36 degrees today & tomorrow – Keep your Pets Cool

Tips to avoid heat stress/stroke:

• Provide a cool  shaded area

• Provide plenty of clean fresh water and extra water sources in case of spillage.

• Bring animals indoors on hot, with the air-conditioning or fan on.

• Do not exercise animals in hot weather conditions. Walk your dog very early in the morning or very late in the afternoon and avoid the hottest part of the day.
• Do not leave your dog in a vehicle – even when the windows are down dogs can still overheat and die.

 

If you think your pet is suffering from heat stroke, please call Animal Accident & Emergency or contact your local vet without delay.

 

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

 

Animal Accident & Emergency is seeking a full time Veterinarian

Animal Accident & Emergency is seeking applications for a full time veterinarian. We are seeking applicants with experience in emergency and critical care. Animal Accident & Emergency operates 24/7 at two locations. The position will involve shift work at both emergency centres. Our centres are fully equipped and would suit applicants looking to further their career within emergency and critical care. You should be motivated, communicate well and have the ability to teamwork. You must also display a commitment to continuing education and willingness to learn.
We believe in a team approach with a supportive environment. Our Medical Director is a Registered Specialist in Emergency and Critical Care.
The ideal applicant would have Membership in emergency (ANZCVSc) or preparing to sit for membership within the next 12 months. Applicants with less experience will be considered. Employment is shift based, with rotations involving day, night, weekend and public holiday shifts. The average working week is 37.5 hrs.

Please send applications to jobs@animalemergency.com.au Applications will close on the 27th June 2014.

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Is your Pet a DRUG USER?

Toxicities are one of the more common presenting problems we see in the emergency room at Animal Accident and Emergency (AAE). Although it can be embarrassing for owners to admit, this includes accidental ingestion of illicit drugs.

There are some common symptoms that can be associated with different drug exposures; however, it is always reassuring to have a quantitative answer. There are many time where owners have no idea that their pet has found something they shouldn’t have.
Earlier this week, our emergency team were presented with a pet who was mentally altered and starting to have fits or seizures. There was no long term medical problems and the signs had developed rapidly. Given the type of signs, we asked the clients regarding access to some recreational drugs. While they were sure that their pet could not have been exposed, we ran a DIPSCAN test to be sure. The DIPSCAN was positive for a number of drugs. One being Diazepam which was given by the emergency team during stabilisation of the seizures. In this case, exposure was linked to a party held a week before hand.

Other times where the test has helped us out is when pets scavenge stuff from parks or laneways around houses. Again, owners are often unaware of what their pet has ingested. Identification is important as it can change the way we treat your pet in an emergency. Knowing what drugs your pet has ingested, can be save its life.

DIPSCAN is an in-house, diagnostic tool commonly utilised at AAE when there has been a suspected exposure to illicit drugs. By processing a urine sample we are able to identify trace amounts of illicit drugs such as: marijuana, opioids (e.g. heroin, morphine), cocaine, amphetamines, methyl-amphetamines and benzodiazepines (e.g. diazepam). Attached is a photo of a DIPSCAN test. To read the test, you look to see the windows where there is only one line.
This test can be extremely valuable when trying to structure treatment plans, anticipate future treatment requirements and reinforce prognosis.
Knowing that there is always a Vet Open in Melbourne when your pet is ill is important. Our team of Vets and Nurses really CARE for your pet. We try and make a difference with each patient. Our Centres are open each day. We are 24 hour pet emergency centres. Our two locations means that we can service most Melbourne suburbs including Vet Open Sunday.

Find us at:

ESSENDON (03) 9379 0700
POINT COOK (03) 8368 7400
A Melbourne Animal Hospital providing Advanced Vetcare for pets. No Appointment required. We are a centre for referral and emergency.

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/

Animal Accident Emergency: Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (Bloat)

Bloat or GDV is a heart breaking condition that we deal with in our Melbourne 24Hr Pet Emergency Centres.  The following article was prepared by Dr Emily Treweek.  Dr Treweek has worked in emergency and critical care for the last 10 years and is a Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Veterinary Scientists in Emergency and Critical Care.  If at any time you believe that your pet may have bloat, we need to see them as soon as possible.  We are a 24 Hr Melbourne Animal Hospital.   We are open 7 days a week and we are a Vet Open Sunday.  Our Team are always available.

 

Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (or GDV as we will refer to it) is a life-threatening emergency where the stomach dilates with gas, and rotates within the abdomen, often 180 degrees, sometimes 360 degrees.  Normal build up of gas can be relieved by burping, however the rotation (‘volvulus’) starts near where the stomach meets the oesophagus, preventing burping.  The blood flow to the stomach is compromised, as the vessels are crushed when the stomach twists.  The spleen is an adjacent organ that may become tangled also.  Compromise to the blood flow causes inflammation due to reduced removal of waste from the cells of the trapped organs.  The stomach can get so big that it disrupts blood flow from the back end of the body to the heart, leading to reduced blood pressure, which leads to reduced blood supply to the rest of the body.  The size of the stomach can put pressure on the diaphragm, making it hard for the pet to breathe.  In turn, this can reduce the amount of oxygen available to the body.

With reduced blood pressure, reduced oxygenation and inflammation, it is easy to see how this can make a pet critically ill, and all of this can occur within only hours.

Symptoms of gastric dilation and volvulus may include an acute onset of discomfort, restlessness , salivation, retching or attempting to vomit, unproductively.  If you ever notice these symptoms, you must have your pet seen promptly by a veterinarian.  It will help if someone can call ahead so the veterinary team can be prepared.

It is a condition most often seen in large breed, deep chested dogs.  Deep chested dogs will have a very tall chest from their spine to their sternum (breastbone) while having a very narrow chest in the left-to-right dimension.  Some examples of dog breeds often affected are Great Danes, greyhounds, Irish Setters, Standard Poodles, St Bernards and Weimeraners, although any breed of dog, and even cats can occasionally be affected.

While there has been much speculation on the cause of GDV, there is little evidence to support what the cause may be.  Having a first degree relative with GDV, anxious or stressed dogs, eating very fast and having a raised feeding bowl are some factors that may be associated.

When presented with a patient with GDV, our veterinary team are required to act quickly.  Initial tests include clinical examination including palpation (feeling) the abdomen, blood tests and in most cases xrays (which can confirm whether the stomach is rotated rather than simply dilated).  Treatment requires the team to move swiftly to decompress the stomach, stabilize the patient with rapid intravenous fluids, pain relief and sometimes medication to stabilize the heart, in order to get the patient to surgery as fast as possible, where we are able to de-rotate the stomach and assess for damage in the abdomen.  In some cases parts of the stomach wall may need to be removed due to permanent loss of blood supply.  The spleen sometimes requires removal due to loss of blood supply also.  During the surgical procedure, the veterinarian will also perform a gastropexy, which is where the stomach is attached surgically to the inner abdominal wall, to significantly reduce the recurrence of GDV.

