I’M FREE!! please take me
Winter 2014
Protecting your dog against kennel cough
Kennel cough is an umbrella term used to severity of symptoms. Puppies and elderly describe a hacking cough in dogs caused dogs (who may have preexisting airway by various viruses and bacteria. The two disease) tend to be the most severely main causes are infection with parainfl uenza affected. Treatment may include antibiotics, virus and the bacteria Bordetella anti-infl ammatory drugs and cough Bronchiseptica. The latter is a similar suppressants. In addition to medication bacterium to the one that causes whooping prescribed by your vet, owners should rest cough in humans. These bacteria and their dog and isolate it from other dogs. for happy, healthy pets viruses cause an infl ammation of the major Taking the dog into a nice steamy bathroom airways resulting in a hacking, paroxysmal or humidifying the environment may also help. 167 North Road, cough. The cough can end in gagging and Gardenvale Victoria 3185 retching of mucous which may give owners As with any disease, prevention is better than cure. A vaccine that protects against P: (03) 9596 4804 the impression that their dog has something the two major causes of kennel cough is F: (03) 9596 7255 stuck in its throat. Coughing is often worse available. Because many other bacteria E: [email protected] at night and is exacerbated by exercise and and viruses can cause the problem it is still W: www.northroadvet.com.au pressure on the throat region – such as pulling on a lead. possible for a vaccinated dog to contract kennel cough. However vaccinated dogs Kennel cough is highly contagious. Infected tend to have a less severe form of the OUR VETS: dogs can even transmit the disease prior to disease and recover more quickly than Dr Andrew Milledge showing any symptoms. The treatment for unvaccinated dogs. Speak to your vet kennel cough will vary from case to case about what is an appropriate vaccination Dr Wendy Milledge depending on the age of the dog and the for your dog. Dr Caroline Thursfi eld Dr Jenny Tong Dr Byron von Hoff OUR NURSING TEAM: Are always eager to help you with your appointments, food supplies and any other questions you may have about the care and welfare of your pet. Lydia, Natalie, Ingrid, Claire, Tammie, Nat, Manya and Leeanne make up our team of veterinary nurses. Louise and Adele are our weekend cattery attendant, Sarah is a part- time cattery attendant on weekdays. CLINIC HOURS: The clinic can be contacted between 8.00am and 7.30pm weekdays, between 8.30am and 4.00pm on Saturdays and between 9.30am and 4.00pm on Sundays. Inside Consultations are by appointment during the following hours... Weekdays: 9.00am – 1.00pm 3.00pm – 7.30pm • Happy Pets Over Winter • Choosing a Family Dog Saturdays: 9.00am – 4.00pm Sundays: 10.00am – 4.00pm • Rodents as Pets • Photo Competition AFTER HOURS: Please phone the clinic on 9596 4804 for • Clever Crossword • Warming Your cosy in winter after hours emergencies, you will be directed by a recorded message to appropriate • Redirected Cat Aggression • Winter reminder! treatment options. Keeping Your Pets Happy Over Winter Rodents may be the
Even pets can get the winter blues, so it irritations and matting. It is a good idea to perfect pet can help to give them some extra attention perhaps keep their cut a little longer than and cuddles over the cooler months when in other seasons and you can add extra everyone’s moods can drop just a little. Here warmth with a rug or coat for your pet. For many people rats will always be vermin. are some other vital tips for keeping your Small dirty animals with scaly tails whose CAREFUL OF THOSE HOT SPOTS: In the pets happy and cosy over winter. only redeeming feature is to provide exercise search for the ultimate warm spot your pet for scared beholders as they leap on and off KEEP ACTIVE: We all know how easy it is might get themselves into danger. Be aware chairs shrieking RAT! to go into hibernation mode over winter and that your cat (or your neighbours) might be avoid exercise, but it is good for you and hiding under your car or in your engine to It’s time this stereotype was corrected and your dog to keeps up with the walks and keep warm. They might get too close to an we realise that these animals are one of the exercise. It is worth braving the weather and open fi re, so it is always good to have the most appropriate pets for young children. putting on a few extra layers to get outdoors. guard up so that sparks don’t land on their Pet rats are a different species to the wild Keeping your pet moving helps with joint coat. Finally make sure that you keep an plague-bearing type. Many fancy varieties health and mobility and prevent arthritic eye on animals around heaters that can be are available, the most common being animals from seizing up as much. knocked over. the Hooded rat and the Self-coloured rat. Domestic rats are bred to be docile and BEDDING: Some extra blankets and/or WATER: It is just as important in winter for sociable and can be kept in groups. Males and padding on your pet’s bed will make a great your pet to have access to plenty of water. If females can be kept together, but bear in mind difference. Also make sure that their bed is you live in a very cold area and their water that they reach sexual maturity by 6-8 weeks. away from draughty, cold and damp areas. supply is outside, make sure it doesn’t get Raised beds are great for avoiding draughts iced over. Indoor heating can cause some Rats are nocturnal. But unlike many small and cold coming from hard fl oors. For outdoor dehydration, so make sure they have access rodents they are not cranky if interrupted animals, make sure their shelter is well to water even when you are all bundled up in from their slumbers for a play. They enjoy insulated and protected from the elements. one area keeping warm. being handled, seldom bite and, once used to owners, will not run away. Cages must GROOMING AND RUGGING: Don’t assume FLEAS: Fleas are not just a summer be well ventilated and cleaned every other that your pet doesn’t need a trim up over problem. Heated homes can set off a fl eas day otherwise odours can be a problem. For winter if they have regular grooming. Coats cycle as well as the warmer weather, so this reason bird cages or wire barred rodent being left to grow too long in an attempt to make sure you keep your pets treated all cages are preferential to aquariums. keep your cat or dog warm can lead to skin throughout the year. Obesity can shorten a rat’s life span and can be prevented by feeding your rat small amounts of fresh food plus a pelleted rodent ration. Pellets prevent selective feeding, which occurs with seed mixes where rats will preferentially choose the high fat, low calcium sunfl ower seeds. Mammary tumours are common in rats occurring anywhere from under the chin to the base of the tail. The good news is that 80% of these tumours are benign. Rats live for 2 1/2 to 3 1/2 years. In summary rats are the perfect children’s pet – cheap, sociable, safe, interesting yet short lived enough to ensure that you will not be left “holding the baby” once the kids have left home!
