Compassion, care, clinical excellence
NEWS November 2014 Contact us:
BE SAFE and BE SEEN!
PARAGON VETERINARY CENTRE Carlisle House, Townhead Road, Dalston,Carlisle, CA5 7JF Tel: 01228 710208 vets@paragonvet.com
This applies as much to early morning/late evening dog walkers and cats as much as it does to school children as the longer nights approach. By Sam Harding We would recommend that dogs are kept on a lead when walked and that you choose a well lit route. Owners should consider wearing something reflective and carry a torch. There are reflective collars available for cats and dogs, and even ones with flashing lights to help motorists to see you and your pet at night. Unfortunately accidents do happen and first aid at the site of a road traffic accident can help in saving life and reducing suffering until the animal receives veterinary attention. EMERGENCY FIRST AID First aid can be administered to an animal by anyone, it is not necessary to make a diagnosis of injury to provide effective first aid
TOWNHEAD VETERINARY CENTRE Newbiggin, Stainton, Penrith, CA11 0HT Tel: 01768 483789 townhead@paragonvet.com LONDON ROAD SURGERY 87 London Road, Carlisle, CA1 2LG Tel: 01228 591005 pethealthcentre@paragonvet.com
Be prepared An emergency situation will require you to be speedy, calm and most importantly safe. Think carefully but act fast. Continued overleaf
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP ONLINE Visit us at www.paragonvet.com or ‘like’ us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets
24 Hour Emergency Service
Consider your own safety In the event of a pet being involved in a road accident, ensure you and the pet are safe from any further traffic. It is always advisable to seek veterinary attention, as the visible injuries are not always the whole story in these accidents. The phone number and address of your vet – incidents at night or weekends are usually treated at our small animal hospital in Dalston. It is usually much better to take the animal to the vet as we will be better equipped at the surgery to carry out the correct treatment required. Phone ahead as we can provide vital advice before you travel with your pet and out of hours there is usually no vet at the surgery. Keep the pet warm and calm to help with shock. Consider your pet’s normal behaviour may change Remember your dog or cat will potentially be very scared, painful and in shock. In this very high stress situation even very docile dogs and cats can bite and you must ensure your own safety. Having a muzzle or a piece of material (e.g. an old tie) to use as a “tape muzzle” will allow you to aid your dog confidently. If the dog is bleeding you should control this When an animal is bleeding, it can look very dramatic. The blood can be pumping, or oozing out of the wound. Either can be serious and you should immediately seek veterinary advice. Application of first aid in major injuries can save lives and in smaller injuries may mean you need not rush to the vet as an emergency. Try to stop the blood flow, this is most easily done by locating the wound site and applying direct pressure. Hold pressure on the wound for a few minutes, while attempting to calm your pet and reduce their blood pressure. In minor wounds, this may stop the bleeding, but larger wounds may need further attention.
PARAGON VETERINARY GROUP ONLINE Visit us at www.paragonvet.com or ‘like’ us on our facebook page www.facebook.com/ParagonVets.Pets
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