Your Vet Autumn 8106.Indd
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AUTUMN 2011 Cruciate disease: The great curse Cruciate ligaments are one of the most Diagnosis is based on physical examination, important structures within the knee of palpation of affected joints, bones and local humans, dogs and cats. Disease of the muscles, and the performance of a ‘cranial cruciate ligaments is one of the most drawer sign’ or ‘cranial tibial thrust’ test. common causes of hind limb lameness that Suites 17-19 vets treat. Signifi cant weakening of the thigh muscles Ocean Village Shopping Centre of the affected leg(s) is a common fi nding. Kilpa Court While the condition is very common in An audible ‘clicking’ may be heard when City Beach WA 6015 dogs, it can also occur in cats, sometimes the patient walks or the stifl e is palpated secondary to trauma, and sometimes through range of motion, indicating Phone 08 9245 1977 secondary to obesity, old age and concurrent possible internal tearing. Palpation of the arthritis of the joints. In dogs there are some joint compartment may show increased Fax 08 9245 2136 vets who also believe in a genetic breed- and joint fl uid or joint capsule thickening. Email offi [email protected] sex related link. This problem is so important Web www.citybeachvet.com.au in dog health that a 2005 study in the USA Blood tests are usually normal, unless the estimated that dog owners spent US$1.32 patient has concurrent hormonal diseases, Our Vets billion treating this disease! many of which will predispose to obesity. Dr Neville Robertson The function of healthy cruciate ligaments X-rays are usually performed, and BVSc(Syd), MVS(Murd) in the knee is to stabilise the forces of the sometimes a joint fl uid sample will also Dr Alan Wade knee that might otherwise push the shinbone be needed. However, sometimes an BSc, BVMS(Murd) forwards in relation to the thighbone, and exploratory surgery via an open technique, Dr Sarah Alexander to minimise internal ‘twisting’. Along with or using an ‘arthroscope’, is the only way to BSc, BVMS(Murd) other structures of the knee, these stabilising confi rm then treat the problem. Our Nurses ligaments keep the angular canine or feline knee working in a stable fashion without pain. We have a group of talented, versatile and fully trained nurses. Our nurses Rupture of the cruciate ligament occurs love animals and are passionate about when its breaking strength is exceeded, animal care. They run the puppy classes, and there are predisposing conditions that weight clinics and help us keep your pet can decrease the breaking strength. While health and happy during their stay with a young healthy dog can tear a cruciate us. Our nurses can help you with all of during excessive twisting activity (in the ‘70s your pet’s needs. a common cause was Frisbee-catching dogs that landed awkwardly), it is increasingly Our Hours common to see this injury in other dogs that have actually become predisposed to it Monday to Friday 7.30am to 7pm secondary to other factors. Saturday 8.30am to 4 pm Sunday Closed Degenerative changes due to age and The best treatment in dogs over 15kg (and in Consultations are by appointment. disuse are thought to be implicated in many under 15kg) is surgery. The ligament We are closed on Public Holidays. many of the clinical cases. These age- cannot be ‘repaired’, but the joint can be related changes can also make dogs stabilised improving function and reducing After Hours susceptible to both knees being affected. pain. There are many procedures available, A sedentary lifestyle plus possible obesity most of which veterinarians perform in their For urgent attention after hours including in middle age is also implicated. Public Holidays please call Perth Vet own hospitals. Some procedures involve entering the joint itself, and some do not. Emergency (PVE) on 9204 0400. This Acute injury may show as sudden non-weight is a dedicated local emergency centre Specialist veterinary surgeons are offering bearing lameness of a back leg (occasionally an increasing number of options, which and they are located at 305 Selby Street with a small amount of weight taken). North, Osborne Park. Alternatively call may be of great use in very large breed Murdoch Pet Emergency Centre (MPEC) Some partial tears are hard to diagnose dogs, or in refractory cases. on 1300 652 494. early, and the initial lameness may settle with rest and medication, only to fl are Our Webpage again when arthritis sets in. These patients READERS! City Beach Veterinarians has a new may show some gradual improvement in Enter our competition and WIN! web page! Visit the site for information pain, due to thickening