Common Emergencies

Toxicities

Chocolate

Toad

Rat Bait

Chocolate is sweet, but toxic for dogs and cats. They can cause mild to severe clinical signs. The toxic contents are called ‘caffeine and theobromine’. It is important to know what type of chocolate your pets have because each chocolate contains different amounts of theobromine and caffeine.

The common clinical signs are:

Vomiting

Diarrhea

Panting

Tremor

Ataxia

Increased heart rate

Excessive urination

Did you put rat baits around your property? Is it somewhere that your pets can reach easily? Rat bait is toxic to the pets because it contains anticoagulant chemicals.

These substances interfere with blood clotting, leading to bleeding.

Symptoms include

weakness

coughing blood

bruising

pale gums

Immediate treatment involves inducing vomiting if ingestion is recent, activated charcoal to limit absorption, and supportive care with vitamin K supplementation for several weeks to reverse the anticoagulant effects. Blood transfusions may be necessary in severe cases.In Dr.B’s vet clinic, we can perform a blood clotting test and check if the body is unable to clot the blood. Also, we can provide some rat bait treatment.

Are there toads at your property? Do your pets try to play or lick the toads? All toads are poisonous to dogs, so it is important for them to not lick or play with the toads. What are the common signs of toad toxicity?

Common clinical signs are

Drooling and/or foam from the mouth

Red gum colour

Pain

Vomiting

Seizure

Panting

Tremor

High temperature

If your pets lick the toads, Use a wet cloth and wipe the inside of the mouth, especially the gum. Do this for at least 15 to 20 minutes

Do not flush or hose the mouth with water because this may cause a serious injury called pneumonia.

Take your pets to the nearest vet immediately.

Snake Bites

Snake bites are common in Queensland. When the weather gets warm and it is the spring season, snakes emerge from hibernation. It is important to identify what type of snake it is because each snake venom contributes to different clinical signs.

Common clinical signs are

Lethargy and PainTremor (Shaking)

Mydriasis (Dilated Pupil)

Paralysis(Dark)

Blood in urine and unable to control urination

Bleeding from mouth, lips, bite site

If you suspect snake bite/envenomation, treatment needs to be processed as soon as possible. Our veterinarian will use one antivenom vial for your pets.The antivenom will bind to the toxin and neutralize the venom in the body.

Tick Paralysis

Tick Paralysis is one of the most common emergency cases in Australia. Both dogs and cats who are not up to date with tick prevention are prone to get tick paralysis.

Common clinical signs are

Lethargy

Vomiting

Weakness at the back legs

Ataxia

Inability to blink the eyes

Inability to urinate

Reduced swallowing (Reduced gag reflex)

Collapse

If you suspect your pet has a tick, treatment needs to be processed as soon as possible. Our veterinarian will use tick anti-serum for your pet. The Anti-tick serum will bind to the toxin and neutralize the venom in the body.