You can now order your pet food and accessories online, for collection from our clinics - St Andrews (01334) 474544 - Ladybank (01337) 832600 - Newport on Tay (01382) 543487
Out of Hours Emergency Service - 07872 817599
Abscesses
These may either appear as a soft swelling, or may burst to produce a variety of creamy to blood stained discharges, which mat and dry in the coat to produce a scab. They may either result from puncture wounds (especially from cat fights), foreign bodies (such as splinters or grass seeds) or on the face from tooth infections. Unless the animal is significantly distressed, these will usually not be true emergencies. Initial care should be simply bathing the affected area with cooled boiled water. Disinfectants may be irritant and should be avoided (especially in cats).
Bloat
Known properly as GDV (Gastric Dilation/Volvulus). This is a true emergency and is occurs infrequently, but more commonly in certain deep chested breeds of dogs (German Shepherds, Setters, Great Danes, Dachsunds amongst others). It classically occurs after rapidly eating a carbohydrate rich meal and is often associated with excercising soon after such a meal. Not really much you can do at home with this one, except phone the vet and ask to be seen as soon as possible.
Burns and Scalds
The most important thing will all heat injuries is to safely remove the animal from the heat source and then cool the area as rapidly as possible. This is especially so with oil from chip pans and similar. Be aware of your own safety - the animal may be in pain, and also be aware of electrical hazards before throwing around large volumes of cold water. If the area burnt is large, the animal is in significant pain, or the burn is close the the eyes, mouth etc, then contact the duty vet and ask to be seen as soon as possible.