Hi all

I'm not sure if this is the best place, maybe if it's not you could point me in the right direction?

I have just started volunteering at a Safari Park and vet care is sporadic at best, and the vets cannot speak English so it is hard for us to explain symptoms to them. We have come up with the initiative that it might be plausible to have a vet we can contact by e-mail sending details and photographs. Do you think this would be viable? Where could we find vets (qualified or student) who can help us with this?

We are based in Asia and have lions, tigers, elephants, crocodiles, giraffe, zebra, antelope, cassawarie, gibbons, macaqes, macaws and more.

Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated.

Best wishes
Tat

Hi

Unfortunately I dont have the expertise to help you in this field, or any contacts to direct you to, but if there is a specialist out there, or anyone who can ask one, who sees this post let's hope they might be able to lend a hand. Best wishes with getting some help with the veterinary care for all of these important species of animals and birds.

Cathy Wickenden BVet Med MRCVS
Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre
1 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BH
Tel: 01442 216048 24 hours
[www.bartonlodgevets.co.uk]

Hi Tat

You can also register as a practice on VetClick, and then post a free vacancy ad, advertising this as a vacancy. We've had practices in the past post jobs for social media vets, and other online only type positions.

VetClick Moderator

my hamster has what looks like a wet patch on her face but her fur has actually fallen out. please could u help me/ xx

I have a 2yr old Bassett Hound. He was fine until today. He is eating fine. He has slept all day and wont get up and has slept all day. He doesn't even want to get up to go outside to go to the bathroom. He just laid on the floor and urinated in the living room. We tried to pick him up and he was not happy. When he was outside he did have a good bowl movement and walked around for a little bit. As soon as he came back inside he just laid down again and wont get back up. I did notice a greenish puss on the outside of his penis. He has been fixed. I don't have the money to take him to the vet right now. Please help me. Thank you Julie

Hi Natalie

You need to also think is she eating and drinking normally and lively or not. If she's not her usual lively self there's more going wrong than just a wet patch and fur loss. The safest advice is to take her to a vet to get a check over.

Cathy Wickenden BVet Med MRCVS
Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre
1 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BH
Tel: 01442 216048 24 hours
[www.bartonlodgevets.co.uk]

Hi Julie

That set of symptoms doesn't sound good in a young, normally lively dog. He sounds like there is some discomfort. I am sorry I cant give you any home remedies or suggest how you afford the fees but what your dog really needs, if these symptoms continue or get worse is to get checked and treated by a vet. Try to make sure he keeps eating and drinking plenty, if he stops eating then its become more urgent that you take him.

Cathy Wickenden BVet Med MRCVS
Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre
1 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BH
Tel: 01442 216048 24 hours
[www.bartonlodgevets.co.uk]

I have a 16 yo cat that has gone blind quite quickly. We first noticed her having problems about a month ago, getting really close to something in her path before realising it was there. In the last few days she appears to be totally blind, at least in daylight. It seems that in darkness or very low light levels she can find her way around. She also seems to be able to find her way to the litter tray that has been in place for some years to accommodate both this cat and the other we have that does not like going out.

I suspect cateracts but could I be wrong? I am seriously thinking that at her age it may be kinder to euthenase, particularly if she stops finding the litter tray. Unfortunately we cannot afford cateract operations.

Hi Neil

I cannot be certain and there are other causes but I am more suspicious that the problem with your cat's sight is due to detachment of her retinas than due to cataracts. Sounds like she went blind very quickly and cataracts develop quite slowly, with a gradual reduction in vision over years. If the blindness has been caused by retinal detachment that usually happens to an older cat because their blood pressure is too high. You dont need to worry about affording a cataract operation in this case but your cat might need treatment for high blood pressure to stay well.

Some years ago I had a cat who went blind when he was 20 years old and he stayed happy for another year because we gave him some help with in his surroundings. Cats can be very good at finding their way around a familiar territory because they can remember where everything is and use other senses, their whiskers, hearing and touch to feel their way around.

Its OK and not unfair to keep a blind cat if you are ready to make the adjustments needed. Keep everything easily available including food water and the litter tray, in the locations your cat was always used to. But remember too that the underlying cause of the blindness needs checking out by a vet and if its present, treatment for high blood pressure would help your cat stay well and live longer.

Cathy Wickenden BVet Med MRCVS
Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre
1 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BH
Tel: 01442 216048 24 hours
[www.bartonlodgevets.co.uk]

Hi

Thank you for the response. Certainly the cat seems to be managing better than I had hoped, I suspect that there is some sort of residual vision.

I will get her checked out by my local vet.

Hello, my guinnea pig seems to have a clump of nail on its back middle claw, it deosnt look infected but im not sure. What do u recommend i do?? Its large and doesnt look comftable but my guinnea pig seems to be ok when u touch it but it is large and needs sorted

Hi

Occasionally a claw grows abnormally so appears larger or has unusual appearance. If it is infected or ingrowing it will eventually cause your Guinea pig discomfort if you leave it. I can only advise you to go to your vet, have it checked in case this is the problem.

Cathy Wickenden BVet Med MRCVS
Barton Lodge Veterinary Centre
1 Midland Road, Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire, HP2 5BH
Tel: 01442 216048 24 hours
[www.bartonlodgevets.co.uk]