Pet Health Archives - Paw Prints

Doxycycline for Cats and Dogs – What is it?

December 13, 2016 Leave a Comment

Doxycycline is a semi-synthetic antibiotic derived from oxytetracycline. As with all members of the tetracycline family, doxycycline is essentially bacteriostatic.

This means that rather than killing susceptible bacteria and certain other microbes, it inhibits bacterial growth by interfering with protein synthesis and thus microbial reproduction.

Doxycycline and other tetracyclines are effective against many species of microorganisms.

These include Chlamydia species that cause specific ailments in cats and dogs, Haemobartonella, Bartonella, and the rickettsiae, one of whose members causes Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever.

Although bacteriostatic agents tend to work slightly slower than bactericidal drugs that actually kill bacteria, the time of response to treatment with doxycycline depends on the condition being treated.

For example, if patients are acutely lame with fever due to a rickettsial infection, many patients are better in 48 to 72 hours after commencing treatment with doxycycline.

Doxycycline also has anti-inflammatory properties that are separate from its antibiotic or antimicrobial properties, so it is possible for a cat or dog treated with doxycycline for lameness to improve without a specific infection present.

Nausea and vomiting are the most common side effects of doxycycline in cats and dogs.

Administering this drug with food helps prevent or improve these adverse effects. Diarrhea is not uncommon, but occurs less than with other tetracyclines.

Since the tetracycline drugs can retard fetal development and discolor tooth enamel, doxycycline should be avoided in pregnant animals, nursing mothers, or puppies or kittens younger than six months of age, unless absolutely necessary.

Doxycycline, unlike other tetracyclines, appears safe to use in animals with renal problems.

Generally the drug is quite safe: reports of photosensitization, skin eruptions and liver toxicity are uncommon.

Glossary of Pet Medical Terms

November 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

A

ABCESS- bacterial pus-filled pocket caused by bite, scratch, wound. Should be drained & on antibiotics to clear infection, fever.

ABRASION – scraped skin surface

ACTH – adrenal gland test – pituitary gland stimulates adrenal gland to product cortisone-like hormones

ACUPUNCTURE – ancient oriental system of medicine w/needles inserted into body areas to heal

ADDISON’S DISEASE – disease of fatigue, low blood pressure, affected by malfunction of adrenal gland

ADENOVIRUS – respiratory infection like a cold

ADHESION – abnormal sticking together of tissues, i.e. ruptured abscess; surgical procedure in abdomen or chest

ADRENAL GLAND – gland producing adrenaline & cortisone

ADRENALINE – epinephrine hormone produced in adrenal gland

ALOPECIA – loss of hair

ANAL GLAND – small glands on either side of rectum, fill w/fecal matter and when full are squeezed by fecal movement, scooting across floor. Infection or impaction occurs when sac cannot be drained naturally and must be surgical opened or removed.

ANEMIA – decrease in red blood cells

ANESTHESIA – isofluorane (aerrane) used at CAH-pet goes under fast and comes up fast- monitored throughout w/respiratory monitor.

ANGINA – pressure of suffocating, strangulation

ANOREXIA – loss of appetite

APNEA – temporary cessation of breathing

ARRHYTHMIA – abnormal heartbeat

ASCARIDS – round worms – live in intestines

ASPIRATE- draw out fluid from under skin, nasal, etc. in body; suction

ASPIRIN – Do NOT tell clients to give – only can be told by a vet

ASTHMA- difficult breathing, wheezing

ATAXIA – loss of muscle coordination

ATROPHY – shrinking of normal organ or tissue

AUTO-IMMUNE – unable to create immunity to disease

AVID MICROCHIP – tiny microchip implanted under skin to ID a pet if it is lost. Number scans on electronic scanner

B

BENIGN – mild, not cancerous

BILE – yellow fluid produced in liver – important to absorb fats, make the intestines alkaline

BILIRUBIN – pigment of bile – lab test determines function of liver

BLOOD PROFILE – blood chemistry to test function of organs, body parts and blood components. Includes glucose, total protein, calcium, cholesterol, sodium, potassium, chloride, kidney & liver functions, etc.

BORDETELLA – kennel cough

BRONCHITIS – inflammation of lining of lungs

C

CALICIVIRUS – feline respiratory disease- affects ulceration’s in mouth

CASTRATION – removal of testes in males

CAUTERY – apply heat to destroy or seal bleeding tissue

CERVICAL – pertaining to neck region

CHEMOTHERAPY – treatment of cancer with chemical drugs

CHLAMYDIA – feline respiratory disease

CHRONIC – long term disease, illness

COAGULATION TEST – time it takes for blood to clot

COCCIDIA – bacterial parasite found in stool

COLITIS- inflammation of large bowel (intestine)

