READERS stressed the importance of not taking dogs out in hot weather following a string of scorching days across the country.
Emergency vets issued a plea to dog owners, asking them to avoid exercising their pets during the heatwave.
According to vets, pet owners shouldn't take their dogs out on walks during the hottest part of the day (typically between 12pm and 4pm).
The average survival rate of a dog diagnosed with heatstroke is only 50 per cent. Heatstroke can be fatal in as little as 15 minutes.
Dave Leicester, who looks after a team of experienced video vets at Vets Now, said: “We’ve been inundated with calls about dogs suffering heat stroke during the recent hot spell.