Fenwold Veterinary Practice (Mablethorpe,Skegness,Spilsby)

25/06/2026

Temperatures spike from tomorrow so be aware.

24/06/2026

18/06/2026

Tomorrow is supposed to be another hot one so take precautions.

Heatstroke

Heatstroke is a killer! We know that “Dog’s Die in Hot Cars,” but that’s not the only way a pet can get heatstroke. Here’s what symptoms to look out for, what to do and how to help prevent it.

What to look out for –
* Heavy panting
* Being upset or distressed
* Excessive dribbling/drooling
* Foaming at the mouth
* Bright red gums
* Struggling to stand

And of course, they will be very warm to the touch. So, what do you do? Call your vet! Your pet could very well need fluids and medications to help with the backlash of heatstroke. Cold wet towels that need refreshing regularly to stop them getting warm. The coolest place you’ve got and fans or AC if you’ve got them. Don’t be tempted to throw them into cold water directly as this could cause shock, bring their temperature down quickly but not too severely. Heatstroke can and will kill, but even those that get through it can come away with damage to internal organs if not dealt with quickly enough in the correct way.

So, since prevention is better than cure, what can you do to prevent it?

* Avoid hot times of day for walks (or letting your pet out) and stick to mornings or evenings.
* Keep your pet as calm as possible at the hottest times of day.
* Make sure outdoor pets have access to suitable shelters.
* Open access to water, indoors and out, and regular checks.
* Avoid travelling in hot cars if you can, try to pre-cool it if you are travelling.
* You could keep thick or long-haired pets trimmed shorter.
* Keep the hottest rooms in your home, (like conservatories) closed off to your pets.

It’s also worth remembering that even if there’s a cooling breeze, down on the ground it’s a lot hotter, especially if the surface is sun-baked. Also, your pet might not be smart enough to seek shade on their own so be sure to keep an eye on them in hot weather.

17/06/2026

Firstly, always making sure there’s adequate shelter/shade and clean fresh water. Be sure to check water regularly and multiple sources can be helpful. This applies to both the garden and the home. If there’s no way to escape from the heat (as in if it’s just hot everywhere shade or not) then you really must take this into account.

Shady shrubs and trees are good for cats in a garden but if you have Rabbits or Guinea pigs in hutches or runs you need to create shelter for them. Free roaming dogs in the garden might not be sensible enough to seek shade on their own so keep an eye on them to make sure they do and be sure to remember that it can be significantly hotter for them laying on the ground. For dogs it’s not unknown for people to get out a small paddling pool, some dogs love them but not all will and be sure to keep an eye on them whilst in use just to be safe and bear in mind if the water is cool even in hot weather, they can get too cold. As for cat’s if you’re at liberty to do so only let them out mornings or evenings/night. If you can keep them indoors in a cool room then that’s great.

You can also keep your pets trimmed over the summer to help beat the heat.

In the house, be sure to keep the hottest rooms out of bounds and you can close the curtains to help keep temperatures down. You could even dedicate a room to keep cooler with fans, AC if you have it, keeping curtains closed ect.

Giving frozen treats or putting some ice cubes in drinking water can be a good option but always remember to do this in moderation as too much ice, (especially in smaller pets) can cause problems. For your rabbits or guinea pigs giving fresh veg out of the fridge can be nice for them but be sure not to overdo it.

Cool mats or cool coats are another option you can try but it’s important to be sure to check them regularly as they DO warm up quickly, especially in use.
Keep exercise to a minimum in the warmer times of day and exercise only when it’s cooler, it’s not worth risking heatstroke. On that front make sure you are aware of the signs of heatstroke and what to look out for and do.
What heatstroke signs to look out for –
• Heavy panting
• Being upset or distressed
• Excessive dribbling/drooling
• Foaming at the mouth
• Bright red gums
• Struggling to stand

With that – show us your cool pets in the comments.

16/06/2026

We have had a stray dog handed in at the Mablethorpe branch, if you have lost one, please contact us on 01507 478182
Update
This little one was collected by the dog warden so if anyone would like further information please contact the council on 01507 601111. There isn't an option for the dog warden directly so please just hold until an advisor answers.

15/06/2026

🐾 The right start makes all the difference.

Our kitten starter pack brings together everything your new kitten needs in one simple, vet-led package for just £99.

Call the practice to find out more.

* T&Cs apply.