Safety At Home
Keeping safe at home can seem so easy but there are in fact many potential dangers for your little one. It is important to monitor your pup and “puppy proof” spaces that you want to have your pup in. This might include tucking wires out of the way, ensuring medications and supplements are sealed away and out of reach of curious noses. Ensure suitable toys are available and limit access to undesirable chewing items such as shoes. It is important to be aware of the many seemingly innocuous human foods which can be potentially harmful to your pup.
Potential toxins/poisons
This list is by no means complete and always consult your vet if you puppy ingests anything it shouldn’t) for further information on potential poisons and toxins please consult the Ebooks section of this page were you will find ebooks from PDSA and Pet First Aid on the subject of potential toxins and the potential life saving first aid you can administer should your pet ingest something they shouldn’t.
● Alcohol
● Chocolate
● Coffee/caffeine
● Grapes/raisins/currants/sultanas
● Artificial sweeteners containing xylitol
● Some human vitamins, medications and supplements
● Mouldy food
● Onions, chives and garlic
● Slug pellets and other pesticides
● Yeast/dough
● Some garden/household plants
● Macadamia nuts
● Brassica plants (cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, swede, turnip)
Information reviewed by PFMA Veterinary and Nutrition Committee. For more information on poisons please visit The Kennel Club’s website.
Sighthound Specific Healthcare
It is important to be aware of the specific sensitivity that Sighthounds have to certain anaesthetics. A Lean body conformation with high surface-area-to-volume ratio predisposes sighthounds to potential hypothermia during anaesthesia.
Haematological differences such as a higher packed cell volume and lower serum protein compared with other dog breeds also can complicate interpretation of preanesthetic blood work.
Finally sighthounds have an impaired biotransformation of drugs by the liver resulting in prolonged recovery from certain intravenous anaesthetics, especially thiopental; and increased risks of drug interactions.
Safe anaesthetic management of sighthounds should include sedative premedication and appropriate use of analgesic drugs to minimize perioperative stress.
Thiopental, or any other thiobarbiturate, should NOT BE USED in Salukis and their close cousins in the sighthound family.
Co-administration of agents that inhibit drug biotransformation, such as chloramphenicol should also be AVOIDED.
Inhalation anaesthesia using isoflurane is the preferred anaesthetic maintenance technique. Core body temperature should be monitored closely and techniques to minimize hypothermia should be employed both during anaesthesia and into the recovery period.
Whilst it is important to be aware of these idiosyncrasies within the breed and its cousins, a vet which is experienced in working with sighthounds should be able to safely manage any potential side effects and understand the necessary drugs to use or avoid.
However, we do recommend due to these potential complications to minimise any general anaesthetic procedures on your dog and only undertake them when absolutely necessary. When necessary ensure your vet is aware of the necessary drugs to be used on your precious pup and the potential complications. This will ensure the safety of your pup during any procedures they may need to undergo during their lifetime.
Spaying
Whilst we have no plans to castrate Kaizu or any other dogs that we own. We advocate strongly for spaying of your female pups. This is because there are several serious medical issues which can be easily avoided through spaying. If you do not plan to breed your pup then it is important to consult with your veterinarian on your first visit with them on when they feel is the most appropriate time for your pup to undergo the procedure.
Some vets will advocate spaying before your pups first season whilst others will instead suggest to wait until your pup has had their first season and then wait 3 months after this to complete the procedure. Neither of these options is inherently wrong I we would always advise to follow your veterinarian’s advice.
Pyometra
Pyometra is a very serious infection of the womb, also known as the ‘uterus’.
Pyometra is caused by a bacterial infection, most commonly E. coli, and often occurs a few weeks after a female has finished a season. This is because being in season causes the bitch’s body to go through hormonal changes which make the chance of infection much more likely.
Early signs may not always be obvious but your pet may be off their food, lethargic, or very thirsty. Sometimes pets have discharge from their vagina but not in all cases. As the infection gets worse your pet may be sick and become very unwilling to move.
If you suspect that your pet may have pyometra contact your vet immediately – acting fast could save their life.
Pyometra is caused by the womb filling with pus and, if left untreated, it can lead to kidney failure, toxaemia, dehydration and, in some cases, death.