of the capsule, and about your pets health, us and many changes within it bringing a little stability, Details inside other interesting items. Let us know then some months later pain will worsen as what you think. Our web address is degenerative arthritis sets in. • Claw Wars www.citybeachvet.com.au Patients with both knees affected may have • Pregnancy diagnosis in dogs and cats a shifting lameness, trouble rising or stiff appearance. Occasionally it will initially be • Sea hare toxicity thought that they have a spinal problem. inside 9. I am a breed of guinea pig with a ‘bad hair day’. My coat has whorls Who am I ? of hair. Claw Wars! 1. I am a small parrot, native to 10. I am a large, docile breed of Australia. Males and females are horse. I was traditionally used as a Clawing in cats is a natural, colour coded – the male having a blue draft horse to pull heavy loads but am instinctual behaviour that helps pigmentation across his beak, the female often now seen representing a brewery remove old claw sheaths and acts brown. I come in many fancy varieties in competitions and displays. as a marking behaviour. As many making me a popular showing bird. frustrated cat owners will testify, these natural behaviours are all 2. I am descended from Scottish well and good until they involve herding dogs. I starred in a television systematic destruction of your series and several movies in which I furniture! showed an uncanny understanding of the English language! There are several options that owners can adopt. Firstly, provide 3. I am a small rodent and a popular a highly desirable alternative to the children’s pet. I am an unusual breed sofa in the form of a scratching post. as I do not have a tail. Scratching posts can be anything 4. I am a breed of dog with from a wooden log to carpeted characteristic wrinkles and folds of constructions. They can be made loose skin. It is thought I may have Answers: more appealing by using dangling originated from Tibet or the Northern toys and catnip – and praising and 1. Budgerigar; 2. Rough Collie; provinces of China 2 000 years ago. stroking the cat when they use the 3. Manx mouse; 4. Shar-Pei; post. Cats often scratch on waking 5. Persian; 6. Schnauzer; so the scratching post should be 7. Turkish Van; 8. Dachshund; placed close to the sleeping area. 9. Abyssinian; 10. Clydesdale. If owners can catch their cat in the act of destroying the furniture, then they should employ some deterrent. Competition for Shouting, hand claps and water spray bottles can all be effective in our readers! stopping the behaviour. Double- sided sticky tape or contact (applied 5. I am a breed of cat characterised Be in the running to with the sticky side outwards) can be by long fur and a shortened nose WIN a $50 shopping placed onto the furniture to decrease giving my face a slightly squashed-in voucher its appeal. appearance. 1) Just answer the following question: 6. I am a German breed of dog that Which article did you like best in this comes in three different sizes – giant, issue of Your Vet? standard and miniature. I can come ...................................................... in a variety of colours but the most ...................................................... popular coat colour is a mix of black 2) Tick the box next to your preferred and grey called salt and pepper. I voucher below: usually have a beard and eyebrows. Coles Myer Ltd 7. I am a breed of cat that is said to Target Australia Ltd originate from the Lake Van region in K Mart Australia Ltd Turkey. I am a lively, active cat that Angus & Robertson Book Stores can have some ‘unfeline’ attributes JB Hi Fi such as an attraction to water and, in 3) Post with your name and address some, the ability to retrieve like a dog. on the back of the envelope to: I have a very soft coat that is mainly There are products available that can white apart from coloured points on Your Vet Voucher Competition be glued to the cat’s claws and act as my head and tail. Unit 5/1 Almondbury Road a small protective sheath over each Mt Lawley WA 6050 claw. These can be quite effective but 8. I am a short legged, German breed Must be received by latest post marked do rely on a compliant cat, as they of dog. I was originally bred to flush 1 April 2011 to be in the running. have to be replaced regularly. animals such as badgers and rabbits The winner of the competition in Your Vet’s from their burrows. My coat can be Summer edition was L. Allerdyce. If the above fails, then consider re- smooth haired, long haired or wire upholstering the sofa – but use a haired. I have a long body that can THAT’S IT! smooth, tightly woven fabric, as this predispose me to back problems.