Emergency Vet Dublin

14/10/2022

Little Benji was in for his routine neutering surgery today and he was a very brave boy.🐶
Picture of this beautiful boy to cheer your evening up!

07/10/2022

Meet Toby one of our very brave oldie who has diabetes. He is a regular patient with us as he needs to get his blood glucose checked weekly, sometimes twice a week to keep it under control.

What are the signs of diabetes?
-Excessive thirst
-Increased urination
-Weight loss despite normal or increased appetite

As the disease advances, they note that you may see symptoms like:
-Loss of appetite
-Lack of energy
-Lethargy
-Vomiting
-Vision difficulties and cataracts

If you notice any of these signs, please contact your veterinarian.

30/09/2022

17 years young Jack was in today for a dental procedure because he had a tooth root abscess. He is going to feel so much better after his treatment.
We wish you a speedy recovery!

23/09/2022

🚫We want to make owners aware of the dangers of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) poisoning in dogs and cats.🚫

Sadly, many dogs and cats die each year from antifreeze poisoning. A lethal dose of antifreeze can be ingested by your pet just from them licking a few drops up off of your driveway after it has dripped from your car’s radiator.

🤒Symptoms:
Stage 1: This occurs within 30 minutes to 12 hours, and looks similar to alcohol poisoning. Signs of walking drunk, drooling/hypersalivating, vomiting, seizuring and excessive thirst and urination.

Stage 2: This occurs 12-24 hours after a dog or cat has gotten into antifreeze, and signs of “alcohol” poisoning appear to resolve, when underlying severe internal damage is still occurring. Signs of drunkenness seem to improve, but signs of an elevated heart rate, increase breathing effort, and dehydration may start to develop.

Stage 3: In cats, this stage occurs 12-24 hours after getting into antifreeze. In dogs, this stage occurs 36-72 hours after getting into antifreeze. During this stage, severe kidney failure is developing. Severe lethargy, coma, depression, vomiting, seizures, drooling.

If you notice your dog consuming antifreeze or displaying any of the following signs or symptoms of antifreeze poisoning, contact your vet immediately, or contact your closest emergency vet for prompt treatment❗

Prevention and education are the keys to preventing antifreeze poisoning:

Be aware of possible sources of ethylene glycol (antifreeze, windshield deicing agents, brake fluid, motor oil, photography developing solutions, wood stains, solvents, inks/printer cartridges, eye masks, snow globes, and winterized toilet bowls).

Keep antifreeze stored in a sealed container away from pets.

Immediately clean any antifreeze spills.

Watch for any suspicious puddles in driveways or garages and keep your dog away.

16/09/2022

❓What is pyometra❓
One of the many reason why to neuter your pets.

We want to talk about a serious but completely preventable condition we see in female dogs way too often in our clinic.
Pyometra is a very serious infection of the womb. It’s caused by the womb filling with pus and, if left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, toxaemia, dehydration and, in some cases, death. It can occur in any sexually intact young to middle-aged dog; however, it is most common in older dogs.

What are the clinical signs of pyometra?
The clinical signs depend on whether or not the cervix remains open. If it is open, pus will drain from the uterus through the va**na to the outside. Pus or an abnormal discharge is often seen on the skin or hair. Fever, lethargy, anorexia, and depression may or may not be present.

If the cervix is closed, pus that forms is not able to drain to the outside. It collects in the uterus ultimately causing the abdomen to distend. The bacteria release toxins that are absorbed into the bloodstream. Dogs with closed pyometra become severely ill very rapidly. They are anorectic, very listless and very depressed. Vomiting or diarrhea may also be present.

How is pyometra treated?
Treatment is to surgically remove the infected uterus and ovaries by performing an ovariohysterectomy (spay). Dogs diagnosed in the early stage of the disease are very good surgical candidates. The surgery is somewhat more complicated than a routine spay at this stage. However, most dogs are diagnosed with pyometra when they are quite ill resulting in a more complicated surgical procedure and a longer period of hospitalization.

02/09/2022

🐶⭐September is National Service Dog Month⭐🐶

Did you know?

1.Dogs understand us and can read our emotions.

2.They have intrinsic therapeutic capabilities.