CONGENITAL – present at birth

CONJUNCTIVITIS – thin membrane(film) over eye

CONTACT DERMATITIS – skin eruption, redness, inflamed skin

COOMBS TEST – test for allergic disease to own body

CORONA – intestinal virus of dogs. Symptoms – extreme vomiting & diarrhea

CROSS MATCH – test for compatibility for transfusion

CRYPTORCHID – testes not descended from abdominal cavity

CUSHING DISEASE – excessive cortisone output of adrenal gland due to adrenal gland malfunction

CYANOSIS – blue tinge of skin, mucous membranes by lack of oxygen

CYTOLOGY – study of cell structure and functions

D

DEBRIDE – cleaning wound, remove dead tissue

DECIDUOUS – baby teeth, canine tooth

DECLAW – removal of feline claws. CAH does only front paws

DEWCLAW – claw on side of paw

DEHYDRATION – drying out, loss of body fluid

DERMATITIS – inflammation of skin (eczma), i.e. skin allergies

DEXTROSE – sugar

DISC DISEASE – neuro disease causing pain; paralysis

DORSAL – back

DUODENUM – first part of the small intestine

DYSPEPSIA – disturbed digestion

DYSPNEA – heart or lung difficulty in breathing

DYSURIA – painful, difficult urination

E

ECTROPION – eyelid turns out

ECZMA – inflamed skin

EDEMA – fluid swelling of tissues

EEG – brain-wave activity test

EKG – heart activity test

EMBOLISM – obstruction of blood vessel

ENCEPHALITIS – inflammation on brain

ENTERITIS – inflammation of intestine

ENUCLEATION – removal of eyeball

EPIPHERA – chronic tearing of eyes

ERYTHEMA – redness of skin

EXCISE – to cut out

EXPECTORANT – softens bronchial distress

F

FELV – virus affecting white blood cells, causing cancerous tumors, lesions

FIBROIDS – tumor of uterus

FILARIASIS – threadlike worms

FIP – virus w/swollen abdomen, affects circulatory system, breathing & nervous system difficulty

FISSURE – break in skin

FLATULENCE – gas

FLORA – bacteria in intestine

FUSION – union, merging together

FVRCP – feline vaccine covering the following respiratory diseases a cat can get. (Rhinotracheitis, Caliccivirus, Paneleukopenia)

G

GRAND-MAL – severe seizure

G.I. – gastro intestinal

H

HEARTWORM – worms living in the heart, transmitted by mosquitoes

HEATSTROKE – serious reaction to exposure to extreme heat, high temp.

HEMATOMA – blood swelling in ear (cauliflower ear)

HEMATACRIT – percentage of red cells in whole blood

HEMATURIA – blood in urine

HEMOGLOBIN – coloring matter of red cells in blood

HEMOLYSIS – breakdown of red blood cells

HEMORRHAGE – bleeding

HEPATITIS – disease of the liver

HERNIA – protrusion of organ part through weak tissue of that organ

HOOKWORM – parasites of the intestines; they suck blood off intestinal walls

HYPERPLASIA – overgrowth of organ or tissue

HYPERTENSION – high blood pressure (opposite – Hypo)

HYPERTHYROIDISM – overactivity of thyroid gland

HYPODERMIC – under the skin

HYPOGLYCEMIA – low blood sugar

HYPOTENSION – low blood pressure

I, J, K

IAD -inhalant allergy disease

ICTERUS – jaundice

IDIOPATHIC – unknown causes

ILEITIS – inflamed ileum (small intestine)

IMPACTED – lodged in place

INCISORS – cutting teeth

INCONTINENCE – cannot restrain feces or urine

IRRIGATION – washing out

KERATITIS – inflamed cornea

L

LACERATION – wound, tearing of tissue

LACRIMAL – tears

LAPAROTOMY – opening abdomen

LARYNGECTOMY – surgical removal of larynx

LARYNGOSCOPE – endoscope on throat

LAVAGE – wash out stomach

LEPTOSPIROSIS – canine virus causing jaundice

LESION- scratch, abscess, injury altering tissues

LEUKEMIA – feline cancer of the blood by increased WBC(white cells)

