Spring has sprung and as the flowers start to bloom we will start to see more bees about. What should you do if your pet is stung by a bee or a wasp?

In most cases, there will be mild swelling and tenderness at the sting site. You should try to remove the tiny stinger ( in the case of bees ) as quickly as possible to stop the venom spreading (although they can be hard to see). Apply a cold compress (damp towel) to reduce swelling.

When should we see your pet?

If your pet is licking the area constantly, is in pain (limping is common if stung on the paw), or seems a bit lethargic, phone us for an appointment. We will give your pet an antihistamine and/or pain relief injection.

When does my pet need urgent emergency care?

Seek veterinary advice immediately if your pet:

• is having trouble breathing 
• is vomiting within 5-10 minutes post sting
• has pale coloured gums
• collapses

It is rare but some dogs and cats are severely allergic to bee stings. These pets may go into anaphylactic shock (and even die) if they don’t receive immediate veterinary attention. Vaccines and emergency adrenaline pens are available for severely allergic pets.

To help prevent bee stings, try to keep your pet away from flowering trees and plants (especially ground cover). Discourage your pet from playing with or chasing bees. Oh and be aware that rotting fallen fruit, meat and uneaten pet food are attractive to european wasps.

If you are worried about your pet you can always phone us for advice.

They certainly can and this life altering disease is very similar to asthma in humans.

The disease involves the small airways in the lungs over-reacting to the presence of an irritant or an allergen. This leads to an inflammatory response and an increase in mucus production. The reaction also results in contraction of the small muscles around the airways causing them to narrow. Both the mucus and the narrowed airway means a cat has difficulty breathing.

Signs to watch out for:

• Persistent coughing or wheezing (often bouts of coughing)
• Laboured and/or fast breathing
• Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck extended and rapid breathing or gasping for breath
• Open mouthed breathing
• Lethargy and weakness

It is thought that irritants such as cigarette smoke, pollens, dust from cat litter, perfume and moulds can contribute to the condition. Parasites, heart disease and obesity may also play a role.

Diagnosis may include blood tests, x-rays, bronchoscopy (camera in the lungs to evaluate the airways), or an airway wash to isolate cells to look for inflammation or bacteria.

There isn't a cure for feline asthma but it can be successfully managed with medications that open up the airway passages or modify the inflammatory response. Just as in human asthma, medication is sometimes administered through a special inhaler.

It is important to recognise that asthma can quickly become a life-threatening situation, so any cat with a cough needs to be examined by us as soon as possible.

After a long, wet and very cold winter we are thrilled that Spring has arrived. But Spring also brings about some hazards and one in particular is the presence of snail (and slug) bait in the garden. Be careful if you happen to visit the neighbour's garden or a friend's garden as you might not realise it's there.

Part of the problem is that snail bait pellets look just like dog kibble, so dogs often eat the pellets by mistake. Unfortunately even the so called “pet friendly” products are dangerous if ingested. 

There are three types of snail bait:

1. Metaldehyde - green pellets
2. Methiocarb - blue pellets
3. Iron EDTA (Multiguard) - brown/yellow pellets

The most dangerous are Metaldehyde and Methiocarb. They act on the nervous system causing increased stimulation and can be fatal if immediate veterinary treatment is not given.

Multiguard is less toxic but can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea, or may cause damage to the liver, spleen, heart, kidneys or brain. If this is ingested, we still recommend treatment.

Signs of snail bait poisoning: 

• Muscle tremors and restlessness
• Excessive drooling
• Rapid heart rate & panting
• Vomiting & diarrhoea
• Seizures

If your pet has ingested (or even if you just think your pet might have ingested) snail bait, please don't hesitate to call us for advice immediately.