Dog owners know all too well that their furry friends can get themselves into trouble, and the last thing you want on your summer break is an emergency trip to the vet. 

Whether it’s the summer heat or eating something dodgy, it’s important to pay attention to what your four-legged friend is up to at this time of year. 

Here’s what to look out for this summer to keep your dog safe and well. 

Beware of the heat 

A hot summer day can make for a good excuse to get out and about, but Dr Alison Vaughan, senior scientific officer at SPCA, says it’s often overlooked as a danger to dogs. 

Vaughan says heat can be difficult for dogs to manage, particularly if they are overweight, flat-faced (brachycephalic), older or have other health issues. 

She suggests exercising with your dog when it’s cooler – like first thing in the morning or in the evening – and making sure you have water with you when you’re out. And never leave your dog in a vehicle when it’s warm. 

“A car can really heat up even if you’ve got the windows open [or] cracked, and even if you’re parked in the shade,” says Vaughan. “If you’re not going somewhere to do something with them, then just leave them at home.” 

Some signs of heatstroke in dogs include excessive panting, drooling and looking for shade. 

Once heatstroke has occurred, dogs should be immediately cooled, which owners can initiate on the way to the vets, says Dr Steffi Javala, a practising veterinarian in emergency and critical care. 

You can do this by wetting your dog with cool water and turning the air con on in the car, for example, says Javala. 

“You want to bring down that core temperature as quickly as possible and then seek veterinary help,” Vaughan adds.

Karaka berries are an important food source for kererū, but poisonous to dogs. 

Karaka berries 

Native to New Zealand, Karaka trees are widespread, and their berries are an important food source for kererū. 

“However, they are highly toxic when ingested by dogs,” says Javala, adding that late summer is peak berry season and old kernels can remain highly toxic for months after falling from the tree. 

“There is no antidote to this toxin, and how to optimally treat these cases is still unknown,” she warns. “Education is therefore essential. Owners must be able to recognise these berries and understand the severe risk they pose if eaten by their dogs.” 

Javala explains that affected dogs displaying neurological symptoms, including seizure-like episodes, will likely die within 24 hours of the symptoms developing. 

“If vomiting can be induced immediately after ingestion, before the berry is digested and a significant amount of the toxin becomes absorbed, the chance of survival may improve.” 

Grass seeds 

When dogs are running around, they can come into contact with grass seeds, which can get caught up in their fur. They may become embedded in the paws and even the body. 

“So it can be quite serious,” notes Vaughan. “If your dog has long hair, make sure you’re brushing through it and check them again after you [return from] a walk. Make sure you’re checking between the foot pads and around their ears and their face.” 

There are a few things dog owners need to avoid on NZ beaches over summer. Photo / 123rf 

On the beach 

If you dog likes the beach, keep an eye on them. There are a few things they need to avoid to stay safe. For instance, grey side-gilled sea slugs, which are native to New Zealand, contain a toxin. 

Vaughan’s advice is simple: “If you see a sea slug, do not touch them. Report them to the council. And that’s because these are extremely toxic, both to people and to dogs.” 

Washed-up fish hooks can also pose a significant risk, particularly as they can be quite attractive to dogs, Javala explains, “especially if bait is still attached”. 

“The required treatment, and the potential severity of injury, depends on where the hook becomes lodged,” says Javala. 

Another one to watch around water is blue-green algae, which produces harmful toxins that can be fatal to dogs. Hot weather can trigger algae blooms, often found in still or shallow rivers, particularly after a period of little rainfall. 

“As a child, I lost a dog to this. [The death] can happen very quickly,” says Vaughan. 

“We encourage people to keep an eye on their council websites, as they often post if there are algal blooms.” 

Rat and slug bait 

Warmer weather means higher rodent populations, and if your dog digests rat bait, the toxicity from it can lead to life-threatening haemorrhaging. 

The first sign may be blue-green faeces, as many of the baits are produced in these colours. Your dog’s behaviour may appear normal at first, but Javala warns not to be complacent. 

“Clinical bleeding generally does not develop until three to five days after ingestion, at which point uncontrolled bleeding may already be critical,” she says. 

If you’re out gardening, be careful with slug bait that contains metaldehyde. If your dog eats it, Javala says they may experience severe and continuous seizure activity, vomiting, high heart rate, drooling and diarrhoea. 

“Safe storage is therefore essential to prevent accidental access,” says Javala, adding it’s also important to prevent pets from scavenging pellets directly from the garden.