As you can probably imagine, it can take a few days to recover from such a major operation.  Patients are critical and require 24 hour monitoring for the next few days.  The veterinary team needs to treat the patient to ensure optimal hydration, oxygenation and circulation in the postoperative period.  The patient will be monitored for blood loss, blood clotting problems, heart problems (detected via ECG) and other complications from surgery.  They may need blood or plasma transfusions, medications to reduce abnormal heart beats, improve blood pressure or electrolyte supplementation.  Getting the pet to eat again after surgery often requires medication to promote movement of the gut, medication to reduce stomach acid and carefully balanced pain relief.  Pets that do well through to stitch removal go on to lead a normal healthy life.

Survival depends on the amount of internal damage.  One of the advancements in recent years is the ability to monitor progress with Cage Side Testing.  Our Emergency Centres are equipped with the latest blood testing machines, which allows us to obtain blood results acutely.  We treat numerous GDV patients each year and are more then aware of the complications that can occur.

If you believe that your pet may have Bloat or a GDV, then you need to contact us directly.  We have two convenient emergency centers.  Our Emergency Centres run 24Hr Intensive Care Units.  We service many suburbs in Melbourne.

Animal Accident & Emergency Essendon – 9379 0700

Animal Accident & Emergency Point Cook – 8368 7400

 

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/home-1.html

Animal Accident Emergency: Free Pet Health Check Melbourne

Animal Accident & Emergency will be at LaManna Direct – Essendon Fields this Saturday from 10am to 2pm.

Bring your Pet for a free healthy check by one of our emergency vets.

Sonia Ross will also be there to give “Pet First Aid” tips.

 

If you believe that your pet is unwell contact us directly at one of our 24 hour Animal Hospitals in Melbourne:

Essendon Fields: (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook: (03) 8368 7400

 

Always Open, We Always Care

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emergency Vet Treatment for Anaphylaxis

An anaphylactic reaction (or anaphylaxis) occurs when pets become hypersensitive and react to foreign substances invading the body, such as toxins induced through insect bites. When pets have an anaphylactic reaction it is a highly serious animal emergency that requires immediate treatment at a 24 hour veterinary clinic, as it can progress to anaphylactic shock.

Anaphylactic reactions can be caused by a range of different foreign substances invading the pet’s body and requires previous (or excessive) exposure to that substance for anaphylactic reactions to occur. The pet develops hypersensitivity to the foreign substance causing their immune system to overreact to the stimulus when they next encounter the same substance. The immune system then produces immunoglobulin that reacts with cells in the body called mast cells which release histamine. Release of histamine results in the animal developing clinical signs including hives, swollen face, vomiting, etc. These cells are then sensitised and will have a more severe reaction the next time they are exposed to the same foreign substance.

The types of foreign substances that can result in anaphylactic reactions are:
• Insect bites
• Medications (e.g. antibiotics)
• Vaccines
• Toxins in the environment (e.g. cigarette smoke, perfume, air fresheners, etc)
• Chemicals and poisons
• Food (similar to humans, this can be any type of food that the animal is allergic to)

The clinical signs of anaphylactic reactions displayed by pets will depend on the type of exposure, the amount of foreign substance that has entered the pet’s body and the pet’s resistance to the foreign substance. As anaphylactic reactions worsen with each exposure, it is important that pet owners do everything possible in the future to prevent their pets from being exposed to the foreign substance again. Each time pets are exposed they will be at greater risk of having severe reactions and progressing to anaphylactic shock, which can result in death.

The main clinical signs or anaphylactic reactions that pet owners need to be aware of are:
• Itching
• Red swellings or hives
• Swollen/puffy face
• Cyanosis (bluish tinge to the tongue and gums)
• Excessive salivating and drooling
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• High temperature
• Respiratory distress
• Collapse
• Anaphylactic shock

To diagnose anaphylaxis, 24hr emergency vets will look at the clinical signs presented as well as the pet’s medical history and previous exposure to the foreign substance. Knowledge of past exposure to the foreign substance is very helpful, so it is important that pet owners inform vets if this is the case. Blood and urine tests may also be performed by veterinarians to determine the best course of treatment.

Treatment for anaphylaxis will depend on the type of foreign substance that the pet is reacting to (i.e. insect bites, food, etc.). However, the first step that 24hr vets will always take if possible is to remove any objects that may be causing the reaction (e.g. bee stingers), and stabilise the pet, in particular, ensuring that the pet is able to breathe normally as anaphylaxis can cause respiratory distress. For mild cases of anaphylactic reactions, anti-histamines and anti-inflammatory medications will need to be administered to treat the clinical signs, followed by ongoing monitoring in a 24 hour pet hospital if needed. Pets experiencing mild reactions have an excellent chance of full recovery.

For more severe cases, when pets having an anaphylactic reaction progress to a state of anaphylactic shock, it becomes a highly critical and life threatening animal emergency. Pets in anaphylactic shock need to be hospitalised in a 24 hour pet hospital and given adrenalin, IV fluid therapy and oxygen therapy (via a breathing tube). They will also require further medical treatment and ongoing close monitoring by emergency vets and nurses. However, when treated quickly and with the appropriate ongoing pet care, cases of anaphylactic shock still have a reasonable chance of recovery.

Animal Accident & Emergency have two 24 hour pet emergency centres in Melbourne, which are ideally located in Essendon and Point Cook – both with easy freeway access and ample parking. Our animal hospitals are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including public holidays), and offer all the latest equipment and state of the art technology, as well as a 24 hour intensive care unit. Our dedicated team of emergency vets and nurses provide the highest standards of emergency vet care, critical care medicine and surgery, and are experienced in treating every vet emergency from right across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. So when you bring your pet to Animal Accident & Emergency you can rest assured that they will receive the best and most advanced vet care available.

If you believe your pet may be having an anaphylactic reaction, or for any veterinarian emergency, please phone one of our 24 hour animal emergency centres:

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

 

Always Open, We Always Care

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

 

Pet First Aid Workshop held 3rd August 2013

Animal Accident & Emergency is running a 3 hour Pet First Aid workshop course.

