Pet First Aid Training by Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care

01/07/2025

Ice for dogs... good or bad?

13/06/2025

We know it can be tempting to try a home remedy instead of paying for a vet consultation but please be careful with human meds.
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We are aware of a few videos circulating social media at the moment regarding ibuprofen ingestion in dogs.

Ibuprofen is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID). It is commonly used in people for the relief of pain and inflammation associated with aches and pains, headache, cramps and for the relief of mild fever.

Ibuprofen is a very widely available over-the-counter painkiller. Although well tolerated in people, dogs are very sensitive to ibuprofen and ingestion of even a relatively low dose can cause adverse effects on the gut and the kidneys. A very large overdose can even cause very rapid onset features including convulsions.

☎️Owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000 if they are concerned about their pet.

We do not recommend the administration of any human medications without prior consultation with your veterinary surgeon.

13/05/2025

Keep inhalers safely out of reach!

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28/04/2025

It doesn't need to be that hot for dogs to be at risk of heat stroke. A hairy, old, brachycephalic (short nosed) dog could be at risk at temperatures as low as 18°C! This week is set to be much hotter...
Signs of Heatstroke
🥵 Excessive Panting
🥵 Big Red Tongue
🥵 Not Listening to Known Cues
🥵 Unsteady Gait
🥵 Vomiting
🥵 Collapse, Coma, Death

If you suspect even mild heat stress start treatment immediately!
🥶 Cool The Dog Fast, preferably with cold running water.
🥶 Call your Vet while you Cool.
🥶 Continue Cooling with open windows, fans, or air conditioning as you travel.
🥶 Offer small drinks of room temperature water to conscious dogs only.

Heatstroke kills.

Ignore all the posts about bathing their feet with tepid water, or iced water being dangerous. Research tells us rapid cooling is a lifesaver!

13/04/2025

Take care if using patio cleaners as they can be caustic and toxic. Alternatively try a pet safe acetic acid (vinegar!) based cleaner.
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Thinking about going out and cleaning your patio this weekend?

We receive a lot of enquiries at this time of year regarding pets who have been exposed to benzalkonium chloride, a chemical found in patio cleaners. Exposure most commonly occurs when the product is applied to a patio and the pet proceeds to walk across the surface before it is dry. Grooming and licking the feet then transfers the chemical to the pet's mouth.
Benzalkonium chloride can cause severe irritation and ulceration to the skin, pads of the feet, tongue and mouth. The extent of this injury is often not apparent until several hours later.

Always make sure any surface is thoroughly dry after cleaning before allowing pets to have access to the area. If your pet does get any disinfectant or patio cleaner on their feet/skin, wash it off immediately. If you notice any of the following signs, contact your vet:

⚠️Drooling
⚠️Burns/ulcers in the mouth or on the feet/skin
⚠️Pawing at the mouth
⚠️Loss of appetite
⚠️Lethargy
⚠️Lameness

☎️Owners can call Animal PoisonLine on 01202 509000
☎️Veterinary Professionals can call VPIS on 0207 305 5055

04/04/2025

Adder season is upon us...

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🐍 Adders 🐍

With the glorious weather recently, we have seen an expected increase in calls regarding adder bites.

The adder (Vipera berus berus) is the only venomous snake native to the UK, and is also found across northern Europe. It is a protected species in the UK. Adders are most commonly, but not exclusively, found on dry, sandy heaths, sand dunes, rocky hillsides, moorlands and woodland edges. The clinical signs of an adder bite can include rapid and progressive swelling around the bite site, pain, lethargy, vomiting, bruising, bleeding and collapse.

What should you do if your pet has been bitten by an adder?
❌Do not panic.
❌Do not interfere with the bite.
❌Do not apply a tourniquet.
❌Do not attempt to touch or catch the snake.
❌Do not kill the snake – it is a protected species.
❌If practical, carry your dog to your car and go to your veterinary surgeon - do not delay seeking advice even if your pet is well as things can change quickly.

Adders are not aggressive and generally only bite when provoked. They hibernate in the winter and as a result most bites occur in the summer. Pets are frequently bitten on the leg, head or neck. If your pet has been bitten by an adder (even if you did not see the snake or are not sure what happened) – contact your vet immediately. Your vet will examine your pet to determine the location of the bite and extent of the swelling.

Veterinary professionals can call us any time on 02073 055 055 if required for assistance with managing cases of adder bites. We also hold a list of antivenom stockists across the UK. Please note that antivenom is not indicated in all cases.

02/04/2025

Choose your CPR tune...
Vote for Stayin' Alive, Another One Bites The Dust, The Imperial March, or Baby Shark!

01/04/2025

Six hours online and 8 hours in person, and I'm all up to date on Basic and Advanced Life Support.

Nothing too significant to change in my first aid courses, but I'll post an update in the next few days.

18/03/2025

I have always taught to do CPR with the pet on whichever side they happen to be, the latest RECOVER guidelines provide the science to say that's the correct advice.
Is your Pet First Aid trainer up to date with the latest CPR guidelines?

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⭐ Ask the Expert: Which Side to Perform CPR On? ⭐

Q: Should you position a dog on their right or left side for CPR?

A: The RECOVER Guidelines are based on evidence. To our knowledge, no studies have looked at the difference between right and left lateral recumbency when performing external chest compressions. Because of this, there is no recommendation on which side the dogs should be positioned.

It is more important to start chest compressions as soon as cardiopulmonary arrest is recognized in an animal and to perform them uninterrupted for 2 minutes. So, even if you believe that dogs should be right-side down for compressions, we recommend not delaying or interrupting compressions to turn your patient around. 🩺🐾

💬 Have you encountered this in practice? Share your thoughts in the comments!

17/03/2025

This is why we don't pull a penetrating object out until we are ready to deal with the mess!
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06/03/2025

Spring is here and Easter is on the way... but what dangers will they bring?

26/02/2025

Spring is (honestly) just around the corner, and you might be worried about the plants that are starting to show themselves.
All parts of the daffodil are toxic, but pets rarely chew more than a leaf or two before the taste puts them off. Symptoms include salivation if chewed and stomach upsets if eaten. If your dog digs up the bulbs and eats them this is more serious, and your vet may need to induce vomiting and give supportive treatment.
More dangerous are Lily of the Valley and Foxglove, which appear later in spring. These plants contain chemicals that can cause more serious gut upsets and heart problems.
True lilies won't be out in gardens for a while but might appear in spring cut flower arrangements. All parts of true lilies are toxic to cats, so avoid these in your garden and home. If your cat has chewed lilies or licked lily pollen, contact your vet as soon as possible for advice.

If you are worried about a plant your pet has eaten, call your vet with as much information as possible so they can advise you. When your vet is closed, Animal Poison Line (01202 509000) will give you the best advice for a small charge.