Late last night I had a call from the emergency vet to say they had a client in the surgery with no money at all and two kittens both suffering seizures from permethrin poisoning after being dabbed with dog flea treatment from the supermarket. We agreed the branch would cover the cost of first aid over night and that the owner would pay for further care at our own clinic in the morning when she could borrow money from her family.
Even with the help from us, the kittens' owner will be spending quite a lot more than it would have cost her to take them to our clinic and buy treatment that is safe and effective for young cats.
Using "over the counter" flea remedies is understandably tempting to pet owners who are on a very low budget. Some of these are actually reasonably effective, but there are three recurring ways in which things can go pear-shaped.
- If the treatment reduces the number of fleas but doesn't get rid of them (or if the owner doesn't realise there is another reason for their pet's skin trouble) the animal can wind up almost bald or covered in itching sores. If a skin condition doesn't improve within a week or so, always seek qualified help.
- Flea collars can cause terrible injuries.
- If the owner doesn't read the label and uses dog flea treatment on a cat, the cat may be very seriously ill, or even die. Always read the instructions for any medication or insecticide (including chemicals for treating carpets, pet bedding etc.).
Is a crazy world i say..Hard sentence for these people is the only way for the future of our poor animal's..So many being abused every day by people that don't deserve to have them..They are in car's at tesco car park,in pub's car park, in the frizzing cold and in the summer!!Why can't people like my self start to report this more aften?I do!Alway's report, whenever i see a animal in distress i call the RSPCA or the police..Come people1I promisse you.it will make you sleep better and no guilt felling's..It only cost you a phone call to the police or the rspca.Just do it!
ReplyDeleteSo come people, Let's make britain a place that you can really say,we are a nation of animal lover's..Start to report cruelty more often,don't be afraid,the police is there to protect you and our beloved animal's in need.. Vess Ishikawa
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