This course is open to the public and recommended for those who work with pets – foster carers, pet sitters, rescue workers etc

For more information or to enrol, click on the link:

http://www.petemergencystore.com.au/pet-first-aid-3hr-workshop.html

 

Always Open, We Always Care

 

 

Anaemia in Pets

Anaemia is not in itself a specific disease, but rather the result of another underlying disease/injury, which causes pets to have a reduced number of red blood cells. Depending on the severity level, anaemia on its own can be life threatening and may require emergency vet care, but what is usually more concerning for the pet’s health is the underlying disease/injury that is causing it to become anaemic.

There are three main causes of anaemia in cats and dogs – diseases/injuries that cause blood loss; diseases that decrease the production of red blood cells; and diseases that cause haemolysis (which is the destruction or breakdown of red blood cells). Anaemia caused by blood loss is often the result of serious trauma or injuries that sever blood vessels or damage internal organs. It can also be the result of excessive parasite activity on the animals, or tumours in areas of the body such as the intestinal tract, kidneys, urinary bladder or spleen, which cause internal bleeding.

The most common cause of reduced blood cell production is any severe or chronic disease, such as cancer, renal disease or cardiac disease. However, it can also be caused by poor nutrition, autoimmune disease, hypothyroidism, or toxicity. Anaemia caused by haemolysis can also be the result of the same diseases like autoimmune disease, cancer or toxicity, as well as blood parasites.

The first clinical signs of anaemia that pet owners will witness are their cat or dog appearing to have little stamina and seeming lethargic or tired, as well as having pale gums. When these signs are displayed the pet will need to be seen at a 24 hour vet clinic for examination. Unless there is an obvious injury or chronic disease that is found to be causing the anaemia, a range of tests will need to be performed to determine what is causing the disease. These tests include taking a blood sample to measure the red blood cell and haemoglobin count. This blood sample will also be used to test for increased numbers of immature red blood cells (known as reticulocytes) to ensure the pet’s bone marrow is responding correctly to the need for more red blood cells. It often takes at least 3-5 days for the body to realise it is anaemic and start releasing immature red blood cells from the bone marrow.

Tests may also be done by the veterinarian to check for parasite activity or any evidence of abnormal cells that may be caused by leukaemia. In some cases, other tests may include a reticulocyte count, bone marrow biopsy, a biochemical profile or urinalysis, or a faecal exam. These tests will help the emergency vet to determine the overall health of the animal and check whether the animal’s organs are functioning normally.

If the anaemia is severe then it can certainly be life threatening and need emergency vet care, which will often involve a blood transfusion. However, a transfusion is not a cure for anaemia, it is used to stabilise the animal and allow time to conduct the diagnostic tests needed to find the underlying disease causing the anaemia. Treatment for the anaemia and the underlying disease will require intensive care and ongoing monitoring at a 24 hour animal hospital to allow for the best chance of success and recovery.

Animal Accident & Emergency have two 24 hour pet emergency centres in Melbourne, which are ideally located in Essendon and Point Cook and both with easy freeway access and amble parking. Our emergency vet clinics operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including public holidays), and offer all the latest equipment and state of the art technology, as well as a 24 hour intensive care unit. Our dedicated team of emergency vets and nurses provide the highest standards of emergency vet care, critical care medicine and surgery, and are experienced in treating all emergencies from right across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. So when you bring your pet to Animal Accident & Emergency you can rest assured that your pet will receive the best and most advanced vet care available.

If you believe your pet may be have anaemia or for any emergency, please phone one of our 24-hour Animal Accident & Emergency Centres:

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

Always Open, We Always Care

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Bladders Stones Cause Substantial Pain in Dogs & Cats

Bladder stones are clumps of minerals that form hard pebble-like substances in the bladder, usually either becoming one large stone or a collection of smaller stones within a matter of weeks to a month. As is the case with humans, they are also not uncommon in cats and dogs, and are generally caused by diet, other bladder diseases or the body’s metabolism failing to dissolve the minerals in the urine. Luckily, they can be treated effectively and be prevented from occurring again with the right diet and appropriate vet care.

While bladder stones can cause substantial pain and distress to the affected animal, they are generally not considered life threatening. However, in some cases bladder stones can become so large that they obstruct the bladder, while other stones can be so tiny that they can pass into the urethra and also cause urinary obstruction. When either form of obstruction occurs, this becomes a serious pet emergency with the imminent potential to cause the bladder to rupture, and there is a high risk of death.

Pet owners will often see signs if their cat or dog does develop bladder stones, such as blood in the urine or straining to urinate. Animals will generally also display signs of distress and pain, especially when urinating. While these symptoms are similar to other more common bladder infections that may not be as serious, if pet owners ever see these clinical signs then they should visit a 24 hour vet clinic and consult a veterinarian immediately.

The tests needed to determine if your pet does have bladder stones will depend on the type and severity of the bladder stones present in the animal. In rare cases where the bladder stones are large enough, a 24hr emergency vet will occasionally be able to simply feel them through the abdominal wall. However, this is often not possible and therefore if the emergency vet still believes bladder stones may be the cause of the animal’s symptoms then x-rays or ultrasounds may be required.

In order to treat bladder stones, there are two main options – surgical removal of the stones or medically dissolving the stones. The method chosen by the emergency vet will firstly depend on whether the animal has a bladder obstruction, in which case surgery is usually required, otherwise the type of bladder stones found and the age and other health conditions of the affected pet will be key considerations. Dissolving a bladder stone is often not the preferred method, as it can take upwards of a month to dissolve the stones and requires very strict dietary conditions for pet owners to adhere to. Additionally, if medical treatment is undertaken then there is a risk of further urethral obstruction occurring as the stones become small enough to pass into the urethra.

If your pet does require surgery as part of their treatment, then they will also need to remain in an animal hospital for ongoing 24 hour monitoring while they recover. Once the cause of the bladder stones has been resolved, the veterinarian will be able to determine the best course of action (be that dietary or further medical treatment) to prevent bladder stones from occurring again.

Animal Accident & Emergency have two 24 hour pet emergency centres in Melbourne, which are ideally located in Essendon and Point Cook and both with easy freeway access and amble parking. Our emergency vet clinics operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including public holidays), and offer all the latest equipment and state of the art technology, as well as a 24 hour intensive care unit. Our dedicated team of emergency vets and nurses provide the highest standards of emergency vet care, critical care medicine and surgery, and are experienced in treating all emergencies from right across Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat. So when you bring your pet to Animal Accident & Emergency you can rest assured that your pet will receive the best and most advanced vet care available.

