|
We hope that you didn't miss Animail Tails too much over December and January. A short hiatus was needed as it was very busy for us, as it was for you.
We had our Santa Paws shoot, which many of you came to (some photos below), Christmas came (self explanatory), New Years Eve came and went.
New Years Day and Australia Day was spent re-uniting lost pets with their owners, with the help of our Lost and Found facebook page.
Australia Day has been and gone and that was equally busy in the lost and found department.
And we now have a new puppy, Piper (pictured above on the first day in our family). Our cats at home , and Pandora at work, have already put her in her place (which is no surprise to any of us who own cats and dogs).
We  are going through all the joys of puppyhood at the moment!
Poor Pandora had to have her own emergency dental work in January, because she broke a tooth! Thank you to all of those who sent her "Get well Right Meow" wishes on our facebook page! (especially Julie who did this card for Pandora)
Enjoy this issue of Animail Tails, the start of many more to come in 2014 and beyond!
Yours
Dr Liz on behalf of Pandora (the boss).
|
| Mixed Breed DNA Testing - what breed is your pet (and Piper)! |  In October 2012, we added DNA testing to our list of services. This include the "Mixed Breed Identification DNA Test" and the "Genetic Health Screening Test", which is the basis of the "Breed Specific Medicine" program we are developing.
With all the Breed identification tests that we have done, everyone has been very pleased with the result. As vets, this information also helps us formulate the right life long recommendations.
Inside the report -
- Their dog's genetic make- up back to their great grandparents
- Detailed histories and descriptions of each breed detected in the ancestry
- An adult genetic weight range prediction
- And a recommended food and feeding guide
The Genetic Health Screening Test is suitable for both Mixed Breeds as well as pure breeds. It will give an idea of the genetic predisposition of your pet being affected by these genetic diseases.
We have done a DNA test on our new dog, Piper, and I will share the results with you in the next newsletter!
For more information and prices, you can visit our DNA page.
|
| A Dental Dilemma - which tooth needs to go! |
The latest news is - The swelling went down almost immediately after the tooth was extracted, despite having been on antibiotics for a full month prior to the dental work. I often get asked to put pets onto antibiotics for dental abscesses or swellings on the face, but it just doesn't work - it ends up being a waste of money for the owner, and the pet is still suffering with dental pain.
But we love happy endings, and Jessi did really well once the problem tooth was out!
Another reason why I love my dental xray machine - I couldn't practice veterinary dentistry without it.
|
| When is the right time for a new pet? |  Teddy (picture right) was our dog who passed away in 2011 due to lymphoma. As a pet owner, I remember the shock of finding out the diagnosis, and the stress of the treatment with chemotherapy. And then, the day we had to let him go.
But with sadness, comes joy!
 So, give a big welcome to Piper! She was born in October 2013, and she is a Kelpie X. We have ordered a Mixed Breed DNA test on her to find out what she is crossed with, and we promise to share these results with you in the next newsletter. Her original name was Tammy. She was the last puppy left at RSPCA Rouse Hill when we arrived close to their closing time on that hot January Saturday afternoon. When we had our "meet and greet", the first thing she did was to come up to me, lie down and show me her tummy! How could we not take her! It was meant to be, and so she is now a part of our family. I promise you, once all of her vaccinations are up to date, you will get to meet her. When is the right time for a new pet? Open up your heart and give another amazing pet a loving home, it is the least you can to in remembrance of the pets that you have had in the past. |
| Scared of noises? | |
On Piper's second night with us, there was a huge thunderstorm! It scared her, and it was an interesting night. Since then, she hasn't liked the food processor, vacuum cleaner and my son blowing his nose (of all things).
Here are some handy tips for the young ones -
- during a storm/firework, close all of the curtains, put the radio or TV on, and use food to distract them. Sit with them, be calm, and reward when they are calm works well. Encourage them to find a "safe spot"
- thundershirts may help
- after the storm, try to desensitize them to the noise by playing a CD of storm and fire work sounds  at a low level, and go about your normal daily activity. Over several weeks slowly increase volume. - speak to your vet (or me) regarding medication which will help your puppy or kitten forget that something scary has happened.
For the older ones who have already developed a fear
- medication is often needed - as these are prescription only, a veterinary consult is needed to determine if this is the right thing to do.
- Ensure your pet has access to a "safe spot", whether it be under your bed, under the lounge or anywhere where they can lay low till the event has passed
- Use the radio or TV to lessen the impact of the noise
- Use food to distract or reward calm behaviours - it can change the meaning from "something scary is happening" to "wow, this loud noise means I get food and yum yum stuff"
- thundershirts, thundercaps, massage therapy may help some pets.
There are no quick fixes, and no five minute answers to this very troubling problem that affects 30% of our pets.
And, for those who are truly phobic, then referral to a Veterinary Behaviourist is the next step - it is not just for those who "have tried everything".
|
| The vomiting cat - should not be ignored | |
Many of us have cats, and many of us are used to cleaning up the vomit of our cats.
We put up with this in the belief that it is due to overeating, eating too quickly or
 | | This is our cat "Pusski" who is our "Vomiting" Cat |
furballs.
Now, the feline specialists are telling us to not ignore those cats that vomit more than twice a month, and/ or who are losing weight. And, to make things even scarier, there is even evidence to say that cats with fur ball problems actually have inflammatory bowel disease. The altered gut motility of inflammatory bowel disease means fur balls get to develop, instead of passing through normally.
