Any pet involved in a motor vehicle accident or attacked by another animal should be assumed to be in shock.  They may also have suffered internal injuries, head trauma and have severe bruising.  There can be active bleeding on the outside of your pet, but the real danger is the internal bleeding that cannot be seen.  Trauma can result in injuries to various internal organs.  For example:

• Punctured lung: air and blood can leak into the space between the lungs and the rib cage causing difficulty breathing because the lungs cannot expand
• Bruised lung: bleeding into a traumatised lung (pulmonary contusions) can stop that part of the lung from being able to absorb oxygen
• Ruptured liver or spleen: damage to these highly vascular organs can lead to excessive bleeding into the abdomen. This is known as a haemabdomen and sometimes surgery is required to repair the damage
  • Ruptured diaphragm: The diaphragm is the muscle that separates the chest from the abdomen.  If ruptured, organs such as the stomach or the liver can be pushed into the chest making it difficult for your pet to breathe
  • Ruptured bladder: If urine enters the abdominal cavity (uroabdomen) your pets’ body cannot excrete toxins and wastes leading to severe dehydration, shock and toxicity.  Surgical repair is required
  • Head trauma: Brain damage can occur and the long-term complications are only identified once your pet has become stabilized
  • Fractures:  Limb and pelvic fractures are extremely painful and can cause excessive blood loss
  • Puncture wounds: Imagine that bite wounds from animals are like an iceberg.  The outside puncture is like the tip of the iceberg and may seem small.  However the trauma underneath these wounds can be massive (and may “sink your boat” if left unattended).  These wounds often require surgical exploration, washing out (lavage) and antibiotics

Fractured limbs occur due to a variety of different injuries.  These typically include motor vehicle accidents and falls.  Fractures are painful and if suspected, your pet should be immobilised to minimise further trauma and pain.

Emergency Treatment:

• Fractures: - Is the skin broken or intact? Broken skin needs to be covered with a clean towel or cloth to prevent further contamination and help to stop active bleeding. Place your pet in a cage, washing basket or on a board to prevent the limb from dangling or being moved. Although splinting is possible, it will often cause more trauma to your pet (and possibly yourself when you are bitten) so it is best avoided unless you have a long trip ahead of you.  Instead, make sure your pet is in a comfortable position to minimize movement.
• Penetrating wound (e.g. stick, stake) – Leave the object in place if possible.  The object maybe preventing further bleeding and removing it without medical care immediately available can lead to excessive blood loss. Incorrect removal can also cause additional damage.
• Bleeding wound – Place a clean towel, cloth or feminine pad over the site and place pressure to slow the bleeding.

Fractures, penetrating wounds and bleeding wounds need to be seen as soon as possible to give your pet the best possible chance for successful treatment, and to reduce further complications – seek veterinary attention immediately.

What to expect at the vet:

• Intravenous fluid therapy – to treat shock from bleeding or other causes
• Pain relief – fractures and wounds are painful and need to be managed immediately
• Radiographs (x-rays) – to assess the extent of the injuries
• If a penetrating wound – your pet may need to be anaesthetised for the wound to be cleaned and possibly sutured (stitched up), depending on how dirty it appears when presented
• If bleeding – it will need to be stopped and assessed by your vet before deciding on the next course of action
• Bandaging – to stop the limb from moving
• Surgery – most wounds or fractures require some type of minor or major surgery.  Post surgical management once your pet is home may require cage rest and physiotherapy for 6 to 8 weeks

With appropriate and timely treatment, most traumatic injuries can be managed with a successful outcome for your pet.

 

It is common practice to throw sticks for energetic dogs to catch, chew and play with. Unfortunately, this can cause severe trauma to the mouth, possibly the food pipe and also to the chest.  Damage can be immediate (e.g. if the stick tears at the mouth or tongue causing bleeding) or can lead to chronic illness (e.g. from splinters of wood and germs getting stuck in the body leading to severe infection).

Symptoms:

 

Early assessment and treatment of oral stick injuries is of utmost importance to prevent severe life threatening complications, both in the acute (immediate) and chronic (long term) phases.

 

If your pet has the above signs, or a stick lodged in its throat, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Emergency Treatment before Transport to a Veterinarian:

• If the stick is lodged in your pets throat/mouth, try to avoid pulling it out unless it is causing distress or breathing problems.  Try to keep your pet calm, and transport it to a veterinarian immediately
• If the stick is not lodged, collect the pieces and bring them to your veterinarian for inspection – it can give some indication of the severity of injury

What to Expect at the Vet:

• Oxygen therapy – if your pet is having difficulty breathing
• IV fluid therapy – to support blood pressure when blood loss causes shock
• Sedation or anaesthesia if indicated – to remove the stick if lodged, assess the extent of the damage (endoscopy may be used for this), and facilitate removal of foreign material
• Radiographs (x-rays) – to see if the food pipe or chest is damaged
• Surgery may be required to repair severe damage or to retrieve the stick fragments
• Intravenous medication – antibiotics and pain relief

 

Stick injuries can be life threatening if the chest has been penetrated and if the heart or blood vessels have been cut.   When stick fragments are left behind they are often difficult to find as they do not show up on radiographs.  Often specialised imaging (CT scan or CAT scan) is required to identify fragments and major surgery may be required to remove them.

Prevention:

Prevention is the best form of treatment in this circumstance.  We do not recommend throwing, playing with, or chewing of sticks due to the severe injuries they can cause.   In the long run, it is a lot safer and less costly to purchase toys specifically designed for your pet.   Ask your local Vet Clinic or pet store for recommendations.  The cheapest “stick” alternative is a rolled up newspaper that has been taped together.

 

 

What is vomiting?