If you believe your pet may have bladder stones or for any emergency, please phone one of our 24-hour Animal Accident & Emergency Centres:

 

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

 

Always Open, We Always Care

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

Happy Easter from Animal Accident & Emergency

 

Animal Accident & Emergency would like to wish everyone a safe and a very Happy Easter

Over the Easter Holidays our 24 Hr Animal Hospitals will be available to help you at anytime. Our Emergency Vet Hospitals have Veterinarians on shift at all times. Both our centres are located so that they can service Melbourne and surrounding suburbs. Our Point Cook 24Hr Pet Emergency Centre services Geelong and the surf Coast.

If you have concerns or you are looking for a vet that is now open, please phone our Essendon Pet Emergency Centre on 9379 0700 or our Point Cook 24 Hr Emergency Animal Hospital on 8368 7400.

Our Vet Clinics are Always Open, We always CARE

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Vet Open Easter Holidays

 

If you need a Vet over the Easter Holidays (Good Friday, Easter Sunday & Easter Monday) Animal Accident & Emergency is OPEN 24/7.

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

We operate 24hrs a day and never close. Our team is ready to deal with all emergencies. Emergency and critical care is our core business and we often treat dogs or cats hit by a car (Trauma), dog or cat poisonings (Toxicities), breathing trouble (respiratory distress), or chronic medical conditions when your vet is not available.

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Avoiding Chocolate Toxicity During Easter

 

Easter is just around the corner, which means that Melbourne households will soon be filling up with chocolate. While you should be cautious of chocolate around your pets at all times, Easter does pose an extra threat to dogs due the sheer volume of chocolate that is more readily available for them to snaffle while you’re not looking.

Chocolate toxicity is rarely fatal, but ingestion of chocolate in dogs does often lead to significant illness and so should be taken seriously by pet owners and treated as an animal emergency. As with all things, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if you believe your dog has ingested any amount of chocolate you should immediately consult an emergency veterinarian and bring it in for examination at a 24 hour animal emergency centre.

Chocolate is dangerous to pets as it contains the alkaloid theobromine, which has similar effects as caffeine and is poisonous in large amounts. The toxicity level of the chocolate depends on the type and amount that is consumed, as well as the size of the dog. Toxic doses are generally considered to be 100mg of theobromine per kilogram of body weight, with fatal doses often occurring at over 200mg per kilogram.

Cooking/baking chocolate and dark chocolate pose the biggest danger, as they contain the largest concentration of theobromine. A 10kg dog would only have to eat 50 grams of milk chocolate to show clinical signs of chocolate toxicity or as little as 30 grams of dark chocolate. Whereas a mere 15 grams of baking chocolate (containing 70% cocoa) could lead to chocolate toxicity. Keep in mind that if the chocolate contains other harmful ingredients such as raisins/sultanas, alcohol or macadamia nuts then it may cause further complications.

The common clinical signs of chocolate poisoning are:

• vomiting
• diarrhoea
• increased thirst
• panting or restlessness
• excessive urination
• muscle spasms and tremors
• seizures
• increased temperature
• increased heart rate
• abnormal behaviour

Older pets, or animals with pre-existing heart conditions, are more susceptible to the effects of chocolate poisoning and at higher risk of sudden death due to cardiac arrest.

During the Easter holidays, you need to be extra diligent in storing your Easter eggs safely out of reach of your pets. If you have children in the house, you also need to ensure that they don’t eat their chocolate around your pets, just in case they drop any or if you have a dog cheeky enough to swipe it straight from their hands while they’re not looking. You should also be cautious if you take your dog for a walk near a public park or school over the Easter long weekend, just in case an Easter egg hunt has taken place and any tasty surprises were left behind for your dog to find.

If your dog does need to be treated for chocolate toxicity, then the sooner they are brought in for examination, and the sooner the theobromine is removed from the body, then the better the prognosis will be. In some cases, if the dog is brought in early enough then all that may be necessary is using medication to induce vomiting to remove the chocolate from the stomach. For cases where the chocolate was ingested several hours earlier, the use of activated charcoal may be used to prevent the stomach and small intestine from further absorption of theobromine. As theobromine is excreted in urine, it is also common to use supportive treatments such as intravenous fluid theory to help dilute the toxin.

Close monitoring for the first 24 hours after poisoning is essential to check for any signs of irregular heart rhythm, so for the best and most advanced vet care available for your pet it is best to have them seen by our emergency vets in one of our 24 hour Animal Hospital.

In case of a chocolate toxicity or any emergency, please phone one of our 24hr Pet Hospital:

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

What to do When Your Dog Has a Seizure

Watching your dog suffer through the violent, uncontrolled spasms of a seizure can be a very distressing sight, especially if you have never seen a seizure before or are unsure about what to do. While seizures are generally not dangerous to your dog, pet owners should be aware that seizures can indicate other underlying conditions and even cause subsequent problems. So it is always best to know what to do in the event of your dog experiencing a seizure, as well as when you should consider it as an animal emergency and call a 24hr vet clinic.

Also known as convulsions or fits, seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological problems in dogs and consist of three phases. The first phase, known as the pre-ictal phase or aura, is a period where your dog may display abnormal behaviour, such as appearing nervous and restless, trying to hide or to find you, whining, shaking and salivating. This phase normally lasts between a few seconds to a few hours.

The second phase, or ictal phase, is the actual seizure itself, which lasts between a few seconds to about five minutes. During this phase, the muscles in your dog’s body will start to contract strongly, usually causing it to fall on its side with its head drawn backward and then appear paralysed while shaking uncontrollably. Your dog will generally be unresponsive during this time and may experience hallucinations. Involuntary urination, defecation and salivation can often occur during this period as well.

The third phase, or post-ictal phase, is the period where your dog will be coming out of the seizure and appear confused, disorientated and restless. They can also experience temporary blindness and memory loss, which may lead to further behavioural changes, such as not recognising you, aggression, pacing or running in circles. This phase can last between a few minutes to a few hours.

During the actual seizure, your dog doesn’t feel any pain and is generally unaware of what is happening. So the best thing to do is stay calm and move dangerous objects away from your pet so it can’t get hurt. If you are unable to move objects away from your dog, then move the animal carefully to a safe area where it cannot hurt itself or fall. Always remember that you should never try to restrain your dog during the seizure, as this may cause further harm. Also ensure that you do not place your hands near your dog’s mouth – animals cannot swallow their own tongue during seizures, but they may accidentally bite you.

There are many causes of seizures in dogs, with epilepsy being the most common. Other causes may also include liver disease, kidney failure, poisoning or brain tumours. To determine the cause, our 24hr emergency vets will need to thoroughly check your dog’s history for previous signs of seizures or abnormal behaviour. A physical examination and blood and urine tests will also need to be performed at our Melbourne animal hospitals to check for toxins or underlying illnesses or disorders of the liver, kidneys, electrolytes or blood sugar levels.

