AAS Vets

☀️ Heatstroke Warning – Please Keep a Close Eye on Your Pets ☀️

With the unusually high temperatures we're experiencing, we've sadly seen a significant number of pets suffering from heatstroke over the last few days.

This is Winnie, a lovely 7-year-old Bulldog. ❤️ Despite her owners doing everything right – no walks in the heat, plenty of fresh water, and lots of cooling aids – Winnie still developed heatstroke. Unfortunately, brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds, such as Bulldogs, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and Boxers, are much more susceptible because they cannot cool themselves as efficiently as other dogs.

Thankfully, Winnie received prompt veterinary treatment and is now doing well. 🐾

🚨 Please watch out for the signs of heatstroke:
• Excessive panting or difficulty breathing
• Drooling more than usual
• Bright red or very pale gums
• Lethargy, weakness or reluctance to move
• Vomiting or diarrhoea
• Confusion, wobbliness or collapse
• Seizures (in severe cases)

💧 How you can help prevent heatstroke:
• Avoid walking dogs during hot weather – even early mornings and evenings may still be too warm.
• Ensure constant access to fresh, cool water.
• Keep pets indoors or in shaded, well-ventilated areas.
• Use cooling mats, damp towels (never ice-cold water), fans or air conditioning where possible.
• Never leave pets in a parked car, even for a few minutes.
• Take extra care with flat-faced breeds, older pets, overweight pets, and those with heart or breathing conditions.

⚠️ If you think your pet may be suffering from heatstroke, don't wait. Move them somewhere cool, offer small amounts of water if they're able to drink, begin cooling them with cool (not ice-cold) water, and contact us immediately. Heatstroke is a medical emergency, and early treatment can save lives.

If you're ever unsure, we'd much rather you call us for advice than wait until it's too late.

Please help us keep all our furry friends safe during this hot weather by sharing this post. 🐶🐱💙

🌞 Heatwave Reminder for Rabbit & Guinea Pig Owners 🌞

With temperatures remaining very high, we'd like to remind owners that rabbits and guinea pigs can suffer from heat stress and heatstroke very quickly, which can be life-threatening.

🐰🐹 How to keep your pets cool:
✅ Ensure constant access to fresh, cool drinking water. Consider providing multiple water sources.

✅ Provide plenty of shade throughout the day. Remember that the sun moves, so an area that is shaded in the morning may be in direct sunlight later.

✅ Bring hutches, runs and enclosures into cooler areas wherever possible. Outdoor pets may benefit from being moved into a garage, shed or cool indoor room during the hottest parts of the day (provided there is adequate ventilation).

✅ Freeze water bottles, wrap them in a towel and place them in the enclosure to create cool spots for pets to lie against.

✅ Ceramic tiles, slate slabs or damp towels (for rabbits to lie on, not underneath) can provide cooler resting areas.

✅ Increase airflow around enclosures with good ventilation. Fans can help circulate air in a room but should not blow directly onto your pet.

✅ Offer fresh leafy greens that have been rinsed in cool water.

⚠️ Never leave rabbits or guinea pigs in enclosed hutches, conservatories, greenhouses, sheds, cars or other poorly ventilated areas during hot weather. Temperatures can rise rapidly to dangerous levels.

🚨 Signs of heatstroke include:
• Rapid or laboured breathing
• Lethargy or weakness
• Drooling or wetness around the mouth
• Red or hot ears (particularly in rabbits)
• Collapse or unresponsiveness

If you are concerned your rabbit or guinea pig may be suffering from heat stress or heatstroke, contact us immediately. Heatstroke is an emergency and early treatment gives the best chance of recovery.

☀️ Temperatures may not feel extreme to us, but for our small furry companions they can quickly become dangerous. Please take extra care during the current hot weather.

⚠️ Remember that warm weather also increases the risk of flystrike. Check your rabbits at least twice daily, keep housing clean and seek veterinary attention immediately if you notice flies, maggots or soiling around the back end.

☀️ Hot Weather Reminder & Branch Update ☀️

Following our previous post, we'd like to remind all clients to take extra care when travelling with their pets today. With temperatures expected to be even higher, these precautions are more important than ever.

🐾 Please ensure your vehicle has working air conditioning or is adequately cooled before travelling to your appointment.

🐾 Never leave pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.

🐾 Bring fresh water for your pet where possible and allow extra time for your journey.

🐾 If you have any concerns about travelling safely in the heat, please contact us before setting off.

The safety and welfare of our patients, clients and team members will always come first. During periods of extreme heat, we may need to review and, in some cases, reschedule non-urgent appointments or procedures if we feel it is in a pet's best interests to do so.

Due to the widespread closure of schools today, which has also affected some of our team, our Stroud branch will be closed today. We will, however, continue to provide appointments and veterinary care from our Abbeydale and Quedgeley branches.

Please continue to call us as normal for advice, assistance or to arrange an appointment, and we will be happy to help.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation. Stay safe and keep cool! 💙

☀️ Hot Weather Advice for Pet Owners ☀️

With temperatures expected to be exceptionally high over the coming days, we'd like to remind everyone to take extra care when travelling with their pets.

🐾 Please ensure your vehicle has working air conditioning or is adequately cooled before travelling to your appointment.

🐾 Never leave pets unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes.

🐾 If your pet is due to come in for a routine appointment or planned procedure, please allow extra time for your journey.

🐾 If you have any concerns about travelling safely in the heat, please contact the practice before setting off.

The safety and welfare of our patients, clients and team members will always come first. During periods of extreme heat, we may need to review and, in some cases, reschedule non-urgent procedures if we feel it is in a pet's best interests to do so.

Thank you for your understanding and cooperation while we navigate the hot weather safely together. 💙