A dog suffering from heatstroke receives treatment at a vet clinic in China. (Reuters); (below) a girl feeds her pet at a dog show in the city. A Telegraph file picture

When you are busy making plans for Durga puja, don’t forget to include your little pet in the scheme of things. It’s very difficult to get hold of a veterinary doctor at this time of the year, as most of them are either busy with their families or out on a holiday. Their chambers remain closed. So, what will you do if your pet falls ill? Don’t worry, help is at hand. Here are some emergency medicines that will not let you down during the festivities.

lIf — or maybe when — you take your dog on a pandal-hopping trip, he may develop travel sickness. The condition can worsen due to the crowd and noise, and the dog may start vomitting.

Tips: Administer your pet Avomine or Perinorm tablet about an hour before you step out of the house.

We usually tend to gorge on spicy junk food from restaurants and roadside stalls during the festive days and also feed some of it to our pets. This may cause diarrhoea or vomiting.

Tips: In case of diarrhoea, administer Gramogyl syrup to a puppy, and Norflox TZ to an adult dog twice a day. To check vomiting, use Domstal drops for the puppy and tablets for the adult dog.

Don’t give him any food that day. Instead, give home-made ORS — add two teaspoons of sugar and a pinch of salt in a cup of water.

There would be lots of insects inside the pandals or on the roads that your pet may want to taste. This might lead to swelling of the mouth and ears. Pets also become very restless, which is a symptom of allergy.

Tips: Administer Phenergan syrup to puppies and Avil 25 tablets to adults.

You may bathe your pets with an anti-tick shampoo before taking them out. If the shampoo gets into the eyes, your pet may suffer irritation. If he happens to lick the shampoo, there might be poisoning effects like salivation and shivering.

Tips: Wash your pet’s eyes with fresh water and then use an eye drop. To get rid of the toxicity, give Atropine Sulphate injection.

Your pet may suffer from sudden high temperatures, cough and cold.

Tips: Administer a paracetamol syrup thrice a day to a puppy and tablets to the adult, along with Mox syrup or tablet.

Dogs are affected by the sound of crackers during Diwali. They run here and there, hide under the bed and also start shivering.

Tips: Give Gardinal tablet (30 mg) twice on the day before Diwali.

Remember that the medicines I have suggested are only for emergency use. These are not permanent treatments. You should consult your vet as soon as possible.

So, enjoy the Pujas with your pet. If there are any problems, do mail me.

Send in your queries at goutam3@hotmail.com.