Depending on the severity and frequency of the seizures and the test results, the emergency vet may refer your dog to a Medicine Specialist for further tests and ongoing vet care. These further tests may include spinal fluid analysis, a CT scan or an MRI to look for brain diseases, inflammation, infections or tumours that may be causing the seizures. If your pet experiences more than one seizure every two months, status epilepticus, or two or more seizures in a 24-hour period, then they will generally be given anticonvulsant medication. This medication acts to prevent and reduce the frequency and severity of seizures and may need to be taken for life in some pet care cases.

Your pet needs to be seen by one of our 24-hour vets at our animal emergency centres for immediate vet care if your dog has never had a seizure before, or if they have had more than two seizures in a 24-hour period, or if the seizure lasts for longer than 5 minutes, or if they do not return to completely normal behaviour within 30 minutes after a seizure.

A seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, known as Status Epilepticus, is especially serious and a potentially life threatening situation. If this occurs then your pet will need intravenous medication immediately or they may die. Please bring your family pet to see our experienced emergency vets so we can provide the best and most advanced vet care available in Melbourne.

In case of seizures or any emergency, please phone one of our 24 hour Animal Accident & Emergency Centres:

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

We’re Always Open, We Always Care

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

The Benefits of Pet Insurance

 

Unfortunately, Australian pets don’t benefit from any government funded health care systems, like Medicare, the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme or public hospitals, despite Australia having one of the highest levels of pet ownership in the world. This in turn means that medical treatment of animals can quickly become expensive, particularly in the treatment of severe injuries or chronic diseases due to the extensive resources and medical care required.

Fortunately, there are now a wide range of insurance providers supplying Pet Insurance, as well as a variety of plan options available with each to make it even more affordable and suitable to your needs. Cover can include accident only or accident, illness and even routine care, with costs starting from as little as a few dollars per week for dogs and cats. Plus a range of excess options can be chosen to keep the annual insurance fee down.

The primary benefit of getting Pet Insurance is of course peace of mind in knowing that you are always able to provide the best possible care for your pet in times of need. Pet Insurance allows you to visit any vet (whether it be your regular family vet, emergency vet or a specialist) and will generally cover upwards of 80% of the vet bill depending on the treatment required. Most basic covers will also include at least $7,000-$8,000 worth of total cover for the year, with some covering up to $20,000. So for only a few hundred dollars per year, you can be assured that your loved pets will always be able to receive care to keep them healthy and happy. More importantly, if your pet is ever unfortunate enough to require emergency or ongoing specialist treatment, having Pet Insurance takes money-worries out of an already highly stressful situation…leaving you to focus on what is most important, being with your pets and providing the love and support that they need.

Another benefit of Pet Insurance is that a portion of the proceeds generated by some insurance providers go towards helping other animals in need and animal charity organisations, such as the RSPCA and Guide Dogs Australia.

If you would like more information on Pet Insurance, below are website links to some of the most popular Pet Insurance providers:

• Petplan
• RSPCA
• Guide Dogs Pet Insurance 
• Bow Wow Meow
• Medibank Pet Insurance
• Real Pet Insurance
• Woolworths Pet Insurance

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Snake Bites – Prevention and Treatment

Summer is now officially over, but while the warm weather lingers so will snakes. The majority of pet snake bite cases occur on days that are over 20°C and most commonly between August to April, as snakes are more active during the warmer months and days. Snake bites occurring in August and September are often the most severe due to their venom being extra potent after waking from hibernation. However, it is wise to be cautious of snakes all year round, even during winter, as snakes will only fall into, and remain in, hibernation if the weather is cool enough… and they are extra grumpy when woken early.

While snakes aren’t naturally aggressive, snake bites in animals are more prevalent than in humans largely due to the different instinctual reactions when a snake is found. Dogs are very inquisitive and playful, so they will often stick their snout into dangerous areas and give chase to a fleeing snake, making the most common bite locations on their face and legs. Dogs are also extra vulnerable to snake bites as they are often bitten multiple times due to their playful nature. Whereas cats have a hunter instinct and will likely want to pounce on anything that moves, especially with the movement of a snake being reminiscent of common cat toys.

The best way to avoid your pets being bitten by snakes is to be extra careful and mindful of your pets in areas where snakes are commonly found, such as: parks, long grass, under rocks and fallen logs, anywhere near water bodies (including garden ponds), under your house, in the garden shed, and anywhere dark, secluded and warm. Also, you should always ensure that your dog is on a leash when going for a walk so that you will be able to restrain them if a snake crosses your path.

In Victoria, the most common snake bites are caused by Tiger Snakes, Brown Snakes and Red-Bellied Black Snakes. While it is good to know what type of snake has bitten your pet, it is not essential, as a snake venom detection kit can be used to determine the venom type. So never take any risks trying to catch the snake, but if the snake is already dead then it is good to take it with you to the vet. If you do come across a snake at home, it’s best to leave the snake where you found it and close any doors or gates if possible to block it in and then call a professional snake catcher or wildlife carer to remove it.

If you ever suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake then the best thing to do is keep yourself and your pet calm and act quickly, as time is of the essence and there is a higher chance of recovery if treated early. It’s also best to carry your pet if possible, as walking will increase venom circulation. Early signs that can appear within minutes after a snake bite are acute vomiting, diarrhoea and becoming weak and wobbly on their feet and potentially collapsing. These early signs are often followed by an apparent quick recovery, but it is still essential to seek medical care as quickly as possible as they can deteriorate rapidly after this stage. Other signs are red urine, bleeding from gums and mouth, salivating, dilated pupils and paralysis. Note that animals that have been bitten by snakes do not suffer from a lack of appetite or any swelling or necrosis like they may with spider bites, so do not expect these signs.

Animal Accident & Emergency have two 24 hour emergency centres in Essendon and Point Cook that are fully equipped with state-of-the-art technology to treat all emergencies right across Melbourne. Antivenom is always kept on the premises and our experienced team of emergency vets and nurses are always at the ready to care for your pets.

In case of a snake bite or any emergency, please phone Animal Accident & Emergency:

Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700
Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

We’re always open, We always CARE

www.animalemergency.com.au

Reducing Pet Anxiety and Providing Better Care with Feel Good Pheromones

Taking your pet in for a veterinary consult can often be a stressful experience for the animal, causing high levels of anxiety and often leading to frightened or defensive behaviour, especially with cats. This is why at Animal Accident & Emergency we have made some important changes in order to lower stress levels and provide the best possible care and experience for your pets when visiting our state-of-the-art hospitals.