Vomiting is a common problem that is encountered with dogs and cats. It is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents and usually contains bile (a yellow fluid).  A vomit will usually be preceded by abdominal contractions and retching.  Vomiting can be easily confused with regurgitation which is the passive release of stomach contents that is not preceded by abdominal contractions or retching.  The causes for regurgitation and vomiting are different and therefore your vet will ask questions to try and determine if your dog or cat is truly vomiting.

Why is it a problem?

Vomiting causes dehydration and electrolyte losses that can quickly lead to depression, lethargy and loss of appetite, especially in small, young or older animals.  It is also important to understand that vomiting is always the result of an underlying problem and is not a primary problem.  It is the primary problem that must be addressed when managing this symptom and not the vomiting itself.  Sometimes the cause of the vomiting has passed but the dehydration caused by vomiting leads to ongoing nausea and illness.  This illness can best be described as the worst hangover you have ever experienced.

Delayed Skin Tent If you pull on the skin of a dehydrated animal, it will very slowly resume its normal shape.  In normal pets, the skin resumes its shape instantly.

When to visit your vet?

Veterinary attention should be sought sooner rather than later at your regular vet in order to avoid a trip to the emergency centre.  In general, vomiting animals should be seen in the following instances:

1. Small breeds and puppies/kittens should always visit a vet when vomiting as they can quickly become dehydrated.
2. If they are lethargic, lose appetite or depressed.
3. If they have vomiting 3 or more times in a 24 hour period. (Remember, 3 strikes and you are out!)
4. If they are continuing to vomit longer than a 24 hour period.
5. If vomiting and diarrhoea are both occurring as the fluid losses quickly lead to dehydration.

What causes vomiting?

The main causes of vomiting can be divided into two categories:

1. Problems within the gastrointestinal tract
2. Problems outside the gastrointestinal tract that can cause nausea

Gastrointestinal diseases (some examples provided):

• Foreign bodies (chew toys, string, bones)
• Pancreatitis (sometimes associated with a fatty meal)
• Infections (virus, bacterial)
• Toxin ingestion (compost, blood and bone, snail pellets, drug reactions, mushrooms)
• Diet change (especially for young animals)
• Gastric ulceration
• Gastric dilation and torsion (also known as bloat)
• Indiscriminate eating (garbage ingestion, carcass ingestion, overeating)

Non-gastrointestinal diseases (some examples provided):

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Endocrine problems
• Neurological disease causing dizziness
• Cancer
• Severe infection

The severity of these conditions can range from very mild to life threatening.

 

What to expect at the vet:

Your vet will ask questions to determine the underlying cause of the vomiting.  If an obvious cause is discovered then no further testing may be required and symptomatic treatment can be provided.  If there is no obvious cause of the vomiting then your vet may recommend diagnostic tests to determine the cause for the vomiting.  These tests may include: 

• Blood Tests - to estimate the level of dehydration and determine which electrolytes are lost.  They can also be used to identify problems with the internal organs that can cause vomiting
• Abdominal Radiographs - help to determine if there is a foreign object present or if gas builds up in the intestines signifies an obstruction.
• Ultrasound - is used to inspect the structure of the intestines and other abdominal organs
• Endoscopy and biopsy - a small video camera can be used to visually inspect parts of gastro-intestinal tract.  This test is usually reserved for more chronic episodes of vomiting

What is the treatment?  

The treatment will depend on the underlying cause of the vomiting and can include:

• Intravenous fluids to treat dehydration.  Sometimes this is all that is required for many of the mild causes of vomiting 
• Medications to reduce the acid concentration in the stomach
• Pain relief if your pet appears to be in pain
• Anti-nausea drugs are sometimes used once the underlying cause has been discovered
• Sometimes antibiotics are required
• Abdominal surgery is sometimes required remove objects stuck in the intestines or stomach (i.e. socks, bones, corn cobs)
• Possible diet adjustment (bland diets of boiled chicken and rice are often recommended during recovery)

Unless the underlying cause is removed, treatment aimed directly at stopping the vomiting by using anti-nausea drugs will only temporarily solve the problem.

 

Heat stroke or hyperthermia is commonly seen during the summer months in Australia in patients (dogs more often than cats) that have been exercising in hot and humid weather, or confined in a closed space (such as a car).  Animals without access to shade or water will have an increased risk of developing heat stroke.  Some breeds of dog have an increased risk of developing heat stroke as their ability to pant is inhibited by their facial anatomy (e.g. bulldogs, pugs).  You should also know that heat stroke can also be seen in patients who have seizures or severe difficulty breathing, irrespective of the environmental temperature.  When the body reaches temperatures above 41^oC, the proteins can cook, killing cells and leading to organ damage and death.

Symptoms:

• Panting +/- difficulty breathing or increased effort/noise when breathing
• Depression, lethargy or even coma
• Seizures
• Lack of co-ordination
• Bright red or blue tinged gum colour
• Bloody diarrhoea
• Dark coloured urine

 

Heat stroke is a life threatening condition, seek veterinary attention immediately.

 

Emergency treatment before transport to a veterinarian:

• Saturate animal with cool tap water.  Spend at least 5 minutes doing this before transporting your pet to the vet as this therapy can be life saving.  Do not use ice as the application of very cold things to the skin causes the blood vessels in the skin to constrict which impairs heat loss.
• Transport pet with windows open or air-conditioning on and attempt to keep the coat wet during transit
• Once your pet cools down, it may stop panting and begin to shiver.  It is very important at this stage to dry your pet and keep it warm

What to expect at the vet:

• Oxygen therapy or airway intubation if your pet is having difficulty breathing
• Intravenous fluid administration is often given to assist with cooling and for the treatment of shock
• Intravenous medications may be required to control seizures and protect gastrointestinal tract
• A cool water enema can be used in severe cases to assist with cooling
• Blood or plasma transfusions if severe and clotting problems develop
• Blood testing is often required to assess severity of condition, and monitor response to treatment

 

Heat stroke is a life threatening condition that can cause damage to and even failure of multiple organs, including the heart, lungs, kidneys, clotting system, gastrointestinal tract and brain.

