Pancreatitis

Over the festive season it can be very temping to treat our pets with many delicious foods that often originate from leftover dinners or barbeques. Ultimately as much as it may appear harmless at the time, many of these foods (i.e. sausages) contain a high content of fat that cats and dogs have trouble digesting. Pancreatitis "inflammation of the pancreas" is a serious and quite painful condition, which causes leakage of the digestive enzymes whereby the pancreas literally starts to "digest itself". Pancreatitis can be acute (sudden) or chronic (happening over a course of time). Both forms are serious and can be life-threatening, especially acute cases. Pancreatitis is generally more common in dogs then cats, possibly due to their less fussy nature when it comes to food. Pancreatitis can be caused by a number of factors including obesity, concurrent disease (i.e. diabetes), a high fat meal and infection. The most common signs of this condition include vomiting, a painful abdomen (hunched appearance), reduced appetite and diarrhoea. If you think your pet could be suffering from Pancreatitis advise your veterinarian today. To avoid Pancreatitis in your pet never allow others to feed your pet unknowingly, try to avoid feeding your dog or cat high fat foods that are not part of their regular diet and put your pet on a reduced calorie diet if they are overweight.

Heat Stroke

Throughout the warmer months of the year we see a number of incidences of heat stroke particularly in canine patients. Heatstroke is a very serious condition caused by a marked elevation in body temperature (greater than 39.5^oC). Heat Stroke generally occurs on hot or humid days in situations where the dog has been confined to a hot place such as a car or has become overheated after too much exercise, over exertion or provision of lack of shade or water. Dogs unlike humans cannot sweat and therefore excrete excess heat through their paw pads and panting. This method of heat excretion is not always very effective and often dogs will become over heated. To avoid this problem in your dogs always supply clean fresh water and a suitable shaded area. If the weather is too warm for you then it is likely that this is the same for your dog. Do not over exercise your dog on hot or humid days and never leave an animal unattended in a vehicle. If you think your dog is suffering from heat stroke; advise your veterinarian and seek immediate treatment.

Firework phobia

Throughout the festive season firework displays are a common occurrence. Although for us this is a thrilling and fun event for our pets it is a very different thing. Fireworks for many dogs cause immense induced fear, anxiety, and confusion, often resulting in escape from the yard in attempts to flee from the sounds and vibrations that fireworks cause. Please remember to check on your dog for these signs if fireworks are displayed, keep your pet inside if they seem to appear fearful, ensure your yard is secure and speak to a veterinarian if you feel your pet is susceptible to this problem.

Christmas plants

Christmas plants are nice decor to have at home during this happy season. However, they can cause problems and intoxication in pets.  

1. Poinsettia 

• The sap of the poinsettia is an irritant. If any part of the plant is ingested by a dog / cat, the animal may show signs of oral irritation like hypersalivating, shaking his / her head and pawing at the head and mouth. The plant can also cause gastrointestinal sign like vomiting.

2. Mistletoe

• Intoxication can happen when large amount of berries are ingested by pets. Symptoms include hypersalivating, vomiting, diarrhoea, increase heart rate / breathing rate and progress to shock and death in severe cases.

3. Holly

•  The red berries on holly plant is poisonous and if ingested, can cause gastrointestinal upset like vomiting and diarrhoea which leads to dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

Tick and Snake

Tick paralysis and Snake envenomation are 2 common life threatening emergency diseases that we encounter in summer months. We've listed some symptoms related to each disease

Tick paralysis

- unusual gait, difficulty rising and walking and then progress to unable to stand and paralysis

- abnormal / laboured breathing

- regurgitation which can lead to pneumonia

Snake envenomation

- collapse / unsteady gait progressing to paralysis

- vomiting

- salivation

- inappropriate urination / defaecation

- trembling

- increased breathing rate progressing to laboured breathing

- bleeding disorder - e.g. blood in urine or diarrhoea, coughing / vomiting blood

If you're going away to the coastal area with your pet during the holidays, please don't forget to get and apply some tick prevention products on your pet before you go to minimize the risk of getting the disease. 

Unfortunately, for both diseases, animals are not likely to survive if they are not treated promptly. Therefore, please contact us if you notice any of the above symptoms and get your pet checked out as soon as possible.

Household hazards and toxins

Grape / Raisin Intoxication

Ingestion of grapes / raisins has been associated with acute renal (kidney) failure in dogs and evidence suggests that cats may also be affected. The exact cause of renal toxicity is unknown but data indicates that the toxic component is water-soluble, and within the flesh of the grape / raisin, not the seed.

 

Clinical signs usually begin several hours after ingestion with vomiting / diarrhoea and lethargy / depression and proceeding to renal failure within 24 hours. Early and aggressive treatment is indicated but even so the clinical outcome might not be favourable once renal failure develops. 

 

If you found out that your pet has ingested grapes / raisins accidentally, please contact us (or an emergency hospital for afterhours service)as soon as possible as he / she would require immediate treatment to decontaminate and support with intravenous fluid therapy (drip line) to help minimizing exposure and absorption to the toxin.

Do you know?