3. Even an untrained dog can be an emotional anchor for a person with anxiety or depression, but a trained service dog can bring specific techniques to bear.

4.Service dogs help those with debilitating medical conditions, from autism to blindness, seizure disorders and hearing impairments, diabetes and those who need physical assistance, they also serve our wounded warriors suffering from conditions like PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and mobility issues.

5.Service dogs provide companionship while inspiring confidence, and they live to serve, protect, and assist their handlers.

6.They help their humans perform tasks, overcome disabilities, and live fuller lives.

7.They have a legal right to go everywhere in support of their person.

They deserve a month for us to celebrate their work and honor these loyal companions who make life better for so many of us.🐕‍🦺

26/08/2022

🐶August is Itchy Pet Awareness Month. 🐶

We are seeing an increase of itchy dogs coming into the practice. Always contact your vet if you think your dog is scratching or nibbling himself/herself more than normal. Itchy skin can be very uncomfortable and shouldn’t be ignored. Some possible causes and treatments:

⚪Fleas. Make sure you up to date with the flea treatment .
⚪Environmental. Your dog may be allergic to environmental triggers, like grass, pollen, mold spores, or dust mites. Environmental allergens can cause allergic itch during certain seasons, or even year-round. Environmental allergies will often show signs of allergic itch around their face, belly, and paws.
⚪Food. Your dog’s itching might be caused by a food allergy.
⚪ear infection, a**l gland problem "scooting" itching, licking around the area , bacterial or fungal infection

Treatment options depends on what is the cause behind itchy skin:
⚪long-lasting injection: effective, little side effects, works like your dog’s own immune system, it is specifically designed to target and neutralize one of the main proteins that send itch signals to your dog’s brain that triggers scratching, licking, and chewing
⚪insect control
⚪Steroid medications prescribed by vet: highly effective but can have side effects
⚪antibiotics: in the case of bacterial and fungal infections
⚪prescribed diet

19/08/2022

Here are some more dangerous type of jellyfish and what to do if your pet stung by one:

🌊 While washed-up jellyfish may be dead, they still have the ability to sting.

🦑The lion’s mane (cause serious muscle cramps and potentially deadly breathing problems)
🦑 Portuguese man-o-war (potentially fatal)
🦑 Compass jellyfish (painful sting)
🦑 Blue jellyfish ( painful sting)

🚨If your dog is stung by a jellyfish, remove any stingers and stop the chemical reactions. Soaking the area in seawater, never rub the injured area on your dog with sand and always clean it with sea water rather than fresh water.

🦑If the following symptoms occur, you should take your pet directly to the veterinary clinic:
Difficulty breathing
Loss of coordination
Muscle spasms
Several stings
Swollen oral area
Swollen tongue
Vomiting

12/08/2022

Taking your dog to the beach tips and safety:

🐟Jellyfish: Jellyfish can give a nasty sting to both people and dogs, so check the water before swimming and don't let your pooch sniff around washed up jellyfish on the beach – they can still sting, even when they're dead!

🚫Broken glass or sharp objects

🏖️Believe it or not, eating and swallowing sand can actually cause stomach problems for your dog, as the sand can compact in their tummy and cause a blockage.

🥵Overexertion! Keep in mind that running on sand takes a lot more effort than running on grass. Overexertion, particularly in the summer sun, can quickly lead to potentially fatal heat stroke so beware.

🌊Salt poisoning. If you notice your dog lapping up sea water — stop them. The salt, bacteria and parasites in the water can make them sick.

04/08/2022

Unfortunately for Max he suffered from malocclusion of his incisor teeth which means that they grow in the wrong direction. In a human this might just mean braces but in a rabbit it’s a lot more serious. Because rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lives.

How rabbit teeth work:
Rabbit’s teeth grow continuously throughout their lives, If they are misaligned and not constantly wearing or grinding against one another when eating coarse fibrous foods then they will overgrow and can cause big problems. Rabbits actually have 6 incisor teeth. Behind the upper pair of incisors are a small pair of peg teeth against which the lower incisors shear and wear in rabbits with normal dental alignment.

Treatment:

1.Trimming these teeth does little to resolve the malocclusion. Periodic trimming is required on a 4-9 week schedule.
2.Dental extraction of the incisors offers a more permanent solution.

