Animal Care

BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED

Mark Newton-Clarke MAVetMB PhD MRCVS, Newton Clarke Veterinary Surgeons

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Ihave written articles for the Sherborne Times in various parts of the world but few more beautiful than where I am now, off the west coast of Sardinia. A close friend asked me to join him on his sailing boat for 10 days or so and although I have never set foot on one before, I jumped at the chance despite a little trepidation. All those ropes (lines) and pulleys to trap fingers let alone the possibility of feeling seasick the whole time. I needn’t have worried though – my captain knew I was ignorant of anything nautical so I could concentrate on my role as cabin boy! As for feeling nauseous, that wasn’t a problem either although the same cannot be said for the constant stream of vomiting dogs that we have seen at the clinic recently.

We all know dogs eat stuff, some of which are clearly non-food items. Quite what induces a dog to chew on a battery, a toy plastic dinosaur or an inhaler is beyond me. These three items represent different dangers when ingested but all of them are potentially serious. Alkaline batteries are probably the commonest found in our

homes. How many of us are diligent about recycling them immediately after they run down? If chewed and ingested by your happy hound, the chemicals inside are caustic and toxic, causing chemical burns to delicate tissues in the mouth and oesophagus. The heavy metals inside the casing can also cause toxicity if the battery sits in the stomach for a few days. Button-type batteries are even more hazardous as once in the gastrointestinal tract, an electric current between the two sides of the ‘coin’ damages the surface on which the battery rests, resulting in ulceration of the stomach or intestine. A 3v Li-Ion button battery can burn all the way through in just 30 mins!

Electric currents and toxic metals aside, batteries can cause obstructions like any other foreign body (e.g. children’s toys). The question we as vets have to ask is whether the nausea and vomiting the patient is suffering is due to irritation, inflammation or obstruction. Also in the mix are medical conditions of the pancreas, the liver, the kidneys or anything else in the abdomen, thorax or nervous system. So just about everything! That’s the reason we almost always perform blood tests first and then go on to imaging with x-rays and ultrasound if necessary. Even with these modern diagnostics, ultimately if we are still in doubt an exploratory operation is called for to check the abdomen for abnormalities and take biopsies if necessary. It’s not an unreasonable question to ask, with all the medical paraphernalia we have, why is there still uncertainty? Well, partly it’s due to some foreign bodies being invisible on x-rays (in fact, many of them are) and abnormalities on blood tests can be incidental findings that have nothing to do with the presenting problem.

I have encountered many different causes of intestinal obstruction, from stones and bones to chains and stockings (I don’t ask the owners any questions about such things!). Anything long and elastic is by far the worst, as the intestine constricts around the length of the material which then cheese-wires through it, resulting in peritonitis. As there are multiple sites of damage, repair is very difficult and the infection can be impossible to contain. So lock away the underwear and be especially careful to secure the lid on the dirty linen basket which seems to be a special target for some dogs.

The rise in childhood and adult asthma means many households have inhalers scattered around the place – I know our house does! The active ingredient inside is often a bronchodilator (salbutamol also known as albuterol) that stimulates the receptors in the lungs to open up small airways through muscular relaxation. However, the dose for a human user is carefully metered so that a very specific amount is delivered per puff. Not so when it’s being chewed by the quite-definitely-nonasthmatic dog (cats can get asthma but dogs can not). As the inhaler canister is under pressure, one puncture by a tooth releases the entire contents immediately, resulting in an almost certain overdose. Symptoms include a racing heart and breathing rate, restlessness, tremors, collapse, vomiting, low blood potassium and glucose and in extreme cases, even death.

If this happens in your home, contact your vet immediately and bring the remains of the inhaler, any packaging and also details of any medication your pet may be taking.

