Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

From all of the team we would like to wish you and your pets a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year!

During the holiday period we will be open as follows:
Saturday 24th December - 8am-4pm
Sunday 25th December - CLOSED
Monday 26th December - CLOSED
Tuesday 27th December - CLOSED
Wednesday 28th December - 8am-7pm
Thursday 29th December - 8am-7pm
Friday 30th December - 8am-7pm
Saturday 31st December - 8am-4pm
Sunday 1st January - CLOSED
Monday 2nd January - CLOSED
Tuesday 3rd January - 8am-7pm

For emergencies outside these hours contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood.

HOW TO GET YOUR CAT TO LOSE WEIGHT

If your cat has snuck on some extra kilos over the winter months, here are some ideas to help get them moving and losing.

The most important tip is to make sure they are eating the best weight loss diet and the correct amount. Ask us for the best diet recommendation for your cat.

Separate food and water bowls so your cat has to get up and burn energy to get from one to the other. Using the vertical space works well here.

ARE YOU EXERCISING YOUR DOG ENOUGH?

When you think about it, our companion dogs have a pretty good deal. They get their food delivered in a bowl and are able to lounge on the couch or lie out on the lawn most of the day. This way of life can unfortunately lead to weight gain and boredom so it's a good idea to check in regularly and ask yourself, "Is my dog getting enough exercise?"

Many pet owners assume that if their dog has access to a yard, they're getting enough exercise. But dogs generally aren't that good at running laps by themselves and it's the interaction with you that makes all the difference.

The amount of exercise your dog needs depends on their breed, size, age and the condition of their health. Arthritis, heart and respiratory conditions can all be exacerbated by incorrect levels of exercise so it's a good idea to arrange a check up with us before you embark on any new exercise regimes with your pet.

PET CALORIE COUNTER

It's easy to overdo the treats at home and you might not be aware just how much of an impact these treats are having on your pet's weight.

Keep this calorie translator in mind when you are having trouble saying ‘no’ to those adorable eyes!

For the average 5kg cat:

• A 30g piece of cheese is equivalent to a human eating 2.5 hamburgers
• One potato chip is equivalent to a human eating ½ a hamburger 
• A glass of milk is equivalent to an human eating 3 hamburgers! (plus cats can't digest the lactose in cow's milk)

IS YOUR PET OVERWEIGHT?

When it comes to your pet, you might think carrying a few extra kilos isn't a big deal. Think again. Overweight pets are at an increased risk of arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders and diabetes. What is alarming is that most people aren’t even aware that their pet is a bit portly.

The best way to tell if your pet is overweight is to take a closer look at them!

When you peer down from above, your pet will have lost definition of his waist. Instead of an hourglass figure he might look a bit round and may even resemble a barrel on legs. You might also have a bit of trouble feeling his ribs when you run your hands over his sides.

SNAIL BAIT - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW...

After a long, wet and very cold winter we are thrilled that Spring has arrived. But Spring also brings about some hazards and one in particular is the presence of snail (and slug) bait in the garden. Be careful if you happen to visit the neighbour's garden or a friend's garden as you might not realise it's there.

Part of the problem is that snail bait pellets look just like dog kibble, so dogs often eat the pellets by mistake. Unfortunately even the so called “pet friendly” products are dangerous if ingested.

There are three types of snail bait:
1 - Metaldehyde - green pellets
2 - Methiocarb - blue pellets
3 - Iron EDTA (Multiguard) - brown/yellow pellets

Bees and Wasp stings - What to do:

Spring has sprung and as the flowers start to bloom we will start to see more bees about. What should you do if your pet is stung by a bee or a wasp?

In most cases, there will be mild swelling and tenderness at the sting site. You should try remove the tiny stinger as quickly as possible to stop the venom spreading (although they can be hard to see). Apply a cold compress (damp towel) to reduce swelling.

When should we see your pet?