LEUKOCYTES – white blood cells

LIGATE – tie up

LIPOMA – fatty tumor

LUMBAR – mid spine

LYME DISEASE – joint disease caused by tick bite

LYMPHOMA – lymph gland cancer

M, N

MALAISE – listless, depression

MALIGNANT – life threatening ; cancerous

MASTITIS – inflamed breasts

MELANOMA – dark color mole

METASTASIS – spread of the disease; cancerous

MYELITIS – inflammation of spinal cord

MYOCARDITIS – inflammation of heart muscle

NARES – nostrils

NECROPSY – autopsy

NECROSIS – death to a portion of a tissue

NEOPLASM – abnormal new growth

NEPHRITIS – inflammation of kidney

NEURALGIA – nerve pain

NEURITIS – inflammation of nerve

O

OCCLUSION – close or shut off blood vessel, meeting of upper & lower teeth

OCCULT – hidden, not seen

OCULAR – pertaining to eye

ONCOLOGY – study of tumors

OPHTHALMIC – pertaining to eye

OPIATES – narcotics

ORTHOPEDIC – bones, joints, muscles, tendons

OSTEITIS – inflammation of bones

OSTEOCONDRITIS – inflammation of bones & cartilage

OTIS – inflammation of ear

P

PALPATION – feeling or manipulation of a particular area of body

PAPILLA -pimple

PARESIS – slight paralysis

PARVO – contagious canine virus causing severe bloody diarrhea & vomiting

PERIODONTAL – inflammation of gums

PLEURA – membrane of the lung

POLYPHAGIA – excessive eating

POLYDIPSIA – excessive thirst

POLYURIA – excessive urination

POST PARTUM – post birth

PRURITIS – severe itching/scratching

PYODERMA – skin infection with pustules

Q, R

RABIES – fatal zoonotic disease

RENAL CARE – kidney care

RHINITIS – inflamed nasal area

RHINOTRACHEITIS – feline virus like a cold ; respiratory/nasal area

RINGWORM – fungal skin disease

RODENT ULCER – skin disease of cats – recurrent

ROUNDWORM – intestinal parasites

S

SEBACEOUS – benign cyst

SEBORRHEA – dandruff, acne, skin disorder

SEPTICEMIA – generalized internal infection

SHOCK – loss of blood volume causing severe weakness

SPONDYLITIS – inflammation of vertebrae

STASIS – stagnation

STENOSIS – constriction, narrowing

SUB Q (SUBCUTANEOUS) – beneath the skin

SYNCOPE – fainting

T, U, V

TACHYCARDIA – rapid heartbeat

THORAX – chest

THROMBOSIS – clot in a blood vessel

TOXIN – poisonous substance in cells

TYLENOL – DO NOT GIVE TO PETS – is poisonous to pets

ULTRASOUND – sound waves(echoes) to locate organs, tumors, and enlargements by instrument

URINALYSIS – test performed on urine sample to detect blood, infection, glucose, etc.

VASCULAR – pertaining to blood vessels

VENTRAL – bellyside

VESTIBULAR – part of the ear allowing balance/coordination

VISCID – sticky, thick

W, X, Y, Z

WBC – white blood cell count

WHIPWORM- intestinal parasites

WOOD’S LIGHT (LAMP) – device to check for ringworm

XANTHOSIS – yellow skin

ZOONOSES – diseases of animals transmitted to humans

Shape Up With Your Pet This Year

November 12, 2016 Leave a Comment

Cookies, cakes, candies. Five, ten, fifteen pounds. If this sounds like your holiday season, you may be thinking of lacing up those running shoes or dusting off that bike seat as a New Year’s commitment to exercise more.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) asks that you also start your pet on an exercise routine.

Dogs, and even cats, need exercise too; and there’s no better time for both of you to start than now.

Many dogs are weekend athletes. After a long week, it’s their chance to get out and burn off energy.

Because of their enthusiasm, many of the popular breeds such as Labrador Retrievers and Golden Retrievers, will overdo it.

Unfortunately, veterinarians find that weekend warriors suffer more orthopedic injuries.”The most common athletic injury is the rupture of ligaments in the knee joints, similar to what skiers and basketball players experience,” says Columbia Animal Hospital veterinarian, Dr. David Tayman.

“This is caused by sudden twists or sharp change in direction often from playing Frisbee or catch.”

“Field trial dogs, like Black Labs, Yellow Labs, and Golden Retrievers, usually have a lot of energy and big attitudes,” says Dr. Tayman. “Plus, some of these dogs have degenerative joint disease such as hip dysplasia and elbow problems.

Too much exercise too young may contribute to arthritis.”

Dr. Tayman advises owners to be more careful with animals that have more drive and will.

Avoid the type of activity that encourages turning abruptly and landing; and offer more opportunities to walk, run, or even swim.

The Columbia Animal Hospital staff recommends starting younger and middle-aged dogs on a moderate program of walking 10 to 15 minutes once or twice a day, and stepping it up to one hour a day as time permits.

If you’re too busy to walk your dog every day, hire a high school student, a 4-H member, a pet-sitter, or senior volunteer to do it for you.

“Running is good exercise too, but its hard on the animals who run five miles on concrete,” says Dr. Tayman. “Take your dog on a hiking trail or other soft surface to run.”

And remember not to overdo it in the beginning. A novice runner wouldn’t run five miles the first day out. So don’t expect that of your pet.

If you’re starting an exercise program for an older dog, consider having him examined by a veterinarian first.

Your pet’s doctor will look at his health history, listen to his heart, check for weight gain, and possibly do blood work.

Toy dogs, like Maltese and Chihuahuas, that usually don’t go for strenuous activity can be trained to be outdoor dogs, said Dr. Tayman.

