Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

It seems that the list of hazards facing our pets in this country is endless. We are good at warning each other, as in Sophie's tale, but we also need to discover what to do for first aid. Perhaps from now on, if somebody experiences a nasty problem, they could find out from the vet what the first line defence is, and include that in their warning.

I think that is a very good idea Hippo. I believe there are a lot of first time owners (people who are kind enough take pity on a homeless animal) who are often at a loss how to cope with various problems (not just health) , and have nowhere to turn for help and advice other than involving the expense of Vet's fees . as there is nothing remotely like the RSPCA or the American equivalent (which even offers a free 24 hour hotline advice for poisening!). Perhaps we could expand your suggestion to forming a small mutual help group, as also people may find themselves in the situation of coping single handed with a sick animal as well as protection and routine care of other pets.

POISON

My first advice is to point out that apart from intentional poisons there are a lot of ordinary household and garden chemicals which are poisonous to pets as well as many plants. Far too many to list, but can be easily googled and worth finding out what they are and keeping well away from pets. Chocolate and grapes are among the common items you wouldnt think of!
Treatment depends on atype of poison and here the advice is take the animal straight to a Vet, with evidence of the type of poison (eg packaging) if poss. Home treatment , apparently, can sometimes do more harm than good (including inducing vomiting) and some treatments are pretty impracticable for am amateur in a panic, but charcoal tablets seem to have some effect and it is easy enough to carry a packet in the glove compartment of your car.

MICROPCHIPS

I told this story before but it is worth repeating where it will be recorded.A year or more ago my elderly Cyprus Terrier developed a lump on her back . The Vet said it was probably cancer, and advised that if it was, there was no treatmnet available herE to prevent a recurrence . In view of her age I was seriously sadly considering whether it was worth putting her through surgery even to remove and investigate the lump, and rather puttting off the decision, when a different Vet called to look at another dog I was temporarily housing and I asked his advice. He asked one question, then got out his scanner and diagnosed a migrated microchip! Chip removed and the dog, now around l7 years, is still living a happy, if slightly slower, life!

Moral: If you dog get a lump and is microchipped have it scanned before panicking! And if you have a "bad" diagnosis get a second opinion.

Following this I hesitated whether to have a new dog chipped. The Vet (a different one) advised that there is no data base here, so microchipping is no use for locating lost animals. However if you have the type of dog that is vulnerable to theft or kidnapping it might be worth considering as it can prove ownership.

I would like to know of a place here to ring like the RSPCA. Is there no where at all that we can ring if we see an animal in distress. especially when it is left in a van for hours while the owner is doing a bit of a pub crawl.

But the whole point of this thread , Foodie is that there isnt! This isnt Britain and if you live here you need to realise that different attitudes apply, and resources are limited and rarely stretch to protection of animals, which is why sometimes we need to help each other.

KAR should really speak for themselves on these matters, but on the question of mistreatment they are not in the position of the RSPCA and have no authority to interfere with animals on private premises, which presumably a vehicle is. There are laws against cruelty to animals and you could contact the Police or Muhtar but it would need to be blatent and provable before you could expect any action.

What evidence have you that the particular animal is in distress?. Just leaving a dog in a car (unless of course it is hot weather and the windows are closed) is not necessarily cruel. Quite a lot of caring and responsible dog owners like to take their pets with them and of necessity sometimes have to leave them in the car - many dogs - including my own which jump in the car and will happily settle down there for quiet rest if I leave a door open - see their owner's vehicle as an extension of their homes.

Hi Rambling Rose,
I definately know this is not Britain. I have been here, going on now for 26 years, I just thought this sort of problem there would be a solution by now. I can honestly say the poor dog was crying and whining most of the time it was left in the van and I must admit the man did get it out for a short time but it was in there in total for over 4 hours and crying most of the time.
Surely if he is going on a pub crawl ( I saw it outside 2 different bars ) he should leave the poor animal at home. We also take ours out when we go to the shop but no matter what the weather would not leave her for long.

In the case of my little one and the caterpillar there is nothing else to do other than rush down to the Vets, if possible ring to say you are coming, but if not just rush in and call out "poisoned dog" Everything stops and your dog is attended to. As to KAR helping. Isn't it strange, people moan about KAR and why don't they do this, why don't they do that, but I wonder how many of the people who come up with wonderful suggestions are prepared to go the KAR offices and say, "Any chance you could start a self help on your web site or weekly column in the paper. I'm prepared to volunteer to trawl through web sites, create a data base of cures and what to do's. "

We would grab you with open arms, but no-one comes to offer their services, they just go on to Forums.