Do you know that according to the NSW Companion Animals Act,

 

Failure to register or microchip your cat or dog as required by the Companion Animals Act attracts a maximum penalty of $880 unless your dog is restricted or declared dangerous, in which case the maximum penalty is $5,500.

Royal Canin Veterinary Range Di

We are very happy to introduce the range of  Royal Canin Diets to our 2 hospitals.

 

Royal Canin is established in 1967 in France. They have tailor made premium diets to suit special nutritional needs for dogs and cats in different life stages, starting from weaners & juniors through to adulthood and seniors. Also, depending on each individual's needs and their health condition, special diets for dental, skin, joints, kidney and urinary tract problems are also available.

 

Pet food safety is one of the main concerns of selecting a diet for your pet and Royal Canin tests the quality of the ingredients from their selected suppliers before they are accepted for use in the foods. Only meat from animals which are declared fit and healthy for human consumption would be used. Strict quality control from raw material to the packaging stage and all ingredients are completely traceable and identifiable.

 

Royal Canin diets are very palatable and most animals love it and the company is happy for you to return and refund you with the money if your pet doesn't eat it. They also offer a loyalty program in which buying 10 bags and receive the 11th bag FREE. Please feel free to talk to one of our staff regarding this premium diet and get a FREE sample for your pet to try.

Prevention of skin problem

There are a lot of things that we can do to prevent skin diseases. Let's go through some skin care tips with you

1. Bathing your pet in gentle shampoo like the Natural / Aloveen shampoo fortnightly and do not use human shampoo

2. Apply conditioner to your pet's coat weekly

3. Supplementing diet with Omega 3 / 6 fatty acids to help keeping your pet's coat healthy and shiny

4. Checking skin while bathing / brushing your pet - pay extra attention to their ears, in between their toes and feel all over the body for any lumps and bumps

5. Checking your pet's nails fortnightly to ensure that they are not too long

6. Monthly spot on flea treatment (e.g. advantage, advocate, revolution, frontline) would help to prevent flea infestation in your home environment and flea allergic dermatitis on your pet. Apply these products 2 days before or after bathing your pet.  

7. Looking for and removing any weeds / irritant plants in your backyard, examples of common irritant plants including wandering jew, scurvy weed and inch plant etc. 

8. Don't forget to clean and trim the hair around the eyes to prevent them from causing irritation to the eyes

9. If your pet has a pink nose / white tipped ears, please prevent them sunbathing by drawing down the curtains and applying pet-only sunscreen products. That would help to prevent skin cancer development.

10. Last but not least, if you notice any problem with your pet's skin; please do not hesitate to contact us.

Household hazards and toxins

Household hazards and toxins

Human medications

Animals' body process some medications different from humans, therefore please do not medicate your pet with the medications that you have at home. Instead of being a medication, they can be a toxin!

One common example is Paracetamol (Tradenames: Panadol / Panamax / Panadeine) which can be toxic to animals. In dogs, paracetamol causes liver failure several days after ingestion. In cats, paracetamol toxicity causes impairment of oxygen carrying capacity of blood thus causing anaemia. Clinical signs also include rapid breathing, depression, vomiting and weakness. Cats can show swelling of the muzzle and face. Dogs usually become jaundiced (yellow).

Please contact us if your pet is unwell and our vets would be able to dispense medications for him / her. If your pet accidentally ingested some of your medications, please call us immediately as emergency treatment can be provided to lessen the amount of toxins being absorbed.  

Do you know?

Do you know that according to the NSW Companion Animals Act,

All dogs and cats must be permanently identified by the age of 12 weeks or when sold or given away (whichever comes first) and lifetime registered before the age of 6 months.

If your pet has not been chipped, please contact us to implant a microchip in your pet to avoid a fine of $165.

Dental Month 2010

August is Dental Month - Oral hygiene is a really important part of your pet's health as dental diseases can affect multiple organs not only their teeth and causing toothaches, but can also affect the heart.

Dental disease does not only cause bad breath but can also cause discomfort and pain, making animals unwilling to eat and affecting their general health and body condition.

There are a lot of dental care products (e.g. special diet, oral gel, toothpaste, dental treats) on the market to help controlling and preventing tartar build up. Our friendly staff would be able to help you tailor made a regime that would suit you and your pet's lifestyle.

Animals are just like us, would need dental visits regularly to restore nice, clean teeth with dental scale and polish - please feel free to call and discuss with our staff how to arrange one for your pet.

Arthritis

Arthritis can be a painful and debilitating condition for your senior dog / cat especially during winter.

Subtle signs of reluctance to exercise, having difficulty rising after a long rest and appeared to be a bit stiff when walking can be related to osteoarthritis. Cats that are affected by arthritis might just be avoiding to jump up on high benches.

Radiographs can help us to diagnose arthritis and also help ruling out other bony disease or orthopaedic conditions.

After the diagnosis of arthritis is made, we might be able to help your arthritic pet by modifying their diet and exercise regime, weight control, providing nutraceuticals / supplements to help with joint health and also long term arthritic pain control for severe cases.

Please feel free to contact our staff to arrange a consultation with our vets if you find that your pet is having signs of arthritis.