An there may be hope for that fat cat who just sits on your lap.

Try changing the cat’s diet to one that’s calorie restricted, and introduce some physical activity such as playing with string or chasing the cat up stairs.

Weight problems often go hand-in-hand with inactive lifestyles.

Carrying a heavier load can increase the likelihood of tearing ligaments and wearing down joints. When that happens, an animal won’t want to exercise which further adds to the weight problem.

This is especially a problem with older dogs.

Dr. Tayman suggests starting an overweight dog on a 15-minute walk once a day and decrease the amount of food.

Diet is important so don’t feed table scraps and extras.

Your pet doesn’t have to eat a lot of holiday treats to begin an exercise program.

So start the year off right with an exercise routine that will make the year healthier and brighter for both of you.

Pond Parasites in Dogs and Cats – What You NEED To Know

November 11, 2016 Leave a Comment

Dogs and humans are susceptible to a variety of water-borne parasites.

Luckily for dogs, most of these parasites cannot readily invade a dog’s body unless it eats an aquatic animal.

When a dog eats a fish, frog, or crustacean such as a crayfish, the parasites within that animal invade the dog’s intestines, lungs, or tissue under the skin.

One example of a parasitic worm is the Dracunculus insignis, a roundworm that is carried by raccoons and other wild mammals and readily infects domestic dogs.

Dracunculus’ life cycle begins when an adult female living in the skin tissue of a raccoon, dog, or other mammal, senses that its host’s skin is wet. At this point, the Dracunculus pushes through the animal’s skin and releases larvae into the water.

When all of the larvae are released, the female dies inside the mammal’s skin.

Once in the water, the larvae are eaten by a tiny shrimplike animal called a copepod. Your dog can become infected when he or she drinks water containing these larvae-bearing copepods.

The ingested larvae mature and eventually make their way to the tissue beneath your dog’s skin.

The common symptom of Dracunculus infection is an ulcerous wound on the dog’s skin that is created when the female pushes through the skin to release the larvae.

These wounds can become infected, but the infection can be cleared up by means of the surgical removal of the adult female worm.

Another parasite known as the flatworm, which includes flukes and tapeworms, can also infect your dog when it ingests aquatic animals. Some common flukes that can infect North American dogs are:

1. Paragonimus kellicotti – These flukes are passed to dogs when the eat crayfish. Once ingested, Paragonimus make their way from your dog’s stomach to its lung tissue, where the worms lay eggs. The eggs move up the dog’s respiratory passages and are swallowed; eventually they are passed through feces. Having just a few of these flukes flukes will not bother a dog. However, a heavy infestation can cause chronic coughing or gagging and a loss of body weight.

2. Nanophyetus salmincola – This fluke, common to the Pacific Northwest, causes “salmon poisoning” in dogs. Dogs contract this disease from eating salmon that carry Nanophyetus larvae. This type of fluke, which live in the intestines, do not cause any sickness. But a bacterium called Neorickettsia helminthoeca, which lives inside the fluke, causes salmon poisoning. Symptoms of salmon poisoning include high fever, appetite loss, or depression.

3. Alaria is an intestinal fluke that can infect dogs. Alaria create few, if any, clinical signs unless there is a heavy infection. Dogs contract this parasite when they eat any number of aquatic animals, such as frogs, tadpoles, or snakes.

4. Most tapeworms usually infect dogs when they ingest fleas or nonaquatic animals. But in the case of the tapeworm Diphyllobothrium latum, your dog becomes infected by eating a fish that is infected with larval tapeworms.

Diphyllobothrium adults can grow up to 30 feet in length.

Their eggs are released into water through the feces of an infected dog, fox, mink, or even bear.

The eggs are ingested by copepods, which are eaten by small fish. Diphyllobothrium larvae live within the muscles of fish and are passed up the food chain from fish to fish until they are eaten by a mammal, where they mature in the digestive system and lay eggs that are passed through the feces.

Drug therapy is the most common treatment used by veterinarians to control worm and fluke infections. The most popular drug for tapeworms and flukes is Praziquantel, marketed as Droncit by Bayer Corp.

It is possible for a dog to drink pond, lake, or stream water and also swallow the infective stages of two protozoan species: Giardia or Cryptosporidium parvum.

Information on the frequency of these infections in dogs is unclear.

Dogs usually become infected by eating something contaminated by feces from an infected animal.

Dogs may become infected and show no clinical signs or may only have diarrhea.

Drugs such as Flagyl (metronidazole) or Panacur (fenbendazole) can be used to treat Giardia infections.

There are currently no drugs approved for treating Cryptosporidium infections in dogs.

Emergency Care for Your Pet

November 10, 2016 Leave a Comment

Travel First Aid Kit for Pets

Suggestion: Find a waterproof container for the items’ storage; heavy-duty plastic bags or a lunch box may do for smaller kits, but be sure to mark “FIRST AID” on all sides.

