FREE!! BUSSELTON TAKE ME HOME VETERINARY HOSPITAL 60 Bussell Highway (PO Box 124) YOUR VET Busselton, WA 6280 P: 9752 1433 E: [email protected] W: www.bsnvet.net.au Busselton Veterinary Hospital is committed to providing the highest possible veterinary care in a friendly and compassionate environment. OUR VETS Dr Richard Lucas BVMS, MACVSc (SmAniMed) Special interests: Internal medicine and orthopaedic surgery. Dr Aimee Burrows BSc BVMS Special interests: Dermatology and WINTER 2018 ophthalmology. Dr Nigel Gifford BSc BVMS What to expect from a Maine Coon? Special Interests: Dentistry and Small Three in ten Australian households have is also an abundance of blue, black, cream, Animal Medicine a cat, but did you know there’s more on and white cats to suit those who want theirs Dr Allyson Davis offer than the traditional moggy? In fact, BSc BVMS to stand out from the rest. Special Interests: Surgery and Neurology the exotic Maine Coon is fast becoming a If you’ve decided that a Maine Coon is the family favourite. cat for you, doing your research and talking OUR NURSING STAFF Maine Coon cats are one of the gentle giants to your vet are good first steps to take. It can Agnes, Louise, Caz, Emma and of the cat world. Officially known as the cat Deanne are all fully qualified Veterinary be deceiving when you receive them as a Nurses. of the state of Maine in the United States, kitten to think they will become a standard Erin and Natalia are our current they are a hardy and robust cat that naturally sized cat. However, the average weight of Veterinary Nurses in training. evolved to withstand the often-intense winters a male is around eight kilograms, while a in the Northeast of the US. These conditions All our nurses are highly trained and female is approximately six kilograms. Once well placed to help you with all sorts of ultimately led to a cat that is not only an fully mature from three years of age, a Maine animal care questions. They are absolutely avid hunter, but also large and fluffy, and an Coon can often weigh anything between five essential to the high standards of pet care excellent house pet. that we provide. and ten kilograms. Maine Coons are distinctive and considered Maintenance is also another thing to OUR CLIENT RELATIONS STAFF to be one of the most popular exotic domestic consider. As they have long, thick fur that Kylie, Denise, Cathie, Deanne & Jan. cats to own. However, if you’re considering originally saw them through the bitter Maine These are our lovely ladies on the front adding a Maine Coon to your family, choosing winters, they do require combing at least desk and telephone reception. just one is the hard part as they definitely Kylie is still keeping things running in the stand out from the average household cat. twice a week. Starting this process from a office as well! Their ears are tufted, they have a dog-like young age will help them adjust to regular CLINIC HOURS personality, and they are much larger than grooming sessions. However, you will most The clinic can be contacted between the average family cat. likely find that their docile nature enables you to groom them with minimal hassle, anyway. 8.00am and 6.00pm weekdays and Unlike traditional housecats that are often 8.00am and 1.00pm on Saturdays. limited to variations of tortoiseshell, black, Be ready to do your research if you believe Consultations by appointment please: white, tabby, and ginger, Maine Coons come an exotic cat such as a Maine Coon may be Weekdays: 8.30am – 5.30pm in a range of colours to suit the fussiest of for you. Their needs can often be greater than Saturdays: 8.00am – 1.00pm pet owners. While you do have the option the average moggy, and it is worth having a Out of office hours, phone the main number and follow the prompts to be of those more familiar moggy colours, with discussion with your vet to make sure you’re as transferred to our rostered Vet. tabby being the more popular choice, there knowledgeable as possible for the new arrival. EMERGENCIES TREATED 24 HOURS A DAY Because we care. The Maine Coon cat (far left) is bigger than your average house cat. To contact your vet, keep me in a handy place at home. Take me home to do our COLOURING IN PIC – check inside! Does my pet have conjunctivitis? Take me home & colour me in! Conjunctivitis is a common form of inflammation or infection found in humans, caused by cold and herpes simplex viruses. However, did you know your dog – and even your cat – can get it too? Believe it or not, your pet can be just as vulnerable to getting conjunctivitis, or pink eye, as