Usually the only cure once the pet has developed pyometra is emergency surgery to remove their womb. About one in four older female dogs will suffer from pyometra but it can be totally prevented by neutering your pet.
The vast majority of bitches that have been spayed will not get pyometra. But, if your dog has only had part of her womb removed during neutering or part of the tissue has been left behind, this could become infected. This is called a ‘uterine stump pyometra’ but is extremely rare.
Due to this potentially serious condition it is important that if you do not wish to breed, that you spay as soon as recommended by your veterinarian; or if you do wish to breed, that you have your bitch spayed after her final litter of puppies.
Online Courses
There are a variety of online training resources for human and dog that can be accessed and worked through at home, or even on holiday, wherever and whenever you can find the time and energy, without having to commit to a face to face weekly class. Here are some of our favourites!
Absolute Dogs AOK9 Free Health Heroes 10 Day Challenge
This is a great free course that deep dives into a range of ideas to keep your pup fit and healthy. Whilst there are regular attempts to encourage you to buy AOK9 supplements, this sales pitch is the minority and the course is well worth working through for the great info available from it.
First Aid For Pets - FREE Dog Choking Course
It is really important to be aware of how to help your dog in an emergency, first aid knowledge is far better to know and never have to use than to need and not know. It can genuinely save your pets life one day and this free course will take you through how to deal with if your pet is choking.
YouTube Videos
Sexier Than a Squirrel Podcast - Vet Visit Success!
Brill podcast to help you put in the training and build the concepts necessary to have a pup that takes vet visits in their stride and ultimately will help them if they ever have to go to the veterinarian in the stressful and potentially very painful event of an accident.
Absolute Dogs - Health Hacks from the Inside Out
A quick video exploring how to support your pups health from their diet to fitness activities.
First Aid For Pets - Instructional Video Playlist
There are so many important videos in this playlist that we decided to add a link to the entire playlist. Having a basic understanding of first aid for your pets is such an important skill to have as it can genuinely save your pets life one day. We can also make learning these skills super fun for all the family, patching up cuddly toys and giving teddies CPR.
PDSA - How to administer Canine CPR
Once again, this video could save your dogs life one day, when bringing a pup into your life it is just as important to know how to give them life saving CPR as it is your children or other family members.
PDSA - How to Treat Minor Injuries at Home
Your pups are bound to get themselves into some bumps and scrapes in their lives, here's how best to deal with these minor eventualities at home.
Blogs
Vet Sci - Understanding Anaesthesia Sensitivity in Sighthounds
Here is a veterinary paper on understanding the potential effects of certain anaesthetics in sighthounds and the veterinary and medicinal steps that should be taken to ensure their safety during procedures requiring anaesthesia.
Net Vet - Understanding Spaying
An article explaining exactly what happens to your pup during a spaying procedure, the importance of it and addressing some of the myths surrounding this important procedure.
Todays Vet Nurses - Preventing Motion Sickness in Dogs
A deep dive article into understanding the causes and the potential prevention, cures and maintenance methods for this potentially distressing issue.
Pet Plan - What Shouldn't My Puppy Eat
A quick article on the potentially hazardous substances you may have in your home and what to avoid your pup gaining access too.
Pet Plan - Should I Neuter My Dog
A quick article explaining the pros and cons of spaying and explaining why spaying is important.
Pyometra Prevention - The Importance of Spaying
Pyometra is an important condition to understand with your female pups as it is potentially very dangerous but relatively easy to prevent with spaying and reasonably easy to detect with close monitoring and a good knowledge of the potential signs and symptoms.
Pet World - Guidelines for Pet CPR
A great veterinary paper on the most effective ways of administering CPR to our pets, taking into account the formation of their deep keel chests.
PDSA - How to Give Canine CPR
A Quick guide on this important skill that can safe your dogs life in an emergency.
PDSA - First Aid for Hypothermia
A quick guide on how to recognise and deal with hypothermia in your pup.
Fix - Guide to Pet Safe House Plants
Sometimes we don't even realize the potential dangers we have in our own home, here is a great guide to the plants you need to limit your pups access to and what houseplants are safe to have around your pets.