When handling an injured pet, always keep in mind that your pet is in pain, confused, and scared. Never forget to be cautious since they can bite or scratch you.

 These are essentials tips for basic handling of injured pets:

• · Always keep in mind that when a pet is hurt or injured can be unpredictable and dangerous. Never attempt to hug or comfort the pet as it might cause them more pain or aggravate the injury, keep a safe distance from its mouth.
• Relax and focus, check your surroundings, make sure there are no aggressive dogs around, incoming traffic, or any obstructions between you and the injured pet.
•  Don’t rush up to your pet; toss treats to draw the pet towards you. Approach your pet at an angle, your body to the side, never make eye to eye contact with your pet.
• Slowly and gently approach your pet, check for any wounds, swelling, or lumps as it could be an indication of a fractured bone. Stop if your pet becomes agitated, call for help.

 Call underwood 24 hr vet or any veterinary clinic near you before you move your pet. Inform them of the extent of the injury so they can be advised and know what to do when they get there. They can also give guidance as to the correct handling of your pet.

 In cases when there is Bleeding:

• Apply pressure to the wound with a gauze pad or any clean cloth with your hand to control the bleeding; you can do this for three straight mins.

In cases when there is Choking or obstruction on the airway:

• This type of situation is an EMERGENCY, call for immediate assistance such as Underwood animal emergency centre; they are the trained experts to handle this kind of scenario. While waiting for help, you can check the tongue (assuming they are not aggressive) if you can see an object which is causing the obstruction? Try and remove it gently if possible. You can try the Heimlich Maneuver, but if you have no training, never attempt to do it as you might end up, causing more harm.

In cases when there is Fracture:

• If you find a broken bone poking out, it is a good idea to place a splint or dress it. Rolled up newspapers or cardboard can be used as a splint. For motor vehicle accidents, animals usually fracture their pelvis; this needs extreme care when there is a need to move your pet. Use a sling to move/transfer or walk your pet. You can make an improvise sling by using a clean cloth, or a reusable shopping bag.

 To give immediate care to your injured pet is crucial at this point. Yeronga Vet and similar clinics provide comprehensive diagnostic examination and treatment for your injured pet. In cases when there is Fracture or internal injuries? Radiology exams are required. Experts of Radiology in Fairfield are the professionals that could accurately assess the extent of your pet’s damage.

Knowing how to handle an injured pet may save your pet’s life until he/she receives veterinary treatment. The critical aspect is being able to respond to and give appropriate treatment for various emergency scenarios.

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 Why do I need to take my pet to the Vet regularly?

 Most of the time like us humans, we take our pets to the Vet when there are already apparent signs, when our pets are already too sick, only then we decide to take them to the Vet. In cases where we don t see visible signs, pet doctors can spot if something is wrong with your pet. Regular visits help vets assess how your pet is progressing in life and if they may have picked up underlying conditions. 

 Below are factors that explain the reason why we need to follow regular appointment schedules with our Vet.

 Pet’s Age is a significant factor for their overall health.

 If you have a new kitten or puppy? Making that first trip to places like the Veterinary Services, in Qld is an important milestone. Your pet doctor can conduct diagnostic exams like blood tests and other tests necessary to gauge a pet’s health, signs of illness or disorder, and establish baseline laboratory values. These are all required procedures to develop what would be healthy for your pet and what they can tolerate.

Your veterinarian can then administer medical procedures like vaccines, routine spay or neuter, and other medical procedures to protect your pets from parasites, tick, flea-borne diseases, and others.

 As for aging/senior pets, all the more that you need to have regular visits to your Vet. Possible changes in diet, slowing down or even prevention of geriatric related diseases, and the important twice a year physical and blood tests. A slight limp and a lump there could mean something is developing in your pet. A small change in glucose levels could be an indication of diabetes or arthritis.

 Post- Operative Appointments

 After a surgical operation, it is essential to keep up with the vet clinic’s appointment schedule. Vet Surgery is a delicate procedure that is why we want to make sure your pet is healing and recovering properly. Depending on the type of wound of your pet, it usually takes 10-12 days for a wound/laceration to heal, if you follow the doctor’s advice and appointments, your pet will be okay.

 Regular pet clinic visits will not only guarantee that they stay healthy. You can also avoid situations wherein you may need to call for an animal emergency in Brisbane or nearby areas because your pet needs urgent care. 

 When you have a pet, regular vet checkups should be a priority. At Yeronga Vet Surgery, you can expect the highest level of pet care, and we treat your pet as if it were our own.

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Below are tips we have gathered to educate you as pet owners; these are essential ways to assess and perform first aid on your pet during an emergency. Knowing these tips are necessary to keep your pet alive, minimize injury and future disability.

Vomiting

• If and when you see your pet vomiting, this could be an indication of diarrhea or a simple upset stomach. Usually, this will stop within 24 hrs, but if it hasn’t stopped or your pet develops other symptoms such as being lethargic or whimpering, call or bring your pet to your closest and experienced Brisbane vet clinic.  

