Dear PDSA Veterinarian: I wish to provide my dog a reward at Christmas and was believing he may delight in a mince pie, however I have actually been informed pets can’t consume them. Is this real? Alan
It holds true that you should not feed your pooch mince pies. The mincemeat in this joyful preferred generally consists of raisins, currants and sultanas, which are all hazardous to our furry pals. When consumed by pets– even in percentages– they can trigger gut upsets and put animals at danger of kidney issues, which can be harmful. Signs can differ and might disappoint immediately, however rather appearing days later on, so if you believe your dog has actually consumed raisins, call your veterinarian immediately– do not wait on any indications. A pet-safe option to mince pies are these gingerbread dog biscuits which you can make yourself in the house. To learn more on raisin poisoning in pets, you can check out https://www.pdsa.org.uk/grape-poisoning-in-dogs.
Dear PDSA Veterinarian: Our dog, Duke, cut his paw pad on a walk the other day. It didn’t bleed much and we cleaned it up with water, however overnight the injury appears to have actually opened more. Should we provide it a long time to recover, or do we require to take him to see a veterinarian? Annabel
Little injuries can recover naturally – keep it tidy, and stop Duke from licking or biting the location, which can trigger more damage and infection – utilize a cone collar if required. Shower the injury two times daily with seawater; 1 tsp salt in a pint of cool (formerly boiled) water, and cover with a tidy dressing. Keep an eye out for indications of infection, such as swelling, heat, discharge or odor. A non-infected injury ought to recover relatively rapidly. Contact your veterinarian with any issues, or if the cut does not appear to be recovery. For info on emergency treatment for cuts and grazes, see https://www.pdsa.org.uk/wound-first-aid.
Dear PDSA Veterinarian: My hamster, Humphrey, has a swelling that makes his cheek appearance complete all the time, and it appears to be impacting his consuming. What could it be? Leila
Hamsters have a pouch in their cheeks that can appear like a swelling when filled with food, however if Humphrey’s swelling exists all the time, and impacting his consuming, there might be another cause so it is essential to take him to see a veterinarian as quickly as possible. Keep in mind, not all swellings and bumps are ominous, however they require examining particularly if he’s having a hard time to consume, as this will affect his health and joy. Display Humphrey for any other signs, such as absence of energy, or modifications in food options like consuming softer foods instead of more difficult pellets. Any info you can offer your veterinarian will be valuable in exercising a medical diagnosis.
Dear PDSA Veterinarian: My cat, Pixie, has actually been identified with tension cystitis. What can I do to avoid any future flare-ups? Danny
Feline idiopathic cystitis (FIC) is the most typical kind of cystitis (bladder swelling) in felines and is typically set off by tension. Felines with FIC get worried by things that may appear small to us or another cat, so attempt to keep a calm environment in the house. Have great deals of safe hiding locations around your home, adhere to a day-to-day regimen and make any modifications to your house gradually. Scent diffusers can likewise work in decreasing tension levels. Pixie’s litter trays need to be positioned someplace where she will not be interrupted by individuals or other felines. Motivate her to consume more – offer several ceramic bowls with fresh water, altered a minimum of daily, around your home, you might likewise present damp food to increase her fluid consumption. To learn more on decreasing your cat’s tension, see https://www.pdsa.org.uk/preventing-cat-stress.
PDSA counts on contributions to provide important treatment to numerous countless animals throughout its 48 Family pet Hospitals in the UK.
To keep households together this winter season, the charity is urgently getting in touch with the general public’s assistance more than ever to avoid susceptible individuals needing to make a genuinely heartbreaking choice.
To discover more about PDSA’s important work throughout the cost-of-living crisis, or to contribute, visit www.pdsa.org. uk/costoflovingcrisis.