Both of our Essendon and Point Cook 24 hour emergency centres now have separate cat and dog consult rooms, which use species-specific pheromone diffusers to create a stress-free environment to help your pet relax. The pheromone diffusers (known as Feliway® for cats and Adaptil® for dogs), give your pet a sense of familiarity and security, allowing them to better cope with the stress of being in a new environment.

As with humans, pheromones are odourless chemical substances that animals release to convey messages and different information to their own species, such as alarm pheromones, sex pheromones, trail pheromones, etc. By using the Feliway® and Adaptil® pheromone diffusers, synthetic pheromones are circulated through the consult rooms that communicate different messages to cats and dogs, but induce the same end result for both.

Feliway® works by using feline facial pheromones, known as the familiarisation pheromone. This pheromone is common in all cats and originates within cheek glands, which are then spread when cats rub their face against their owners and various surfaces in their environment and territory. These pheromones indicate known places and help to instil a sense of familiarity. Adaptil®, on the other hand, works by using the dog-appeasing pheromone (DAP). This is the same appeasing pheromone that is produced by all female mammals and excreted through the mammary glands, which are used to convey a feeling of calm and reassurance to offspring. Both Feliway® and Adaptil® diffusers used in consult rooms have been proven to help cats and dogs calm and settle, as well as making them easier to handle for vets and nurses, which can be crucial in an emergency situation.

Extended hospitalisation periods can also lead to depression and high levels of stress and anxiety for cats and dogs, even with regular visits by the owner. This is why Feliway® and Adaptil® are also used within the hospital areas of Animal Accident & Emergency in the form of localised sprays. Studies have shown that continued use of Feliway® for the duration of a cats stay in hospital will not only help them to settle, but also to eat more, play more and feel comfortable grooming themselves more quickly. Within dogs, Adaptil® used in the same way has been shown to reduce destructiveness, excessive licking and barking, which all result in a more pleasant stay for your animals.

To experience the difference for yourself and your loved pets, please feel free to visit Animal Accident & Emergency at any time, day or night. Our Essendon and Point Cook clinics operate 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (including public holidays), and offer all the latest state-of-the-art equipment, as well as a 24 hour intensive care unit. Our dedicated team of emergency vets and nurses provide the highest standards of emergency and critical care medicine and surgery available, so you can be assured your pet will always receive the best treatment possible. And remember, we’re always open and we always care.

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Vodka Saves Life of Maltese Terrier

A Maltese terrier named Charlie went on an epic bender to save his life after accidentally licking antifreeze off the floor of his owner’s garage.

ABC UK story regarding Charlie who had received treatment at Animal Accident & Emergency – Essendon Fields:

http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/03/vodka-saves-life-of-maltese-terrier/

24 hour vet near Carlton

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre. We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Carlton. As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.

Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care. There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking. We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care. Two great locations: Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

Always Open – We always care

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

24 hour pet emergency centre

 

Always Open, We always CARE

Animal Accident & Emergency, is an emergency veterinary clinic located in 2 convenient locations – Essendon and Point Cook. Our centres CARE for injured or sick pets anytime of the day.  An emergency veterinary clinic is not the same as most vet clinics. Our aim is to work with your personal Vet to provide the best possible CARE for your pet.

We operate 24hrs a day and never close. Our team is ready to deal with all emergencies. Emergency and critical care is our core business and we often treat dogs or cats hit by a car (Trauma), dog or cat poisonings (Toxicities), breathing trouble (respiratory distress), or chronic medical conditions when your vet is not available.

Our emergency veterinary clinic is open 24-hours per day to attend to urgent conditions. We are always open including – vet open Sunday in Melbourne, we are open weekends, including all public holidays. If you need help, then please phone. One of our team, will be sure to assist you.

 

24 hour Pet Emergency Centre:

Essendon – 72 Hargrave Ave. Essendon Fields (inside the Essendon Airport Precinct) (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook – 6 Wallace Ave (Across from Oz Ten Bowling) (03) 8368 7400

 

http://www.animalemergency.com.au

In The Emergency Centre This Week

Rat poisons not only kill rats and mice but will kill family pets as well.

On Sunday this week, Billy a lovely 18month old bulldog was transferred to our 24hr animal hospital from his family vet. Billy had developed classic signs of internal bleeding (common with rat poisons).

On presentation to our emergency centre, Billy had severe bleeding into both his chest and abdomen. He was at the point where the amount of blood he was losing was life threatening. Dr Yenni our senior veterinary resident needed to provide Billy with an emergency blood transfusion. In this case, the blood transfusion was critical and needed to be completed within minutes to save Billy’s life The degree of blood loss was severe enough that we now need to monitor for any damage to body organs including his heart.

By late Sunday afternoon, Billy remained in our purpose built intensive care cage where he was able to receive oxygen and we could monitor his heart (ECG). He is now stable and feeling much better. He will remain with our ICU team for the next 24 hours.

When Billy is ok to go home, he will receive an antidote for the rodenticide for at least 6 weeks.

Please be careful with Rat Poisons – Billy’s owner was very diligent, but Billy still found a way to snack on the rate poison.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Pet owners are also being warned to be vigilant as the heatwave hits.

“Towns soar past 40C as heatwave hits Victoria”

Dr Scott Hall, of Animal Accident & Emergency in Essendon, said owners should relax exercise routines and make sure animals had water and shade.

“And if there is not enough shade in the backyard it is even worse – unfortunately people will come home to find their dog deceased,” he said.

Dr Hall said owners said pugs, bulldogs and other breeds with short noses were most at risk and he said long-haired dogs should be hosed down regularly.

If there is inadequate shade, Dr Hall recommended doggie day care over the heatwave.

 

For more information:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/towns-soar-past-40c-as-heatwave-hits-victoria/story-fni0fit3-1226801011116

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Albert Park

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Albert Park.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

The hot weather is back with a vengeance this week.

The weather bureau has predicted heatwave conditions for at least the next 4 days. The chance of heat stress for your pets will be very high during this period.

Just like with people, our elderly pets or those with chronic diseases are at a very high risk. If your pet has a chronic illness, then you need to take extra care. The heat wave may affect your pet if they have the following chronic illnesses:

• Diabetes
• Chronic Heart Disease – especially if your pet takes diuretics (frusemide)
• Chronic airway disease
• Cushings or Addisons
• Chronic Renal Failure
• Receiving “steroids” for immune diseases
• Pets that have vomiting or diarrhoea – they will dehydrate very quickly

If your pet is classed as a “brachycephalic” (short squashed nose, for example a pug) then you need to take particular care.