It was decided after the last treatment that because the trimming is becoming more frequent, that this week we would attempt to remove these incisors once and for all. This is a bit of a tricky operation and not without risk.

29/07/2022

Ticks on dogs and cats
Ticks are spider-like small parasites that suck blood from other animals. They have eight legs, with an egg-shaped body that will become larger and darker when filled with blood. Unlike fleas, they don't fly or jump. Instead, they climb or drop on your pet's coat when they brush past whatever they're sitting on.

Ticks are common in woodland and grassland and, although active throughout the year, you'll most likely see them between spring and autumn. Cats are less likely to get ticks than dogs, but it can still happen.

Tick prevention
Stop ticks from biting your pet by using a tick treatment that either kills or repels them if they attach themselves. There are different types of treatments, such as spot on treatments and tablets.

14/07/2022

As temperatures start to rise, pet owners should pay special attention to their pets.

🌡️Try the 5-second test - if it's too hot on the pavement for your hands, it's too hot for paws!
⚠️We recommend walking your dog in the morning or evening when it's cooler to reduce the risk of heatstroke and burning their paws on the pavement.
⚠️Never leave dogs in hot cars, conservatories, outbuildings or caravans on a warm day (even if only for a short while).
⚠️Make sure pets always have access to shade and fresh drinking water to help keep them cool.
⚠️Give your pet damp towels to lie on

🥵Signs of heatstroke
🔸Heavy panting and difficulty breathing
🔸Excessively drooling
🔸The dog appears lethargic, drowsy or uncoordinated
🔸Collapsed or vomiting

If you suspect your dog has the signs of heat stroke you must act quickly❗

⚠️Owners who suspect their pet may be experiencing heatstroke should call their regular veterinarian.

⚠️Lower your pet’s body temperature by applying towels soaked in cool water to the hairless areas of the pet’s body (the tips and back of the ears, foot pads, belly, and inner thighs). Do NOT use ice or extremely cold water because that can worsen the problem.

⚠️Use a fan to help cool the animal. Even if the pets seems to cool down, it’s still imperative to visit a veterinarian immediately, as temperatures often spike again or cool below a safe, normal temperature.

08/07/2022

Pet appreciation Friday🐶🐱🐰

We all know that no one is happier to see us return each day than our four-legged family members. Being around animals can improve moods and reduce the risk of developing depression, decreasing the feelings of anxiety and sadness as well as increasing physical activity.

Post a picture of your pet(s).

We look forward seeing your pictures!

07/07/2022

Taking care of your furry friends involves more than feeding and grooming. In order to protect them from common diseases and intestinal parasites, you’ll need to have them vaccinated and dewormed at regular intervals. Intestinal parasites in young puppies and kittens are very common.

Tapeworms
When dogs and cats eat fleas, they’re likely to become infected with tapeworm. These worms grow to four or five inches in length, and can have up to 90 small segments. It’s pretty easy to diagnose these yourself. Segments tend to get stuck in fur around the a**s. Worms in the stool may continue to move shortly after being expelled.

Roundworms
These worms grow up to five inches and are many times transferred to puppies and kittens before birth. Nursing mothers can also transfer eggs in their milk.

Deworming Schedules
The following suggested schedule will help you keep your dogs and cats worm-free. It can vary from the type of product you are using.

Kittens and Puppies:
Two weeks
Four weeks
Six weeks
Eight weeks
Twelve weeks
Sixteen weeks
Six months
One Year

Adult Animals:
For all dogs and cats: twice a year for life

Outdoor cats or pets with small children around we recommend worming every 3 months.

01/07/2022

First picture shows bladder stones we have recently removed from a cat. The second picture is bladder stones what we removed before. The biggest is almost 6 cm .

🔴Symptoms:
Most dogs or cats that have bladder stones will show symptoms that include straining to urinate, bloody urine and/or chronic, recurring urinary tract infections.

🔴Diagnosis:
Most types of bladder stones can be diagnosed easily via x-rays whereas some of the uncommon types can be missed with X-rays alone and your veterinarian may recommend ultrasound imaging to further assess and diagnose bladder stones.

