My friend Lucy’s beloved cat, Flex, had been hospitalised after suffering road trauma injuries, including jaw fractures which necessitated tube feeding, ongoing pain relief and intravenous (IV) fluid therapy for a week. Lucy was horrified to learn, several days into Flex’s hospital stay, that 24 hour care was unavailable, and that Flex had been left unattended each night after the clinic closed.

When Lucy and I discussed the situation, we talked about the risks of Flex receiving twice or none of his IV fluid requirement overnight, and the difficulty of providing adequate pain relief for more than 6 to 8 hours at a time. We didn’t dwell on what might have happened if Flex had panicked and tightened his Elizabethan collar around his neck, or detached the fluid line and bled from his IV port.

How fortunate we are in Auckland, to have 24 hour care available. The Animal Emergency Centre (AEC) and the Veterinary Specialist Group (VSG), work together to provide the only facility in Auckland which can boast true 24 hour care, with at least one vet and one nurse on-site at all times.

Overnight care is not restricted to AEC and VSG patients, and many local (and some not so local!) practices use this service, sending pets to Animal Emergency Centre following major surgery, or for intensive monitoring of medical cases such as complicated diabetes. Any patient requiring ongoing pain relief or IV fluids would benefit from such care. The patient returns to their fresh, well-rested veterinarian in the morning, allowing seamless continuity of care.

Lucy can keep her pretty sea-side town. I’d rather brave the isthmus traffic and keep the 24/7 care!

Squidge came to the Animal Emergency Centre via his usual veterinarian, where an x-ray had shown the fishhook stuck half way along his oesophagus. The medicine specialist from the Veterinary Specialist Group was called in, but was unable to visualise the hook using an endoscope, and it was over to the on-call specialist surgeon to investigate further. All was revealed when the surgeon opened Squidge’s chest to find the fishhook had pierced his oesophagus and was lying perilously close to one of the major blood vessels near the heart. A few millimetres closer and Squidge would have bled to death.

Squidge sure knows how to get as many people as possible working together on a public holiday weekend! Once the delicate surgical procedure was over with, and after a few days in intensive care, Squidge was feeling well enough to go home.

This summer, whether or not you’re keen on fishing, keep an eye out for discarded tackle if you walk your dog near the sea. If your dog does swallow a fish hook, seek immediate veterinary attention, and DON’T PULL on the line as this might cause serious internal injury.

Catherine asked me to share the tale of her dog, Rosie, and warn other pet owners how dangerous slug and snail bait can be. Rosie is a big dog, but after consuming just half a box of metaldehyde she rapidly developed life-threatening seizures and was left fighting for her life at the ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE hospital. Catherine, unaware of the potentially deadly effects of slug pellets, had left a box of metaldehyde on the outdoor table. Early one morning Rosie helped herself. The toxin acts very quickly, so when Rosie was found hiding away two hours later, she was already drooling, panting, trembling and unable to walk. Catherine came immediately to the ANIMAL EMERGENCY CENTRE, and shortly after they arrived Rosie began to have seizures.

There is no antidote for metaldehyde poisoning, and many animals die despite intensive treatment. After decontaminating the patient by inducing vomiting, flushing the stomach, or performing an enema, we support them until the toxic effect wears off. Rosie remained under anaesthetic in an ‘induced coma’ for nearly 24 hours before the seizures stopped, and in the end she thankfully made a full recovery.

If you must use metaldehyde, use only tiny sprinkles in fenced areas, away from pets. Better still use Quash, a safer product. Store all pesticide boxes in locked cupboards, away from children and pets.

As soon as Ollie arrived at the Animal Emergency Centre the duty vet and nurses knew he required immediate attention. His stomach was twisted and filling with gas, pressing on vital organs and causing much discomfort. They also knew that without urgent life-saving surgery Ollie would almost certainly die. Straight away Ollie was stabilised, given pain relief, and prepped for surgery.

Andrea reports that within a few days of his return home, Ollie was fighting fit. In fact it was difficult convincing him to stay calm enough to recuperate! Almost a year on, you wouldn’t know there had ever been a problem, and with the preventative surgery performed at the time of the emergency procedure, he won’t suffer this awful condition in the future. This was a great outcome for Ollie, but Andrea shudders to think what might have happened if she had waited until morning to have him examined. She was surprised how swiftly Ollie deteriorated.

GDV, or Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus (twisted stomach/bloat) occurs mainly in large breed, often older, deep chested dogs. GDV is a life threatening emergency, so if you suspect your dog is bloating seek veterinary attention IMMEDIATELY. Speak to your regular veterinarian about prophylactic
surgery if you suspect you own an at risk breed.