Treatment of this disease can be complex and challenging, and may require extended hospitalization with significant medical costs.

With appropriate and timely medical therapy, many patients recover.  Unfortunately, if this treatment is not instigated, reports have shown that over half of animals with heat stress can die.

 

Brick red gums of a dog with heat stroke	Pale gums of a dog with heat stroke that is in hypovolaemic shock as well

 

What is a seizure?

Seizures are the most frequently seen neurological problem in dogs. They are the result of uncontrolled, rapid misfiring of neurons in the brain which effectively ‘overloads’ the brain and results in the excess muscle movement that we see as a seizure.  Pets that have seizures will usually have a period of time after the seizure called a ‘post-ictal’ period in which they take a while to regain normal neurological function and awareness. During this time they may not be aware of where they are or who their owners are.  Sometimes fainting (syncope) can mimic a seizure so it is important to make note of your animal’s activity to help the vet to diagnose the condition.  If you have a camera phone, take a short video to show the vet.

• Paddling or thrashing legs
• Violent tremors
• Salivation
• Mouth champing
• Urination and defecation
• Disorientation post seizure
• Symptoms in cats can range between small focal tremors to launching around like a ping pong ball

Sometimes fainting (syncope) can look like a seizure so it is important to take note of your animal’s behaviour so that you can describe the activity to your vet.  This will assist in making a correct diagnosis.

Emergency treatment:

In most causes of seizures, there is nothing you can do at home to shorten its length, so this problem represents a true medical emergency requiring veterinary attention.  However, if the pet is a baby, a toy breed or diabetic receiving insulin, they might be seizuring from a low blood sugar.  If this is the case, you should rub some honey onto their gums while you pack them up into the car to head to the vet.

Do not put your hand in your pet’s mouth.  They will not swallow their tongue and you can risk being bitten.  Carefully keep your pet from hurting itself by falling down stairs or banging its head on the floor, using a towel or blanket as restraint if necessary.  Most seizures are quite short in duration (less than 3-5 min) unless they are caused by a toxin (e.g. snail pellets).

Once your pet recovers from a seizure episode they will likely be disoriented.  This is an important time to keep them still, so they do not stumble and hurt themselves.

If your pet seizures for more than 5min, you must attempt to get them to a vet without getting hurt.  Cover them in a thick blanket to bundle them up (so you don’t get bitten) or use the blanket as a sling to move them to your car.  Be aware that the animal will often urinate and defecate during a seizure and so take the necessary precautions.

If the seizure is lasting longer than 5 minutes, or your pet has more than 2 seizures in one night, you should seek veterinary attention immediately

What to expect at the vet:

• Medication to control the seizures – this will either be given intravenously or rectally. It may be given as a one-off dose, or may need to be given continuously via a vein and syringe pump
• A complete physical and neurological examination (after seizures have been controlled and the animal is out of the post-ictal (post-seizure) period
• Blood tests to screen for extra-cranial (outside the brain) causes of seizures
• Referral to your regular vet or a specialist for further diagnostics and imaging such as Computed Tomography (a CAT Scan or CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to assess the brain

What causes seizures?

There are many causes of seizures and they can be grouped into 2 major categories:

1. Extra-Cranial Causes

There are a number of disorders that can occur outside of the brain that can cause secondary seizure activity within the brain itself. These include liver and kidney failure, low blood sugar or low blood calcium, some electrolyte abnormalities, a high red blood cell concentration and ingestion of toxins (such as snail pellets and 1080).

1. Intra-Cranial Causes

There are a number of disorders of the brain itself that will lead to seizure activity. These include stroke, epilepsy, brain tumours and brain infections.

The most common cause of seizures in young animals is epilepsy, while in older animals, brain tumours, stroke and metabolic abnormalities account for the majority of cases.

 

Head trauma can occur alone (e.g. running into a door) or with trauma to other parts of the body (e.g. car accident, animal attack). In many cases, the amount of damage you see externally does not accurately reflect the amount of internal damage that has occurred.

 

Symptoms: Bleeding from the mouth, ears, eyes, gums Abnormal pupil size or different sized pupils in each eye Wounds/grazes on the face Inability to close mouth, tongue poking out of mouth Excessive salivation and/or gurgling sounds when breathing Difficulty breathing Strange behaviour Lack of co-ordination (wobbly when walking or even paralysis) Unconsciousness Seizures

Note the different sized pupils in this cat

 

Head trauma can be a life threatening condition; seek veterinary attention immediately, even if your pet appears normal as the brain will swell with time.

What to expect at the vet:

When you arrive at the clinic, your pet will be taken straight to the treatment area where a vet will examine it immediately. Once the vet has determined the extent of the injuries, they will discuss what treatments may be required.

 

 Treatments for head trauma can include:

• Pain relief
• Intravenous fluid therapy (IV drip) – this is needed if your pet is in shock
• Oxygen – this is given to minimise the risk of brain damage
• Medications as indicated to control brain swelling, seizures, blood pressure
• Nutritional support – your pet might need to be fed via a tube temporarily if they have a fractured jaw and cannot eat normally
• Severe cases may require mechanical ventilation (a machine that breathes for them)
  
  
  

  ‘Henry’ sustained multiple jaw fractures when he was hit by a car.  He was fed via a tube that entered his oesophagus directly from his neck while his fractures healed.  After some time in hospital, his owners were able to take him home to continue tube feeding

  
  
  

The injuries sustained from head trauma can range from minimal to very severe; while the treatments required and costs involved vary accordingly.  Some cases require nothing more than pain relief, whereas others will need intensive care and extended periods of hospitalisation.