ACROSS 1. What should you treat your house for all year round? 4. What is better than cure? 7. Indoor heating can cause ______.
DOWN 2. Cage tents give extra warmth and the feeling of ______. 3. Put some extra ______on your pet’s bed over winter. 5. What do many people think of rats as? 6. What do toys help to alleviate?
Each of the words can be found in this issue of “Your vet”. Answers are shown on bottom of the back page. Redirected Cat Aggression
Have you ever had your cat show aggressive window and feel that the cat is intruding on If your aggressive cat is attacking another behaviour and wondered “where did that its territory. They might also smell another cat in your home the best thing to do is come from!”. What may seem like a random cat on one of your visitors, yourself or a new separate them for a while. While separated, attack from your cat can come from many object that has come into the house. They you should leave something with each cat different triggers and it’s not necessarily a could even see a potential prey animal that that smells of the other; maybe a blanket malicious act aimed at yourself, a family they cannot get to. or toy, to remind them that the smell is member or one of your other pets. It can be difficult to deal with redirected familiar and that they know that cat. Once they have been separated for a while, slowly Many animals, even humans can react aggression, as it can be hard to pinpoint in this way. It is the act of lashing out at the trigger that is causing it. The outburst reintroduce them as you would introduce something near when the aggressor is not can seem to come from nowhere. It is even two cats that have never met. This may take accessible. You may have experienced it more difficult when the aggression is towards some perseverance and it could take a while yourself, perhaps throwing something or another cat in the household. for them to get used to each other again. kicking a wall in anger. If the aggression is not towards another One minute your cat might be sitting there cat in the household, then you need to be peacefully and the next they can be arch vigilant in fi guring out what the trigger is backed, bushy tailed, hissing and striking for your cat and taking steps to reduce the out at whoever is closest to them. This stress for your cat. If it is another cat or is called redirected aggression and is animal outside, you can close the curtains or different to petting aggression and play blinds or try using deterrents for the intruding aggression. It occurs when a cat is animal such as a motion activated sprinkler. upset, fearful or territorial towards If it is a smell that they don’t like on an an animal, person or perceived object, you can remove the object or clean threat and they strike out at it so that it is no longer perceived as a threat. those around them. If you continue to have problems with your Redirected aggression can cat displaying this type of behaviour you can be triggered in your cat for have a talk to your vet about other possible many reasons. They may stressors that your cat could be reacting to see a strange cat outside the and ways to minimise the stress. Choosing a Family Dog
A dog can be a great addition to a family spend walking, playing or interacting with Is anyone in your house allergic to dogs? If for you and your children, but there are your dog especially if they are going to be so, there are many breeds that have a wool many things to take into consideration when allowed inside and around the family often. type coat that does not shed and is unlikely choosing a dog. You want the experience to If your dog is going to be strictly an outside to cause allergies. If you do want a dog with enrich your household and be as stress free dog, it is important that you can spend more this type of coat, keep in mind that they as possible. than an hour a day with them, as they are require regular clipping and grooming. social animals and will need your company It is very important to choose a breed of As far as the debate over pure bred or to reassure them and keep the bond strong. dog that is going to be appropriate for yours mixed breed, there are arguments for and your family’s lifestyle. Choosing a dog Size is a big issue. Cute little puppies can both. With a pure bred dog it is much without these considerations can make for a grow into enormous dogs so quickly. Take into easier to determine their traits and know stressful situation. Every breed of dog was consideration whether a big dog will work in how large they will grow, but they can also bred for a job or purpose, so it is wise to do your family – is the yard big enough and is be prone often to breed specifi c health your research on the dogs original purpose the dog liable to bowl over your children or issues (which are also not usually covered and try and fi t those traits to your lifestyle as visiting children when they are excited. Some by pet insurance). A mixed breed dog may best as you can. For example, if you live in a big dogs do grow up to be very placid in be a little bit of a mystery, but if you are built up area you don’t want a breed of dog nature and you may feel that a breeds other getting one from your local shelter, they that is prone to barking a lot. traits outweigh the possible inconvenience usually have a good indication of what Take into consideration how much time you of a large size. Many families will fi nd that mix may be in the dog and the size that it will have to devote to the dog each day. choosing a dog that is likely to be a small to could grow. Many mixed breeds outlive their An hour a day is a good amount of time to medium size works well in their home. purebred counterparts.
