Pet health

Common Health Conditions

Pets often get into scrapes and need help. Here are some common health conditions and what to do if you see the signs. If you need more information read our more detailed articles or speak to your vet.

Skin problems

Pets can get skin conditions just like people, but it can be harder to spot under all that fluff, feathers or fur. Allergies, parasites and infections can all cause discomfort and be dangerous if not treated by a vet, so make an appointment to get the help they need.

Vomiting

There are many reasons your pet might vomit, eating too quickly or eating something they shouldn’t is very common. If the vomiting passes within 24 hours, it’s probably not a cause for concern, but if it’s severe or doesn’t improve quickly, head to your vet.

Ear infections

Ear infections are very common. Here are the symptoms:

• Shaking the head
• Pawing at the ears
• Reddened or thick and scaly skin around the ear(s)
• Discharge or odor from the ear(s)
• Don’t want to be touched around the head.

An inflamed ear canal could be caused by something stuck in there, a parasite or infection. Make an appointment with your vet for an ear clean and medication.

Diabetes

Keep your pet at a healthy weight to reduce the risk of diabetes. Get your pet to the vet if you see any of these symptoms:

• Excessive drinking
• Excessive urination
• Appetite loss
• Vomiting
• Dehydration
• Depression and lethargy
• Poor coat

Coughing

There are many reasons your pet may develop a cough. Dust or smoke in the air can irritate delicate airways, they could eat or drink too quickly, or have side effects from medication. If a cough only lasts 24 hours it’s probably not a cause for concern. Keep an eye on your pet, and see your vet if the cough persists.

Mild lameness

Many pets get the zoomies and race around, or try and keep up when their physical fitness isn’t up to scratch. Mild lameness could be due to sore muscles or aching joints and ease in a day or two. If the problem persists make an appointment to see your vet as there could be a serious underlying condition.

Conjunctivitis

Your pet may experience eye problems for a number of reasons. If it’s due to an allergy or minor injury, it will probably heal in a day or two. More moderate to severe symptoms need a diagnosis and treatment from your vet. Look out for:

• Redness
• Discharge
• Swelling or puffiness
• Squinting
• Excessive blinking
• Rubbing or pawing

Arthritis

Keep your pet at a healthy weight so they are less likely to suffer from arthritis. See your vet if your pet has joint stiffness or pain that lasts more than a few days, and see an eye out for pets walking with stiff legs or difficulty climbing stairs or jumping.

Allergies

Pets can have allergies just like humans. They often present with signs such as itchy skin and can manifest as licking, scratching, and pulling out hair, so it’s important to see your vet as untreated cases can escalate. You can also reduce your pet’s exposure to allergens by:

1. Reducing time outside during allergy season
2. Washing your pet or wiping off exposed areas
3. Modify diet if needed

First Aid and Issues Requiring Medical Help

Sometimes it’s very obvious your pet needs medical help, but sometimes the signs are more subtle. Know when your pet should visit the emergency vet – you might just save their life.

Trauma

Pets often get into scrapes and suffer traumatic injuries in any number of ways. Even if your pet seems okay, visit your vet as soon as you can as they could be suffering from internal injuries.

Severe vomiting

Repeated vomiting is an emergency, especially if it contains blood or is accompanied by diarrhoea.

Diarrhoea

Pets often eat things they shouldn’t and have 24 hour diarrhoea as it passes through, but it could be a sign of a serious problem. Call your vet if:

• It contains blood
• It looks black and tarry
• It continues for more than a day
• Your pet also has a fever

Loss of consciousness or collapse

If your pet collapses, take them to a vet straight away as it could be a sign of:

• Dehydration or heatstroke
• Poisoning
• Anaphylactic shock
• Infection
• Choking
• Bloat
• Addison’s diseaseypoglycemia
• Heart abnormality

Seizures longer than five minutes

Any seizure that lasts for more than five minutes or reoccurs rapidly is a medical emergency. Your pet might collapse, lose consciousness or even briefly stop breathing. A severe seizure could be a sign of a brain injury, heatstroke, poisoning or liver failure – acting quickly could save your pet’s life.

Snake bites

If you’ve seen a snake around your pet and they exhibit any of these symptoms, go to your vet immediately:

• Dilated pupils
• Weakness in hind legs
• Trembling
• Drooling
• Pale gums
• Pacing around anxiously
• Restlessness
• Difficulty breathing or panting
• Vomiting
• Collapsing, then acting normally
• Loss of consciousness
• Bleeding from nose, mouth or bite site

Burns and wounds

For or heat or chemical burns, immediately flush the area under cool running water for at least 10 minutes and seek advice from your vet.

If your pet is wounded and bleeding, apply pressure, clean the area and remove debris. Apply a firm bandage and monitor the bleeding. For significant wounds, always take a trip to your vet.