Signs, First Aid and When to Call a Vet Updated July 2026 This article was originally published in 2016 with a contribution from Dr Oli Robinson of The Finchley Vet. A lot has changed in heatstroke first-aid advice since then. I have therefore fully updated this guide using current veterinary guidance while keeping Dr Oli’s…
Updated July 2026 A dog running through long grass or exploring the edge of a field may not see a strand of barbed wire until it is too late. Then everything can happen very quickly. The dog panics. They pull backwards. The wire catches more tightly. You rush towards them. And a frightening situation can…
Updated September 2026 Dogs can pick up cuts and grazes surprisingly easily. Broken glass, sharp stones, thorns, rough ground and hidden rubbish can all cause injuries, particularly around the paws and lower legs. A small superficial graze may only need gentle cleaning and monitoring. A deep wound, heavy bleeding, a bite wound or something embedded…
Updated September 2026 Knowing a little about dog health and first aid does not mean trying to be your own vet. For me, it means noticing when something is wrong, knowing what you can safely do in the first few minutes, avoiding actions that could make things worse, and recognising when your dog needs veterinary…
Are you one of those dog owners who enjoy throwing sticks for your dog? After all, we all know dogs love a good game of fetch, and so many are around! When a dog has a stick, it can be challenging to remove it. Indeed, some dogs can be described as ‘daft as a stick!’….
Updated September 2026 Dogs are remarkably good at finding things they were never supposed to eat. Sometimes it is obvious: a box of chocolates has disappeared, a packet of raisins has been chewed open, or a dog has got into medication. Other times you may simply realise that your dog has been chewing a plant,…
A dog suddenly developing a loud, hacking cough can be alarming. It may sound as though something is stuck in their throat, and some dogs cough so forcefully that they gag afterwards. Kennel cough is one possible cause. Despite the name, your dog does not have to have stayed in kennels to catch it. Dogs…
Warning Signs Dog Owners Should Not Ignore Updated July 2026 Dogs cannot tell us: My stomach really hurts. Or: I feel dizzy. Or: I’m struggling to breathe. They show us through changes in their body and behaviour. The difficult bit for dog owners is deciding whether something can be calmly monitored or whether you need…