Dogs suffering from this toxicity will need hospitalisation for 12-48 hrs during which intensive fluid therapy will be necessary to correct electrolyte and glucose levels. Heart rate will need to be slowed by giving beta-blockers (salbutamol is a beta receptor stimulant) and close monitoring of blood pressure is necessary. With prompt and effective treatment, inhaler toxicity is rarely fatal although patients with preexisting heart conditions or those on medications that react adversely with the salbutamol are at increased risk of complications. Be aware that empty inhaler canisters still contain enough to cause toxicity in a small dog or puppy so dispose of them promptly and safely, along with your alkaline batteries!

As the yacht on which I am sitting gently rubs up alongside the multimillion-pound luxury motor launch (much to that crew’s disdain), the fish literally swarm around us in the harbour, as they have done all around the coast of this wonderful island. My first taste of being under sail has been eye- and mind-opening and I think I’m beginning to understand our nation’s maritime obsession.

"How many of us are diligent about recycling batteries immediately after they run down?"

THE MENTAL WELLBEING OF A FARM VET

Jo Child BVetMed MRCVS, Friars Moor Vets

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Mental health in the veterinary profession is at an all-time low, with suicide rates being 3-4 times that of the general population and numerous vets citing poor mental health as the reason for leaving clinical practice. Personally, I feel I have been very lucky to work for lovely practices, with amazing supportive colleagues and fabulous farmers and friends. Living and working in a glorious bit of the country also helps, I am sure.

I was pondering this on my morning dog walk yesterday. One of the joys of being a farm vet is the outdoors – in open spaces and being part of the changing seasons. At this time of year, it is easy to want to be outside all of the time, enjoying the warmth of the sunshine, albeit sometimes dripping in sweat underneath some soggy waterproof overalls. In the winter it can be more challenging for the mind and body, with long days starting and ending by torchlight and requiring numerous and varied layers of clothing to adjust to the wind, rain and cooler temperatures. When I was studying at university, it was observing the change in seasons which I missed most and which I now delight in, almost daily.

One reason for poor mental health in agriculture and in farm vets is isolation and lone working. Farming can be tough and insular with little time for other activities. I have a springer spaniel, who now aged 10 has been with me for most of my working career. He ensures that I get out walking 2 or 3 times a day come rain or shine and that I take a break from TB testing or routine cattle fertility work to spend a few minutes just listening to nature. He is my constant companion; many a clinical dilemma has he listened to intently as I reason through cases and a fair few emotional moments

has he witnessed and comforted me through when the day goes less to plan. In the winter months, I take him beating with a local shoot. It forces me to take time away from work (there is no phone signal in the valley), encourages discipline (for both the dog and me) and is very sociable.

Having a dog means I have uncovered places to run and walk that I never would have done otherwise. Every morning we walk somewhere different, often en route to our first call of the day. I am acutely aware of farmers’ sometimes difficult relationships with dog walkers; the importance of keeping dogs on leads around all livestock and clearing up poo. In the summer we run with the Dorset Doddlers Running Club, who meet at a pub weekly to be led on a scenic evening trail run around the Dorset countryside. The dog comes too of course.

Other great outdoor activities for mental health are swimming and cycling. I relish planning new routes and cycling roads I haven’t been on before. Especially if they include a large hill and coffee stop.

Since Covid, I’ve discovered wild swimming, which has rapidly grown in popularity and offers the opportunity to share the warm summer evenings cooling off with the dog on our walk, alongside ducks, fish and dragonflies. Last week I swam with two of my colleagues admiring the wildflowers along the riverbank and wishing my horticultural knowledge was better.

My final tip for good mental wellbeing is good coffee. All outside activities should involve a coffee stop and we are blessed with lots of fabulous cafes to top up both during the working day and when out and about with the dog or on my bike.

As I like to think of myself as a bit of an expert, some of my favourites are: •The Stalls at Sutton Mandeville •Bird and Carter at Fonthill (also does incredible all-day brunch on a Sunday) •Reads Coffee at Sherborne •Pamplemousse in Shaftesbury

So, there you have it, my top tips for getting outside for mental health. Hopefully coffee, running and my trusty springer sidekick will ensure I stay in good spirits for years to come – that and working alongside our wonderful farmers in some beautiful English countryside.

friarsmoorvets.co.uk