Quick Advice

Vomiting and diarrhoea

What should I do if my pet is vomiting or has diarrhoea?

Contact the practice for advice, as the causes can vary.
Feed a bland diet, little and often.
Supportive diets and probiotic supplements are also beneficial in aiding recovery, and can be purchased from the practice.
Allow access to water but avoid letting your pet drink a full bowl, as this can cause more vomiting.
Collect a faecal sample if told to do so – wear gloves and put the sample in a clean plastic box.
Keep track of the consistency and quantity of diarrhoea and vomit, and check if there is blood present in faeces.
Get in touch with the practice if your pet’s condition isn’t improved by a bland diet.

Limping and lameness

My pet is limping. What should I do?

Restrict exercise and allow rest for a few days, depending on how much your pet is limping.
Check for signs of broken bones.
If they are yelping or seem to be in pain, you should contact the practice.
Avoid slippery surfaces such as laminate flooring.
Contact the practice to book an appointment.
Limping and lameness can also be linked to age related conditions like osteoarthritis. Get in touch with the practice to learn more.

Euthanasia

Is it time to consider euthanasia?

Making the decision to put a pet to sleep is tough, but when the time comes it can be useful to prepare yourself for what the process involves.
You can be present for the procedure if you prefer.
A fur clipping is removed from the front and sometimes back legs, and a sedative can be given if the pet is nervous or stressed.
They are then given an anaesthetic agent, which helps them drift into unconsciousness and stops their heart.
Some pets may take a deep breath after the euthanasia, which is a bodily reflex.
Speak to the practice for further information.

Eating something they shouldn’t have eg. toxins or foreign objects

Has your pet ingested something they shouldn’t have?

Always contact the practice for advice as soon as possible.
Keep hold of any labels or packaging, as we may need to check any ingredients listed.
Remove any other remaining toxins, foreign objects or dangers.

Whelping

Is your pet whelping?

Contact the practice for advice if you think your pet is whelping.
Signs of labour in dogs and cats include stronger and more frequent abdominal cramps and contractions and their waters breaking.
Dystocia means a difficult or abnormal birth, and signs include contractions lasting for two hours without any signs of watery discharge.
To check for signs of whelping in dogs, you can take their temperature and look for discharge from the vulva.
There are three stages: the start of contractions, the birth of puppies and the delivery of the placenta.

Cuts and bite wounds

How to treat cuts, bites and wounds

Contact the practice for advice.
The most appropriate treatment will depend on the severity and size of the wound.
Avoid removing any foreign bodies that may be inside the cut, as this can cause further trauma or bleeding.
If the wound is dirty, you should ideally flush out the area with salt water.
Apply a pressure bandage.
Give your pet a salt water bath if appropriate.

Collapse

Collapsed pet?

Contact the practice immediately.
Safely carry your pet to your car and use your boot parcel shelf as a stretcher.
Consider lifting the pet with someone else if they are a large dog breed.

Hit by a car

What to do if your pet has been hit by a car

Check the area for any danger, and move your pet if the road is clear to go.
Consider using your boot parcel shelf as a stretcher, but be careful not to move any limbs or the spine in case of fractures.
Position your pet so that they are lying on their stomach, as this can help with breathing.
Apply pressure to any wounds and consider applying pressure bandages using. available materials like scarves.
Contact the practice to inform them that you are on your way.
Visit the Blue Cross website for further information and first aid tips.

Seizures

What to do when a pet has a seizure

Turn off any stimuli by turning off lights, TVs, radios etc.
Make sure your pet is in a safe area and away from objects that they might knock over during a seizure.
Try not to move your pet and record the time the seizure started.
Contact the practice for advice.

Dyspnoea

What to do when a pet is struggling to breathe

Contact the practice immediately.
Try to keep your pet sat upright and avoid lying them on their side, as this can restrict breathing.
If safe to do so, check their airway for any obstructions or foreign bodies.

Allergic reactions

Has your pet had an allergic reaction?

Bloating

Is your pet bloated?

Bloating and unproductive vomiting in dogs can be signs of gastric dilation volvulus (GDV), which can occur in any dog breed, but is mainly found in deep chested breeds.
Bloating can also be a symptom of worms in cats.
Contact the practice as soon as possible if you are concerned about bloating.

Blocked bladder

Worried your pet might have a blocked bladder?

Blocked bladders in male cats strain and become painful, which often requires surgery. Contact the practice as soon as possible if you think your cat has a blocked bladder, as they will require emergency care.
Blocked bladders can also be a symptom of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which is most common in cats. If this is the case, a urine sample will need to be taken.
If you think your cat may have a UTI, offer fresh water at all times. Cats often prefer water fountains to bowls.