr Ciara Sweeney, Veterinary Surgeon at The Irish Blue Cross, warns: "Heat stroke is extremely dangerous and can be life threatening. Signs of heat stroke include, restlessness, excessive panting, heavy breathing or difficulty breathing, drooling, change in gum colour from pink to dark red, pale, purple or blue. "Pets may also be drowsy or uncoordinated and may collapse or vomit in severe cases. If you suspect your dog is suffering from heatstroke, move them to a cool place, preferably with a draught and keep them still and calm. Wet their chest and stomach areas, where they have less hair, with cool water and contact your vet immediately." For more tips on keeping your furry friend cool, check out Join our Dublin Live breaking news service on WhatsApp. Click this link to receive your daily dose of Dublin Live content. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice . For all the latest news from Dublin and surrounding areas visit our homepage.
