VESCONE Blog

Hidden Pet Dangers in your backyard BBQ

  

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With the 4^th of July around the corner, families are firing up the grill to celebrate. But common cookout food and materials can be deadly for your pets.  Dr. Amy Shroff, owner of the Veterinary Emergency and Specialty Center of New England in Waltham shares with you tips on how to keep your pets safe and out of the emergency room this holiday.

Photo Credit: http://www.dog-woodsresort.com/images/pic2.gif

• Heat Stroke – We’ve seen many deadly cases in the hospital recently. On a hot day, do not leave your dog out in the sun or even in the shade if temperatures hit above 80 degrees.  Your dog does not perspire like you can and instead pant to cool themselves off.  Breeds such as Bulldogs, Shi Tzus, Pugs, Boston Terriers, and Pekinese have a compromised airway and if they pant for too long, can develop swelling of their upper airway. They can get overheated very quickly. If their internal body temperature climbs above 104-105, it can be fatal.  
• Corn cobs – These are made of fibrous plant material or cellulose and do not digest in the GI tracts of dogs.  When swallowed whole, it is almost guaranteed that they may need to be removed surgically as they get lodged in the intestines.  Don’t let your dog get in your post barbeque garbage!
• Skewers - When these are swallowed, they can also be lodged in the intestine or poke right through the esophagus or stomach and lodge in the chest cavity or a lung. This can lead to terrible infections and trauma if swallowed, so keep an eye on that garbage! And don’t give any to your dog to chew!
• Garbage ingestion –Any garbage that has been sitting out for a while in the heat can harbor lots of toxins.  In addition, eating lots of fatty human foods can set dogs up for gastroenteritis and pancreatitis or inflammation of the GI tract  and can be very dangerous.  So no trash can surfing for that leftover hot dog or potato salad.
• Charcoal briquettes – Clients often ask us if these are harmful.  If they contain lighter fluid or other petroleum products, they can upset their GI tracts.  If it is plan charcoal, unless they eat a whole one which can be lodged in their intestine, it will not harm them to eat it.  But let’s keep them out of sight just in case!
• Fireworks – Dogs in general do not like loud noises because their ears are much more sensitive than ours. It can cause them to get very anxious and stressed from the noise. Hot remnants of sparklers or firecrackers can also be painful and dangerous if stepped on.  If you are going to set off some fireworks legally, keep your dog indoors. 
• Insect stings – Since we share the outdoors with bees, wasps and other stinging insects, it is best to stay clear of any nests or areas where anyone can be stung.  Dogs can have allergic reactions similar to humans that don’t present right away. If your dog does get stung, call your veterinarian or your local veterinary emergency room immediately.
• Sunburn – Dogs can get sunburned especially if they have pink or less pigmented skin.  I recommend keeping them in the shade, but if they are out and the weather is cool but sunny, a dog specific sunblock is recommended.   

Trimming pet's nails too short: What should I do?

  

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Ever cut your pet’s nails too short and the bleeding won't stop?

Almost every pet owner who trims their pets nail has cut a nail too short.  It happens to everyone.

There are many ways to stop a bleeding nail.  It’s important to note that if you see blood then the nerve of that nail was injured too, which means it will hurt your pet a little. 

Some pets are braver than other while others may act like their entire leg is broken.  Just like people; some are braver with pain that others.  The good news is the pain is very brief, lasting just a couple of minute.  The bleeding can last longer because every time the pet step on the nail they remove the clot that is trying to form and it keeps re-bleeding. 

The other good news is that a bleeding toe nail will eventually stop on its own, but it may take a long time.  The amount of blood that a healthy dog or cat loses from a bleeding toe nail is not significant, but it certainly can look like a lot. 

Any of the below methods will work to stop the bleeding, but remember that your pet may be painful so it’s important that you are careful to avoid your pet snapping at you. 

1)  Baking powder, corn starch or white flower.  Pack some into the end of the bleeding nail to stop the bleeding.  None of these sting the pet, but putting it on the nail may hurt.  It may take a couple of tries of packing it on the bleeding nail before the bleeding stops.  After a couple hours and after the bleeding has stopped you can soak the paw to remove the substance.

2) Use a styptic pencil (you can purchase one from a pharmacy).  These generally do sting, but do a quick an effective job of stopping the bleeding.

3)  Take a mild bar of soap (like Ivory soap), cut off a small sliver and apply it to the bleeding nail.  This may sting a little and take a couple of tries, but is effective.  If it is not a mild soap it will definitely sting.

