How hot weather may affect our animal hospitals
The welfare and safety of pets, clients, volunteers and colleagues is our priority during the hot weather. Here’s what to expect.
While we do everything we can to treat as many pets as possible, during periods of hot weather we may have to temporarily adjust our services to protect the welfare of pets and the safety of everyone using our hospitals.
Changes may include:
- reducing the number of face-to-face appointments available
- converting suitable appointments to telephone (remote) consultations
- postponing non-urgent procedures or operations
- adjusting opening times or service delivery models
- limiting the number of people and pets in our hospitals during periods of extreme heat
Before you book
If your pet's appointment is routine and not urgent, please consider whether it’s necessary during a period of extreme hot weather. If you would prefer to postpone your appointment, our teams will be happy to help you rearrange it at no extra cost.
You can contact us to:
- reschedule an appointment
- cancel an appointment
- discuss whether a remote consultation may be appropriate
- seek advice before travelling
Remote consultations
Having a virtual appointment with your vet over a phone or video call keeps you and your pet safe and more comfortable during extreme weather conditions.
Call us ahead of your appointment if you think your pet would be more suited to a remote consultation because of the hot weather. Our team will be able to advise if this is suitable.
If, as a result of the remote consultation, our vet recommends a follow-up face-to-face consultation, you will not be charged an additional consultation fee.
Learn more about remote consultations.
If you already have an appointment or operation booked
During periods of extreme weather, we continually review temperatures and operational risks across our hospitals. This means that we may need to contact you to:
- rearrange an appointment
- postpone a procedure or operation
- convert an appointment to a remote consultation
- discuss alternative options for your pet's care
We understand that this can be inconvenient, but these decisions are made to protect the welfare of pets and ensure we can continue providing safe veterinary care.
Travelling with your pet in hot weather
If you do need to travel:
- travel during cooler parts of the day whenever possible
- use a vehicle with working air conditioning
- carry water for your pet
- ensure good ventilation throughout the journey
- avoid public transport where possible, particularly for vulnerable pets, such as very young, older or flat-faced pets
- never leave your pet unattended in a vehicle, even for a few minutes
Important
Brachycephalic (flat-faced) breeds such as bulldogs, pugs and Persian cats, older pets, overweight pets and those with breathing or heart conditions are at particularly high risk during hot weather.
Signs of heatstroke
Heatstroke is an emergency. Animals can die quickly from heatstroke. If your pet shows any of the following signs, seek veterinary advice immediately:
- excessive panting
- difficulty breathing
- excessive drooling
- weakness or collapse
- vomiting or diarrhoea
- confusion or disorientation
- seizures
Important
If you suspect your pet may be suffering from heatstroke, remember do not wait for the vet: wet before vet. Thoroughly soak your pet with cool (not ice cold) water as soon as possible and continue cooling while calling our animal hospital team and travelling to the hospital. Stop cooling immediately if your pet starts to shiver!
Hot weather information
During hot weather:
- keep pets indoors during the hottest parts of the day
- ensure constant access to fresh drinking water
- provide cool, shaded areas away from direct sunlight
- avoid exercising pets in hot weather
- remember that pavements can become hot enough to burn paws
- never leave a pet unattended in a vehicle
- never leave pets outdoors without access to shade and water
Learn more ways to keep pets safe during hot weather.
Thank you for helping us keep everyone safe.