🔴How are bladder stones treated?
In general, there are three main treatment options for bladder stones: 1) surgical removal; 2) non-surgical removal by urohydropropulsion, and 3) dietary dissolution.

24/06/2022

Obesity is one of the most common medical conditions in canines 🐶:

Up to 60 percent of dogs are overweight, which can lead to a lot of problems slower recovery after surgery, heat intolerance, cancer, joint disease, metabolic disorders to a state of chronic inflammation. Not to mention that obese animals are and tend to live shorter lives too.

A body condition score (BCS) chart, can help.
On the 9-point scale, a score of 4 to 5 would be ideal for most breeds, while 3 can be normal in sighthounds (Greyhounds, Whippets, Salukis, etc.), as they're generally leaner. Dogs with a body condition score of 6 out of 9 are overweight, and 7 to 9+ are considered obese.

Is Your Dog Getting Too Many Calories?

Precise measurements and consistency are critical to knowing how many calories you're serving.
1. The size of the scoop or bowl matters: one that's too big for a small dog is bound to cause problems.
2. Avoid free-choice feeding.
3. Large meals. Feeding smaller, more frequent meals burn more calories.
4. Following label recommendations. 80% of feeding recommendations online and in pet stores are inaccurate! It's best to calculate calories and then check the number of calories per cup, can, or package.
5. Treats. The truth is, many dogs get a lot of their calories from treats.
6. Table scraps.
7. Overfeeding because your dog is "very active." Most dogs and dog sports involve relatively brief periods of intense activity, in other words, not enough to increase calorie needs.

Could a medical condition be causing excess weight?

If your dog is gaining or losing a lot of weight without any other changes to his diet or exercise, then it could be a medical condition impacting his weight. Your vet can test for medical conditions that can lead to weight gain.

17/06/2022

To Throw or NOT to Throw...

Ball throwing is not an ideal activity for any dog, whatever their age or condition.
Many dog owners default the idea of throwing a ball with a chuck it stick and love watching their dogs chase after it.

What many owners don't realize is the unseen impacts this has on a dog's mental and physical body such as their muskuloskeletal system.

How chasing a ball can be harmful?
⚾Our dogs have changed both in form and function from their wolf ancestors, so when we ask a dog to run repeatedly from virtually standing to a gallop, brake sharply, often skidding on the underlying surface, throwing their neck back initially, and then bringing all their weight forward as they reach for the ball, often twisting at the same time, we can see that the forces on a dog’s skeleton and muscles are enormous. Increasing speeds can as much as double the forces generated.

⚾It is thought that the most dangerous component of ball chasing occurs during braking, and thus is often responsible for shoulder injuries.

⚾Many dogs get very excited during games of fetch. This increased arousal can involve increased heart rate and adrenaline levels, causing an increase in cortisol levels, and can lead to ‘frantic’ behaviors as a result of reduced impulse control and frustration tolerance.

Other exercises you could try to tire your dog out:
1. Scent games. Scent work is a fun way to give your dog mental stimulation .
2. Teach your dog to find a favourite toy. This can be a better way to put your beloved ball in use again.
3. Throw the ball into water. Swimming is good exercise for your dog.

14/06/2022

How do you know if your cat is pain❓🐈
Cats are masters when it comes to hiding signs of pain or illness, and it is important to pay attention to subtle changes that may indicate an issue before it becomes serious.

There’s a new pain scale in town: the Feline Grimace Scale (FGS), which interprets changes in facial expression
🔸Ear position
🔸Orbital tightening: Eyes opened, eyes partially opened, or eyes squinted
🔸Muzzle tension
🔸Whisker position
🔸Head position

Other signs to look out for are:
🐾Lack of interest in food
🐾Not moving around or jumping up onto things as much
🐾Changes to how they use litter trays or scratching poles

The most commonly used veterinary pain-relief medications include:
💊Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) and opioids. NSAIDs must be used with caution because there is the potential for liver, kidney, stomach, and/or intestinal problems. NSAIDs are used to treat mild to moderate pain and discomfort. Never give your cat an over-the-counter NSAID as some can be very dangerous.
💉Solensia contains frunevetmab which helps reduce pain associated with osteoarthritis. The medication is administered by subcutaneous injection once monthly.