Someone else may have to look for it. When treating always remember- a stressed pet may bite or claw so use caution.

Also see Cat First Aid – Be Prepared For ANYTHING!

Animal Poison Control-800 548 2423

Pet First Aid Kit

Small Kit Items

1. Ace bandage

2. Adhesive foam (cushion foot pads before bandaging)

3. Antiseptic towelettes

4. Aspirin (baby) (2 for adults, 1 for puppies)

5. Bacitracin or similar antibiotic ointment 6. Baggies (zip- & tie-close; small & large sized. Can be used for specimen collecting and storage.)

7. Benadryl (sealed pills)

8. Cotton balls

9. Cotton wrap 10. Gauze (2″ or 3″; sterile)

11. Gauze pads (3×3 or 4×4; sterile)

12. Imodium A-D or Pepto Bismol

13. Petroleum jelly (Vaseline)

14. Razorblade/safety razor (use for cutting thick materials or area of dog’s hair)

15. Salt for emetic

16. Scissors w/round ends

17. Soap (Neutrogena & germicidal)

18. Sock

19. Sunblock (for nose or light skin) 20. Tape, plastic first aid

21. Thermometer (bulb)

22. Tweezers

23. Vetwrap or gauze tape (for people; adheres to itself, -$$)

24. Water, sterilized

Large Kit items:

25. Blanket

26. Burn cream

27. Calming drops, homeopathic*

28. Charcoal tablets for rat poisoning

29. Cold pack, instant

30. Eye drops

31. Forceps, surgical** 32. Hemostats**

33. Hydrocortisone (1%) acetate cream

34. Hydrogen peroxide

35. Ipecac syrup

36. Muzzle 37. Penlight, high intensity

38. Sting-kill swabs

39. Syringe (10ml) with cover

*Do not use if vet advice is needed

**For experienced dog people in remote area

Since you don’t know if you will be able to answer questions about your dog in case of an accident, include the following:

Rabies certificate copy

Medical records, including poison control numbers and veterinarian’s name, phone number, and hours (include emergency number)

Snapshot and written description of dog and cat, including any tattoos or microchips

First Aid Treatment Index

Allergy:

If symptoms include biting or licking itchy skin or foot pads, possibly red eyes, and/or lethargy, they may be from an allergy. If more serious problems can be ruled out, treat with Benadryl antihistamine (25mg capsule for adult dogs, 1/2 capsule for puppies, 1/4 for cats) and remove the offending allergen from the dog or relocate the dog.

Insect bites or stings can also cause itchy skin or foot pads; treat with Benadryl and 1% hydrocortisone acetate cream (if the dog cannot lick the site cats will lick the site-do not apply).

If swelling is present, ice pack can be applied. In all allergic bites or sting reactions, check dog’s respiration frequently and contact a veterinarian immediately if any change occurs.

Burns:

These are usually caused by spilling hot or caustic liquids on pets. Other causes include biting electric cables and extreme cold.

1) If an offending substance is still on the pet, wash it off with cold water.

2) Apply an antiseptic ointment.

3) Treat for shock (see symptoms below). Contact a veterinarian.

Minor burns: Carefully clip the hair away from the affected area, cleaning if necessary with a mild soap and applying a topical antibiotic ointment cats may lick it off,

Drowning:

Once the pet is ashore, empty its lungs of water as quickly as possible.

Small pet: Hold it by the shoulders, forequarters, upside down and swing the dog round very carefully. A helper should then open its mouth and pump its chest. Frequently, just elevating the dog is enough.

Larger dog: Pick it up behind the ribs, with one arm round the abdomen. Drape the dog over your shoulder while you open its mouth and pump its chest. Don’t try to swing heavy dogs–even though muscles/ligaments are stronger, you could dislocate joints and/or tear ligaments.

Once respiration starts, cover the dog, treat for shock, and transport to the vet. Fluid may still be in the lungs, potentially causing pneumonia.

Lasix therapy may be needed.

Ears:

If the dog has a discharge from the ear or if there is any inflammation, consult a veterinarian immediately.

If he has a swollen ear flap (swelling on the inside of the ear flap) or seems to have difficulty hearing, see the veterinarian as soon as it is convenient.

Some slight discharge of yellow, brown, or even reddish in some dogs is normal, but any discharge that smells or is large in amount indicates veterinary advice needed.

Blackish specks may indicate mites (can cause deafness if not treated), but is not an emergency. (ear diseases)

Cosmetically, ear injuries from fights can look very bad, but the ear itself has very little blood.

A veterinarian can make a good closure on any wound within 24 hours. If a tooth splits the cartilage, it will not repair, but stitching the skin closed around it can make it appear normal.