If your pet is licking the area constantly, is in pain (limping is common if stung on the paw), or seems a bit lethargic, phone us for an appointment. We will give your pet an antihistamine and/or pain relief injection.

Labour Day Holiday

We will be closed on Monday 3rd October for Labour Day Public Holiday.

Please contact the Animal Emergency Centre if required 8362 1722

CATS CAN GET ASTHMA?

They certainly can and this life altering disease is very similar to asthma in humans.

The disease involves the small airways in the lungs over-reacting to the presence of an irritant or allergen. This leads to an inflammatory response and an increase in mucus production. The reaction also results in contraction of the small muscles around the airways causing them to narrow. Both the mucous and the narrowed airway means a cat has difficulty breathing.

Signs to watch out for:
- Persistent coughing or wheezing (often bouts of coughing)
- Laboured and/or fast breathing
- Squatting with shoulders hunched, neck extended and rapid breathing or gasping for breath
- Open mouthed breathing
- Lethargy and weakness

FLEAS LOVE SPRING!

As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it won't only be us who will be celebrating! The cheeky flea will be out and about and even though they can cause problems all year round, it is during spring and summer that we see them come out in force.

Flea eggs like to sit dormant through the winter months and it only takes a few warm and sunny days for them to start celebrating and begin hatching.

It's always best to be on the front foot when is comes to prevention. The aim is to kill the eggs before they hatch and you can do this by making sure your pet is up to date with top quality flea control. Ask us for the best recommendation as not all flea products are effective at treating the entire life cycle, and some might even be a waste of your money.

Reasons to adopt a Senior Cat

If you are thinking of adding a feline friend to your family you should consider adopting a senior cat. Kittens may be fun and playful but they can be hard work! You'll find there are many hidden joys if you bring a senior 'kitty-zen' into your life.

Here are our top reasons why you should consider adopting a senior cat:

Caring for a Senior Pet - Our Top Tips

You might not realise it but dogs and cats are considered senior citizens when they reach 8 years of age. Our furry senior friends require some extra special attention to help keep them happy and healthy.

Here's a few of our top tips for senior care.

1. A regular health check is absolutely essential for your ageing friend. Much can change over a year (equivalent to 6-8 years in human years) and a check up at least once a year will help us pick up on any changes and allow us to initiate a treatment plan, such as pain relief for arthritis.

Dementia Can Affect Our Pets Too

It is well known that ageing takes a toll on our entire body including our brain - and the same goes for our pets.

Research confirms that our pets can suffer from dementia and the disease that affects dogs (known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction) has many similarities to Alzheimer's disease in humans.

Common signs of canine dementia may include:

Cats are the BEST at hiding Arthritis!

Cats are even better than dogs at hiding or covering up pain caused by arthritis. If you think about it, cats spend much of their time sleeping and we generally don't take cats for a walk, so it is hard to see a change in their mobility.

Try to keep an eye out for these subtle signs:

Does Your Dog Have Arthritis?

Arthritis is a sneaky condition. It tends to creep up over time and our pets won't always show obvious signs until they are in considerable pain.

The disease is caused by the wearing down of the cartilage that covers the bones at the end of a joint. This 'cushioning' cartilage helps joints move freely and without discomfort but as it wears down, the ends of the bones become exposed and can rub together. You can imagine the pain this might cause your pet!

It is very important to understand that your pet won’t necessarily limp or yelp or whimper if he is in pain.

Most of the signs of arthritic pain are subtle and here's what you should watch out for if you own a dog:

Diabetes case study

Molly the Cairn Terrier visited late one afternoon. She had been ‘off colour’ for a few days. Molly usually had an excellent appetite but over the past few weeks she had lost a lot of weight.

On examination, Molly was dehydrated and had lost 20% of her body weight over three months. A blood test revealed her blood sugar levels were very high and a diagnosis of diabetes was made.

