Pet First Aid Training by Four Seasons Holistic Veterinary Care

10/12/2024

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🎄Salt dough ornaments🎄

At this time of year, we start to see an increase in the volume of calls regarding salt dough ornaments. Whilst they make a great gift and can look lovely out on display, did you know that they can be very dangerous to your pet?

These ornaments often contain large amounts of salt, which when ingested can lead to toxicity.
High levels of salt may result in vomiting and diarrhoea, depression, tremors, excessive thirst and dehydration. There may also be weakness, in-coordination and wobbliness as well as high blood pressure. In severe cases muscular rigidity, seizures, coma and kidney failure can occur.

In order to keep your pet safe this Christmas, please ensure that all salt dough decorations are kept well out of reach and reach out for advice if you are concerned.

29/11/2024

Please take care when exercising your dogs near swollen streams and flooded meadows. Heavy rain can lead to chemicals, bacteria, and parasites being washed into watercourses, and this can cause serious illness in dogs.
We have heard of an older dog dying after playing around a flooded stream and becoming ill locally.

13/10/2024

When I teach Pet First Aid I think it is more important that you leave able to think on your feet and do your best in real life situations than worrying about whether you are doing things perfectly.
We heard about a great example of someone doing their best this week...
When a dog broke its leg in the park this person dashed home to get a spatula and bandages to splint the leg. They also brought some plywood to use as an emergency stretcher and drove the dog and owners to the nearest veterinary hospital! What great work. She is now planning on getting a proper dog first aid kit for her own pets.

23/07/2024

This is a case from the practice where I work... he was lucky that he could breathe around the stone, and that the referral center could remove it with no damage!
https://www.facebook.com/share/hbkxvnKuuXfHCdJQ/

Meet Rocky!
Rocky had way too much fun at the beach and ended up inhaling a good-sized beach pebble into his airway. Lucky for him, it did not obstruct his airway and after a fun trip to the specialist for removal, he is back to his normal bouncy self.

17/07/2024

HEATSTROKE
It has been brought to our attention that some Canine First Aid providers are giving out really bad advice on treating heatstroke.
The latest research from the Royal Veterinary College makes it very clear that if a dog appears to be suffering from the heat you should:
Move them to a cool area (indoors, shade, add fans if available.
Offer sips of water if the dog is able to drink.
Pour water that is colder than the dog over it (I like to concentrate on the belly and groin as these have less hair!).
CALL THE VET for further advice once cooling is started.
Continue cooling during transportation- car fans and AC are useful.
Amd if you don't believe me... read the research!
https://www.rvc.ac.uk/research/research-centres-and-facilities/veterinary-epidemiology-economics-and-public-health/news/new-research-from-the-rvc-suggests-human-heat-health-alerts-could-help-prevent-heatstroke-in-dogs #:~:text=Additionally%2C%20the%20RVC%20advises%20%E2%80%9Ccool,not%20force%20them%20to%20drink)

New research from the RVC suggests human heat-health alerts could help prevent heatstroke in dogs  Published: 28 May 2024 | Last Updated: 28 May 2024 15:48:10 New research from the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) which investigated heatstroke in UK dogs has found a strong correlation between the occ...

06/07/2024

This is a good video on reverse sneezing... alarming, but not an emergency!

93.7K likes, 1428 comments. “I finally got a video of a doggo reverse sneezing! You guys have only been asking for this video for about a year, and I’ve only been trying to make this video for like, 2 years! I can’t thank my lovely actress, Lilly, enough for her commitment to the role! Now, ty...

24/06/2024

Overheated Dog?

Get them into the shade.
Pour cool water over them, preferably from a shower, tap, or hose. Get water on their bellies where they are less hairy.
Call your vet.
Keep cooling the dog on the way to the vets, crank up the car fans or air conditioning.

Heatstroke kills!

19/06/2024

Heck! Do not pull!
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15/06/2024

You won't make these mistakes if you trian with me!
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12/06/2024

Alarming data!
We know veterinary treatment when your dog eats something it shouldn't is expensive... but DIY treatment can kill.
There are DIY methods that work, and we do teach them to people living hours from veterinary care, but all carry risks.
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02/05/2024

🐕 Oil Seed R**e is NOT highly toxic to dogs. The scent can be overpowering, causing dogs to get lost. Some dogs suffer allergic reactions to the sap, and they'll probably throw up if they eat it. But it isn't deadly. However, please keep your dog on the footpath through r**e (and any other crops) as any damage causes farmers to lose money.
🐕 Ice is NOT deadly. If it's a warm day, your dog might enjoy some ice in their water bowl or a frozen treat. Freezing food stuffed toys makes them last longer. Raggies soaked in chicken broth and frozen are great for teething. But if your dog is suffering heat exhaustion, avoid ice. The shock of icy water on the stomach could cause vomiting and further dehydration.
🐕 Adders are rarely deadly, but their bites cause very unpleasant and painful wounds. If you suspect an adder bite.call your vet and get there as soon as possible. Carry or stretcher your dog if possible. Cool water might soothe the pain a little, but don't delay getting to the vet. Antivenom is not essential, but your vet will know where the nearest supply is if necessary. Adder bells probably don't work, walking with a stick (which vibrates the ground), and keeping your dog on the path is safest.
🐕Most garden bulbs are NOT deadly. A nibble of a daffodil or bluebell leaf may cause stomach irritation, that's all. Eating a large amount of bulbs could be dangerous. Some garden plants, including Foxglove, Lily of the Valley, and Oleander, are toxic in small quantities and should be avoided.
🐕 Ticks must only be removed with a suitable tick hook or similar tool. They must never be smothered in liquid soap, doused in alcohol, burnt, or squashed. If the tick is disturbed it is more likely to infect your pet (or you!) if it is carrying disease.

30/04/2024

📸 Look at this post on Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/8h637BNJ4s7qTgpo/

27/04/2024

If you suspect Bloat call your vet immediately!

24/04/2024

06/04/2024

I had a fabulous day teaching practical dog first aid today, assisted by my dogs Secret, Rumer, and Cluedo. Oh, and Copper the CPR dummy!
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31/03/2024

Give your vet a quiet day today... keep chocolate, hot cross buns, and Easter flowers safely out of your pet's reach!
Happy Easter

22/03/2024

I'm doing a First Aid course for a local gundog club in June.