Pet owners warned against home remedies after puppy Trigger found with skin condition

Pet owners have warned today that human medications and home remedies are not a substitute for professional vet treatments.

A five-month-old male lurcher puppy was recently surrendered to the care of the ISPCA from a suburb of Cork city following report that the dog had been seen covered in an unidentified substance.

The dog was found to be suffering from a skin condition which the owner had tried to deal with by using a home remedy, rather than visiting a vet.

ISPCA Inspector Lisa O’Donovan said: “This sort of treatment is not appropriate for dogs. All skin issues and ailments should be seen to by your vet, and any topical applications must be prescribed by the same. In this situation the dog would have become very ill by ingesting the application.”

The ISPCA has urged owners to always contact a vet if they believe a pet might be ill or injured.

The puppy, named Trigger, is now at the ISPCA National Animal Centre in Keenagh, Co. Longford and is receiving treatment for his mange.

Trigger will be available for adoption once he has finished his course of treatment, and will be looking for his new home in December.

“Trigger is a very sweet puppy and will make a lovely pet for a lucky family,” said the ISPCA.