Pets

Keeping your pet safe during summer

The warmer weather can be an enjoyable time for both you and your pet, however it is important you aware of the risks hot days can bring.

Keeping your pets safe on a hot day

Conditions such as heatstroke can be easily prevented by taking precautionary measures on a hot day. Follow the steps below to ensure your pet is kept safe. • Take your dog for walks early in the morning or late in the evening when the temperature is cooler • Never leave your pet in the car, even with the windows open • Ask a neighbour to check on your pet if they are kept outside • Use fans to increase air circulation • Add ice cubes to water to keep it cooler for longer • Cover rabbits or guinea pig cages with a wet towel and put them in the shade • If you think your pet has been stung, bathe the area in cold water and if possible, try to remove any stingers you can see • Wet your pet with a hose pipe if they are panting heavily • Spray small animals with a fine mist of water • Keep your pet inside when possible • Provide two bowls of water in case one gets knocked over • Make sure your pet has a shaded area to relax in • When barbecuing, keep your pet away from leftover bones or other foods that could get stuck in their digestive tract • Provide your pet with a paddling pool to cool off in.

Symptoms of heatstroke

• Heavy panting and raspy breath • Skin feels warmer than usual • Anxious expression or staring appearance • Seizures • Elevated rectal temperature • Vomiting • Collapsing, stumbling or falling down • Salivation • Open mouth breathing • Lying flat on cool services • Bright red gums.

What to do if you suspect heatstroke

If you suspect that your pet has heatstroke, follow the steps below; 1. Immediate veterinary attention is recommended. Call your vet to tell them that you are on your way 2. Whist travelling in a car, keep your air conditioning on or your windows down.

At the vets, treatment may include any of the following:

• Intravenous fluids • Oxygen • Blood test (to determine if any organs have been damaged).

Severe cases can have a significant risk of death and may require hospitalisation.

Which types of pet are most susceptible to heatstroke?

All pets can suffer from heatstroke, but some types are more susceptible than others. This includes; • Dogs that exercise excessively in hot weather • Short snout breeds • Pets that have recently relocated to hotter climates • Cats with shortened faces like the Persian • Elderly or ill pets • Pets with heart conditions • Pets who have suffered from heatstroke before • Caged pets that are unable to seek cooler environments • Overweight pets.

PET SERVICES

Vintage Rambles with rafa and Flake

We reached deep into the archive to pull out a walk from 2013. This walk takes you along the Betty Kenny Trail and is perfect for our four legged friends. Although there is one section where you need to be careful as their is a sharp drop-off. The story of Betty Kenny is a local legend dating back to the 18th Century. It is claimed that Betty (actual name Kate Kenyon) and her husband Luke were charcoal burners who often lived in the Shining Cliff Woods under the shade of a particular Yew tree. It was in this tree that Betty used to rock her children to sleep singing them ‘rock-a-bye baby’ and it is often puported that this is where the nursery rhyme originated.

4 mile walk along the Betty Kenny Trail in Shining Cliff Woods, Ambergate A lovely walk for you and your dog along a well established trail that offers a piece of local history and some lovely views across the Derwent Valley. The route will take around 2 hours There are some moderate climbs and the terrain can be muddy and uneven so a good pair of boots are a must. The path is well marked by posts with a white stripe.

Start: Holly Lane Car Park, Hollly Lane, Ambergate, De65 2DE

1. Head back down Holly Lane and turn left before the bridge and down a rough road into the woods. Carry on along this road for around 400 meters looking out for a sign on the right which indicate the Betty

Kenny Trail, beside a metal gate. 2. Take the footpath and carry on through the old wire works site. Pass the White

Peak Distillery and continue with a metal fence on your right and into the woods.

Pass through a barrier and take the path uphill into the woods. This path will take you roughly parallel to the A6 and the

River Derwent.

3. After around 400 meters, when you reach a fork in the path keep to the right and follow the path as it goes downhill. The trial is marked by posts with a white stripe. 4. After around 800 meters follow the main path, which is marked by white striped posts, as it bends off to the left and uphill. 5. Follow the path uphill. When you reach a wall follow the path as it bends to the right. To continue uphill to the remains of the Betty Kenny Tree. The tree is

surrounded by a fence on your right. 6. Make your way back down the same path to the bend by the wall. Take a path straight ahead to continue into the woods with the wall on your right. 7. Follow the path, over the boardwalks and continue as it climbs up through the woods. At a split in the path by a gate, ignore the gate right and the path left and take the middle path marked by the white striped posts. Y0u will near the edge of an old stone quarry so take care, especially if your dog is ‘enthusiastic’ as ours. 8. Carry on along the path marked by the white posts as it leads you up to the top of a hill where you have great views across the Derwent Valley. Continue on along the path downhill through the woods. 9. Ignore paths off to reach a Map Board and take the path to the left. Head downhill to a T-Junction of paths with a signboard. Turn left turn left to keep going downhill. This will bring you pack to where you entered the wood near the wire works, retrace the route back from here to wheere you entered the wood near the wire works, retrace the route back from here.

This walk is for illustrative purposes only. Voice Magazines takes no responsibility for anyone who chooses to follow this route and encourages all walkers to obey all byelaws and signs and to respect the area they are walking in, ensuring they pick up all dog mess and obey the countryside code at all times.

Shining Cliff Woods

Whatstandwell

Crich Ambergate Wire Works