Pet Central - Health & Safety

Bites
Clean the wound with warm water. If the skin is broken it may need stitches and an antibiotic treatment.

Bleeding
Small cuts usually stop bleeding after a few minutes. Continuous bleeding or blood pumping from an artery will need to be taken to the vet immediately. Use a compress made from a clean cloth soaked in cold water and apply pressure to stop the bleeding.

Apply plenty of cold water to the area. Burn ointment may be used for minor burns, however for more serious burns the animal will need to be taken to the vet as the animal will be suffering from shock.

Foreign Bodies in the mouth
An animal that is constantly pawing at its mouth, has difficulty closing its mouth or is salivating profusely may have something stuck in its mouth, or wedged in between its teeth. If you are unable to find or remove the object you must take the animal to a vet before serious injury and inflammation occurs.

Fur Balls
Long haired animals may sometimes vomit a fur ball. Usually this is no problem however the animal can choke from them.

Grass Seeds
These seeds penetrate the skin in any area. The long barbs on the seed cause it to penetrate deep into the coat. These cause irritation, infection or an abscess. Your vet may be needed to operate to remove the seed.

Lameness
This can be caused by many reasons, a cut, a bite, a thorn or even a knot in the hair in the paw. Examine the animals paw and seek your vets advice if necessary.

Poisoning
Symptoms include vomiting, muscular spasm or bleeding from the gums. Keep the animal warm and quiet with plenty of fresh air, find out what the animal has eaten, call the vet to find out whether or not to induce vomiting.

Stings
For serious stings inside the mouth your vet will need to give the animal a anti-histamine injection. Keep the animal cool and pull its tongue forward to keep the airway clear.
Stings on the pad may be treated with antiseptic lotions. Vinegar is good for wasp stings. Remove bee stings with tweezers and apply bicarbonate of soda.

Before you own an animal it is necessary to check your house and yard for anything which may be harmful to an inquisitive cat or dog.

Electrical cables should be concealed

Poisons should be kept locked away

Cleaning products should also be hidden

Some plants are harmful to animals

Heavy or sharp objects should be kept in a place where they will not be knocked down

Broken glass on the ground or glass bottles which could easily broken can cause serious damage to animals

Slug pellets, snail pellets, weed killers, acids, alkali, petrol, kerosene, antifreeze, hand soaps, paints, varnishes, fertilisers and also building and gardening materials can be dangerous or fatal to a nosy animal

Keep in mind that some dogs love to dig and can easily escape under fences and are then free to get into more serious trouble outside your yard

These can be very painful and hard to initially locate in long haired breeds.
Wash the area with warm salt water so the puss filled head bursts.
Continue washing the area until healed.
If this is not proving effective then your vet will need to examine the area.

Diarrhoea
Main cause is a change of diet or a chill.
Starve the animal for a day (24 hrs) to allow the stomach to empty and settle.
Have fresh water available
Feed animal a light diet for a few days
If your pet has any other symptoms (vomiting, blood in diarrhoea) contact your vet at once.

Ear Infections
A build up of wax or ear mites in the ear often with a foul smelling discharge
Animal will scratch at the ear, shake its head or tilt it to one side
Ear drops may be needed from your vet (an animal with hot, red ears will need to see a vet immediately)

Heat Stroke
Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhoea, collapse and death
Always have plenty of shade available, never lock your pet in a car on a warm day (even with the windows open), and have fresh water available at all times.
To reduce the symptoms put your pet in cool water up to the neck and see your vet immediately

Kennel Cough
Vaccinations are available as a prevention
Initially the animal tries to clear the throat, developing a hoarse cough
Medication is needed to help, however pups or old dogs may still end up with long term damage or death from kennel cough

Kidney Failure
Symptoms include frequent passing of water, accelerated breathing, premature aging.

Liver Disease
Symptoms are jaundiced yellowing of the white of the eye, and of the membranes lining the eye and mouth, sickness, loss of appetite, constipation, infrequent passing of highly coloured urine.
Contact your vet immediately.

Spinal Disorders
Especially in the low-legged long backed dog breeds. Take care especially with older dogs to avoid excessive jumping. See your vet at once if you see signs of spine problems.

Travel Sickness
Not all dogs suffer from this, some do as pups and grow out of it. Your vet may suggest travel sickness tablets. Make sure your car has plenty of fresh air coming into it to help reduce the sickness.

