Muddy Mutts

09/07/2025

☀️HOT PAVEMENT WARNING☀️

Yes, even on warm days, in certain conditions, pavements can become hot enough to cause pain, discomfort and even burn your dog’s paws. Although you may think your dog’s paw pads are quite tough, it’s important to remember that they are still made of skin and can be just as sensitive as the bottom of your feet.

On sunny days, pavements can often be deceptively hot and will usually be much warmer than the air outside. Dark and dense pavements easily absorb heat from the sun and are good at keeping hold of it and releasing it slowly. Natural surfaces, including grass, tend to be much cooler, as plants release water to help cool themselves down.

🔸HOW TO CHECK🔸
The best way to tell if a pavement is too hot for your dog to walk on is to place the back of your hand on the pavement for seven seconds. If it’s too painful for your hand, then it’s too painful for your dog’s paws.

If you notice that your dog is limping, looking uncomfortable or whimpering, then look at the bottom of their paws and check the temperature of the pavement with the back of your hand. If your dog’s paws look red, swollen or blistered then it’s important that you quickly take them off the hot pavement and contact your vet for advice as soon as possible.

23/06/2025

21/06/2025

Be kind!

People in the dog world often experience compassion fatigue and are trying their best.

Positive reinforcement works for humans, too! Treat others with the same respect and empathy you expect for your own dog, and always remain mindful of the challenges they face.

16/06/2025

Dogs and puppies love the sites, smells, and tastes of the outside world.

As most dog owners know, this charming fact can also be quite dangerous, as our canine friends regularly find something to chew on that won’t agree with their stomachs.

One of the top summer dangers for dogs is plants. There are many common garden and landscaping plants that are hazardous to your dog. Whether garden plants, plants in the wild, or seasonal plants you bring home from the florist, plants can provide crazy smells and a taste of something new, which can be at odds with your pup’s health.

Identifying potential signs of poisoning can save your dog’s life. Look out for these symptoms:

Gastrointestinal issues: Vomiting, diarrhoea, drooling, increased thirst, or loss of appetite

Behavioural changes: Restlessness, confusion, lethargy, or depression

Physical symptoms: Tremors, seizures, difficulty breathing, panting, increased heart rate, and pale gums

12/06/2025

Adders are the only venomous snake in the UK and are most seen from spring to summer in open habitats such as sand dunes, heathland, moorland, and woodland.

They are usually grey or brown in colour with a dark distinctive zig-zag pattern down their back. Although they are not aggressive, they will strike when agitated or startled and their venom is toxic to animals.

Swelling around the site is usually seen within two hours, and two puncture wounds may be visible in the centre of the swelling. You may notice signs of lameness, bleeding, and bruising. Once the venom has absorbed into the body, a widespread inflammatory response is triggered which may lead to:

🐍Lethargy
🐍Vomiting/diarrhoea
🐍Pale gums
🐍Increased respiratory and heart rate
🐍Increased salivation

In severe and untreated cases of adder bites, dogs can experience muscle tremors or convulsions, collapse, coagulopathy (blood clotting problems), and organ failure. The seriousness of a bite is influenced by the dog's size, the bite's location, the volume and potency of venom injected, and the duration and extent of movement following the bite.

It is important to note that not all adder strikes result in venom injection; these are known as "dry bites." However, even dry bites can lead to pain, swelling, and infection. Since it is not immediately apparent whether a bite is venomous or dry, it is crucial to contact a vet immediately. Providing advance notice of your arrival allows the vet to prepare, potentially sourcing antivenom from another facility, or redirect you if necessary.

There is a high rate of survival, even in severe instances, provided that treatment is administered quickly. Treatment typically involves managing shock, providing pain relief, and in some situations, administering an intravenous antivenom that neutralizes the venom.

To prevent bites in areas with known adder populations, dogs should be kept on a lead and confined to footpaths. Adders are a protected species in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981, and it is illegal to harm them.

Copyright © The Dog First Aid Co. 2025

09/06/2025

TEACH KIDS TO BE DOG FRIENDLY

I’m often asked - “How can I make my dog more child friendly?”

The question really should be - “How can I make my child more dog friendly?”

Children don’t come with an inborn ability to know how to interact with dogs. It’s up to us to teach them.

It’s surprising that there aren’t more dog bites considering how often children are seen treating dogs like stuffed toys.

If you think about it, dogs are actually amazingly tolerant and patient with us. They try their best to communicate with us, in the only way they know how, through using their body language.

A dogs attempt to show us they’re uncomfortable, scared, stressed or anxious is so often completely ignored or not understood.

As parents, I believe it should be a non-negotiable responsibility to teach our children about how to respect and behave around dogs to keep both of them safe.

Always supervise children and dogs, even if a dog seems relaxed and friendly.

Here are some links to free, on-line resources if you’re looking for more information on how to keep children and dogs safe together -

https://kidsarounddogs.co.uk/pages/free-resources

https://www.gooddoginabox.com/top-20-ways-keep-kids-and.../

https://www.familypaws.com/resources/

https://www.cooperandkids.com

https://poochparenting.net/blog/

08/06/2025

08/06/2025

Getting all the love from Luca and Leo 😻

08/06/2025

All the purrs 🐈

30/05/2025

Grass seed warning ⚠️🌱

Do you know the dangers that grass seeds can cause? Their tiny arrowheads attach onto dogs - particularly breeds with longer fur. They can pe*****te their way into the skin, causing harmful injuries that could potentially require surgery.

Always check your dog's fur thoroughly after woodland walks or running through meadows. Monitor their behaviour by keeping an eye out for the warning signs of grass seeds - this could be head shaking, limping, coughing, sneezing, paw licking and lethargy.

If you spot a grass seed, gently remove it with your hands or tweezers - if its burrowed deeper (sometimes you may not even see it!), take your dog to the vet immediately.

30/05/2025

The sweetest boy. We had a pit stop for a drink and a moments rest on our walk yesterday.

27/05/2025