Caring for your pregnant canine

After a long break, we are back with our Veterinary Surgeon, Dr. D.A.U. Saman Kumara of the Kirindiwela Animal Clinic to advise you on how to take care of your pet. Today, he will tell you about drug therapy for pregnant canines.

During pregnancy, even a human should be very careful. You must be aware how everybody treats a pregnant woman with care. The same goes for pregnant animals. So, when handling your pregnant canines too, you have to be extra careful, because even if they do have a problem they can't tell you, can they?

Usually for canines, the period of pregnancy could be between 58 and 64 days. This could be divided into three periods:

First trimester - first 20 days

Second trimester - 20-40 days

Third trimester - 40-60 days

You should be very careful when treating them during pregnancy. Canines undergo physical and psychological changes during this period mainly due to hormonal changes.

Due to this, canines are vulnerable for diseases during this period. They can especially catch gastro-intestinal disorders like vomiting, diarrhoea, and skin disorders like rashes and alopecia (local or general loss of fur). They might need medication for the above diseases. Drug therapy during pregnancy is unique because of the many factors that may affect the metabolism of drugs.

Unborn animals are susceptible (vulnerable) to many adverse effects during this period. Drugs that affect maternal health have the potential to affect unborn animals too.

When a drug is administered to a pregnant canine, it is absorbed into the animal's blood. The blood will circulate the drug throughout the canine's body. Through the placenta, it will reach the unborn animal too. The factors that influence the transfer of drugs across the placenta includes blood supply, age of gestation (period in the womb), drug dose, drug site, duration of drug exposure and liquid solubility of the drug.

Adjustment in drug dosages are necessary for any drug during gestation, due to certain psychological adaptations.

Also, all drugs have the potential to cross through the placenta; lipid soluble(fat substances), low molecular weight compounds cross through the placenta easily. If a drug is to be used over a long time, it's better to use the lowest effective dose, to minimise any potential risk to the unborn animal.

See you soon with more information on this topic.

Janani Amarasekara

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Look after your pets during the season

Sometimes, during festive times, most people get so involved in their celebratory activities that they tend to forget their pets and the pets end up neglected.

This week, we provide you with some helpful tips to ensure that your pet is safe during the festive season.

Fireworks - Your pets may get scared by the sound of firecrackers going off. Some of them may even try to run away from home. So, before you light crackers and fireworks, ensure that your pets are safely locked up inside the house.

Candles - The flame as well as the dripping wax can burn dogs and cats or singe (slightly burn) their whiskers or hair. They are also a fire hazard if the pet knocks them over. Save candles for the dining room table; do not burn candles near an unattended pet.

Electric cables - Dogs and cats can be burned or electrocuted by chewing on cables. It is safer to run cables through PVC piping, cover them with rugs, secure them to the floor or place them behind or beneath heavy furniture.

Decorations - Glue, rubber bands, staples, string, tacks and tape can cause mild pain, serious complications, or death if swallowed. Store them in a secure place. Discard used items when decorations are removed.

Food - Bones can cause choking, internal punctures or possibly death. Chocolate can cause theobromine poisoning which is an over-stimulation of the nervous system, and may be fatal. Chocolate also causes vomiting, diarrhoea, tremors, hyperactivity and seizures.

Fatty, spicy or sweet foods lead to gastric upsets, dehydration and pancreatitis. Burns and mouth or throat ulcers can result from hot food. Do not share your holiday goodies with your pets. If you cannot resist them, give a healthy treat. Keep your dog out of the dining area and feed its regular dinner while you eat. Do not leave food that is being cooked unattended or set hot dishes near the edge of a stove or counter. Do not leave sweets or other snacks where your dog can reach them.

Decorative lights - Cats and dogs can become tangled in the strands, leading to burns and cuts. Decorative lights can create the same hazards as electric cables.

Gift-wrapping - Ribbon, trim polystyrene foam packaging, wrapping foil and paper are dangerous if eaten by your pet. Always wrap packages safely away from your pet.

Collect and discard all the waste. Put away any wrapping paper and supplies you are not using. If you have any gifts for your dog, use plain brown paper, wrap loosely and supervise any unwrapping.

J. A.