The prognosis for full recovery is influenced by the severity of the head trauma (including whether other parts of the body are affected) and how quickly your pet receives the required veterinary attention and treatment.

Drowning can occur when a pet’s head is submerged below water for a prolonged period of time causing their brain and other organs and tissues, to be deprived of oxygen.  Some pets have a higher risk – those that are very old, very young, or sick. These animals may not be able to swim or may tire easily when in water.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting
• Lethargy, collapse, loss of consciousness
• Coughing, panting, difficulty breathing
• Pale gums or blue tinged gums
• Cool extremities

 

Drowning can cause life threatening shock and oxygen deprivation, swelling of the brain, and pneumonia – this is an emergency situation and you should seek veterinary attention immediately.

 

Emergency treatment before transport to a veterinarian: Remove your pet from the water immediately, dry it and make sure you keep it warm Position your pet’s head so that the head is lower than the body and the nose is pointing downwards - this will help to clear the mouth and nose of fluid and debris If your pet is not breathing, attempt mouth to nose resuscitation, giving one breath every 3 seconds If your pet has no heartbeat, start CPR

What to expect at the vet:

• CPR if indicated
• Oxygen therapy
• Intravenous fluids and medications as indicated to treat shock and brain swelling
• Blood Tests to assess oxygenation of the blood and response to therapy.
• Radiographs (x-rays) to assess the lungs
• Mechanical ventilation in severe cases where the lungs are filled with fluid or if they are collapsed.  This is a machine that breathes for your pet through a tube.

Prevention:

• Do not allow pets access to bodies of water without supervision
• Do not allow young children to bathe pets without supervision
• If you have a pool that your pet has access to, teach them where the steps are located so that they can get out easily.

Breathing difficulties may develop several hours after a near drowning incident, and as such, veterinary attention and observation is strongly recommended even if your pet appears normal.  If treated appropriately, even severe cases of near drowning can make a full recovery.

 

 

Blow fish toxicity is relatively common in Western Australia due to the abundance of dog friendly beaches and foreshores.  The toxin is also found in the puffer fish and toad fish.  All parts of the fish are toxic however the potency varies with the season.  The toxin is famous as a Japanese delicacy where specialised chefs can prepare the Fugu fish to give patrons a mild tingling or numbness of the lips.  However, if ingested in sufficient quantities this toxin can cause paralysis and death.  Thankfully, ingestion of the fish often results in the animal vomiting up the fish and avoiding further absorption of the toxin.

 

Symptoms: Vomiting and diarrhoea Mentally dull and depressed Trembling and drooling Wobbly walking pattern Weakness Difficulty breathing and blue tinged gums Dilated pupils and the animal stops blinking Paralysis Coma

Blowfish on the Swan River

Blow fish toxin takes time to be absorbed and cause paralysis, so your pet should be monitored carefully for several hours.  Seek veterinary attention.

Upset Blowfish

Emergency treatment before transport to a veterinarian: If your pet has vomited, inspect the vomit for fish and collect what you can to bring to your vet for evidence and possible identification If your pet is paralysed, check your pets gum colour and depth of breathing and if the gums are bluer than normal or it isn’t breathing, conduct rescue breathing (see chapter on CPR)

What to expect at the vet:

• Your vet will possibly induce vomiting if your pet is sufficiently alert to do this
• Hospitalisation and close monitoring of neurological symptoms
• If your pet is paralysed  or showing evidence of weakness such that inducing vomiting can be dangerous to your pet, the vet may perform stomach pumping (gastric lavage) to remove any remaining fish
• If your pet is paralysed it will need mechanical ventilation (where the vet or a machine manually provides breaths through a breathing tube)
• Intravenous fluid therapy to support the blood pressure
• Your vet may possibly administer activated charcoal (to help absorb the toxin) if your pet’s airway is secure
• Blood testing to assess severity of illness and ventilation, and response to treatment

Many pets are only mildly affected and will recover within a day or two.  Pets that become paralysed have a good chance of recovery with appropriate care (removal of the toxin and breathing support).  Without veterinary care, pets that are paralysed are not likely to recover.

 

 

 

Australia is home to many snakes, both venomous (poisonous) and non-venomous. In Western Australia the most commonly seen snake bites in pets are due to Brown Snakes (Dugites), Tiger Snakes, and less commonly the black snakes (King Brown or Mulga snake), Death Adders and Taipans.  The venom from their bite contains toxins which are responsible for the life threatening changes associated with envenomation.

Perth pets regularly come into contact with snakes, as they exist throughout urban areas, near wetlands and also in more arid regions. The natural curiosity of our pets and their natural hunting instincts (particularly cats), ensure that they are keen to investigate these slithering reptiles.

Symptoms: Dogs may yelp when bitten Animals that collapse and then apparently recover will slowly develop symptoms over the next 30-60min Vomiting Drooling and trembling Dilated pupils Involuntary urination or defecation Rapid breathing and or panting Bleeding from bite wounds or other body sites (bloody diarrhoea) Collapse (often immediate which is followed by a period of recovery) Red or brown discolouration of urine Paralysis (starting with the hind limbs and progressing towards the head) Death from respiratory failure (paralysis of breathing muscles)

 

In the majority of cases the bite site is not found, and there is very little notable pain or swelling associated with Australian snake bites.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake, if you have seen a snake near your pet, or if you pet is acting strangely after being in an area where snakes are likely to be found (particularly in the warmer weather), seek veterinary attention immediately.  Delays in treatment can be fatal.

