Lakeside Village September 2017 | Page 8

8

Notices

Confirmed case of Organophosphate toxicity in Lakeside
In the past month , a confirmed case of Organophosphate poisoning in a cat was reported to the directors of Lakeside Village . This type of poisoning is rapidly fatal and can affect both humans and animals .
What are organophosphates / carbamates ? These chemical compounds are commonly encountered as active ingredients in commercial insecticides . These compounds vary in appearance but usually exist in the form of small black or blue granules . These toxins are easily absorbed through the skin , gastrointestinal and respiratory systems . Symptoms typically develop within minutes but may be delayed by up to several hours . Symptoms in animals include vomiting and diarrhoea ; profuse salivation and tear production ; muscle tremore , seizures and disco-ordination ; difficulty breathing ; collapse and sudden death .
If poisoning is suspected , this is a true veterinary emergency and the animal should be taken to the vet immediately . Contact your vet in advance so that they may prepare for your arrival ! ! If your regular vet is closed please take your animal to a 24-hour vet ! If exposure via the skin is suspected rinse the animal thoroughly with water and sunlight ( or similar ) dishwashing soap . Do not attempt to bathe collapsed animals . Do not attempt to induce vomiting without consulting your veterinarian as this will often make things worse .
Please note that sometimes these products are used to maliciously poison animals . The granules are often hidden in food to achieve such purposes , any suspicious materials or activity around your property should be reported to the directors immediately !
Please note the poisoning of animals with any substance is a criminal offence punishable by jail time and severe monetary fines !
In support of Animal Welfare | Rescue | Re-home | Networking | Education
THANK YOU !
PAWS R US ( SA ) is a Gauteng based non-profit company – NPC registration number 2013 / 209587 / 08 . We specifically focus on the plight of unwanted , abandoned and stray dogs in the Gauteng region . We conduct our rescue operations via the use of boarding kennels and a small circle of approved foster homes .
We write this letter as a way of conveying our thanks for the wonderful donation you have made in support of both our orphans and the animal welfare cause in general . Donations such as yours allow us to keep doing rescue and welfare work . Without the support of the general public , no shelter or rescue organization would be able to sustain itself – and as a result , thousands more would die and / or suffer needlessly .
Should you wish to get involved and support our work in a more continuous way , please do contact us on woof @ pawsrus . co . za .
Thank you for helping us to help those who cannot speak for themselves .
TEAM – PAWS R US ( SA )