A quick urine test also showed that there was glucose in her urine and unfortunately confirmed the presence of ketones, a potentially life threatening condition that can occur when the body can no longer cope with the disease.

Red Shield Appeal

For several years the practice has been involved with the Red Shield Appeal, where our staff have come together as a team to help door knock around the Unley and Mitcham City Council areas.

You can now donate online! Visit our fundraising page & help us reach our goal!

The Red Shield Appeal is a national appeal held annually to raise much needed funds to assist with many projects the Salvation Army is committed to. We are certain that you will see media coverage of this well regarded appeal during May and encourage you to do your bit to help those who are much less fortunate than us.

Please look out for the collection container which will be in reception this month. Team Stephen Terrace is proud to do our bit and even enjoy the extra exercise before heading back to the Unley Salvation Army Corp for the fantastic thank you lunch they provide to all collectors!

What is an endocrine disease?

An endocrine disease is a fancy medical term used to describe a disease caused by a hormonal imbalance. These diseases are pretty common and can unfortunately affect your pet’s quality of life.

Endocrine diseases can even be life threatening if they are not diagnosed and treated correctly (diabetes and Addison's disease are good examples).

Endocrine diseases can develop because 1) a gland is not functioning properly or 2) the control of the gland is faulty.

When too much hormone is produced, the disease is referred to as a hyper disease. Tumours and abnormal tissue growth commonly cause an overproduction of hormone.

A hypo disease occurs when too little hormone is produced. Endocrine glands that are destroyed, removed, or simply stop working cause these diseases.

The following changes may be an early indication of an endocrine problem:

• Changes in appetite and thirst
• Changes in weight
• Changes in coat and skin
• Changes in behaviour

Diagnosis of the cause of the endocrine disease is absolutely essential if treatment is to be successful. Sometimes diagnosis and treatment can be costly and not all endocrine diseases behave as we predict they will, so communication between vet and owner is very important. Management of these disease may involve multiple vet visits and blood tests until the disease is under control.

If you notice any of the mentioned changes above, phone us to arrange a check up for your pet. Early intervention is very helpful when it come to the treatment of endocrine disease.

Why socialisation sets up your dog for life

Many people aren't always aware that the most critical time in your dog's life is in during their first four months. Socialisation at this time with other dogs (both big and small) is one of the most important ingredients for a well behaved and sociable dog. Here are some things to consider:

Puppies have brains like sponges
The more they are introduced to during this period, the better. If they learn how to behave around other canines it will help make future outings and park visits much more pleasant!

Puppy school is the first event you should put on your dog's social calendar
Puppies will develop confidence and will learn how to interact with each other. This is a safe environment for socialisation as all puppies must be up to date with their vaccinations.

Puppyhood is also a good time to introduce your dog to different noises and experiences
Think about the vacuum, traffic, multiple car trips as well as longer stints at home alone. We can recommend some great boredom busters to keep your puppy stimulated while you head out. You want your dog to learn to be happy during 'alone time'.

Of course, good behaviour and training doesn't stop at the age of four months! It is crucial to continue with positive reinforcement and to reward your dog for good behaviour.

When it comes to pet behaviour, always ask us for the best advice.

Anzac Day Opening Hours

We will be closed on Monday 25th April for the Anzac Day public holiday.

For emergencies, contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood.

Attention Rabbit Owners

There is a new strain of Rabbit Calicivirus spreading in Australia that has now been seen in the Adelaide Hills.

The virus is called Rabbit Haemorrhagic Viral Disease Type 2 (RHDV2). It can affect rabbits of all ages. This new virus strain is distinct from RHDV1, which was released in Australia in 1996 for the control of wild rabbits.

RHDV2 was first reported in France in 2010 and has been found in several other European countries. It is not known how it reached Australian shores after it was first discovered in Canberra in May 2015.

The current vaccine in Australia for rabbit calicivirus (Cylap) is not fully protective against RHDV2. An updated vaccine is being developed in Europe. In the meantime, keeping your pet rabbits’ vaccinations up to date is recommended to provide the maximum possible protection against this new strain.