Emergency Treatment before Transport to the Vet:

• If your pet is not breathing, attempt mouth to nose resuscitation, giving one breath every 3-6 seconds
• Do not risk envenomation by attempting to bring a live or dead snake in to assist identification– a test can be performed on your pet to identify the type of antivenin required
• Keep your pet as still as possible to minimise venom absorption.  If a limb has been bitten, bandage the entire leg firmly.  This limits venom movement through the lymphatics.  Do not try to cut off the circulation with a tourniquet

What to Expect at the Vet:  

• Blood and urine testing to assess the severity of the envenomation, and identify the type of snake if required
• Oxygen therapy to help with breathing
• Intravenous fluid therapy to support blood pressure and kidneys
• Intravenous medications and antivenin if required – some animals need multiple doses and antivenin can be quite expensive
• Assisted ventilation – a machine breathes for your pet until it can breathe on their own
• Assisted feeding – with special feeding tubes to provide nutrition if the food pipe muscles are affected

 

If your pet requires treatment, this usually involves hospitalisation for at least 12 – 24 hours, and in some cases, several days.  When your pet is discharged home, your vet will recommend confined rest for 1 – 2 weeks.

In some patients, no treatment is required, due to a lack of clinical and laboratory evidence that the patient has been envenomated.  In these cases, monitoring your pet for any delayed symptom of envenomation at a veterinary hospital for a period for 12 – 24 hours may be all that is required.

With appropriate and timely medical therapy, many patients recover completely. Unfortunately, if necessary treatment is not instigated, many of these patients will not survive.

 

Insect bites and stings are very common in Perth, and the effects on pets can range from very mild through to life threatening or even fatal.

 

 

Symptoms:

• Sudden onset of pain e.g. yelping, whining, limping
• Licking, chewing, pawing and scratching at the bite or sting site
• Redness and swelling – this can be local (i.e. around the bite or sting site only) or occur all over the body, especially on the face
• Hives – also known as ‘welts’ or ‘urticaria’.  These are lumps that can suddenly appear on the body in response to an allergic reaction
• Vomiting
• Coughing or difficulty breathing
• Sudden collapse and unconsciousness - this reaction is called anaphylaxis and is often fatal if not treated quickly
  
  
  

Your pet should be examined immediately by a veterinarian if they have been outside or in the garden, and then vomit, have trouble breathing, collapse or develop facial swelling.

Emergency Treatment before transport to a veterinarian:

If the stinger can be easily found, you can attempt to scrape it out with a plastic card (e.g. a bank card), or other thin, rigid object. Tweezers can be used to remove the sting, ideally without placing any pressure on the venom sac. If you do not feel confident that you can remove the sting without putting pressure on the venom sac, let a vet remove it (as you risk additional venom being injected into your pet).

You can apply a cool compress to the bite site to provide relief while waiting to see a vet or whilst transporting your pet.

Do not ever give your pet human medication as the drugs and doses are different for animals and consequences are unpredictable.  These may include heavy sedation, dangerously low blood pressure, vomiting and diarrhoea.  It is important to only ever give medication prescribed by your vet.

 

Rash on a dog’s belly	Facial swelling

What to Expect at the Vet:

• Injectable antihistamines
• Injectable anti-inflammatory medications
• In severe cases injectable adrenaline
• Oxygen – this is needed if your pet is having difficulty breathing or is in shock
• Intravenous fluid therapy and medications – if your pet is in shock
• Other supportive medications e.g. antacids to reduce stomach ulcers

The majority of insect bites and stings are quick and easy to treat and have an excellent prognosis.  Anaphylaxis, however, is a very serious problem resulting in life-threatening shock that can lead to organ damage (and even failure) in some cases.  These patients require hospitalisation for intensive care, occasionally for extended periods of time.  With appropriate and timely medical therapy, many of these patients recover.

 

Dystocia can be classified into two categories:

• Functional – due to weak contractions.
• Obstructive – due to large foetuses becoming stuck in the birth canal (either a small birth canal or large foetus, or malpositioned foetus.
  
  
  

  Symptoms: Foetus presented at vulva, but appears stuck Constant, unproductive labour and contractions for 30 minutes with no puppy or kitten produced Weak contractions over 2 – 3 hours with no puppy or kitten produced More than 2 hours between puppies or kittens with no evidence of contractions Discharge that looks like blood or pus, or green discharge before any puppies or kittens have been born If the mother appears unwell (e.g. is vomiting or lethargic)

  
  
  

If you see any of these signs they are suggestive of dystocia, and you should seek veterinary attention immediately.  Dystocia can be life threatening for the puppies, kittens and in some cases for the mother.

What to Expect at the Vet:

• Blood tests to diagnose the underlying cause if needed (for example to check glucose and calcium levels in the blood)
• Possibly intravenous fluids to correct dehydration
• Intravenous or injectable medications to correct any metabolic or electrolyte abnormalities, and improve contractions
• Radiographs (x-rays) and or ultrasound to assess for foetal numbers and viability
• Surgical intervention (such as caesarean section) if indicated
  
  

If your pet is experiencing dystocia, there is very little you can do to help at home.

During whelping, keep the mother-to-be in a quiet, dark and stress free area with minimal distractions.  You should monitor labour carefully but try to avoid disturbing your pet.  If at any stage you are concerned, contact your veterinarian.

Early intervention in the case of dystocia will give both mother and young the best chance of survival.  If your pet experiences this problem during the day, you should go to your regular vet sooner rather than later to avoid having to go to your emergency hospital.

This condition is seen primarily in small breed dogs nursing large litters during the first 2 - 4 weeks of lactation (feeding milk).   It also may be seen at or near parturition, or whelping.  It is caused by a low concentration of calcium in the blood.

Symptoms:

• Muscle tremors
• Restlessness
• Panting
• Lack of co-ordination
• Seizures
• Fever
• Decreased appetite

These signs are caused by hypocalcaemia (low blood calcium) secondary to:

1. A diet that is not nutritionally complete and balanced (e.g. some home cooked diets)
2. Excessive milk production – when puppies require large amounts of milk, the mother may not be able to maintain adequate amounts of calcium in her blood stream
   
   
   

Hypocalcaemia is a life threatening condition that can result in death without appropriate emergency treatment.  You must seek veterinary attention immediately if you are concerned.

