Pet Safety Tips for Halloween – Emergency Vet Care

In Australia, Halloween is getting bigger and bigger every year. With the cultural impact growing it’s a good idea to consider some safety issues for your pet.

**Trick-or-treat candies are not for pets
Chocolate in all forms, especially dark or baking chocolate can be very dangerous for dogs and cats. Even non-chocolate candy is dangerous, as it may contain, xylitol, an artificial sweetener that can cause a sudden drop in blood sugar and seizures.

**Take caution with your pet’s costume
Don’t dress your pet in a costume unless you know they’ll love it. Make sure it fits properly and is comfortable, doesn’t have any pieces that can easily be chewed off, and doesn’t interfere with your pet’s sight, hearing, breathing, opening its mouth, or moving.

**Don’t leave pets out in the yard on Halloween.
Dog and cat owners should consider keeping their pets in a secure location during the celebrations. Too many strangers can be scary and stressful for pets. Loud excited kids dressed in unusual costumes can freak out pets. Dogs are especially territorial and may become anxious.

**Keep away from decorations
Keep lit candles out of reach of pets. Carved pumpkins or candles are very easily knocked over causing a fire hazard or burns.

**Make sure your pet has ID
There has been an increasing number of pets going missing on Halloween, ensure your pet has an identifying tag, engraved with your phone number. Having the proper identification will increase the chances that they will be returned.

If you have any pet safety concerns please call your local vet or one of 24-hour Pet Emergency Centres:

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

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

Pets and Paralysis Tick – Holiday Dangers

Holidays and Pets

One of the most common problems people face when travelling with pets is the Paralysis Tick. The paralysis tick is a small creature that grows to the size of a pea. In Australia we have some very dangerous species that can cause paralysis and death in our pets. They are most common where there is humidity. The Eastern coast of Australia is a common place to find theses ticks. As well as East Gippland in Victoria.

The ticks live on grass and then attach themselves when pets brush by. Signs can start within hours. Some dogs are resistant to the ticks but most dogs will start to show the following signs within 1-2 days:
• Trouble walking
• Panting or trouble breathing
• Vomiting
• Altered bark / voice
• Eventual paralysis and death
Paralysis tick from Wikipedia
The biggest cause of death is due to either paralysis of the chest muscles or from chocking on vomit (aspiration).
There is treatment: We stock an anti-tick toxin that helps to neutralise the tick venom. They do require 24 Hr Hospital care and some will require Intensive Care or Life Support.
There are several products that can help prevent ticks paralysis. If you are travelling then start these products well before you go or check with vets in the local area to find out what they recommend works best.
If your pet is unwell and you have been to a tick area, then you need to be seen. Our 24Hr Emergency Centres are one of few places in Melbourne that stock the lifesaving anti-tick toxin.
24hr help always available. Our Emergency Centres are open everyday. Let us Care for your pet it deserves the best.

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.

 

http://www.animalemergency.com.au/contact-us-1.html