Other Possible Causes of Vomiting

• Ingesting, inhaling poisonous substances
• Internal Bleeding

First Aid: Keep the pet/animal as warm and quiet as possible and transport immediately to a veterinarian.  

Skin Burns

• Regardless of the cause of the accident, burns causes damage to the skin, whether you see it on the surface or deeper layers. It can be visible immediately or can take up to 15-24 hrs after the accident. 

First Aid: Cool the area immediately with cold running water, apply cold compress on the area for 5 mins, keep your pet warm by wrapping a blanket around him/her.

It is important to note that burns on pets could be excruciating and, at times, unbearable. Coordinating with veterinary specialists could help your pet recover better, veterinary specialists can require aggressive pain control and come up with a supportive treatment plan.

Convulsions/Seizures/Fitting

• Idiopathic epilepsy is the most common cause of seizures in pets; other reasons could be liver disease, kidney failure, brain tumour or trauma, and exposure to toxins.

First Aid: Clear the area of any hazards on your pet, if unconscious, check if there is breathing, and there is no airway obstruction. Please do not attempt to place your finger inside its mouth or restrain while the pet is still convulsing. See the vet immediately.

Consulting with a veterinarian in Fairfield, Qld, is a good idea since they are the experts who could prescribe medication and supplements to strengthen your pet’s internal organ functions and overall health.

Puncture & fight wounds

• Fights with other pets would cause this; you can break up the fight by spraying water, intervene physically (as long as you have another person doing the same for the other pet). Pets can have puncture wounds, bleeding from lacerations, and scratches on the skin. 

First Aid: To stop bleeding, you can apply direct pressure but never use a tourniquet. Initial cleaning of the wound with hydrogen peroxide, povidone-iodine, or chlorhexidine can help reduce the severity of the infection.

Veterinary services should examine your pet as minor wounds could conceal internal injuries. Some cases might require surgery, but the usual treatment would be antibiotics, pain medications, and sedatives.

Wounds and grazes

• Abrasions, cuts, and puncture wounds would cause this due to playing with other pets (play biting or fighting), being entangled with hazards on the environment (barb wires, etc.), and many more. Road gravel, dirt, and grass could contaminate these types of skin break-in by damaging muscles, tendons, and other vital parts.

First Aid: Mostly, these types of wounds require flushing /washing using a sterile saline solution (or clean water with salt) to remove contaminants and dead skin tissues. Specialized wound dressing might be needed depending on the severity.

Wounds like this are susceptible to bacterial infection, surgical repair might even be needed and must be performed by specialists from clinics like Yeronga Vet, the vet clinic in Fairfield, Qld.

The goal of primary/first aid treatment in your pets during an emergency is to prevent further damage and to avoid infection. When the vet has fully assessed your pet, only then can the treatment plan be determined and the best and fastest way to recovery.

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Pet Separation Anxiety – is a condition of your pet wherein because they are heavily dependent on their owner/s, they end up becoming anxious and upset.

What is causing pet/s to have separation anxiety?

Below are several reasons that may cause separation for your pet/s:

• Moving home
• The loss of a family member, or even another pet
• Being left alone frequently after getting used to constant contact with humans
• A distressing experience the first time the dog was left alone
• A change in routine

Signs that your pet is suffering from anxiety

• Destructive behavior
• Barking, whining and howling
• Digging or scratching at doors, windows, and walls
• Extreme panting and salivating
• Pooping/peeing at unusual spots in the house

What can we do to control or even stop pet separation anxiety?

• Alter your routine when you leave the house – use the back door when you go out, giving treats could also prevent the dog from separation anxiety. It is essential to stop your pet’s association of your actions (leaving) that causes stress.
• Never say hello and goodbye – saying goodbye when you leave or hello when you arrive only reinforces your pet’s fear of your absence.
• Walk or exercise your dog before leaving – tired dogs become calm; they might even be hungry or might want to sleep.
• Hire a Pet Sitter who can stay in your house – is this possible? Good thing if this pet sitter is a close relative or someone reliable to take on daily pet duties. It’s as if the owner/s hasn’t left at all.
• You can also avail of the services of-5 Star Pet Hotels or Resort like the Samford Pet Resort. In essence, these are facilities that provide quality bedding, spacious rooms and yards, and numerous exercise time monitored by pet-loving professionals. Staff will follow your instructions on pet feeding, medication and pet resort/hotel also offers and playtime by group or by individual

These are some of the best tips; you could take your vacation and enjoy to the fullest and have that peace of mind. When you come back, your pet will be as healthy and as happy as if you never left. Choosing the right pet resort or Kennel boarding together with the self-help management techniques lessens and even eliminate pet separation anxiety. If you need more information on pet accommodation, please contact Yeronga Vet for advice.

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Yeronga Vet Puppy Pre-School is the place for your new pooch to gain the best start in life! Education starts from 10 weeks, up to 20 weeks, and our experienced trainer brings over 25 years’ worth of knowledge and attention to her classes. Kelly, from Bark Busters Dog Training, shows our valued clients how to manage issues such as toilet training, lead manners, jumping up, mouthing, recalls, basic obedience (sit / drop/stay), grooming, door manners, socialisation, tricks, future training and much, much more! Classes are a minimum of 4 dogs, up to a maximum of 10, to ensure adequate controlled, fun socialisation, and ensuring everyone gets personal care and attention.