What to Expect at the Vet:

• Intravenous injection of a calcium solution under the close supervision of the veterinarian.  If not monitored carefully, severe heart rhythm disturbances (cardiac arrhythmias) can occur
• Intravenous glucose if needed
• Intravenous fluids if dehydrated or in shock
• Active cooling using intravenous fluids, fans, or other methods as required
• Advice on how to prevent the mother from relapsing.  In some cases, the pups need to be removed from the mother and need to be hand reared.
  
  
  

Prevention:

• Feed the mother a high quality puppy food during pregnancy and breast feeding – these are nutritionally complete and balanced, and provide the correct nutrients in the correct proportions
• Avoid feeding calcium supplements during pregnancy as these can reduce your pet’s body’s ability to respond to large demands for calcium.  Only give medications that are recommended by your veterinarian
• Sometimes your veterinarian may advise that you supplement large litter’s diets with a milk replacer to reduce the demand on the mother to supply milk
  
  
  
  
  

There are many common household, garden and food stuffs that can be toxic to your pet.  If you are concerned that your pet may have eaten or come into contact with any of the following we recommend you contact a vet immediately.  Be ready to give the vet the name of the product, how much your pet has come into contact, at what time, and to give a description of your pet’s current condition.

 

In the Garden or shed: Rat bait Snail and slug pellets Fertilizers Insect killers: organophosphates, carbamates and pyrethrins Lilies in cats: Easter lily, Day lily, Tiger lily, Japanese show lily and the Rubrum lily can all cause acute kidney failure in cats All parts of the Castor Bean or Castor Oil plant are toxic Yesterday-Today-Tomorrow Brunfelsia bonodora (syn. B. australis, B. latifolia) is toxic, especially the berries Cycads, Zamia or Sago palm For a full list of toxic plants and their pictures, go to www.aspca.org (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals)

 

Lillies of the Lilium or Heterocallis families (such as Easter Lilies, Tiger Lilies, Stargazer Lilies and Day Lilies as seen in the images below) are highly toxic to cats, causing acute renal (kidney) failure.  Sources of the toxin can be from lilies in the garden, or flower arrangements in the home (which are very interesting to the inquisitive cat).  Unfortunately all parts of these beautiful plants are toxic to cats including the pollen, and ingestion of very small amounts is enough to cause acute renal failure.

 

 

Symptoms:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Decreased appetite
• Lethargy
• Abdominal pain
• Drinking and urinating more than normal
  
  
  

Lily toxicity in cats can cause life threatening kidney failure, seek veterinary attention immediately.

What to expect at the vet:

• Blood and urine testing - to assess kidney function and damage
• Intravenous fluid treatment – to correct dehydration and promote diuresis
• Decontamination – possibly gastric lavage (removal of toxin from the stomach) and administration of activated charcoal to absorb the toxin
• Intravenous medications as indicated to help with pain, nausea and to support the kidneys

These patients will usually require hospitalisation, ongoing monitoring and aggressive treatment for a number of days.  The earlier that treatment is initiated, the better the long term outlook (i.e. best when within 6 hours of ingestion). Unfortunately, the cats that do survive may go on to develop long term kidney problems.

Many cats that have developed clinical signs of kidney disease will not survive and without appropriate treatment, these pets will die.

 

 

Rat bait toxicity is one of the most common causes of pet poisonings. Most rat and mouse bait products are anti-coagulants; they function by causing uncontrolled bleeding. The products are designed to be tasty to encourage the rodents to eat them.  This means they are also attractive to your pet.  Even if you have bait in an inaccessible place for your pet, rodents can carry and drop the bait, allowing access to your pet.

Only a very small amount of bait (sometimes less than a gram) is required to cause toxicity.

Toxicity is not immediate.  It can take between 2 and 5 days after eating the bait for symptoms to develop.  At this stage your pet is at risk of bleeding to death

Symptoms:

• Lethargy, collapse
• Pale or white gum colour
• Bleeding from the nose or mouth, bleeding around the teeth
• Panting, coughing
• Distended abdomen
• Bruises in the mouth or on the skin.
• Swollen joints
  
  
  

If you suspect your pet has ingested a rodent poison, seek veterinary attention immediately as you can avoid problems if the toxin is removed.

What to expect at the vet: If ingestion has been in the last 12-24 hours: Medication to cause vomiting Charcoal solution to prevent further absorption of the toxin Advice to get a blood test taken approximately 2 to 3 days after toxin ingestion

Pet receiving activated charcoal after eating rat poison

If ingestion has been 2 – 5 days ago:

• Blood tests to assess clotting status of the blood and if your pet is bleeding, to assess extent of blood loss
• Vitamin K1 injections and oral tablets to help with the production of clotting proteins in the body
• Oxygen therapy if your pet has breathing problems
• IV fluids to support blood pressure
• Blood and plasma transfusions in severe cases
• In some cases when the lungs fill with blood, your pet may require mechanical ventilation to support their breathing
  
  
  

  Bruising can be difficult to find below fur, sometimes it can be seen more easily on the thinly haired abdomen;  your vet may need to shave your pet’s  fur  to see this.

  
  
  

Most of the patients who are treated hours after ingestion do not go on to develop bleeding problems.  In these cases a blood test will be recommended at a later date to confirm that they have not been affected by the toxin.

Those patients who are already showing signs of bleeding abnormalities can have successful recoveries if treated promptly – severe cases may require several days of hospitalisation for blood transfusions and supportive care.  Unfortunately, if a pet is actively bleeding from this poison (internally or externally), they are unlikely to survive without appropriate care.

