Category: Emergency
What to do when your pet goes missing
When you realise your pet is missing, it can send you into a panic. Carefully read through this step-by-step information, which will help you to prepare for what to do if your pet goes missing.
I’ve just realised my pet is not in my house or yard. I think they are missing – what should I do?!
Pets can go missing for many reasons: jumping out of the car when you’re making a pitstop, running after other dogs while at the dog park, esc...
View Article How to manage a pet that is having seizures
My pet is staring blankly and twitching, and is drooling excessively. What must I do?
It’s a frightening experience to witness your dog or cat having a seizure. In everyday life, pets are conscious and aware of their owners, responding to your words and actions, but during a seizure, a dog or cat may b...
View Article Gastric dilatation volvulus
My dogs abdomen is distended and he's acting very restless
It’s a scary situation when your dog looks like he has a bloated tummy, but he’s really experiencing a life-threatening medical emergency. Gastric dilatation volvulus or GDV is also called bloat, but it’s more than just a bit of air in the stomach. Its other name – gastric...
View Article Eclampsia in pets
My dog/cat recently had puppies/kittens and is starting to show strange twitches and spasms
What is eclampsia?
Eclampsia is a life-threatening condition in dogs and cats that have recently had a litte...
View Article Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) in dogs and cats
My pet tires quickly when playing or exercising and sometimes has a soft cough like trying to clear their throat
What is dilated cardiomyopathy?
Cardiomyopathy is a disease condition of the heart muscle that inhibits its ability to function properly. In the case of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the heart muscle is stretched and the muscle is thin and flabby, affecting its pumping ability. Dilated ...
View Article Domestic pet poisoning
My pet may have eaten something poisonous. How do I know if she will be alright?
Poisoning is a common occurrence in domestic animals like dogs and cats. The most widely observed route of poisoning is via the mouth (orally), but topical poisoning and other routes of intoxication are also possible. No ma...
View Article Malicious poisoning of dogs
I think my dog has been poisoned! What must I do?
What poisons are used on dogs?
The most commonly used poisons are organophosphates (malathion, disufloton, acephate, parathion), carbamates (Aldicarb, Temik/‘two-step’) and rat poison. Organophosphates...
View Article Acute Abdomen
My pet won't eat, has a distended belly, is retching, and appears restless and in pain. She seemed fine yesterday, what could be the cause?
Now and again pet owners are faced with emergency situations when their pets are suddenly in severe belly pain. Unexpectedly, both the owner and the pet are in a moment of anxiety and distress. So what could possibly be going on? This sudden severe belly pain is what veterinarian...
View Article Help! My pet has just drank some Anti-Freeze
Ethylene Glycol Toxicity
Winter has arrived and many people, as a precautionary measure, are putting antifreeze into their cars’ radiators, to prevent the water from freezing.
Ethylene glycol is the main ingredient found in antifreeze. Antifreeze is not as commonly used in South Africa as on other very cold par...
View Article My puppy is trying to chew the cord of my laptop charger
Electrical Injury in our pets
Although this may sound like a very unusual topic to discuss it is something that happens far more frequently than we would like. The most common reason for our pets to get electrocuted is chewing on electrical cords. In general the age groups affected in both cats and dogs are approximately 2 mo...
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