We have two cats, and Pusski is our "vomiting cat". As for Pusski, he is on a Hypoallergenic food trial at the moment! (Royal Canin Hypoallergenic). Early days yet, but so far so good! For many owners, these food trials are frustrating, so ultrasound then biopsies are often need to be done.
|
|
|
|
| Kennel Cough - the disease has changed! | |
The "Kennel Cough" (otherwise known as canine cough), that we used to know as the "harsh hacking cough that dog's will catch from other dogs" is now a changed disease.
We need to be aware of this in the dogs we do vaccinate against "kennel cough" - we can't vaccinate against everything that is part of the disease.
The signs can include any of the following
- discharge from both eyes
- sneezing
- snot or watery discharge from one or both nostrils
- a harsh hacking cough or no coughing at all
- a lot of swallowing
- reverse sneezing
The diagnosis is made easier with the "Canine Respiratory PCR" test.
Traditionally, the incubation for "Canine Cough" was 7 to 10 days - before you would see/hear signs. We now know that signs may be visible within 3 days of exposure.
Within a day of Piper joining our family, she started to sneeze, and had mucky eyes. She did not cough at all. I ordered the Canine Respiratory PCR test straight away, as those are also the signs of an allergy. I needed to know what she had - the results were surprising - we found that she had Canine Respiratory Disease (Coronavirus, Bordetella and Mycoplasma).
Canine Respiratory PCR screens for 10 things -
Bordetella Bronchiseptica, Canine Adenovirus Type 2, Canine Distemper Virus, Canine Herpesvirus 1, Canine Influenza Virus (H3N8), Canine Parainfluenza Virust Type 3, Canine Respiratory Coronavirus, Influenza Virus (H1N1), Mycoplasma cynos and Streptococcus equi zooepidemicus.
The cost is only $180, which is cheap for peace of mind.
Back to Piper, though - She has received the correct treatment and is now 100% clear!
The bellambivets blog has a lot of information in its archives now. Here is one on coughing dogs.
|
Till next time
 | | Pandora "the boss" |
Thank you to those who open and read Animail Tails.
In 2013, thanks to the reviews given by you, we achieved the "Womo Service Award", which is only awarded to 5% of registered businesses.
We would love to be worthy of receiving this in 2014, but we can only do so with your help.
Why not review us on womo?
You can also review us on facebook or google plus. 
We hope that if ever there is something that we do that you feel unhappy about, that you do not feel uncomfortable enough about letting us know - we can't fix what we don't know is broken! Just hit reply on this email, and let me know. Please feel free to share this newsletter, or give us feedback. Finally, thank you for being part of our animalclinic family. Till next time....
Yours
 |
|
|
| For Fun! |  |
Santa photos were a hit!
 Santa came, and so did the amazing pets - we had cats, dogs and guinea pigs.
Our photographer wanted a llama and miniature pony too - will have to work on that for next year!
For those who came along.... did you have fun?
We certainly hope so, as planning is already underway for 2014 Santa Paws Shoot!
Please send your feedback to us for next year!
|
| More Fun! | | Have you visited our Café and Library?
 Our animalclinic café is open, and we are pleased to announce the opening of our animalclinic library too!
For those who haven't been in to see us for a few years, there have been some improvements - our café is now open (free tea/coffee/refreshments) and now, our animalclinic library is growing too.
|
|
What a face! Another one for the 2014 animalclinic family album!
| |
Karma was one of the many kittens that came in for their vet check and vaccinations in January. I fell in absolute love with this very personable young man, and he isn't half good looking too!
Of course, I love all the others too, but this one's markings loves the camera! Why not add your pet to our animalclinic family album? You can email your pet's photo to us or post it on our facebook page. |
| Free Online Consultations | | |
You may or may not know that we offer free online advice to all registered pets of Russell Vale Animal Clinic.
 In other words, we are just an email away in asking for help.
This is available for you all of the time, all year round. This is what you deserve as part of the animalclinic family.
Of course, there will be times that a vet visit is needed, but for those little questions that don't really need a full consult, we are there to help, if we can.
Visit here for more information.
|
| Ticks - High Alert | |
This summer we have seen a 100% increase in the number of tick cases compared to previous years!
About 20 % of the cases we have seen hadn't left their back yard and they lived in East Corrimal (not an area I previously associated with as a "high risk".
The tick season this summer is also particularly toxic, with several pets suffering from complications such as aspiration pneumonia and heart problems (the paralysis toxin also has a cardiac component which the tick serum cannot neutralise)
Your prevention options include
For Dogs:
- Frontline or Advantix each TWO weeks
- Permoxin spray weekly
- Kiltix or Preventic tick collar changed monthly
- Scalibor Tick collar changed three monthly
For Cats:
- Frontline Spray used each 3 weeks (the only registered product)
- OFF LABEL - use of Frontline each two weeks
The Best preventative device I have found are two hands (for you to feel all over), time, and a full hands on check over of your pet daily.
 |
 Let PocketVet app keep you app-dated. |
| |
PocketVet is more than just an app so we can keep in touch with you You can put in information about all of your pets, and set up your pet's reminders. It has a link to off leash areas, Lists lost and found pets (New feature), and handy pet care information.
Don't forget - once you have downloaded the app, let us know what information you need to help you fill out the reminder section. We will happily forward you the information on your pet's next worming, vaccination, dental check as well as microchip information for you.
Of course, select Russell Vale Animal Clinic, and be kept in the loop of times of when we are open/closed, special events, medical alerts etc.
Mine is on my ipad and phone! So I get updates to know what I am doing too!
Get your PocketVet app now.
 | | Thank You! |
|
|
|
