Guen Bradbury, MA, VetMB, MRCVS
Working with the vet • Know your local vets! • Call up and introduce yourself • For your dogs – Know the age – Know relevant history – Ensure correct contact number!
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Body Condition Score • What are the implications? • How do we measure BCS? • How do we tell the owner? • What should we advise?
Mouth • • • •
Teeth Colour Lumps Bleeding
Eyes • • • •
Tear staining Discharge Photophobic Blind
Ears • • • •
Wide canals Clean Hairless Routine care – Plucking – cleaning
Skin • • • • •
Smooth coat Little dandruff No lumps, bumps or spots Supple Normal colour
Hair quality • • • • •
Similar length Smooth hairs Neutered animals No mats Nutrition status
Reproductive organs • Bitch – Vulva – Mammary glands
• Dog – Penis – Testicles
Nail clipping • Examine when standing • Clip below quick • If bleeds - pressure
Anal glands • Function? • Emptying them – Internal – External
• Advice to owners • Unusual – Adenoma – Abscess
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Vaccinations • Why vaccinate? • How often? • Why mention it?
Fleas • How to find them – Water test
• Where do they live? • What problems do they cause? • How do we treat them?
Worms • Why worm? • Who can catch worms? • How often?
Neutering • Advantages? • Disadvantages?
Bathing • • • •
Why? How often? How long for? Considerations – Infections – Allergies – Seborrhea
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Zoonotic disease • Examples? • Precautions – Wash hands – Don’t let animal lick your face – Clean up faeces – Special care if pregnant
Biosecurity • • • • • •
Don’t transmit disease between animals Have separate set of ‘grooming clothes’ Clean tools Keep parlour clean Wash hands Don’t groom sick dogs!
Dog bites • Bleeding • Zoonotic disease • Infection
ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Pain • • • •
Posture When touched Lameness Affects – Restraint – Behaviour
Coughing • Lots of causes • Infectious - hygiene • Heart/lung disease
How would you restrain it?
Diarrhoea • • • •
Staining round tail In grooming parlour Frequently zoonotic Always tell the owner
Lumps and bumps • Spots • Fatty lumps • Tumours
Ear infections • • • •
Dark brown wax Black crusts Sticky discharge Green pus
• What do you advise?
“Hot spots” • Don’t ignore them! • Very painful • Can spread infection with clippers • See vet before grooming if possible
Itching • Care when handling • Hygiene precautions • What do you advise?
Hair loss • Is the dog itching? • Is it symmetrical? • Is the skin normal? • What do you advise?
Scurf • • • •
Doesn’t usually cause problem Cosmetic issue May indicate parasites/poor diet Advise omega three supplement
Accidental injuries • These happen! • Minimise risk – Take care – Don’t rush
Always tell the owner
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Docked Tails • Banned from 2007 • Certain exemptions • Reasons for the ban?
Whisker trimming • • • •
Sensory system More injuries in working dogs Decreased willingness to fetch Kennel Club directive – Exemptions
Matting • Rarely seen as a problem • Painful and itchy • Can lead to infection • Poor welfare
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
FIRST - SAFETY!
Bleeding • Arterial • Venous • Capillary • Pressure • Severe arterial bleeds – Tourniquet (max 15mins) – Call vet
Dyspnoea/apnoea • • • • •
Remove muzzle Keep dog calm Ensure room is cool Stop groom Call vet
Heat-stroke • • • • •
Collapse/dyspnoea Temperature high (>41ºC) Cool animal in cold water Monitor temperature every 10 mins Stop cooling animal when 39 ºC
Drowning • • • •
Drain water out CPR if not breathing Dry and keep warm Call vet
Electrocution • • • • •
Check clippers Keep clippers away from water Wooden broom handle Do not touch animal until switched off Apnoea, burns, fractures
Fitting • • • •
Place on floor, remove sharps Turn off lights, keep quiet Do not touch animal Call vet if – More than one fit – Fit lasts >5min
Eye injuries • Prolapse – Brachycephalic – Damp cool bandage – Call vet
• Spills – Flush eye – Call vet – Prevent animal interfering
Burns • Take precautions to prevent this! • • • • •
Remove any hot objects Soak in cold water for 10 mins Call the vet No creams Can use clingfilm
Other • Fractures – Treat bleeding first – Keep dog quiet and immobile – Call vet
• Poisons – Keep label, call vet
Cardiac arrest • • • • •
No femoral pulse Note time 10 pressures with ball of hand Reassess Pray.
Plan • • • • • • •
General health check Preventative health care Health protection Common problems Welfare issues First aid Behaviour
Advice to puppy owners • • • • •
Regular brushing Frequent grooming from 4mo Hair dryer Claw clipping Checking ears
Initial puppy groom • • • • •
Positive experience Food treats Give opportunity for puppy to ‘get it right’ Firm handling Reward good behaviour
Dog body language • Lower stress • Read dog • React appropriately – To protect yourself – To protect the dog
Dog body language
Kennel etiquette • • • • •
Lead stays on Encourage dog to front Care with dryer High pitched voice Avoid eye contact
Restraint • Collar and lead • Halti • Muzzles – Bandage – Fabric – Cage
• Catchpole • Chemical
Cooperation • • • • • •
Positive reinforcement Easiest procedures first Plenty of praise Can train simple commands Read body language Don’t punish the animal
Any questions?