All RHDV strains can spread easily by contact between infected rabbits (via faeces, urine, saliva, nasal and eye secretions and mating) and objects including hay, food, clothing, shoes, people, cages, equipment, dust, insects, wild birds and rodents.

Here is what we recommend rabbit owners do:

• Vaccinate your adult rabbit every 6 months with the vaccine currently available in Australia.
• Vaccinate kittens at 4 weeks, then at 8 weeks, and again at 12 weeks or later.
• Unvaccinated adults or overdue adults, vaccinate twice one month apart, then every 6 months.
• Prevent contact between domestic and wild rabbits.
• Avoid cutting grass and feeding it to rabbits if there is a risk of contamination from wild rabbits.
• Protect your rabbit's exposure to insects either by keeping them inside or using fly screens.

The new vaccination schedule is off label, meaning we are using the vaccination outside of the labelled recommendations. However, these new recommendations have been made by rabbit vets across Australia based on the best information we currently have.

If you have a pet rabbit and are concerned their vaccinations may not be up to date or you have any questions about this new virus please give the clinic a call.

We wish you and your pets a happy and safe Easter break!

Our Clinic will be open as follows:

Thursday 24th March - 8am-7pm
Good Friday 25th March - closed
Easter Saturday 26th March - closed
Easter Sunday 27th March - closed
Easter Monday 28th March - closed

For emergencies outside these times, contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood.

What is sleeping respiratory rate?

SRR refers to your pet's Sleeping Respiratory Rate. The SRR is a very useful tool in recognising the onset of or monitoring left sided congestive heart failure (CHF) in both dogs and cats.

Many of the common heart diseases lead to left sided congestive heart failure.  When pressure in the top left heart chamber increases and blood backs up into vessels within the lung, it results in blood accumulating in the lungs. This fluid, referred to as pulmonary oedema, causes an increase in your pet's respiratory rate.

How to monitor Sleeping Respiratory Rate

The good news is you can easily perform this test at home!

The measurement should be done when your pet is asleep in a normal environment (not too cold, not too hot). Repeat the measurement over 2-3 days (to get a baseline variation), and then ongoing monitoring should happen once or twice a week.

Normal SRR in dogs and cats is less than 30 breaths per minute, often in the high teens or low 20s.

If your pet has an underlying heart disease and their SRR is consistently greater than 30 breaths per minute, your pet could be developing CHF. 

An elevated SRR can also be caused by high blood pressure, anaemia, pneumonia, heat stress or a fever - so if you are concerned about your pet it's best to arrange a check up with us as soon as possible.

Recognising the early signs of heart disease

Heart disease isn't easy to spot. It tends to creep up on our pets slowly over many months to many years.

Being able to recognise some of the early signs of this disease can make a big difference. It means you can seek medical intervention from us and help your pet live a happier and longer life.

Most of the signs are related to a decrease in the function of the heart. The heart has to work harder and harder over time and, without treatment, heart failure occurs.

Signs of heart disease to look out for:

•     Coughing, especially at night
•     Laboured or fast breathing
•     A reluctance to exercise and tiring more easily on walks
•     An enlarged abdomen
•     Weight loss or poor appetite
•     Weakness or fainting associated with exercise

Regular check ups with us allow us to detect any changes early. Sometimes we will hear a murmur (abnormal blood flow) or an arrhythmia (irregular rhythm). These may be reason for us to perform more tests such as x-rays, ultrasound and an ECG.

The good news is that there are some excellent medications available to help a pet suffering from heart disease. These can keep the heart condition under control and help your pet live a longer and near normal life.

If you think your pet might have a problem with their heart, call us to arrange a check up today.

Greyhound Adoption Program

Have you ever thought about fostering or adopting a greyhound? The Greyhound Adoption Program (GAP) is a non-profit organisation who dedicates their time and effort to rehome both retired and non-racing greyhounds.