 

 

 

Salt toxicity, or hypernatraemia, occurs due to an increase in sodium concentration in the blood.  Pets that do not have access to fresh water for long periods, pets that drink large amounts of salt water and pets that eat lots of salty food such as beef jerky or play dough are at risk of developing salt toxicity.

Symptoms:

• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Mentally dull and depressed
• Behavioural abnormalities (e.g. pressing head against walls, aimless staring at corners)
• Trembling and drooling
• Head bobbing
• Seizures
• Coma

Salt toxicity is a life threatening condition, seek veterinary attention immediately.

Emergency treatment before transport to a veterinarian:

Do not allow your pet to drink a large quantity of water at once, as this can cause vomiting.  In addition, if the pet’s salt levels have been high for more than 12 hours, dropping this level quickly can lead to brain swelling and coma.

 

What to expect at the vet:

• Intravenous medications to treat seizures and aid in cooling the body if your pet is experiencing heat stress from exercise on a hot day
• Blood testing to assess severity of illness, and response to treatment
• Hospitalisation and close monitoring of neurological symptoms
• Intravenous fluid administration to decrease the concentration of salt in the blood.  This often needs to follow strict guideline to do it at the correct rate.

Salt toxicity is a life threatening condition if not treated appropriately. The associated seizure activity can cause permanent brain damage and heat stroke leading to organ 

failure. Treatment of this condition can be challenging and costly. However, with appropriate and timely medical therapy, many patients can and will recover.

 
Prevention:

 Always supply your pet with fresh drinking water, especially when exercising and at the beach. Do not allow your pet to ingest large volumes of salt water, either at the beach, the river or from the pool.  Keep salty foods out of reach of your pet.

 

Chocolate contains a compound called theobromine.  Caffeine is also present but in much smaller amounts.  Both of these chemicals are toxic to dogs and cats.  They affect the brain, the nerves, heart, and gastrointestinal tract.  The “darker” the chocolate (i.e. with a higher percentage of cocoa in it) the more toxic it is.  White chocolate is the least toxic, whereas dark chocolate, bakers’ chocolate and cocoa powder, are significantly more toxic.

Symptoms: Excessive thirst or urination Hyperactivity Lack of coordination Racing heart rhythm sometimes with abnormal rhythms Vomiting Diarrhoea Tremors Seizures Sudden death in severe cases These signs are usually seen within 6 – 12 hours of ingestion

If you have witnessed your pet consuming chocolate or think that your pet is acting strangely and has had access to chocolate than you should seek veterinary attention immediately.

What to expect at the vet:

Ingestion within the last 1 – 4 hours:

• Induction of vomiting (emesis)
• Administration of oral charcoal solution to prevent further absorption of toxin

Ingestion > 4 hours before arriving at the vet and/or showing signs of toxicity:

• Intravenous fluids
• Intravenous medications as needed to control seizures/muscle tremors and heart arrhythmias
• ECG monitoring if heart arrhythmias present
• Administration of oral charcoal solution to prevent further absorption of toxin.
• Sedation with medication to help slow the heart and reduce anxiety

With appropriate treatment the prognosis for animals with chocolate toxicity is very good and they are usually discharged from hospital within 24 hours.  Nonetheless, pets should be monitored for vomiting and inappetence over the next few weeks as the high fat content in some chocolates can sometimes be associated with a tummy upset or pancreatitis.

 

 

Permethrin (or pyrethrin) is a compound commonly found in flea products for dogs and cats that are available at supermarkets and some pet shops.  Cats are very sensitive to this compound, and as such, the products made for cats have significantly lower concentrations of permethrin in them.  Unfortunately, the common mistake of applying the dog flea treatment to the cat can result in disastrous consequences.  Some cases of toxicity occur because the cat has groomed the dog that has recently been given this flea treatment, or the owner has diligently put two cat doses on the cat.  Also, beware of insect sprays and ant sand containing permethrin, as they have the potential to cause this form of toxicity too.  Look for the active ingredient pyrethrin or permethrin.

 

Symptoms: Ear flicking Twitching, muscle tremors Lack of coordination Drooling Panting Vomiting, diarrhoea Hyperthermia (increased temperature) Seizures

Permethrin toxicity is life threatening, if your pet is showing signs seek veterinary attention immediately.

 

Emergency treatment before transport to a veterinarian:

If your cat will allow it, bathe it in lukewarm water with dish washing detergent.  Do not allow your cat to groom itself as it will ingest more of the toxin.  Keep your cat warm after the bath on the way to the clinic.

 

What to expect at the vet:

• Intravenous medications – to control seizures, relax muscles, and bind toxin in the blood
• Skin decontamination (another bath with dishwashing detergent)
• Sometimes oral decontamination (i.e. activated charcoal)
• Intravenous fluids to support blood pressure and to help remove the toxin from the blood
• Close monitoring of temperature – which can become too high or too low if not monitored
• Intensive nursing care

If treated appropriately, most cats will recover.  When severe intoxication occurs, your cat may need several days in hospital with intensive nursing care and close monitoring.  If left untreated it is possible that your pet will not survive.

 

Prevention: Unfortunately, permethrin toxicity is one of the most common toxicities reported in cats, despite the fact that it is easily preventable. To avoid this toxicity, ensure you only apply flea control formulations labelled for cats, and always follow the administration instructions.  It is also a good idea to mark on a calendar when you have applied the flea treatment to avoid over-dosing. If your cat normally grooms other pets in the household (including dogs) ensure that you only use formulations on the other pets that are safe for cats.   Your veterinarian can advise you further on the best and safest product to choose for flea treatment and prevention.