the human members of your family. It’s important to note that any dog or cat can get conjunctivitis. Breeds with tendencies towards allergies and autoimmune skin conditions are often more susceptible, but it can occur either as a primary cause – such as a bacterial condition, or secondary to eye diseases, trauma, and cancer. The symptoms of conjunctivitis are quite pronounced. Your pet might be squinting or blinking frequently, have redness in the moist tissues of their eyes, be presenting with discharge or swelling, or have follicles forming in either eye. Your vet will first look for evidence of other ocular diseases, before completing a thorough eye examination. Some vets add a fluorescein stain to the eye to highlight any imperfections under light such as scratches, foreign matter, or ulcers, and will also check for anything that could be lodged in their eyelids. If it’s deemed necessary, your vet may complete a glaucoma test, a culture on the eye discharge, a biopsy of the conjunctiva Cat diabetes – it’s a real thing cells, and a skin test should it be suspected Approximately 500,000 people in Your vet may recommend a low- that allergies might be to blame. Some vets Australia have type 2 diabetes, but did carbohydrate diet, followed by insulin may also carry out a nasal cavity flush to you know that your cat could have it therapy. They will then carry out pick up any instances of discharge, or a too? It is thought that 0.5-2 percent of urine tests, exams and take note of dry-eye test, as well. the feline population has the condition, behavioural signs to design a treatment It’s important to take your pet to the vet and being aware of the signs may just plan to best suit your cat. Blood tests are if it’s suffering from any eye irritation. If prove helpful for those who are unsure taken during regular vet visits, and you conjunctivitis is the official diagnosis, you about what is wrong with their cat. may also be required to give your cat should notice a rapid response to treatment Many cats are diagnosed with diabetes insulin shots. Your vet will instruct you within two to three days and a return to full mellitus, the inability to produce enough on how to do this. health within two weeks. insulin to balance blood sugar levels. It can seem like treatment is intensive, While some pet owners may think the but once blood sugar levels are under condition is a death sentence, it can be control, body condition has improved, anything but, when managed correctly. and your cat is on a healthy diet, diabetes Diabetes is more commonly diagnosed has been known to go into partial or full in obese cats, but cats in a healthy remission for months or even years. It’s weight range can also have it. If your not guaranteed, but it is possible. cat is drinking more water, is urinating The primary concern for owners of cats often, or has an increased appetite, pay with diabetes is whether it can affect attention. It may be helpful to take your their lifespan. While diabetes is entirely cat to the vet for a professional opinion manageable, it can shorten your cat’s and diagnosis of what the problem is. If life. Poorly controlled diabetes can you fail to do so, and your cat does have be fatal, as can infections and nerve diabetes, it may experience weight loss, disorders associated with the condition. dehydration, depression, motor function However, with a daily commitment to problems, a loss of appetite, coma, and treating your cat, there’s every possibility even death. it could make it into its late teens, living If a diagnosis of diabetes is made, a full and happy life. you may feel overwhelmed by what If you have reason to believe your that means for you and your cat. It’s cat may have diabetes, make an important to understand that while your appointment with your vet immediately. feline now has a condition that requires The sooner you can receive a diagnosis, monitoring, it’s entirely manageable. the sooner your cat can receive help. An insulated dog kennel with a well-sealed roof, plenty of blankets and positioned away from the wind and rain can make all the difference. If you have a small or old dog, purchasing a coat for them to wear during walks, or on short stints outside, can be beneficial as well. Smaller dogs with less fur and older, more fragile dogs could all benefit from an additional layer protecting their bodies. Additional comfort is also helpful at bedtime. Provide your dog with an elevated bed to prevent being exposed to a draught, as well as plenty of warm blankets so they can sleep comfortably throughout the night.