Information for the care and wellbeing of your Dog
Cases of snake bite are most common in the summer months. In the Tamworth area, Black, Brown & King Brown Snakes are common.
The effects of snake bite are caused by several toxins in the venom which have a variety effect on a dog. Neurotoxins cause paralysis, coagulants effect the clotting system, haemolysis destroy red blood cells, and myotoxins damage tissues.
The length of time for a dog to become ill after being bitten by a snake depends on many factors including:
This may take up to twenty four hours.
Dogs may show signs of:
An envenomated dog can collapse, but then seemingly recover. It might run around, looking reasonably normal for up to a few hours. These signs always indicate a lethal dose has been injected, and prompt treatment will be required.
If you suspect that your dog has been bitten, contact your vet immediately.
It is unusual to find the bite site, but if you find the wound on the dogs limb, bandage it firmly with a broad bandage.
Keep you dog quiet until you arrive at the vet hospital.
If the dog has killed the snake, bring it with you to allow accurate identification of the species.
Treatment of snake bites can be complex and expensive.
Affected dogs may receive:
Some may require animals require oxygen and artificial ventilation if the muscles responsible for breathing become paralysed.
Others may require blood transfusions if the snake’s venom has caused a bleeding disorder, or treatment for impaired kidney function.
Dogs can present with acute allergic facial swelling (urticaria) after being stung by a bee, or sometimes ants. Affected animals are regarded as emergencies since on occasion, the acute oedema is not only occurring in the face, but also the lungs. Prompt treatment is required.
Dental disease is as common a problem in dogs as it is in people. A common problem is periodontal disease. Tartar builds up and causes irritation of the gums around the base of the teeth. This leads to infection, and ultimately tooth loss.
Dry Dog Food as well as canine chews and other gnawing toys do reduce the amount of tartar accumulating on the teeth. However, once tartar has formed, professional cleaning under general anaesthetic is necessary to remove it.
If Tartar is allowed to remain on the teeth
Dog Teeth Cleaning
There are four steps in the process of cleaning, sealing, polishing, flushing and fluoride coating.
The dog will require general anaesthesia to allow the teeth to be clean thoroughly.
Tartar & Plaque accumulation can be minimised by regular feeding of raw bones and other products eg special foods. It's worthwhile discussing dental hygiene for your dog with your veterinary surgeon.
We have given our pets our nutritional diseases! In Australia, 41.5% of dogs are now classified as overweight or obese.
The causes of obesity are varied:
Other contributing factors are:
Obesity is a problem for the health and longevity of your dog.
Diseases associated with, or exacerbated by obesity include:
If you are having trouble preventing obesity in your adult dog through exercise alone, you might find a balanced diet beneficial.
Editors note: If your dog is too fat, you're not getting enough exercise!
Information above courtesy of South Tamworth Animal Hospital News Magazine
Most people hate very hot weather. Your Dog is no exception. This means in the very hot & humid weather we often have in summer, your dog may need some extra care.
As most people know, dogs expel heat by:
· Panting
· Drinking water
· Seeking cool and ventilated areas
Most of the time, the dog will be fine, but in the really hot weather, it may need some assistance.
Some potential problems are:
· dehydration
· heat stress
· heat stroke
· sunburn
On really hot days, it is advisable to check your dogs for symptoms. These include:
· excessive panting
· more salivation than normal
· vomiting
· distressed behaviour
· diarrhoea
To help prevent heat problems with your dog:
· never leave dog in alone in a car, even if the windows are down
· exercise your dog late in the evening, or early in the morning in the coolest part of the day
· provide plenty of shade and water
If you suspect that you dog has heat stroke, you need to see a vet as soon as possible.
One good thing about dogs is that they’re not especially finicky. One bad thing is that they’ll eat just about anything. Unfortunately, that can include foods or other substances that may be potentially toxic. Experts urge you to understand that virtually any substance can be toxic if consumed constantly or at high dosage. Even if no adverse effects are immediately seen, that does not mean a certain substance is safe.
The following lists some of the substances for which there is credible evidence of toxicity at dosages your pet could conceivably consume:
· Alcoholic Beverages can cause gastrointestinal irritation, drunkenness, tremors, difficult breathing and/or panting, coma and even death;
· Avocados can result in respiratory distress and the accumulation of fluid around the heart;
· Chocolate can cause vomiting, diarrhoea, seizures, hyperactivity and increased thirst, urination and heart rate can be seen with the ingestion of as little as ¼ ounce of baking chocolate by a 10-pound dog;
· Coffee, including the grounds and beans, can cause the same symptoms as chocolate;
· Tomato - fruit is not a problem in moderation, the leaves, stem and unripe fruit are. Ingestion of these can cause GI upset, excess salivation, drowsiness, dilated pupils, and weakness. The same symptoms can be seen with the ingestion of any green plant parts of the potato and many household plants;
· Xylitol Sweetener in candies and gum can also cause a fairly sudden drop in blood sugar, resulting in depression and seizures;
· Yeast Dough can be double trouble in that as it rises, the dough can expand the GI tract, possibly causing the intestine to rupture. The yeast can also form alcohol as it rises, leading to alcohol poisoning;
Antifreeze, Cleaning Products and all household chemicals and drugs should be kept out of reach of pets. Some of these substances—such as antifreeze—actually taste good to pets and can cause serious illness and death.
Experts further advise to use caution with spicy foods, cooked bones, singular supplements and virtually any commercial product fed continuously. Again, the principle to keep in mind is that variety is the spice of health. Since anything can potentially be toxic if fed in excess, varying the diet is the best safeguard. Even so-called 100% complete commercial diets have caused serious illness and death when fed exclusively.
If you think your pet may have ingested a potentially poisonous substance, immediately call your veterinarian. Be sure to let them know what he has eaten and how much, the estimated time of ingestion, if you know it, and any problems he is experiencing.