Autumn presents specific health challenges for UK pets, from the fireworks season causing widespread anxiety to increased parasite risks. Here is a practical guide to keeping your pet healthy and managing costs through the autumn months.

Fireworks Anxiety

The PDSA estimates that 40% of UK dogs show signs of fireworks anxiety, ranging from mild unease to severe panic. Fireworks season now extends from late October through to New Year, with Bonfire Night (5th November) and Diwali as peak periods.

Treatment options and costs:

  • Adaptil diffuser (pheromone therapy): £15–£25 for the diffuser, £8–£12 per monthly refill. Start 2–4 weeks before fireworks season.
  • Adaptil collar: £12–£18, lasting about 4 weeks.
  • Zylkene (nutraceutical calming supplement): £12–£20 per month. Non-prescription, can be started weeks in advance.
  • Sileo gel (prescription): £25–£40 per pack. Applied to the gums 30–60 minutes before fireworks. Effective but requires a vet consultation (£30–£65).
  • Gabapentin or other sedatives (prescription): £10–£30 per fireworks season, plus consultation fee. Reserved for severely affected pets.

Start planning in September. Veterinary behaviourists recommend beginning desensitisation and pheromone therapy well before the first fireworks. Last-minute solutions are less effective.

Lungworm Season

Autumn is peak lungworm season. Slugs and snails — the intermediate hosts for the lungworm parasite (Angiostrongylus vasorum) — are most active in wet autumn weather. Dogs can be infected by eating slugs, snails, or even their slime trails on grass and toys.

Lungworm is potentially fatal if untreated, causing breathing difficulties, bleeding disorders, and neurological signs. Cases have been reported across England and Wales, with increasing numbers in Scotland.

Prevention costs:

  • Advocate spot-on (monthly): £8–£15 per dose — covers fleas and lungworm
  • Milbemax/Milpro (monthly): £4–£12 per dose — covers intestinal worms and lungworm
  • Nexgard Spectra (monthly): £12–£20 per dose — covers fleas, ticks, and lungworm

Treatment costs if infected:

  • Diagnosis (Angio Detect test): £30–£60
  • Chest X-rays: £150–£250
  • Treatment course: £100–£300
  • Severe cases requiring hospitalisation: £1,000–£3,000+

Prevention is vastly cheaper than treatment. If your dog is not currently on a lungworm preventive, autumn is the time to start.

Harvest Mites

Harvest mites (Trombicula autumnalis) are tiny orange parasites that attach to pets' feet, ears, and bellies in late summer and autumn. They cause intense itching and red, crusty skin.

Treatment: Usually involves a medicated wash or spray (£5–£15) and anti-itch medication if needed (consultation £30–£65 plus medication). Some flea treatments (fipronil-based products) help reduce harvest mite attachment, though none are specifically licensed for this purpose.

Conker and Acorn Poisoning

Both conkers (horse chestnuts) and acorns are mildly toxic to dogs. Ingestion typically causes vomiting and diarrhoea, though large amounts of acorns can cause kidney damage.

  • Mild cases: Self-limiting, no vet visit needed
  • Persistent vomiting/diarrhoea: Consultation (£30–£65) plus anti-sickness medication (£15–£30)
  • Severe cases (rare): Hospitalisation for IV fluids (£300–£1,000)

Autumn Checklist

  • Start fireworks anxiety preparation in September/October
  • Ensure lungworm prevention is current
  • Check paws after walks for harvest mites (tiny orange dots)
  • Supervise dogs around fallen conkers and acorns
  • Antifreeze becomes a risk from first frosts — keep all products stored safely
  • Consider a senior health check before winter

Last updated: March 2026. Sources: PDSA Animal Wellbeing Report, BSAVA guidelines.