Also, dogs that we train through the puppy class learn to enjoy training, develop an eagerness to please, and they will gain valuable confidence.

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Clinical Signs

• Pruritis – Especially involves feet, ears, face, flanks, abdomen.
• Inflammation – The skin often “flares up” intermittently with pink to red skin, often 
warm to feel and sometimes thickened.
• Smell – Smelly skin is usually associated with secondary bacterial or yeast (or 
Allergic reactions occur in dogs when the body’s protection system reacts abnormally to substances such as fleas, pollens, mold spores, mites, and certain foods.
• Pimples, scales, blisters, macules and abrasions (from self trauma).
• Alopecia – hair loss can be due to self trauma or infections and scabs.
• NB – all the above applies equally to ear skin.

Here are a few tips to Treat Mild and moderate Skin Allergies:

1. Mild cases (moderate pruritus, mild inflammation)

• Soothing shampoos and conditioner – PAW nutriderm. Weekly bathing.
• Daily wipe down with wet wipes – physically removes allergens from the skin and is 
cooling for inflamed skin.
• Antihistamines – These are great for some dogs but not all dogs will respond.
• Cortavance – prescription.
• Fish Oils, Essential Fatty Acids – high dose.
• Dietary change – The specific type of diet that is recommended depends on the 
type of allergy we suspect. A diagnostic test and strict protocols must be followed to allow confidence in the results.

2. Moderate cases 
As above plus:

• Steroid tablets – These will give immediate relief in most cases of allergies (with control of secondary infections). They have short term and long term side effects but a couple of short courses per year are safe.
• Antibiotics – often systemic antibiotics are needed to control infections.
• Medicated shampoos – Malaseb or Mediderm shampoos can be used once or twice weekly to control bacterial and yeast infections. They are recommended to 
be used with soothing oatmeal conditioners (Nutriderm or Aloveen)

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Osteoarthritis also referred to as Degenerative Joint Disease (DJD), is a progressively worsening inflammation of the joints caused by the deterioration of cartilage. In a healthy joint, cartilage acts as a cushion to allow the joint to move smoothly through its full range of motion. In cases of osteoarthritis, this cartilage cushion begins to break down because of factors such as age, injury, repetitive stress, or disease. Osteoarthritis pain or generally referred to as Arthritis affects four out of five older dogs interferes with everything that makes life special for our best friends.

One of the best treatments available today for our dog’s Osteoarthritis is Laser Therapy, why? Well, this is one of the technologies developed for speed healing, reduces chronic pain, it only takes a matter of minutes to deliver and it is Non – Invasive. This type of treatments has gone mainstream with equipment that is increasingly safe and effective, thousands of veterinary clinics treat dogs, cats, horses, and other animals with laser for a variety of conditions.

Lasers are a beam of light that travels at a certain frequency that allows the laser to generate heat and penetrate tissue that stimulates cell regeneration and increase blood circulation. In a typical treatment session, the laser wand is applied to the area to be treated. Depending on the area and the energy you are delivering, it can take up to 10 to 20 minutes most dogs will lie down when they receive treatment. The dogs look forward to it because they feel better after their course of therapy and they find laser therapy relaxing.  It is also recommended for canine arthritis cases to start laser treatment with two to three sessions per week, then decrease sessions to once a week, then once every two weeks. If the arthritis is more advanced, then more sessions would be needed.

After laser therapy, the dog owners might see their dog go upstairs more often, play with a ball he’s not picked up in months or go back to getting on the couch for his nightly snuggle. For some, it’s not an alternative therapy, but more of an integrative approach, laser therapy won’t cause your dog any unwanted side effects. The laser used for this type of treatment will not burn your dog’s skin, it even improves the quality of a dog’s life as well as the life of its owner, because if your dog is happy, you are happy.

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There are multiple benefits of laser therapy. Here are 6 benefits of laser treatment for dogs, cats, and horses: 

1. Accelerated Tissue Repair and Cell Growth: The cell soft tendons, ligaments, bone, nerves, and muscles are repaired faster. 

2.  Faster Wound Healing: Laser light stimulates the recovery of open wounds, scars, and burns. 

3. Reduced Fibrous Tissue Formation: Laser therapy reduces the formation of scar tissue following tissue damage from cuts, scratches, burns or surgery by inducing production of more normal type-1 collagen. 

4. Analgesia: Laser treatment has a highly beneficial effect on nerve cells which block pain transmitted by these cells to the brain and which decreases nerve sensitivity. 

5. Improved Nerve Function: Slow recovery of nerve functions in damaged tissue can result in numbness and impaired limbs. Laser light will speed up the process of nerve cell reconnection and increase the amplitude of action potentials to optimize muscle action. 

 6. Trigger Points and Acupressure Points: Laser therapy reduces muscle trigger points and stimulates acupuncture points on a non-invasive basis providing musculoskeletal pain relief. 

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