Summer pet care essentials are simple as
Tanya and Darren walked in to the consult room and immediately asked where the sink was to wash the off the blood that was dripping from Tanya’s arms.
Their cat ‘‘Hooter’’ was roaming around the car on the way to see me when he stepped on the electric window button. He was halfway out the window when Tanya managed to grab him around the waist and haul him back while Darren quickly put the window up. Hooter was only in for a vaccination, but Tanya ended up getting a few plasters.
This is a new twist on an all too common problem that we have all seen. That is, the dog on the back of the ute running from side to side barking at everyone and anything and flapping his ears in the wind. Utes have become popular again and I guess that wet slobbery monster is better in the back than steaming up the windows inside the car.
Sid wasn’t so lucky. His owner’s story is a classic. ‘‘What was that noise, dear?’’ as they drove back from the river. ‘‘Just a stone on the road’’. ‘‘Oh’’. So they carried on home and took some things inside. ‘‘Did you let Sid off?’’ ‘‘No’’.
So began a hasty return along their route home to find Sid sitting on the side of a busy road nursing a very sore leg.
Ralph carried Sid in on Saturday to see us, which was a feat because Sid is a large very well rounded 50-kilogram (at least) bull mastiff. Poor old Sid was very lucky that he survived his bumpy landing from a ute travelling at 100kmh, but he had a few nasty injuries. He had ruptured the ligaments in one hind leg, cut a deep cavity in his chin and had some large angry gravel rash grazes on his bum.
Painkillers and antiinflammatories were needed in large amounts and he has been an awesome patient as we have gradually helped his grazes and cuts to heal. His knee injury is a common one in larger dogs and also occurs in the little guys and the occasional cat. We reconstructed his knee with a new modern technique that is proving really great and within a week he will be back home to rest quietly with no more rides on the ute for a long time. Please tie your friend on the back of the ute, but also think about how to tie them on.
Don’t use a check chain. Only ever tie dogs up by a non-slip collar. Make sure the line or lead is short so that they can’t try to jump off. Make sure the line can’t slip along the bar to the side and check where they are before you leave – seems logical, but read on.
We have had several very sad stories told to us about dogs that have died after jumping over a fence when they were still tied up, and another that jumped in a window.
If you need to tie your best friend up to an object, please think carefully about the location and anything that they could do.
When I first started as a vet, we regularly saw farm dogs that had been dragged behind a vehicle when someone had forgotten about them being tied to the vehicle. These dogs usually had what we call de-gloving injuries that we still see occasionally in cats hit by cars. There is a system of dressings that we use for these and after 4-6 weeks, the skin gradually heals and moves across even very large defects.
The moral of the story: Pick up a cat box to get your feline friend to see us. Never mind the fact that driving is a bit hazardous with either a cat clawing at your leg and walking across the dashboard while the dog licks your neck. Use a car harness for your larger furry friend to keep them and you safe. If you have to stop in a hurry, you might be OK, but they will be airborne if not tied in.we have harnesses in all shapes and sizes, so give us a call.
Have a great week and take a deep breath and get out for a relaxing walk in D-month.
Remember we are here every day and are open until 7pm every weeknight after you finish work to help with your furry friends.
Phone 06 357 9993 for Pitama Rd and 06 356 9993 for Hokowhitu.