Dr Katrin shares her expert advice about keeping pets healthy in Abu Dhabi
We caught up with Dr Katrin from the German Veterinary Clinic and she told us all about how to keep your pets safe and healthy in Abu Dhabi. Here’s what Dr Katrin had to say…
Q: How can pet owners deal with the hot summers in Abu Dhabi?
A: The climate in Abu Dhabi is very hot, especially in the summer. We would advise that you only walk your dog early in the morning or in the evening, to avoid the hottest part of the day. Always take plenty of water with you on your walks and never leave your dog alone in the car. If you need to leave the dog in the house make sure that you leave the air conditioning on – the temperature should be as comfortable as you would want it for yourself. Gardens should have a good shaded area and a water hose in the garden is also useful for cooling a dog down after a walk.
Heat stroke can happen very quickly so please take all precautions. If your dog becomes too hot and gets distressed on a walk you need to cool him/her down using cold water or cool wet towels, and take him/her to a vet as soon as possible.
Cats can also suffer from the warmer climate and many people have both their dogs’ and cats’ coats clipped short during the summer months. We have seen so many pets feel much more comfortable and be more active after a shave or trim.
Q: Do you offer a grooming service at the German Veterinary Clinic?
A: Yes! We have an amazing pet spa at the German Veterinary Clinic and have the only UK qualified dog groomer who practices restraint free, muzzle free and cage free humane dog grooming methods. Our grooming room has state of the art equipment to make the dogs feel happy and relaxed, and we only use the best products and equipment to keep your dog’s coat tip top.
We also have an amazing cat groomer who will turn your fuzz ball into sleek elegance and help them to feel much cooler and more comfortable.
Q: Where can you recommend for dog walking?
A: There are many lovely beaches around which are perfect for dog walking, as well as dog swimming! Make sure you know which beaches allow dogs on them and please clean up any dog mess to leave the beach clean for others. It is a good idea to hose off sandy feet when you get home to reduce any irritation from the sand between their toes. Don’t forget that sand also becomes very hot during the day and can burn a dog’s footpads – another reason for waiting until a cooler part of the day to walk. If your dog has very sensitive pads, we do sell small booties which will protect them in the summer heat. There are also lots of parks but some may require dogs to be kept on leads so check in your local area.
Q: Should an owner let their cat outside?
A: We have a large population of street cats in Abu Dhabi which can sometimes cause problems with fighting over territories. There is generally no problem in letting cats out but if you are able to ‘cat-proof’ the garden or compound, this can help prevent straying or fighting and keep them safer. We recommend microchipping and if the cat (or dog) already has a chip it can be registered on the local database. Any lost cat or dog that is found will be checked for a microchip and can be returned to the owner promptly if their contact details are registered on the database.
Q: Can pets drink tap water in Abu Dhabi?
A: Although we use bottled water for ourselves here, the tap water is considered safe for cats and dogs to drink. Due to the hot temperatures, lots of clean water should always be available both inside and outside the house for drinking and also taken on dog walks. Some cats don’t naturally drink a lot – in these cases specially designed cat water fountains or turning on taps in the house can help encourage more fluid intake.
Q: What about vaccinations?
A: A full set of vaccines will have been required to enter the UAE. These should be kept up to date annually as they will also be required to travel onwards. Regular annual vaccines for both cats and dogs are now also mandatory according to the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment. Some local kennels will require a kennel cough vaccine to be given before boarding. If you are travelling to a different country please inform us as soon as possible so we can let you know if further injections / boosters / blood tests are necessary.
Q: Is there anything else that we might not have thought about?
A: Parasite control. Intestinal worms, especially tapeworm can be a problem here as many animals are not treated. Worming is recommended every month until an animal is 6 months old, then every 3 months thereafter. Geckos can carry tapeworm larvae which is why even indoor cats can pick up worms here.
Ticks are a growing problem in the UAE and there are a few tick-bourne diseases (Ehrlicha, Babesia) that can be caught from them. Frontline is no longer effective against the majority of ticks in this country so different products are necessary to protects your pets. “Advantix” can be applied to the back of the neck monthly or “Seresto” collars can be worn by dogs, which will protect them for up to 8 months. If you remove ticks from your pets, be careful not to leave the head behind.
We stock many products for flea control. Fleas are not as common here as in other countries, but you should still check your pet regularly to make sure they are clear.
Ear mites are very common here, especially in cats. You would notice very itchy ears with a dark brown waxy discharge. They can be treated with a Stronghold or Advocate application to the back of the neck. Alternatively, you can make an appointment for us to check there is no infection as we may prescribe some medicated ear drops.
Another common problem here, especially in cats, is Ringworm. This is not a worm but a fungal infection (incidentally, also common in people in UAE). The signs of ringworm include hair loss and scaly or scabby skin. Ringworm is not always itchy. Symptoms in people are usually circular red rings on the skin. We can check for ringworm with a special lamp or by fungal culture and it can be treated by oral liquid and medicated shampoos.
If you have any queries about your pet’s health, you can get in touch with Dr Katrin by emailing drkatrin@germanvet.ae, or visit www.germanvet.ae.