High-Rise Syndrome: When your pets fall

  

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By: Dr. Kerrianne Kalbko, Emergency Department Veterinarian

Anubus' Story:

Anubis is a 4 month male Labrador Retriever that presented to VESCONE’s Emergency Department on Sunday May 6, 2012, after jumping from his owner’s balcony. His initial evaluation showed a slightly low blood pressure and that he was reluctant to walk on his right frontleg. Due to his low blood pressure, he was stabilized with fluids. He was also given pain medication for his lameness.

Anubis was admitted to VESCONE’s ICU for monitoring overnight of his heart rate, breathing, and blood pressure. After he was stabilized, he had x-rays taken of his right frontleg. His x-rays showed that part of his humerus, the bone in his shoulder was broken. On Monday, May 7, 2012, Anubis had surgery with Dr. Mary Ann Nieves, one of VESCONE’s surgeons. He recovered well from his surgery and he was discharged from VESCONE on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.

What is High Rise Syndrome:

Trauma, such as being hit by a car, is a common reason for animals presenting to VESCONE for evaluation. Anubis presented with a type of trauma called High-Rise Syndrome. This refers to when a dog or cat jumps or falls from a window, deck, or other structure that is elevated several feet above the ground. A common cause of this syndrome is when pets jump or fall through windows that do not have screens.

What are the injuries? 

Pets can suffer varying degrees of injury from their falls. Some pets may only suffer fractures or broken bones in their legs. However others may be very critical from damage to their chest and abdomen or head trauma. Possible chest or abdominal injuries are: broken ribs, bruising to the lungs, a torn diaphragm, bladder rupture, or injury to the liver or spleen.

What should I do? 

High-Rise Syndrome is an emergency and all pets suffering from it should be immediately evaluated by a veterinarian. Possible diagnostics that may be recommended are: x-rays of the chest and abdomen to evaluate for any internal injuries and bloodwork to check organ function, electrolytes, red blood cell count, and protein levels. If there is concern about broken bones, additional x-rays will also be recommended.

How can I prevent it? 

High-Rise Syndrome can be prevented. If your windows do not have screens, then you can simply purchase screens. If you have a deck or porch, it should be properly gated or enclosed so that pets cannot not fall from them.

It's getting hot in here: Heat Stroke in Dogs

  

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With the weather getting warmer, we're leaving the house with our dogs more. You may have seen dogs running in severe heat or dogs sitting in cars lately. We've asked Dr. Amy Goldstein, from the Emergency and Critical Care Department to tell us more about heatstroke in dogs and how to prevent it. Is your dog more at risk because of his breed?

Photo Credit: http://heat-exhaustion-symptoms.blogspot.com/2011/07/heat-stroke-can-cause-death-to-your-dog.html

Heat Stroke

Heat stroke starts when the body temperature goes above 105 degrees Fahrenheit.  The normal temperature for a dog is 100.5 to 102.5.  When the body temperature goes above 109 degrees animals can develop organ failure and death.

Causes of heat stroke

The temperature in a parked car can go up to 160 degrees in the summer even with open windows.  Exercise on very hot days can also lead to heat stroke.  The main way that dogs dissipate heat is through panting.  This is easily overwhelmed on hot days.

At risk breeds

Any dog can develop heat stroke when they are outside in extreme heat or they are shut in a car.  Puppies, overweight dogs, dogs with other illnesses, dogs with heart disease, dogs with a thick hair coat and older pets are at a higher risk.  Dogs such as pugs that have a short muzzle are much more likely to develop heat stroke.

Symptoms

The first sign of heat stroke is excessive panting.  Their gums may become bright red.  As their temperature continues to increase they will become weak and they can collapse.  Some dogs will develop vomiting.  When the temperature gets high enough you may notice red dots on their skin or gums.  These are small areas of hemorrhage. 

What to do

If you are concerned about heat stroke you should immediately bring your pet to a veterinarian.  On the way you can cool your pet with wet towels or room temperature water.

What to expect at the vet

Once your pet’s temperature is taken and heat stroke is confirmed they will be cooled with a bath and intravenous fluids.  Blood work will be performed to check your pet’s organ function.  Most dogs with heat stroke will need to be hospitalized and they may need very intensive care depending on the extent of the organ damage.

If you or someone you know believes that their animal is in need of immediate medical attention, please call VESCONE at 781.684.8387. We are open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.