Hot weather and your pets

The hot temperatures over the past few days can mean some serious problems for your family pets.

Heat exhaustion and heat stroke are fairly common ailments even with animals during this hot weather.

Local veteranian Loretta Fritz says that signs your dog or cat could be in danger include panting, inability to get up, staggering and hot dry gums.

"If they're very very heated they need to come to the clinic. We need to cool them down carefully, we need to give them drugs so that their body doesn't start breaking down."

She adds that if you can’t get to a vet, you should hose the animal with cold water or put them in a cold bath to bring their temperature down.

During this hot weather, always make sure your pets and farm animals have  plenty of water and access to some shade.