FIRST AID

We have listed common pet illnesses here to try and help you do the correct things in the first instance until you can bring your pet to the surgery, please do not hesitate to telephone for advise if in any doubt. The most important thing we wish to get across however is that you should never give any animal a human drug or any drugs not prescribed for that animal unless directly advised by a vet. Many human drugs are poisonous to domestic pets.

ABSCESSES

These are most common in cats where a bite from another animal has gone untreated and become infected. Veterinary treatment varies according to whether the abscess has burst or as to its site. The best home treatment is to bathe the area with salty water until an appointment can be made.

BLOAT

This is a condition when the stomach fills with gas and your dog tries to vomit hut is unable to. The stomach is sometimes visibly distended. This is an emergency -ring a vet immediately.

CHOKING AND COUGHING

Firstly check your pets throat and mouth for a foreign body such as a stick or bone which may be stuck. if the symptoms do not stop ring us for an appointment or advice.

CUTS AND BLEEDING

Find the point that is damaged and apply finger pressure. Once the bleeding has stopped bathe with salty water. If possible put a bandage on. Many cuts look a lot worse than they are and are best dealt with when we have full nursing cover for anaesthetics etc, rather than in an emergency situation If you are concerned ring for advice.

Never apply a tourniquet except for life saving haemorrhage - you can cause more harm than good.

DIARRHOEA AND  OR VOMITING

For the first 24 hrs withhold all food and give water in frequent amounts. You can use rehydration fluids or water with some glucose added, but not milk. The second day offer a bland diet such as chicken and rice, avoid eggs, red meats and milk again. If there is still vomiting and severe diarrhoea at stage make an appointment with a vet. If things are going well on the third day start to introduce the normal diet in small meals through out the day.

EYE INJURIES

If an eye suddenly becomes red and sore look for any foreign bodies and prevent the animal from rubbing the eye. Keep in semi-darkness and ring the surgery for advice.

FITS

These can be very violent and can involve salivation, vomiting, and loss of bowel control. Ensure that the animal can not injure itself but be careful as even the most placid pet can be unpredictable and aggressive if fitting. Darken the area where the animal is and leave it as quiet and undisturbed as possible. Most fits only last a few minutes at most. Ring us for advice about what to do next.

FLU

This is an infectious viral disease we see in cats. The symptoms include sneezing, runny eyes and nose and sometimes mouth ulcers and resulting salivation. First aid measures are steam therapy with decongestant products if the cat will co-operate, bathe the eyes and nose and feed warm strong smelling foods to encourage appetite. There is no specific medicants for the viruses which cause cat flu but we often prescribe antibiotics to treat and prevent secondary bacterial complications.

STOMATITIS/GINGIVITIS

These are the names given to inflamed mouth and gums. This can be caused by a number of factors but diseased teeth are the most common cause. In the first instance feed soft food which will not irritate the inflammation and longer term dental treatment and possibly blood investigations will be required.

POISONING

If your pet is seen to swallow a poison then vomiting can usually be induced by giving salty water to drink. Do not make the animal vomit if the poison is corrosive- in this instance give milk to drink. Contact the surgery for further advice.

ROAD ACCIDENTS

First of all restrain the animal to prevent any further injury and put a pressure pad on any bleeding points. Never use a tourniquet unless there is life- threatening haemorrhage from a major blood vessel. It invariably saves time to transport the animal to the surgery rather than calling the vet to the accident, all the specialised equipment is at the surgery to treat the animal. if the animal is small enough pick it up by the scruff while supporting it under the chest, otherwise gently lift and slide it onto a blanket by pulling the body and letting the legs slide (preventing more leg injuries). If the animal is biting tie a cord around its jaws. if the animal is impossible to handle throw a blanket over it and lift the whole bundle . Remember there may be few external signs even with severe internal injuries so it is always worth a check up.