Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

Tips to Keep Your Pets Cool in Summer

1. Put our extra bowls of water in case one is accidentally tipped over.
2. Ice cubes in water bowls.
3. Use shade cloths or outdoor umbrellas to create extra shade.
4. Takeaway containers filled with beef/chicken stock, frozen overnight and given to outdoor animals.
5. Paddling pools filled with water.
6. Walk your dog in the early morning or late evening to avoid the heat of the day.
7. Let your outdoor animals come inside and share the air conditioning.

 

Know the Signs of Heat Stress:

• Panting
• Restlessness
• Dehydration
• Excessive drooling
• Gum colour may become brick red, then purple or blue
• Increased body temperature
• Distress breathing
• Increased heart rate
• Vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Black, tarry stools
• Mental status changes
• Muscle tremors
• Wobbly, weakness, staggering, unable to walk
• Seizures,
• Coma
• Death

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

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

Pyometra can be fatal if left untreated

What is Pyometra?

Pyometra is a severe uterine infection, causing inflammation and the accumulation of pus in the uterus, which occurs in entire female dogs and cats and can happen at any age. However, there is a higher chance of it occurring in older animals, especially when they go through several estrus cycles (heat) without becoming pregnant, as the changes to the uterine wall can further promote the disease. Pyometra is a highly seriously condition that requires immediate and aggressive emergency pet care at a 24 hour vet clinic. If left untreated, pyometra can be fatal.

Pyometra is the result of bacteria gaining access to the uterus through the cervix, which is normally tightly closed except for when the animal is in season. When pregnancy does not occur during the heat cycle, especially for multiple cycles, the lining of the uterus begins to thicken and will keep doing so each cycle, which will often result in cysts forming. When the uterus is normal, the invading bacteria are easily eradicated. However, when the uterus becomes thickened and cystic, it creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive, which leads to infection and the animal becoming seriously ill.

 

The clinical signs of pyometra will generally show between 6-8 weeks after heat, but the signs vary depending on the type of the disease that is present. There are two types of pyometra:

• Open pyometra – meaning the cervix is open and pus can drain from the uterus, creating an obvious vaginal discharge
• Closed pyometra – meaning the cervix is closed and not allowing pus to drain, making it more difficult to diagnose

The main clinical signs that pet owners need to be aware of are:

• Increased drinking and urination
• Lethargy and depression
• Vomiting and diarrhoea
• Fever
• Vaginal discharge (Open pyometra only)
• Frequent licking/cleaning of vaginal area (Open pyometra only)

If pet owners ever notice their animal displaying any of these signs, they need to contact a 24hr veterinarian immediately, as deterioration can occur very rapidly.

Animals that are brought in early may only display slight vaginal discharge and no other clinical signs. However, most pets are brought in when the disease is more advanced and showing additional signs. In order to diagnose pyometra, 24hr emergency vets will need to examine the pet’s medical history and perform a physical examination and diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, ultrasounds and blood tests.

The main treatment for pyometra is to firstly stabilise the pet with IV fluids and pain relief, and then surgically remove the infected uterus. The surgery is very similar to a routine spey (ovariohysterectomy) and has a high success rate if animals are brought in early. However, it is often more complicated due to the pus in the uterus causing risk of further infection in the abdomen (peritonitis).

After surgery, pets will need to remain in a 24 hour pet hospital for several days for ongoing monitoring and intensive care. After this time, pets will then be sent home with pain relief and antibiotics and will need to rest for a few days and be closely monitored. They will also require a follow up appointment at the veterinary clinic in 10-14 days to remove the sutures.

The alternative treatment of pyometra is a medical approach, but this is rarely recommended due to being quite complex and having a high chance of nasty side-effects occurring. The medical treatment also has a low success rate and pyometra is likely to occur again after the pet’s next season.

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 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

Marijuana Toxicity in Pets: The Green Stuff, the Dream Stuff

The CARE your pet requires

Marijuana is one of the most commonly used recreational drugs worldwide and is also known by a variety of other names such as ‘weed’ and ‘pot’. Marijuana comes from the plant Cannabis sativa and the term ‘marijuana’ refers to the various parts of the plant such as the stems, leaves, seeds and flowers.

Apart from its use as a recreational drug, there is active ongoing research into the potential medicinal uses of marijuana for the management of conditions in humans such as chronic pain and multiple sclerosis. In fact, marijuana has already been approved for medical use in some places around the world. Unsurprisingly, the increased use of marijuana in humans has also resulted in an increasing number of animals being presented to veterinary clinics suffering from marijuana toxicity after accidental exposure to marijuana products.

This article will describe the common methods of intoxication and clinical signs seen in patients. We hope that readers will be able to better recognise early signs of intoxication and seek early medical intervention for their pets in the event of intoxication. If you believe your pet has ingested a drug, you need to contact our 24 hour vet Melbourne.

Commonly Encountered Forms of Marijuana

• Unprocessed plant parts (leaves, stems, flowers, seeds)
• Marijuana or hash cookies, brownies, candy
• Marijuana (THC) in butter
• Marijuana in cigarettes or ‘joints’
• Marijuana in modified pipes or ‘bongs’

Why is marijuana toxic?

The major active component in marijuana is delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and can be found in varying levels throughout the different parts of the plant. Intoxication may occur via various means such as ingestion of a marijuana product (most common) and inhalation of toxic smoke. Once absorbed, THC is rapidly distributed around the body and exerts its toxic effects by binding to specific receptors within the brain and the rest of the body. While the effects of THC are yet to be fully determined, studies have found that clinical signs are related to the amount of marijuana ingested, and intoxicated animals often present with signs such as altered mentation or gastrointestinal signs such as vomiting.