Eyes:

It is very important to notice any problems in your pets eyes early. Seek veterinary advice immediately for all eye disorders. Irrigating the eye may relieve discomfort until your dog can see the veterinarian30.

If there is a foreign body in the eye, stop the dog pawing its eye.

If necessary, use an Elizabethan collar or tape the front and hind legs together.

While restraining the dog, part the eyelids with finger and thumb to inspect the foreign body; a penlight will help.

If it is penetrating the eye, don’t touch it. Get to a veterinarian immediately.

Heatstroke:

A dog left in an unventilated car in hot weather may suffer heatstroke; he will be in a state of collapse, panting heavily if conscious and frothing round the mouth. His body temperature must be brought back to normal by GRADUALLY cooling the body. {heatstroke)

1) Clear froth from the mouth,

2) Bath the whole body with warm water at first, then switch to cooler water, and finally ice packs on his head and neck.

3) When he is cooler and breathing normally, take him to a veterinarian where treatment may involve more cold water, stimulant drugs, and cortisone. Monitor the temperature while transporting to a veterinarian.

If the temperature suddenly plummets, remove the ice packs and wrap a blanket around him for warmth.

Hot spots: (dogs)

These are focal skin infections that, although not associated with burns, actually feel warm to the touch. They are usually round, red, moist and painful and cause the dog to lick and chew at the area.

1) Clip hair away from hot spots,

2) clean thoroughly (Neutrogena soap is sometimes helpful with itching problems), and

3) treat with antibiotic or steroid ointment. If the hotspot continues, seek veterinary help. More severe hot spots may require Elizabethan collar and/or oral antibiotics.

Leg or Foot Injury:

If the pet is carrying his leg clear of the ground or barely putting it down or there is painful swelling, a fairly serious injury is suggested. If the dog is favoring one leg, even with no pain or swelling it could be a sprain, fracture, or wound. Enforce rest and seek veterinarian help.

For cats this may also be an abscess and will require veterinary care immediately.

Immediate treatment: Apply a cold compress and change every 20 minutes.

After a few hours, change to a hot compress. Support the limb with a bandage1.

It is best if splinting is done at veterinarians. If splinting is necessary beforehand, try to arrange the limb in its normal extended position, then pad the site with cotton.

Apply a layer of padding twice as thick as the leg, as far up and down as possible.

Once the leg is covered, put two solid braces on either side of the leg (a rolled magazine is effective) and bind firmly in place with a bandage.

For a foot dressing:

1) Put cotton balls between toes, then swathe the whole foot in cotton wrap or a very loose ace bandage. (This averts danger of stopping circulation with tight dressing.)

2) Cover the bandage with a baggie, then a sock. Secure with tape. Torn toenails: This will cause bleeding, but is not life-threatening. If the nail is only partly off, confine the dog until the veterinarian can see the wound.

Off-Color:

Look for other signs such as vomiting, diarrhea, sneezing or coughing, bleeding, drinking abnormal amounts, losing weight prior to appearing off- color, or obvious pain.

Any of these signs combined with looking off-color are an indication for immediate veterinary help.

If none of these signs are obvious, wait 24 hours. If improvement during that time, the your pet probably had a mild infection; if no improvement, see a veterinarian promptly.

Poisoning:

Dogs will eat a number of noxious substances or lick off and swallow poisons that have contaminated their coat. Signs include: acute vomiting, collapse, violent muscular twitching, fits, weakness, bleeding.

There are also many substances that are all around your home that are toxic to your feline.

Potential hazards include pesticides, insecticides, herbicides, household cleaning agents, human medications (such as aspirin or acetaminophen), automotive products (such as ethylene-glycol-based antifreeze), paint products, and plants (such as holly, mistletoe, Easter lily, philodendron, and yew).

Be alert to signs of poisoning such as salivating, swelling or sensitive areas inside the cat’s mouth, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, staggering, twitching, convulsions, and coma.

Action:

1) Prevent further poison being swallowed. Wash off any on the coat.

2) Contact the veterinarian or poison control immediately.*

3) If you think you know what the pet has swallowed, take some with you to the veterinarian, and its container.

Your veterinarian may tell you to make the dog vomit with an emetic, if the dog ingested the poison within a 1/2 hour.

Emetics are: Syrup of Ipecac; 2T. 1/2 milk & 1/2 peroxide; salt in warm water; mustard in cold water.

He may also advise use of charcoal to dilute *National animal poison control Central (Univ./Illinois Vet. Medical School)

1-800/548-2423: $45/per case.

Charge account must be used; poison control will follow up with as many calls as needed to you and/or your vet.

1-900/680-0000: $20/first 5 minutes, then $2.95/minute thereafter.

Shock:

If your pet has pale gums, shallow respiration, heart fluttering, dizziness, or circulation problems (extremities may feel cold), following a wound, a burn, near drowning, etc., assume the dog is in shock.

1) Control the cause of shock.

