ASK ALEX IT’S ABOUT TIME – PET FIRST AID CLASSES ARE NOW AVAILABLE! YOUR PETS, JUST LIKE CHILDREN ARE AT GREAT RISK OF DEATH OR injury from preventable accidents than any other reason. Taking the correct and proper actions can significantly increase the chances of survival and reduce the extent of injury to your pet, before transporting them to your veterinarian. Rhiannon Taylor, owner of Complete Canine Care Ltd is now offering Pet Tech’s pet first aid and care classes for pet owners: PetSaver TM. “An important part of being a caring, conscientious, responsible and loving pet owner is knowing the life saving skills of pet CPR, first aid and care,” stated Taylor. Rhiannon Taylor successfully completed the Pet Tech Instructor Training program early February 2012 and is qualified to teach the Pet Tech family of programs. The eight-hour PetSaver class includes the skills and information necessary to prepare the pet owner in the unfortunate event of a medical emergency involving their pet. Some of the topics highlighted in the class include: CPR, Rescue Breathing, Shock Management, Bleeding Protocols, Injury and Wellness Assessments, Heat Injuries, Cold Injuries and dental and senior “pet-izen” care. “Doggie” or “Kitty” breath is not normal and is usually a sign of poor oral hygiene that should be addressed promptly. Dental Care For Your Pets teaches pet owners the many aspects of caring for their pet’s teeth. Pet owners will learn how to properly brush their pet’s teeth, choose safe toys and healthy food snacks and work with their veterinarian to assure good dental health. On average, pets (dogs and cats) seven years and older are considered senior “pet-izens” and are at risk of age-related health problems. In Pet Tech’s PetSaver class, pet owners will learn the risk factors associated with older pets, proper exercise plans, diet and nutritional choices, and the things they should be doing for senior pet-izens and the things they should not be doing for pets in their golden years. “Now pet owners can learn pet CPR, first aid and care and give their pets the best care available,” notes Taylor. PN For more information or to sign-up for one of our classes, email Rhiannon Taylor, Complete Canine Care Ltd, admin@completecaninecare.co.nz
The World Belongs to the Dissatisfied
Each month Dr Alex Melrose answers readers’ pet related issues. e-mail yours to: alex@vetcare.net.nz I think I’ve hurt Mac! I accidentally stood on his tail one morning last week, (in the dark) and he squealed a bit but definitely didn’t run away or show any distress. Then last night, my husband noticed as he stroked him over his back right on the base of his tail ... he yelped! Now we have taken even more notice of him, he’s definitely dragging his tail and not lifting it at all! I’m bad! I think it must have been me. Is this something we need to bring him in for you to look at or do we just watch him? He shows absolutely no sign of distress or being in any discomfort, unless you push right at the base of his tail. There’s no loss of appetite or anything else unusual about his behaviour! Look forward to your reply and thank you, SIMONE & MAC.
Q:
Ooooopps, now you’ve done it. Damn those 5am gym starts in the dark. Look on the good side of things Mac is in minimal pain. While it can be hard to detect pain in cats (their survival instincts mask it amazingly well), a big smooch-ball like Mac would at least show you (his parents) something like loss of appetite, grumpiness or a change in routine. This means you do have the luxury of waiting and watching for a short while. There are two main possibilities;
A:
1. Lots of deep bruising and therefore Mac won’t tense his tail muscles as it hurts, cats injured like this will voluntarily let their tails hang, usually this will only be for a few days then bruising subsides. 2. That the trauma has severely traumatised or severed the tail nerves and Mac has no feeling in his droopy tail. This usually won’t improve at all, and presents with lack of all reflexes and even deep pain sensation (tests we can perform carefully at the clinic). Usually this type of injury is caused by the cat’s tail going under a car tyre or being shut in a door, i.e. something requiring a lot more force. In these cases we usually end up amputating because the tail starts to die off or becomes continually injured. Even in this worst case scenario cats do cope fantastically well. I’d give him 48 hours more, obviously hoping for option one, if no improvement (or if he is suddenly unhappy) bring him in for us to see, assess and treat. (DR ALEX MELROSE, BVSC MRCVS) PN VETCARE GREY LYNN, 408 Great North Road T: 09 361 3500 www.vetcare.net.nz
DEADLINE – 20TH OF THE MONTH April 2012 PONSONBY NEWS+
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