Laryngitis
We have been discussing ailments pertaining to the respiratory system of our pets. Within this context, we must also deal with any sickness affecting organs that are in some way (even if only tangentially) associated with the respiratory apparatuses. Within this category falls the larynx. The larynx is a short, oblong structure located above the [...]
Coughing
Coughing is a reflex action which is initiated by an irritant in the air passages. It is a sudden expelling of air from the lungs, usually accompanied with an explosive noise and with a series of efforts. It is a sign common to many diseases which occur in the dog and cat. A cough may [...]
Types of breathing
Continued from last week Before we continue, as promised, with the discussion on different types of breathing, allow me to mention a few more conditions (see last week’s TPC) which can contribute to respiratory diseases. Overcrowding, often associated with poor hygienic conditions, and resultant stress increase both the possibility of infection and the severity of [...]
Management of the open wound
We have already described the management of the wound which has been sutured shut. Some wounds are better left open, but then we can anticipate a longer healing period. Now, which wounds should we leave open? For sure, one will find difficulty closing any wound which is accompanied by great skin loss; therefore one should [...]
Wound management
Continued The week before last, we discussed the ‘washing out’ of the wound. Other words used to describe this removal of visible and microscope debris are ‘lavage’ and ‘irrigation.’ So where do we go from here? Always, the objectives are: (1) to keep the wound free from further infection, (2) to destroy any residual or [...]
Some specific wound treatment techniques
Treatment of wounds Over the last few weeks, we have been discussing various aspects of wound management. Let’s put some of these salient points in a telegram form: Assess the overall stability of the wounded animal. This is important. How often have I not seen clients exhibiting extreme panic over a bit of bleeding, while [...]
Treatment of wounds
Continued In order to implement better wound management procedures, it seems appropriate that the wound healing process be understood. Wound healing Wound healing is the process by which damaged tissue is restored. An understanding of this process helps us to make the right decisions relative to our wound management techniques. For example, it will help [...]
Wound treatment
Continued Last week, we discussed the emergency control of haemorrhaging due to cuts and assorted wounds on the extremities (legs, tails), etc. Whatever the cause of the lesion (wound), there is great likelihood that germs (bacteria, spores, etc) would have entered the broken surface of the skin. Our objective, therefore, must always be to clean [...]
Wounds
Let us today begin with a new chapter – a discourse on wounds. Dealing with fresh wounds There are all sorts of reasons that cause lesions in the skin and underlying tissue. We will today be dealing with those that are associated with some mechanical trauma (a willful chop, a gunshot wound, an accidental cut from [...]
To keep or not to keep wildlife as pets
Many wild creatures are kept as pets. Sometimes, the intentions of the owners of these pets are very noble; they may have rescued an injured, orphaned animal from the wild, or the animal lover may have bought the wild animal off a trader or hunter, because it was being kept under deplorable conditions and was [...]
Frog poisonings
I’ve kept this topic for last, on purpose. So many myths have been bandied about on this issue. Practically every ‘sudden’ canine death is attributed to a frog ‘blowing’ on the dog. Usually, there is a different cause of ailment and death, another reality. The fact of the matter is that all toads have a [...]
Poisonings
Continued Snake bite There was a time whenever I heard ‘snake bite’ as a cause of death, especially among domestic livestock, I used to laugh and deem it an embarrassment diagnosis. In other words, whenever the herdsman or the ranch manager was not sure of the cause of death, the easiest thing to blame was [...]
Miscellaneous poisonings
Food poisoning Actually, I should call this ‘garbage poisoning’ because most of these toxicities are associated with the ingestion of garbage and the like. Indeed, food poisoning seems much more common in recent times. I definitely see more cases with symptoms reminiscent of food poisoning nowadays in the clinic than, say, 20 years ago. Dogs [...]
More types of poisonings
Poisoning with petroleum products Dogs, as I have mentioned before, are a species characterized by curiosity. Especially the young ones will want to investigate any new colour or new smell, and in so doing they get themselves into trouble. Unfortunately, we pet owners are often not very careful in the way we leave poisonous substances [...]
Symptoms and treatments of specific poisonings …Continued
Organophosphate poisoning There are several chemicals on the market which pet owners use to eliminate ectoparasites (ticks, fleas, lice, etc) and which have a base ingredient of organophosphates or carbamates. Some of the more popular ones are Sevin dust (powder), Supona, Malathion, Dichlor-vos. All of these are potential killers. I often tell clients (and though [...]