If you are concerned about your cat, please contact your veterinarian to discuss these concerns.

27/05/2022

WARNING TO ALL DOG OWNERS⚠️

As summer is arriving toxic blue-green algae may be caused to bloom throughout still or slow-flowing water. It can be very tricky to spot and may even vary in shades and texture, from green flakes to streaks of green like spilled paint to brown clumps.

If you are worried that your dog has come into contact with blue-green algae, speak to your vet immediately!

23/04/2022

18/02/2022

A new subscription-only medicine for osteoarthritis. It is a nerve growth factor inhibitor. It has revolutionised treatment for osteoarthritis, because Dogs were given NSAIDS which give alot of side effects and problems. In comparison to NSAIDs, this new treatment has no side effects. This new treatment is being used in our clinic.

14/02/2022

Osteoarthritis is inflammation of the joint and deterioration of the cartilage. It is common in older and larger breeds.

It is a progressive disease and there is no cure. It is treated with weight management, Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAID) administration and joint supplement.

Signs of osteoarthritis can be lameness, limping, stiffness.

NSAIDs are used when there is severe osteoarthritis. It reduces pain and decreases inflammation of the joint. However NSAIDs have significant side effects with continued use and have a lot of problems.

10/02/2022

Goose could not eat or open his mouth. He had been
to 2 other vets before being sent here for investigation.
Goose had a string wrapped around his tongue for 3 weeks. The string was removed, and Goose returned to normal.

02/02/2022

New outbreak of rapidly spreading vomiting and diarrhoea bug in dogs across UK ( inc Northern Ireland) thought now to be caused by Parvovirus. A dog can become very ill and require a lot of intensive management. It is highly contagious and can spread through faeces.

26/01/2022

Mast cell tumours form nodules or masses in the skin. Most commonly on the skin. Any lump or bump you find on your dog that persists for over a week should be examined by a vet. The early you detect the tumour the easier it will be to treat. Chemotherapy is an option for treatment. Up to now the tumour was removed by surgery but unfortunately a lot have grown back worse, so surgery is very difficult to completely remove tumour. There is a new treatment option that has recently become available called Stelfonta. Stelfonta has revolutionised treatment in mast cell tumour and is readily available and used in our clinic. This is an injection given into the mast cell tumour to help shrink it and slow the growth.

21/01/2022

What to do when you see an injured bird?
1. Make sure the bird is injured not orphaned. Some birders can mistake young, orphaned birds for injured ones. Young bird are often fed by their parents outside of the nest for a few days.
2. Place the wild bird in a cardboard box and cover it with a lid or towel. Use gloves or wash your hands to protect yourself from any disease.
3. Check on the bird periodically to ensure that the situation is getting better. After multiple hours, and a stable condition, call a local wildlife rehabilitator that can nurse the wild bird back to health.
Kildare animal foundation centre phone number: (045) 522 929

17/01/2022

Avian influenza virus
Avian influenza, or bird flu, is a contagious and often fatal viral disease of birds. There is a constant risk of avian influenza being introduced by wild birds.
It is highly pathogenic and can be up 100% mortality rate. It can spread through direct contact, contamination of feed, bedding and humans can also spread the virus through contaminated footwear and clothing. Specific signs include swollen head and blue discoloration of the head, comb, wattles. People should avoid contact with sick/dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.

11/01/2022

In veterinary practice we see a lot of dogs presenting with acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) from diets high in fat. Pancreatitis is a life threatening disease and treatment is complicated. A classic example occurs after the Christmas holiday when there usually is an increase in the occurrence of pancreatitis. Owners have given their dogs the left -over ham etc and treats from ‘lunch’, overloading their poor dog’s system with fat! Classic signs of pancreatitis are repeated vomiting, diarrhoea, and fever. Diet is key in treatment. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy can decrease pancreatic inflammation, swelling, and the debilitating pain associated. At NOAH we have a hyperbaric oxygen chamber on site.

05/01/2022

During Christmas we had an emergency case. A French bulldog, Luna, got a turkey bone stuck in her oesophagus. The turkey bone was successfully removed, and Luna returned to normal.