Sophie: I was trying very hard NOT to let this thread deteriorate into another KAR argument. I dont support them because I disagree with their priorities, but in the instance the OP posted I explained that they cant (and actually shouldnt) to anything - I just wish theywould explain it it themselves: so often people have to explain to others why they cant expect KAR to be like the RSPCA when imho it would be better if KAR were upfront about it.

But I agree people prefer complaining rather than doing - assuming for the moment that KAR DO not (and leave aside whether or not they can or should) help individuals with specific problems we need a self help group but just look how many people have responded to this thread! Your instance of poisoning is OK if there are two people and one dog: for one person with other pets, or children, or other dependants , a little help fromothers would make a world of difference.

Foodie: If you have been here 26 years, surely you realise there are some things that just aint going to happen. When I did a web search on dog poisons I was amazed at the degree of support there was available for dog owners in the USA - but to get that I would have to live in their sort of society and on balance I think staying here is the lesser evil!

Dogs wining when left is a problem for many dog owners, some dogs are more needy than others particularly if they are rescue dogs that have been abandoned - some are just attention seekers just like people! My newest dog still barks, wines and even howls when left at home - any advice would be greatly welcomed. She actually seems happier left in the car - but the problem there is that when once I could park nearly anywhere when I could hear the dogs and check frequently now there are so many places where I have to walk miles away from the car. And summer is a no no for dogs in the car, because it is no longer possible to park anywhere in the shade - all the trees have been cut down for car parks! Maybe your van owner t;hinks the dog is better in the car than left at home, when maybe he has to tie her up!

Thanks, Sophie, for the advice that there is no first aid which can be given for caterpillers. That's what we need to know, if there is anything we can do whilst on the way to the vets, etc. I was sort of hoping that there might be something, such as a vinegar mouthwash, as we live a fair way from the vet. I will just have to remain vigilant.

So glad that your wee dog is alive and well. She will soon get used to her disability, bless her.

And Rose, your microchip story was much appreciated. That sort of story is just what we petowners need to have experience of in case it happens to our charges.

Exactly Hipo: Lacking official support and what KAR can do (for whatever reason) we pet owners need to help each other. I think sooner or later the mods will decide this thread is too specialised for the main Forum. When they do perhaps they could move it to the Pets forum which an addendum to the title asking people to leave tips and suggestions re first aid and diagnosing problems. Perhaps we could also think of something similar for behavior problems since often people who home strays have to cope with the effects of past traumas.

While I realize that vets can't help with abandoned animals, mistreated animals etc., they can and will give advice on the phone for any health related problems with your pet. Pertev is a great vet, and when in doubt I'm straight on the phone to him, plus I also have a book on animal health care, and there's always the internet. A lot of Cypriot's are changing there attitudes towards pets, but it would be nice if the Government could set something up as well, but I'm afraid that is wishful thinking.

SS, that's fine if they answer the phone. In an emergency, one doesn't have time to look on the net. One of my dogs was bitten by a snake at about 6.30pm, there are 4 vets between our house and Petcross, but not one of them was open nor answered the phone. By the time we had tried them all and eventually reached Petcross, it was way too late and he died three days later. I know that, apart from keeping anti-venom, there is not much one can do in this particular circumstance, but there is something, and I wish I had known at the time. In this country there is poison, scorpions, caterpillers and all manner of other hazards, if we are well prepared then perhaps we can make a difference to our pet's chances of survival.

I dont think the UK Government "set something up " either! Both the RSPCA and Blue CRoss and all the Rescue Homes are voluntary organisations.

Its all very well saying get a book (I have several) or check the Internet , or ask a Vet, but what do you do on a Sunday evening, when your partner is away, the car has broken down and the only Vet on duty is tied up with another emergency and or/cant or wont visit - and your pet takes ill or worse you are not a dog person but find a frightened and badly injured stray in your garden? (there is such a case on this forum). The internet would tell you to phone the ASPCA or contact a list of Vets in America!

A helping hand or even a sympathetic voice on the phone with some experience of animals would be a Godsend in these circumstances - but it seems my idea of a mutual help is as much a pipe dream as yours of Government intervention - "I'm all right Jack" seems to be the motto of the new Brit community.

In the case I quoted of the micropchip a very competant and well respected Vet failed to identify the problem, because she was thinking on straight clinical lines: an experienced dog owner might be more likely to think "outside the box".

In the instance I quoted above of a Vet not being available, the suggestion was made that a thread was opened on the Pet Forum giving the names and phone numbers of the Vets on duty - and it was also suggested KAR might include that on their Website. As far as I know neither have been done - I think Marion made the suggestion - where are you Marion when I need you?