• Depression, tremors, coma
• Ataxia (unstable gait/walk)
• Disorientation/Hyperexcitability
• Hypersalivation

 

Cardiovascular Signs

• Bradycardia (Slow heart rate)
• Tachycardia (Rapid heart rate)

 

Metabolic Changes

• Hyperthermia (High body temperature)
• Hypothermia (Low body temperature)

 

Gastrointestinal Signs

• Vomiting

 

Making a diagnosis

A diagnosis can usually be made based on history provided by owners, known or witnessed ingestion of marijuana and suggestive clinical signs. However, in the event where there is no known exposure, a presumptive diagnosis can still be made based on clinical signs and resolution of clinical signs after treatment. However, a definitive diagnosis can be obtained from analysis of stomach content or urine of affected animal if required. Our pet hospitals stock urine identification tests that aid in the diagnosis.

Treatment

There is currently no specific antidote for THC toxicity. Treatment consists of supportive care and symptomatic therapy. Most pets will need to be admitted to our veterinary hospital.

In cases that present acutely after ingestion, decontamination via the induction of emesis (vomiting) may be attempted if patients are still conscious and alert. In severe cases however, patients may present comatose and as such would require more aggressive measures such as gastric lavage (emptying) and enemas (manual emptying of rectal contents) to achieve rapid removal of marijuana from the body.

In addition, other supportive measures such as activated charcoal, muscle relaxants, ventilatory support (via the provision of oxygen), intravenous lipid administration and constant monitoring of the patient’s body temperature may also be required. Our Emergency Centres are open 24 hours / 7 days a week. Our intensive CARE units always have emergency vets on shift.

Prognosis

The prognosis for affected patients is generally optimistic. The majority of cases tend to recover within 5 days with no long-term adverse effects.

In severe cases however, recovery may be prolonged and complications such as death has been reported in cases of marijuana butter ingestion.

My pet has eaten marijuana! What should I do?

• Stay calm and seek immediate veterinary attention for your pet
• Give an honest history to your veterinarian, all details provided to us are kept strictly confidential
• Do not attempt to induce vomiting or treatment at home

• Making an unconscious animal vomit may cause it to aspirate the vomit and result in secondary aspiration pneumonia
• Intoxicated animals can have an altered mentation and turn violent or aggressive without warning and cause serious injury to both itself and you
• Attempting home treatment wastes valuable treatment time and prolongs the duration of your pet’s exposure to THC and increases the risk of potential complications

 

 

If you have any questions, please phone our emergency centres: Essendon 03 9379 0700 or Point Cook 8368 7400.

Our Centres are for Animal Referral and Emergency.

We are Always Open, We Always Care

 

References

1. Meola SD, Tearney CC, Hass SA et al. Evaluation of trends in marijuana toxicosis in dogs living in a state with legalized medical marijuana: 125 dogs (2005-2010). JVECC 2012;22(6): 690-696.
2. Fitzgerald KT, Bronstein AC, Newquist KL. Marijuana poisoning. Topics in Companion Animal Medicine 2013: 8-12.
3. Osweiler GD, Hovda LR, Brulag AG et al. Marijuana. In: Osweiler GD, Hovda LR, Brutlag AG et al (eds). Blackwell’s Five-Minute veterinary Consult – Clinical Companion: Small Animal Toxicology. Blackwell Publishing Ltd, Iowa, 2011: 224-229.
4. Volmer PA. Recreational Drugs. In: Peterson ME, Talcott PA (eds). Small Animal Toxicology. 2^nd Edn. Elsevier Saunders, Missouri, 2006: 293-295.

Animal Accident Emergency

Animal Accident & Emergency is open 24 hours per day 7 days a week at two great locations: Essendon Fields 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.

Being an animal emergency centre, our vets and nurses are expertly trained to deal with all animal accidents and emergencies such as hit by car, dog attacks, snake bite, poisonings, acute vomiting and general illness. A large number of our vets have completed postgraduate training in the field. Our team includes Specialists in Internal Medicine and Emergency and Critical Care.

Our Emergency Centres are fully staffed to see any animal accident and emergency patients 24 hours per day 7 days a week, including weekends and public holidays, and no appointment is needed.

Always Open – We Always CARE

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

Hot Weather Warning

The temperature today is likely to reach 35 degrees C or higher. The sun is a fantastic welcome to us in Melbourne but we do see heat related disease at our 24 Hour Pet Emergency Hospitals / Animal Hospitals. Here are some very simple tips:

• Avoid exercising when the temperature is high
• Make sure your pets have plenty of shade
• Make sure there is ample water that your pet cannot tip over
• Only exercise your pet in this weather if they are fit and active
• Kiddies pools can work well to help your pets keep cool
• Hosing your pets can keep them cool
• Freezing there food or ice cubes in water as a treat

Heat stress is a serious disease and we treat pets for it with each heat wave. Some pets are more prone to heat stress:

• Dogs with short noses – pugs, bulldogs, staffys etc.
• Dogs with chronic problems – arthritis, kidney disease, overweight, diabetes, are just some examples.
• Fire works on hot nights is a big cause of heat stress

If your pet is suffering heat stress, then we need to see your pet as soon as possible.
• Cool them down with fans and water
• Phone us
• Drive to our emergency centres as safe as possible.

Here is a great article that explains heat stress in more detail:

http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/lifestyle/keep-your-dog-cool-summer-heat-stroke-part-i

http://www.pethealthnetwork.com/lifestyle/keep-your-dog-cool-summer-heat-stroke-part-ii

 

www.animalemergency.com.au

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