Tele Vet

Dog walking offers substantial physical and mental benefits, but certain games can seriously injure pets. Repeatedly throwing balls may overstrain elderly or overweight dogs, while sticks can lodge in the mouth or throat, causing penetrating wounds, excessive salivation and gulping. Such injuries often require general anaesthesia, wound flushing and closure, and may later lead to abscesses.

Blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, can release toxins that are potentially fatal to dogs swimming in or drinking contaminated stagnant water. Symptoms may develop within hours and include vomiting, diarrhoea, excessive salivation, disorientation, breathing difficulties and seizures; there is no antidote, although urgent veterinary treatment can improve survival chances. Dog owners should avoid suspicious water, keep dogs on leads near ponds and lakes, rinse exposed coats and prevent grooming. Suspected algae sightings can be reported through the Bloomin' Algae App to help authorities identify blooms and warn the public.