These pets have trouble regulating their body temperature.

What to do:

• Any sign of illness – do not wait. Have your pet checked early rather than waiting
• Avoid exercising during the next few days
• Ensure there is plenty of drinking water – that cannot be knocked over
• If you have minimal shade at home – consider a doggy daycare or kennel your pet
• Ensure there is some form of cooling available – fans etc

Our 24Hr Pet Emergency Centres are available for advice or treatment at any time. Essendon 9379 0700; Point Cook 8368 7400;

www.animalemergency.com.au

MEDICINE Patient Coordinator

Animal Accident & Emergency Point Cook  is seeking a Medicine Patient Coordinator (MPC).  The MPC is a new position at our Point Cook 24Hr Pet Emergency Centre.  This is a nursing based position working directly with our medicine specialist, Dr Linda Abraham.  The position is designed to provide direct nursing support for medicine cases, assist in procedures, coordinate client appointments and follow up on the progress of our medicine patients.

Position Requirements

• Certificate 4 or Diploma in Veterinary Nursing or equivalent
• Manual Car Licence
• Available to work Monday to Friday with occasional weekend or overtime required
• High standard of written and computer skills
• High standard of communication skills – this position involves significant client contact
• Highly organised
• Prior experience in referral or specialist centres (desirable)

Applications will close on the 30^th of January 2014 unless a suitable applicant is found prior to this date.  A CV with 3 current referees should be forwarded to jobs@animalemergency.com.au.

For further information, please contact Ms Sonia Ross on 8368 7400 or Sonia.ross@animalemergency.com.au

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Balaclava

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Balaclava.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Coode Island

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre. We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Coode Island. As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured. Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking. We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations: Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Docklands

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Docklands.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in West Melbourne

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from West Melbourne.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

http://www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Southbank

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Southbank.

As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.  There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.

We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in South Yarra

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from South Yarra.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Parkville

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Parkville.  As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Fishermans Bend

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre.   We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Fishermans Bend.

As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured.  Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking.  We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations:  Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in South Yarra

 

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking. We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations: Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Looking for a Vet in Port Melbourne

Animal Accident & Emergency is a full service Pet Emergency and Critical Care Centre. We are open 24/7 and often receive patients from Port Melbourne.

As a Melbourne Animal Hospital we will care for your pet if they are sick or injured. Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

There is easy Access from the freeway and plenty of safe parking. We are not just open after hours, we are a 24 hour vet hospital that specialised in Emergency and Critical Care.

Two great locations: Essendon Fields and Point Cook.

www.animalemergency.com.au

A Very Merry Christmas

The team at Animal Accident & Emergency wish you and your special pets a very merry and safe Christmas and New Year.

www.animalemergency.com.au

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas to you and your furbabies.

From all the staff at Animal Accident & Emergency

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

 

WOMO Special Offer

Mention you found us at WOMO and receive $25.00 off the Consultation fee at either of our 24 hour Pet Emergency Centres:

Essendon Fields

Essendon Airport-Main Terminal, 72 Hargrave Avenue, Essendon Fields (03) 9379 0700

Point Cook

‘Exit 16’ Princes Fwy, 6 Wallace Avenue, Point Cook (03) 8368 7400

For more information about our services visit: www.animalemergency.com.au

Pet First Aid Course

#Firstaid #Animalhospital #Vetemergency
Animal Accident & Emergency is running 1 day Pet First Aid Courses on Sunday 1st & 15th December 2013.

Know what to do when your pet needs you the most!

The course will cover common emergencies and first aid such as:

•Rescue breaths
•CPR – practise on a dog mannequin
•Bleeding
•Bandaging
•Shock

Read more or apply online:
http://www.animalemergency.com.au/pet-first-aid-course.html — at Animal Accident Emergency Point Cook.

 

Pets get diabetes as well

 

November: National Pet Diabetes Month

Did you know that 1 in every 200 cats may be affected by diabetes mellitus (DM)? November is National Diabetes Month, and while this month was originally designed to increase awareness of this common endocrine disease in humans, we need to be aware of the growing prevalence of DM in dogs and cats also. Untreated, diabetes mellitus can be fatal in dogs and cats. – See more at: http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/lifestyle/november-national-pet-diabetes-month#sthash.VTmsHDad.dpuf

www.animalemergency.com.au

Rusty diagnosed with Poymetra

 

Today we had the pleasure of discharging Rusty.  Rusty is a lovable energetic staffy who was transferred to our Point Cook 24hr Pet Emergency Centre  on Monday.  Rusty was diagnosed with a condition termed Pyometra.  Pyometra (Pyo for short) is where the uterus is full of fluid, usually with an infection / pus.

The infection makes the dogs feel really sick and in the worst cases can result in death.  With Rusty, the best option as part of the treatment was emergency surgery.

Late on Monday night, Rusty had exploratory surgery and her uterus was removed.  Since that time, Rusty has made a slow and steady recovery. The great news for Rusty and her owners is that she is now well enough to head home for some much needed TLC.

Good luck Rusty and we hope to see you back in a couple of days for a recheck.

 

The typical signs of dogs with a Pyo:

•  Usually older dogs
• Might have an unusual season or have been in season in the last 6 weeks
• Appear to be drinking more water than normal
• General lethargy / sickness
• Often are not wanting to eat or are vomiting

 

Intern Rounds at the Emergency Centre

This week our intern rounds will be focussing on Cardiovascular disease.  Cardiovascular disease covers a wide range of topics.  In this weeks rounds, our team covers some of the latest literature on heart disease.

Two of the papers that we will be exploring:

• Hypercoagulability in cats with cardiomyopathy. ( Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine  2008)
• Haskins S et al. The effect of moderate hypovolemia on cardiopulmonary function in dogs. Journal of Veterinary Emergency and Critical Care. 2005; 15(2):100-9

 

If you’re a local veterinarian and you would like to attend the rounds, please contact our Essendon 24hour Pet Emergency Centre for details (03) 9379 0700.

 

Gastric Dilation and Volvulus

Gastric Dilation and Volvulus
(Commonly known as bloat)

What is GDV?
Gastic dilation and Volvuous (GDV) is a true medical emergency. This is a condition where the stomach becomes distended and twisted upon itself. Twisting of the stomach causes an occlusion of the gut and associated blood supply. Consequently, affected tissue may die; this will cause serious, life threatening disease.

This condition requires immediate veterinary attention.

