Many Hong Kong people are pet owners, and treat their cats and dogs as part of the family. But how many people would know what to do if their pet suffered an emergency? At the Chamber's luncheon roundtable on 9 August, Veterinarian Surgeon Dr Steven Chan discussed how to handle a range of pet health problems. 

Dr Chan, who has been practicing veterinary medicine for more than ten years, explained to members how to notice signs of illness or intoxication in pets. He also covered how owners can ensure that their living environment is safe for animals. 

He introduced some of the common items that are toxic to certain animals. Medication for humans is an obvious example, and most people probably know to keep such items out of reach. But other more surprising products that can cause animals to become ill include chocolates, grapes, raisins, macadamia nuts, garlic and onions. Depending on the intake level of these toxic items, the pets may suffer from dehydration, increased heart rate, diarrhoea, vomiting, and even acute renal failure. 

One special caution raised by Dr Chan was that lilies are highly dangerous and can be fatal to cats. Just by ingesting one or two leaves, or by drinking water from a pot containing the flowers, a cat can suffer from kidney failure. 

Another practical tip was about how to treat heatstroke in dogs. Dr Chan warned pet owners not to try to cool their dogs down by putting them straight into cold water, as this can cause them to suffer a stroke. Instead, they should give small amounts of water at regular intervals, and place wet towels on top of the dog's back and head, but not wrap the dog in entirely in a towel. 

Dr Chan also talked about symptoms that pet owners should watch out for including signs of bloat, seizures and difficulty with urination, all of which can indicate a more serious problem. 

After this presentation, attendees returned to their pets with a great deal of knowledge of how to look after them, and enhanced awareness of the small changes that could be a sign of illness.