Greyhounds are affectionate, gentle animals who thrive on human companionship. Sometimes public perception is that greyhounds are aggressive animals and they love to chase. In reality, while racing greyhounds do love to chase, after they have retired they become couch potatoes and the ideal house pet.

Once a greyhound retires from racing they are firstly assessed for temperament. After being deemed suitable they are placed in foster homes for up to 8 weeks to acclimatise to life as a pet. No special qualifications are needed to become a foster carer – just a little love, a lot of patience and a fenced yard. After their foster period they're ready to find their loving forever homes.

The sister of one of our nurses recently adopted a greyhound named Jack from GAP. She was meant to just be “fostering” him but fell madly in love and couldn't part ways. Jack is now a very spoiled member of the family as you can see in the photo (top). Our vet Lara also has a greyhound named Jet who loves to smile and pose for photos (bottom).

For more information check out the GAP website

What to do if your pet starts to feel the heat

Our pets can’t sweat all over their bodies like humans can. They rely on panting to get rid of the hot air and only produce a small amount of sweat through their footpads. This makes them extremely susceptible to heat exhaustion in hot and humid conditions.

Heat exhaustion can be particularly dangerous and even fatal so it’s important to be able to recognise the signs and know what to do.

Watch out for:

•     Excessive panting
•     Exaggerated and noisy panting
•     Lethargy
•     Drooling
•     Weakness or collapse
•     Vomiting

What to do if you suspect heat exhaustion:

•     Bring your pet to us immediately (or seek emergency veterinary care)
•     On your way here you can cool your pet by applying wet towels to hairless parts of your pet’s body (groins or paws)
•     Place your pet in front of the air conditioner or a fan while you are in the car.

If you are ever worried about your pet in the heat call us for advice

Snakes about

Dogs and cats are curious creatures and at this time of year they can sometimes be found harassing a snake.

Different species of snakes possess different types of venom so if your pet is bitten, signs can appear anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours after a bite.

The early signs of snake bite include:

•     Enlarged pupils
•     Salivation
•     Vomiting
•     Hind limb weakness
•     Rapid breathing

How can you help your pet survive a snake bite?

•     Seek veterinary attention immediately
•     Keep your pet as STILL AS POSSIBLE - this is critical to help reduce movement of the venom around the body. Carry your pet to the car, do not let them walk.
•     Try to keep the bite site below the level of the heart and remove your pet’s collar
•     Even if you only suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake you should see a vet. It is better that your pet is checked over rather than wait and be sorry.

Please never attempt to kill, handle or capture the snake – you could also end up getting bitten.

Charlie's itchy ears

Charlie the chocolate labrador was shaking his head and using his foot to have a old good scratch around his head. He was wearing a new collar and his owners thought this was the culprit, but when he started to smell a bit funny he came in for a check up.

An examination revealed hot, red and itchy ears. There was black 'muck' at the opening of his ear canals and his ears smelt terrible!

Using an otoscope (a fancy tool with a light) the canal was examined all the way to the ear drum. There was no sign of a foreign body (such as a grass seed) but the ear canals were very inflamed.

A sample was taken from the canal and examined under the microscope revealing a yeast infection. This was causing the horrible smell!

Ear infections are very common at this time of the year. We like to think of the ear as a 'mini environment'. If this environment is upset in any way (such as moisture from swimming or itchiness from an allergy) bacteria and yeast start to have a party in there! The result is a very unhappy ear canal and an uncomfortable pet.

Charlie was treated with ear ointment for a week and a recheck revealed the infection and inflammation had cleared.

If you think your pet might have itchy or smelly ears arrange a check up with us ASAP. The longer you leave an ear infection, the harder (and more expensive) it becomes to treat.

If your pet suffers from recurrent ear infections you should ask us about some of the new medications we have available to help prevent ongoing problems.