Parasites
- Internal
The main internal parasites are roundworm, tapeworm and heartworm. Proper worming of your pet is vital. Talk to the breeder or your vet for the correct dosage and timing of the worming programme.
- External
The flea is the single most common cause of skin and coat problems in dogs. There are 11000 kinds of fleas that can transmit tapeworm, heartworm or smaller parasites onto your pet. A good flea treatment is required if your pet has fleas. As well as on your pet fleas also hide in bedding, carpets and cracks for months, so a careful and regular clean out of the entire area is necessary.
Lice are biting insects, they move slow and don’t jump, and are usually found in the animal’s ears and neck.
Mites look like tiny grains of orange sand that form in clusters between the dogs toes or above the eyes. Can be cleared by using a shampoo from your vet.
Ticks are blood sucking insects which attach themselves to the skin. Smothering in oil or turps to prevent them from breathing then twist them out with tweezers is one method of removal. See you vet immediately as the tick may cause the animal to be paralysed.

Many herbs have medicinal value and can be used to help your dog, cat, horse or other pet to overcome a range of common ailments both safely and effectively.

Consult your vet or natural animal practitioner before using medicine of any kind on your pets, otherwise you may be causing more harm than good.

Alfalfa is extremely rich in nutrients; it is very alkalinizing and helps with conditions such as arthriris. It is often used to improve appetite and help with poor digestive function.

Aloe Vera can be used externally on sores, wounds, insect bites and other skin irritations to aid healing and reduce scar tissue formation. It can be used internally for many digestive conditions, however since many commercial aloe vera products are toxic to cats it is best to avoid using it this way or seek further advice.

Catnip is very popular with cats, they often roll around and rub against the plant. The plant acts as an aphrodisiac to cats, so should not be given externally. For dogs it can be used for stomach upsets, colds and fevers.

Echinacea is a natural antibiotic, a blood cleanser and lymphatic system cleanser. It is excellent for infections of the respiratory tract or head. It should only be used when necessary for no more than a few weeks at a time.

Fennel leaves can be rubbed over your pet’s coat to help repel fleas. It can also be used to relieve colic and suppress the appetite.

Garlic is well known for it’s use as a worm preventative and is also useful as an internal cleanser for infections and viral, bacterial or fungal complaints.

Lavender is often used as an essential oil for its antiseptic properties and pleasant fragrance. It is a calminative and helps to repel insects when used as a rinse externally.

Slippery Elm bark powder can help to relieve diarrhoea – add a teaspoon of the powder with enough water to make a paste and add a little honey to taste. Avoid using during pregnancy.

St John’s Wart or Hypericum is a pain reliever, especially for nerve pain such as slipped disc or spinal problems. It can be used for arthritis or after surgery.

Valerian can help to calm and relax over zealous animals, and also has pain-relieving properties. Can be also used for insomnia and nervous tension.

To make a herbal infusion (tea) – Place 1 teaspoon of dried herb or 1 heaped tablespoon of fresh, chopped herb into a non-metal teapot and pour 1 cup of boiling water over, cover and steep for 15 min. Strain and cool.

As a general guide:
Cats – 1-2 teaspoons 3 times daily
Dogs (medium) – 2 tablespoons twice daily
Dogs (large) – ¼ cup twice daily
Goats/sheep – 1 cup twice daily
Horses – 2 cups 3 times daily

The fresh herb can be finely chopped and mixed with food:
Cats – 1 teaspoon mixed with food
Dogs – 1 tablespoon mixed with food
Goats/sheep – ½ cupful
Horses – 1 handful in feed.

Extract from an article by Julie Massoni (Naturopath, ATMS, HATAA), ‘Natural Life Review’, September 2000

For more information contact:
Julie Massoni
GREENPET
129 Redwood Rd Doonan Qld 4562

Ph - 07 5449 1453

Canned and dry food/diet schedule

Feeding and water bottles

Carrying and sleeping crate

Bed

Collar and leash

Grooming supplies (brushes, shampoo etc)

Outdoor lead and/or pen

Muzzle/first-aid kit

Flea collar and preparations

Safe chew products

Edible chew products

Oversimplified chart, note that larger dogs and working dogs usually have a shorter lifespan than average or medium sized dogs or an easy going pet dog.

Dog age in yrs	Comparative Human Age in Years	Cat Age in Years
	10	6mths
1	15	1
2	24	2
3	28
4	32
5	36
6	40	4
7	44
8	48
9	52
10	56
11	60	10
12	64
13	68
14	72
15	76	15
16	80
17	84
18	88
19	92
20	96
21	100
	105	20