 

 

 

 

Snail and slug pellets come in two major types; Metaldehyde (green) and Methiocarb (blue) snail pellets cause similar clinical signs when ingested by pets.  The iron EDTA pellets (often red but sometimes purple) are also available and are advertised as “pet safe”.  These types should really be renamed as “pet safer” as they can still cause severe gastrointestinal signs and red blood cell damage.

Even very small quantities of snail pellets are toxic.  Dogs are most commonly involved, but cats present with this toxicity from time to time.  Some cats are fussier about what they ingest, whereas dogs can eat half a box before they have even tasted what they are eating!  Baits that are advertised as having a bittering agent in them rarely deter dogs that eat quickly, as they don’t register the flavour until it is too late.  These pellets are often cereal based (to attract the snails) which unfortunately also attracts dogs.

Dogs may retrieve the box from a shelf in a garden shed, or from a high surface, and they can also ‘hoover’ freshly laid pellets from the garden.  Sadly, some pets do not survive long enough to be presented to a veterinarian, especially if their owners are not home to notice their symptoms.

Symptoms:

• Panting
• Drooling
• Wobbly gait (ataxia)
• Dilated pupils
• Vomiting, Diarrhoea
• Muscle twitches and tremors
• Seizures
• Heat stress (hyperthermia) or low body temperature (when in shock)
• Depression, Coma

Snail bait toxicity can be fatal if untreated – seek veterinary attention immediately.

 

What to expect at the vet:

Early or mild exposure with patient able to walk and swallow normally:

• Medication will often be given to induce vomiting (emesis).
• Administration of activated charcoal based substance to bind any toxin that has already moved into the small intestine.
• IV fluids to encourage toxin excretion via the kidneys and replace fluid losses from vomiting, diarrhoea and panting.

 

If your pet is severely affected (i.e. seizures, collapsed, unable to walk or swallow):

• Intravenous (IV) medications to control seizures if indicated.
• Gastric lavage (stomach pumping) under general anaesthetic.
• Enema to try and empty the large bowel of toxin.
• Administration of activated charcoal solution via the stomach tube after stomach pumping.

The prognosis for patients who have ingested snail pellets is generally good.  Most patients that require their stomach pumped recover and go home within 12 hours of admission.  Some patients may need extended hospitalisation if they have suffered complications such as aspiration of stomach contents into the lungs (aspiration pneumonia) or heat stress.  Unfortunately, without treatment the severely affected patients will not survive.

Prevention:

All pets that have ingested snail baits should be prevented from future access to baits, as the adverse experience will not deter them from eating the baits again.  When it comes to snail pellets the best prevention is not to use them.  There are many alternatives to snail baits such as copper wire.  If your council allows it, chickens and ducks are a great natural snail killer, and are a really natural recycling tool as well!

 

 

Despite the many plant species that can cause harmful effects in pets, there are also many that do not.  For those of you who are both avid pet owners and plant lovers, it is possible to achieve a balance between the two.

Many of us own “curious” breeds such as Burmese, other Orientals and of course, the Labrador.  To help support their curiosity cravings, the authors of this book have, over many years, sought out some pet friendly plants.  Most in the list below are harmless, and at worst, can cause mild diarrhoea and vomiting if ingested in sufficient quantities. 

 

• African violet (Saintpaulia species)
• Bamboo (except those listed previously)
• Banana tree (Musa acuminate)
• Bottle Brush (Callistemon species)
• Camellia (Camelia japonica)
• Cinnamon
• Christmas or Easter cactus (Schlumbergera bridgesii)
• Cockscomb (Amaranthus hypochondriacus)
• Cordyline species
• Grass species (including Carex, Lantana, Cat Grass)
• Jasmine (Jasminium species)
• Marigold
• Orchids
• Some species of begonia
• Some species of palms (golden cane, Christmas palm)

A full list of non-toxic plants is available on the ASPCA website.

Orchid	Palms	Bottle Brush	Cordyline

 

A distended stomach in a dog (bloat) can be a severe and life threatening condition and requires immediate veterinary attention.  In most cases a stomach that is distended enough to be noticeable is accompanied by a 180 degree rotation of the stomach known as a volvulus or torsion.  This leads to the condition being known as a GDV (Gastric Dilation with Volvulus).  Large deep chested dogs are most commonly affected by this disease.  The Great Dane, Golden Retriever, German Shepherd and Weimerana are just a few examples.

What are the symptoms? Distended stomach (sometimes it makes a “ping” sound when it is tapped if it is full of air) Unproductive attempts to vomit or the production of a small amount of white froth Agitation and discomfort Pale gums Collapse Death in severe cases

X-ray of a dog’s stomach that has rotated and filled with gas

Why is it a problem?

 The major problem with a GDV is that the size of the stomach causes an obstruction to major blood vessels which limit the ability of the heart to pump blood around the body.  The rotation of the stomach severely limits blood supply to both the stomach wall and the spleen and this can cause severe damage to both organs.  

 

What to expect at the vet?

 When you arrive at the vet and a GDV is suspected, treatment will start immediately because it is important to de-rotate the stomach as quickly as possible to restore its blood supply.  Some of these treatments will include: 

• Pain relief  
• Intravenous fluids Decompression of the stomach by passing a tube down the food pipe or with a needle through the abdominal wall 
• Blood pressure monitoring 
• ECG (Heart Trace) Monitoring 
• Abdominal X ray to confirm diagnosis of twisted stomach  
• Surgery to de-rotate the stomach and attach it to the abdominal wall (pexy) to prevent it from twisting in the future

Most cases that have only been twisted for a short period of time do well with surgery and recover without complications.  Severe cases that have had bloat for a longer period of time may have part of their stomach wall die.  During the surgery the damage to the stomach and the spleen is assessed and in some cases part of the stomach wall and spleen need to be removed.  In the most severe cases when the entire stomach has been affected there is nothing that can be done and, sadly, euthanasia is recommended.