for full details. full for www.northroadvet.com.au
month as a 3 week course, check our website website our check course, week 3 a as month answers to crossword trainer and instructor. The program runs each each runs program The instructor. and trainer
ed and experienced dog dog experienced and ed qualifi a by clinic the at
preschool classes are conducted on Sundays Sundays on conducted are classes preschool Across: 1. Fleas; 4. Prevention; 7. Dehydration.
inappropriate behaviour later on. Our puppy puppy Our on. later behaviour inappropriate
puppy from the start rather than having to correct correct to having than rather start the from puppy Down: 2. Security; 3. Blankets; 5. Vermin; 6. Boredom.
sociable dogs. It is much easier to train your your train to easier much is It dogs. sociable
well-behaved and and well-behaved
year of age is affected. affected. is age of year
drugs and pain relief. relief. pain and drugs
them develop into into develop them
Pups in play at puppy preschool puppy at play in Pups
ve dogs over one one over dogs ve fi in one that state sources of age to help help to age of ammatory ammatory anti-infl to longer) happy joints the
two and four months months four and two is not just a disease of the elderly – some some – elderly the of disease a just not is
down the progression of arthritis and keep keep and arthritis of progression the down
all puppies between between puppies all
service and check out their joints. Arthritis Arthritis joints. their out check and service
disease modifying drugs (drugs which slow slow which (drugs drugs modifying disease training is vital for for vital is training
then it may be time to have a ‘10,000 mile’ mile’ ‘10,000 a have to time be may it then
socialisation and and socialisation
appropriate medications for your pet, from from pet, your for medications appropriate
we think early early think we onto the kitchen bench in the case of cats) cats) of case the in bench kitchen the onto
addressed. Your vet can also advise you on on you advise also can vet Your addressed.
Veterinary Centre, Centre, Veterinary limp or is reluctant to jump into the car (or (or car the into jump to reluctant is or limp
At the North Road Road North the At modifi cation and diet all need to be be to need all diet and cation modifi
noticed that your pet is stiff on rising, has a a has rising, on stiff is pet your that noticed
Puppy Preschool Preschool Puppy
different angles. Weight loss, exercise exercise loss, Weight angles. different havoc with arthritic patients. If you have have you If patients. arthritic with havoc
Boston terrier, Pepper. Pepper. terrier, Boston The cold weather of winter seems to play play to seems winter of weather cold The Arthritis needs to be attacked from many many from attacked be to needs Arthritis
of kisses and cuddles were in order from her her from order in were cuddles and kisses of
and equally, on returning back to Melbourne plenty plenty Melbourne to back returning on equally, and
Davis Jones catching up on plenty of smooches, smooches, of plenty on up catching Jones Davis
Get your pet checked for arthritis arthritis for checked pet your Get
reunited with her cat Trooper Trooper cat her with reunited
her niece her
birthday. Lydia loved being being loved Lydia birthday.
in New Zealand with with Zealand New in
birthday and her niece’s 1st 1st niece’s her and birthday
Winter reminder! reminder! Winter
Nurse Lydia home home Lydia Nurse
wedding, her nephew’s 3rd 3rd nephew’s her wedding,
was spent, attending a a attending spent, was
cooking! A wonderful time time wonderful A cooking!