2) Place your pet in a quiet, warm place and cover him with a blanket.

3) Check heartbeat if heart has stopped, give heart pulses just behind shoulder blades. (A pet can live longer without air than without a heartbeat.)

4) Check breathing. If it is irregular or nonexistent, loosen the collar, open the mouth, remove any foreign material, saliva, blood, or vomit, give artificial respiration.

a) Place the pet on its side with the head on level with, or lower than, the body

b) Check that the airway is clear, mouth open and clean, tongue forward

c) Place both hands on the chest, over the rib area , and push down firmly but gently to expel air from the lungs. Release the pressure immediately so that the chest expands and draws fresh air in.

d) Repeat at 5-second intervals. Get your pet to a veterinarian as soon as breathing is stabilized and within one hour of the shock.

Vomiting and Diarrhea:

Treat for the first 12-24 hours by withholding food and water. After 12 hours, you can offer ice cubes or 1-2 ozs. of Gatorade or distilled water (in case the tap water has the contaminants).

If this is handled well, you can advance to the small meal.

If vomiting or diarrhea continues during withholding of food and water and is longer than 24 hours, seek veterinary help. When advancing to a small meal, this should be rice with lean, cooked, drained, meat; the ratio is 75% rice to 25% meat.

Alternatively, you can offer baby cereal (cream of rice or cream of wheat) and some cooked egg.

Avoid fatty foods and do not give milk with diarrhea. After 72 hours, gradually reintroduce regular food by mixing with mixture.

After first small meal, gradually work up to giving same amounts of mixture as dog is used to receiving at normal meals.

A sudden change from bland diet to regular dog food may precipitate a new bout of vomiting/diarrhea.

When traveling, baby food rice cereal and baby food meat is more readily available. At this stage, water should be continually available, but only in small amounts at a time.

Vomiting:

Dogs and cats vomit fairly easily, usually because of overeating, dietary upsets, or over-excitement. If the pet is otherwise normal and the problem doesn’t recur, there’s no cause for concern.

If no other signs, withhold food and water as scheduled above, then begin light meals.

If the pet also has diarrhea, or seems dull and depressed, or is vomiting frequently, seek immediate veterinary help.

Diarrhea:

You can give Pepto Bismol or Imodium AD, for diarrhea- (1/2 a 2mg tablet for a 20-30 lb. dog, 2-4x day max at 4-6 hour intervals for dogs, 1/8-1/4 if a tablet or 1ml of the liquid for a 10 lb. cat ; if liquid medication, use a syringe inserted in the side of the mouth ).

One word of caution using Imodium…if there is any vomiting, no diarrhea, or the pet is acting sick, not just having the squirts, be careful using this drug. Imodium acts by slowing to stopping the movement of the gut.

If there are a lot of toxins from bacteria or spoiled foods, then this material sits in the intestines and is more likely to enter the bloodstream and make your dog sicker. If there is no diarrhea, just vomiting, you may actually constipate your pet.

But if you are traveling or at home, and your pet develops diarrhea and still feels fine, this is a wonderful thing to have on hand.

If your pet passes frequent liquid or semi-liquid motions it may be ill with a minor infection, but could be something more serious.

If the dog seems well aside from the diarrhea, withhold food and water as scheduled above.

If acute signs are also present (the feces are bloody, vomiting, the pet seems dull and depressed) seek veterinary help.

Guidelines for Handling Vomiting/Diarrhea

If your pet has more than one isolated bout of vomiting &/or diarrhea, the first step towards treatment is to NPO him for 24 hours. This means nothing given orally, food or water. He can have some ice cubes to lick on, as they will provide fluids in extremely small amounts.

After there has been no additional vomiting, start back on small amounts of water (pedialyte is OK), a few laps at a time, every 1-2 hours. If he continues to keep this down over the next 6 hrs, gradually increase the volume in one sitting.

After keeping water down for 12 hrs, you can start back on small amounts of bland foods.

These include cottage cheese, boiled rice, boiled chicken, lean browned ground turkey with the fat washed off, oat meal, scrambled egg, or prescription diets like I/D. Start with 1-2 tablespoons every 2 hours.

After 6 hrs, increase to volume and decrease the intervals.

A good goal for a 20 lb animal is 1/3 cup every 4-6 hours.

If food stays down the next 24 hrs, feed up to 1/2 cup in 3 meals over the next 2 days. Start adding back regular diet mixed into the bland foods.

If vomiting or diarrhea persist or if you see blood-seek veterinary attention immediately.

It should take about 5 days to get back on regular food. Some pets take a little longer, depending on how irritated the gut was to start. If the vomiting/diarrhea continues longer than 24 hrs of NPO, if there is any blood, multiple episodes of vomiting (over 3-4) occur in a short time (30-45 mins), or if the pet is depressed or lethargic, then seek veterinary attention.

