19 July 2010

'Hot Dog' Owners Turn To Pet Advice Line This Summer

• Dogs suffer heat stroke and snake bites as UK experiences driest period for more than 80 years
• M&S Pet Insurance policyholders can seek help and support from a 24-hour advice line
• M&S Premier Pet Insurance allows for a total of £7,000 a year in claims for vets' fees for illness and injury, renewed each year to help with the continuing costs of long term vet treatment

As the UK experiences the driest period for more than 80 years, dog owners have been turning to a specialist pet advice line for help in dealing with heat related injuries and illnesses.

M&S Pet Insurance policyholders have been receiving help and support from a 24-hour advice line. Vetfone™, whose nurses provide concerned animal lovers with immediate advice on a pet’s condition.

Heat stroke

 
When a dog is exposed to high temperatures they can suffer from heat stroke - a very serious condition which requires immediate medical attention. Once the signs of heat stroke are noticed, there is little time before serious damage or even death can occur. Certain types of dogs are more sensitive to heat – especially obese dogs and short nosed breeds such as Bulldogs.

Signs of heat stroke in a dog include vigorous panting, dark red gums and dizziness or disorientation. If you suspect heat stroke, immediate action must be taken:

• Move your dog out of the heat and away from the sun immediately.
• Begin cooling your dog by placing cold wet towels on his body, especially around the head.
• Do not use ice or very cold water, as extreme cold can causes the blood vessels in the skin to constrict, therefore preventing the body’s core temperature from cooling and actually causing the internal temperature to rise. A spray from a cool hosepipe can be used to wet the animal.
• Offer your dog water, but do not force this into the dogs mouth.
• Call Vetfone or your vet immediately for further advice.

Prevention is better than cure. In order to prevent heat stroke from occurring:

• NEVER leave your dog alone in the car on a warm day, regardless of whether the windows are open. Even if the weather is not extremely hot, the inside of a car can feel like an oven and temperatures can get dangerously high within a few minutes.
• Avoid vigorous exercise on warm days and when outside choose shady areas.
• Keep fresh, cool water available at all times.

Adder bites

Dog owners have reported that their pets have been bitten by European adders - Vipera berus berus - the only species of snake native to the UK which is venomous.

The species reaches 50-60cm long as an adult and can be identified by a black/brown dorsal zig zag on its back and a ‘V’ marking on its head. Adders are found in all counties within the UK, but most commonly inhabit chalk downs, heaths, edges of woodland and grassy verges.

Many dogs are wary of snakes, and adders rarely bite, but they may do so if disturbed by an over inquisitive dog. Bites are most common on the nose and paws. Vetfone Deputy Operations Manager, Clare Scantlebury, said: ‘If a bite has occurred, the area will become swollen and very painful, usually within 30 minutes. Any animals who have sustained an adder bite should be kept well hydrated.  ‘They may become restless or depressed and vomiting may occur, as well as shock and collapse. If you think your dog has been bitten by an adder, veterinary attention should be sought immediately as adder bites can be fatal.’
 
M&S Premier Pet Insurance offers a total of £7,000 a year in claims for vets' fees for illness and injury, renewed each year to help with the continuing costs of long term vet treatment.

For more information about M&S Pet Insurance or to apply, customers can visit www.marksandspencer.com/petinsurance or telephone 0800 731 4280.

Ends

Notes to Editors

For further information please call the M&S Money press office:

Simon Coughlin on 020 7992 1574
simon.coughlin@mandsmoney.com

Liz Neild on 01244 686 068
liz.a.neild@mandsmoney.com

M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in 1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010 the company's 25th anniversary.

The company is a top-ten credit card provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK.  M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home insurance and car insurance, as well as loans, savings and investment products.

In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.

M&S Money has an executive committee comprising an equal number of representatives from HSBC and Marks & Spencer.

M&S Pet Insurance policies are provided by RSA Insurance Group plc.