air and her mother’s home home mother’s her and air
scenery, plenty of country country of plenty scenery, even the feeling of security. of feeling the even
beautiful weather and and weather beautiful
inside them for a bit of extra warmth and and warmth extra of bit a for them inside
of Auckland; she enjoyed enjoyed she Auckland; of
are soft and warm and the bird can pop pop can bird the and warm and soft are in the countryside south south countryside the in
Zealand. Her parents live live parents Her Zealand. ts in your cage, they they cage, your in ts fi that enclosure small
visiting her family in New New in family her visiting suited to smaller birds. Cage tents are a a are tents Cage birds. smaller to suited
a well-earned break, break, well-earned a
These are probably more more probably are These CAGE TENTS: CAGE
recently returned from from returned recently
Senior nurse, Lydia, has has Lydia, nurse, Senior
feet up. feet
amongst sharks and eagle rays! rays! eagle and sharks amongst an excellent way to warm them up from the the from up them warm to way excellent an
weather, plentiful seafood and scuba diving diving scuba and seafood plentiful weather,
heat through their feet, so a heated perch is is perch heated a so feet, their through heat
order, enjoying the warm warm the enjoying order,
Birds can lose a lot of of lot a lose can Birds HEATED PERCHES: HEATED
Plenty of r & r was in in was r & r of Plenty
on Bora Bora Bora on
Huahine and Bora Bora. Bora. Bora and Huahine
Dr Caroline and Dave Dave and Caroline Dr
extra warmth. extra islands of Moorea, Moorea, of islands
to effectively and safely give your bird some some bird your give safely and effectively to visiting the beautiful beautiful the visiting
and in French Polynesia Polynesia French in and Heat lamps are a good way way good a are lamps Heat HEAT LAMPS: HEAT
island of New Zealand, Zealand, New of island
peninsula in the north north the in peninsula crafted cover. crafted
around the Coromandel Coromandel the around
blanket or look at getting a new winter- new a getting at look or blanket
They spent time travelling travelling time spent They
keep the draft out. Perhaps swap to a thicker thicker a to swap Perhaps out. draft the keep and French Polynesia. Polynesia. French and
cover is well insulated or a good thickness to to thickness good a or insulated well is cover time in New Zealand Zealand New in time
holiday break, enjoying enjoying break, holiday up at night. Over winter, make sure that this this that sure make winter, Over night. at up
returned from a 3 week week 3 a from returned
cover to give the bird privacy and cover them them cover and privacy bird the give to cover
Dave have recently recently have Dave
Most bird cages will have a a have will cages bird Most
CAGE COVERS: CAGE Dr Caroline and husband husband and Caroline Dr
the team at North Road again one day. day. one again Road North at team the to promote this movement. this promote to warm. and comfortable bird your keep
Harper; we wish her well and hope she will rejoin rejoin will she hope and well her wish we Harper;
sure your bird has some good toys will help help will toys good some has bird your sure help will that things some are Here time.
out from nursing to be a full-time mum to baby baby to mum full-time a be to nursing from out
warm and help alleviate boredom. Making Making boredom. alleviate help and warm this over environment their with care extra Bec, but she has decided to take some time time some take to decided has she but Bec,
ourselves, movement will keep your bird bird your keep will movement ourselves, take to important is it so months, winter the starting in a junior nursing position. We will miss miss will We position. nursing junior a in starting
part of the team for nearly fi ve years, initially initially years, ve fi nearly for team the of part
As with any animal, and indeed indeed and animal, any with As over warm keep to equipped ill be can Birds TOYS: We farewell nurse Bec this issue. Bec has been been has Bec issue. this Bec nurse farewell We
Keeping Your Bird Warm in winter in Warm Bird Your Keeping PRACTICE UPDATE PRACTICE
! K C U LUCK! L D O O GOOD G ! T IT! I S ’ T A H T THAT’S
Entries must be received by 31/08/2014. by received be must Entries
Silver Pet Prints pendant and chain which is personalised with your pets paw print paw pets your with personalised is which chain and pendant Prints Pet Silver .
The winner will have their photo displayed in the next issue of Your Vet and receive a a receive and Vet Your of issue next the in displayed photo their have will winner The
Please make the subject heading ‘Winter Pet Competition’. Pet ‘Winter heading subject the make Please attend. you clinic the
www.silverpetprints.com
Don’t forget to tell us your pets name, your name, address, phone number and and number phone address, name, your name, pets your us tell to forget Don’t
Simply email us a picture of your pet enjoying their play time to: to: time play their enjoying pet your of picture a us email Simply
Send us a photo of your pet enjoying their play time and you could be a winner. a be could you and time play their enjoying pet your of photo a us Send
from silver pet prints valued at $215 at valued prints pet silver from
a pure silver pendant and chain chain and pendant silver pure a N I W WIN to in Be Play time Photo competition: competition: Photo time Play