Young pets less than 6 mos and older pets over 7 years are more likely to dehydrate quicker, so may need medical attention sooner, especially if there is an underlying disease, such as diabetes, kidney disease, etc.

Most of the time, minor GI upsets will heal themselves if the gut is allowed to rest.

Wounds (major open):

Types of bleeding:

Spurts of blood indicate an artery has been severed; a vein has a steady stream; capillaries ooze steadily. To control heavy bleeding, hold a pad1 over the injury and bind it tightly in place with a bandage.

Do not remove the pad even if it becomes saturated as it may be helping blood clotting. If you see spurts of blood, apply direct pressure to the wound to prevent excess blood loss.

Press your fingers hard against the wound to control the bleeding (if gauze pads are not available, substitute a handkerchief, corner of your clothing, a leaf, or even your bare fingers).

Keep the pressure on until your pet is in the hands of a veterinarian.

If ice is available, apply it around the area to help restrict the blood flow.

Wounds (minor open):

Clip the area, then thoroughly flush the area with water. Encourage the flow of blood to help wash bacteria out. Wash with antibacterial soap and be sure all foreign matter is removed.

Tweezers can help remove small particles.

Rinse with hydrogen peroxide or apply germicidal towelette.

Cover with sterile gauze pad1, then hold in place with sterile gauze dressing.

Use tape or vetwrap to secure.

First Aid Procedures Artificial Respiration:

Be extremely careful, since your face will be very close to your pet’s mouth (and teeth).

Even pets in respiratory arrest can reflexively close their jaws without warning.

When the pet revives, keep it warm and dry.

Method A:

1) Lay your pet on his side, neck extended, and open the s mouth to check for obstructions.

Extend the s tongue and look into the throat and make sure that, too, is clear. Remove any fluid from the mouth that might interfere with the passage of air.

2) Place both hands behind shoulder blades and in front on last rib and apply slow steady pressure on ribs.

Abruptly release pressure. Steady pressure should take 2 to 3 seconds, release for an equal amount of time.

Method B (use for pets with chest wound):

1) Lay the pet on his side, neck extended, and open the mouth to check for obstructions. Extend the tongue and look into the throat and make sure that, too, is clear.

Remove any fluid from the mouth that might interfere with the passage of air. Then close the mouth and continue to hold it gently closed.

2) Now inhale. Completely cover the pets nose with your mouth and exhale gently; don’t blow hard! Carefully force air into the lungs and watch the chest for expansion.

Repeat every five to six seconds, or ten to twelve breaths per minute.

Moving an injured dog:

Move as gently as possibly; transfer the pet to a blanket which can be used as a stretcher. Ideally three people are needed–to support the head, back, and pelvis. If help isn’t available, carefully move the dog onto the blanket one section at a time.

Giving pills:

There are many different ways to give pills; crushed in their food, disguised in something like cream cheese, peanut butter, etc., or putting the pill as far back in the throat as possible and stroking the throat while holding the head up and mouth closed.

When giving liquid medication, using a syringe inserted in the side of the mouth can be effective.

Every pet is different. One method that has worked well is to lay the dog on his back for a tummy rub.

Rub his tummy for a minute or so, then open his mouth and insert the pill covered with about 1/2 teaspoon of margarine as far back in the throat as possible. Hold the mouth closed while talking to him quietly and stroking his chest.

While he tries to move his head away, the margarine melts and the pill slides down his throat.

Very soon he has to swallow it. If he resists a lot, blow in his nose to cause a reflex swallow.

As soon as the dog swallows, release the nose and continue stroking his tummy and chest while telling him how good he is.

For cats administering a pill may be a challenge.

Place the pill as far back as possible into the mouth, close the mouth, and quickly blow onto the face. This will stimulate a swallowing reflex.

Taking temperature:

Normal is 100.4-102.2ºF. If the dog is excited, it could go up slightly.

1) Have a helper restrain the dog.

2) Shake the bulb thermometer down and lubricate with a little petroleum jelly.

3) With one hand, push hair (or tail if there is one) up and to one side. Insert the thermometer about 1″ into the rectum and hold it still, angled so that the bulb is against the wall.

4) Wait 30 seconds, remove the thermometer and read it.

5) Shake it down and clean and disinfect3 it before replacing it in its case.

If there is a temperature, give baby aspirin in dosages listed above.

If temperature remains high after giving baby aspirin, seek veterinary advice.

Sources:

American Kennel Club. American Kennel Club dog care and training. New York, Howell, 1991.

Dog Owner’s Guide. First aid kit. 1996.

Dog Owner’s Guide. Signs of canine illness. 1996.

Los Angeles SPCA. Pet first aid.

Home/travel first aid care kit for dogs. 1996.

Taylor, D. You and your dog. New York, Knopf, 1994.

Merridy Gottlieb & Barbara Nibling January 7, 1997

Kathalyn Johnson, DVM January 7, 1997