It is true that deep chested dog are generally predisposed to GDV (e.g. Great Dane, German Shepard, Irish Setter, Basset Hound, Doberman) but this does not mean that other dog breeds or dog sizes cannot be effected. It is also true that older dogs are at a higher risk of developing GDV; however, this has not been shown to affect their chances of survival.

GDV vs. Gastric dilation?
Occasionally, dogs of all sizes will experience gastric dilatation without volvulus – this is usually caused by gluttony. Although this condition is generally less harmful to your pet it does still require immediate veterinary attention.

So what will I notice at home?
Patients that experience either GDV or Gastic dilation will usually appear off colour, restless, painful, distended in the abdomen, they may have retching, with or without producing vomitus, panting, drooling and pale or bright red gums.

These symptoms usually progress, and develop suddenly. So if you believe your dog is showing any of the above signs they need to be seen by a vet as soon as possible.

What can I do from home?
It is likely that feeding two to three smaller meals two-three times daily, as compared to one large meal, may reduce the risk of developing GDV in your pet.

Providing a comforting environment to your pet is beneficial for many reasons. Stressful environments are likely to increase the incidence of GDV.

Dry dog feed diets high in fat may also be associated with an increased incidence of GDV, thus restricting these may be beneficial.

Restricting exercise after meals may aid in the prevention of GDV.

Feeding from an elevated position will increase the amount of air that your dog ingests with its meal. Increased amounts of air in the stomach is also likely to increase the risk of GDV developing.

Common misconceptions:
• My dog cannot get GDV, because it isn’t the right age, breed, sex, or size.
• My dog appears a little bloated in the abdomen but doesn’t appear too restless, I’ll wait and see how it does at home for the next hour.
• Someone other than a vet told me that my dog will be fine.
• My dog is quite old and wouldn’t survive surgery if required.

If you think your animal is showing any of the symptoms listed please seek veterinary advice immediately, regardless of the time of day. Remember, the best thing that can happen is a false alarm.

If you have any concerns please call one of our 24 hour Animal Hospitals at Essendon or Point Cook.

Pet Care: Limping or walking favouring one or two legs.

Limping (or lameness) can be caused by damage to muscle, bone or the central nervous system. The altered movement of the limbs may be in response to pain, altered nerve function or structural disruptions (such as not being able to fully bend a joint that has severe arthritis).

There can be a number of different causes for lameness which may relate to development, trauma, degeneration, inflammation, infection, nutrition and cancer.

Pain can be severe and result in little or no weight being taken by the limb (non-weight bearing, the leg is held off of the ground and the pet resists touching or movement of the painful region). If your pet is showing signs of severe pain, it should be examined without delay. Milder pain may result in reduced contact time of the foot with the ground or an adjustment to movement to avoid a painful position of the leg.

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen today, telephone our staff for advice.
Whatever the time of day, our 24 hour pet emergency clinics are able to examine your pet and make recommendations for treatment. Pain relief will be given and investigation may also be recommended. This is likely to be by means of an x-ray although some cases may require advanced imaging such as CT or MRI.

Melbourne’s 24 Hour Animal Hospital – Always Open We Always Care

Severe diarrhoea can cause dehydration, pets will require hospitalisation & treatment

Diarrhoea is the increased frequency, fluidity or volume of faeces (poo) associated with increased water content.  Acute diarrhoea is of short duration and can be self-limiting whilst chronic diarrhoea has been present for longer than three weeks.  There can be many causes for diarrhoea and some are more serious than others.

Some cases will be mild and have no impact on the rest of the body.  Severe diarrhoea can cause dehydration and pets will require hospitalisation for investigation and treatment.  Pets with severe diarrhoea, with or without vomiting or reduced eating and drinking, and those with blood in the diarrhoea should be seen for examination and treatment.  Very young animals can become dehydrated rapidly and they should be examined and treated early to prevent the dehydration from becoming severe.

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen today, telephone our staff for advice.  Whatever the time of day, our emergency clinics are able to examine your pet and make recommendations for treatment.  In some cases, investigation will also be recommended and this may be by means of blood and urine tests, x-rays and/or ultrasound examination of the abdomen.   These can all be performed in our clinics and depending on the test results, we will either prescribe appropriate medical therapy, recommend examination and management by our internal medicine specialist or advise surgical treatment.

When diarrhoea is non-responsive to medical treatment or has been intermittent but chronic, the emergency veterinarian or your local general practice will recommend investigation into the underlying cause by the internal medicine specialist. Again this is likely to involve faecal tests, blood and urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound examination of the abdomen, endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, surgery will either be recommended to complete the diagnostic testing or to treat the cause of the diarrhoea (for example removal of a partial blockage from the intestines).

Treatment recommendations will be made on the basis of the test results.  This may involve intravenous fluids if the patient is dehydrated, dietary changes and administration of medications (tablets or liquids to be given by mouth) or surgery.

 

Pet Emergency: Vomiting

 

 

Vomiting is the forceful ejection of stomach contents from the mouth.  Acute vomiting is defined as vomiting of short duration (less than 5-7 days) whilst chronic vomiting has been present for longer.  There can be many causes for vomiting and some are less serious than others.  Recovery from non-serious causes, such as eating a different diet, is usually fast and requires little treatment.  The presence of blood in the vomit, continued vomiting in a pet that is becoming quieter than usual or is unable to keep any food or water down will require examination and assessment.  Very young animals can become dehydrated very quickly and they should be examined and treated early to prevent the dehydration from becoming severe.

If you are unsure whether your pet needs to be seen today, telephone our staff for advice.  Whatever the time of day, our 24 hour emergency clinics are able to examine your pet and make recommendations for treatment.  In some cases, investigation will also be recommended and this may be by means of blood and urine tests, x-rays and/or ultrasound examination of the abdomen.   These can all be performed in our clinics and depending on the test results, we will either prescribe appropriate medical therapy, recommend examination and management by our internal medicine specialist or advise surgical treatment.

When vomiting is non-responsive to medical treatment or has been intermittent but chronic, the emergency veterinarian or your local general practice will recommend investigation into the underlying cause by the internal medicine specialist. Again this is likely to involve blood and urine tests, x-rays or ultrasound examination of the abdomen, endoscopy and biopsy of the stomach and intestines. In some cases, surgery will either be recommended to complete the diagnostic testing or to treat the cause of the vomiting (for example removal of a foreign object, such as a sock, from the intestines).

Treatment recommendations will be made on the basis of the test results.  This may involve intravenous fluids if the patient is dehydrated, dietary changes and administration of medications (tablets or liquids to be given by mouth) or surgery.

 

 

www.animalemergency.com.au