Client Education Series
by: drh. Diah Pawitri

We hope these notes will give you some help.  If you have questions please do not hesitate to contact us.

1. VOMITING

What  causes vomiting?

Vomiting is not a disease but a symptom of many different disease.  Many cases of vomiting are self limiting after a few days. Less commonly vomiting may result from a serious illness, such as kidney failure. Even when vomiting is caused by mild illnesses, it may lead to death of he animal if treatment is not begun early enough to prevent severe fluid and nutrient losses.

How serious is vomiting in dogs?

We attempt to determine how sick dog has become as consequence of the vomiting.  When the dog is systemically ill, some of the following may be noted:

1. Diarrhoea
2. Dehydration
3. Loss of appetite
4. Abdominal pain
5. High fever
6. Lethargy

What  tests are performed to find the cause?

If vomiting is associate with several of the above sign, we perform a series test to clarify the situation.  Diagnostic  test may include radiography, ultrasound, blood test, biopsies and exploratory abdominal surgery.  Once the diagnosis is know, treatment may include medications, diets, and/or surgery.

If your dog does not appear systemically ill from the vomiting, the cause may be less serious.  Some of the minor causes of vomiting include stomach or intestinal bacteria, parasites, and dietary indiscretions.  Please keep us informed of luck of expected improvement so that we may assess the situation.

2. SEIZURES

What is a seizure?

Seizures are one of the most frequently seen neurological problem in dogs. A seizure is also known as a convulsion or  fit.  It may have all or any combination of the following :

1. Loss or derangement of conciousness
2. Contractions of all the muscle in the body
3. Change the mental awarensess from non responsiveness to hallucinations
4. Involuntary urination, defecation, or salivation
5. Behavioural changes, including non recognition of owner, viciousness, pacing, and running in circles

Is the dog in trouble during a seizure?

Despite the dramatic sign of seizure, the dog feels no pain, only bewilderment. Dogs do not swallow the tongues.  If you put your finger into its mouth you will do not benefit to your pet and will run a high risk of being bitten very badly.  The important thing is to keep the dog from failling and hurting itself.  As long as it is on the floor or ground, there is a little chance of harm occuring.  If seizures continue for longer than a few minutes, the body temperature begins to rise.

What causes seizures?

There are many of seizures.  Epilepsy is the most common and least consequence to the dog.  The other extreme includes severe disease as brain tumor , distemper, and hypoglycaemia.

3. TRAVEL WITH YOUR DOG

CAR TREVEL

Animals travelling in cars should be under control in vehicles and unable to distract you while you are driving.  If you want your dog to be loose in car he should be separated from you, and thus an estate vehicle or hatchback with a strong dog guard is ideal.  Alternatively a crate or cage can be used, the dimensoins of which should be comfortable for the animal.  If the dog is not so separated from you he should be tethered so that he cannot act as adistruction.  The easiest way of doing this is place him in the footwel in the back of the car, shutting the lead, attached to properly adjusted collar, in the car door.

Motion sicknesss is a condition which affects many dogs.  It is due to the effect of the motion on the organs of balance located in the inner ear.  Signs are usually excessive salivation, restlessness or excitement.  Many of the human travel sckness remedies  are effective.  Give the tablet at least half an hour before travelling is due.