Lucy's Itchy Skin - The Importance of Skin Testing

Many skin conditions look the same on the surface. This is why, with most skin cases, your vet will take samples of the skin to look at under the microscope and may send some off to the laboratory.

Lucy is a great example of this. She had been initially treated with medication designed to reduce the irritation but then had gone through periods of getting better and worse.

When she came to the Veterinary Centre it was not possible to tell what was wrong with her skin just by looking.

Microscopic examination showed a mild infection, but the key was to send a sample off to the laboratory to ensure she didn’t have fungal disease. Sure enough, Lucy had an unusual and severe type of ringworm that affected her but not only her, anyone around her. The inhouse test we used (looking at the fur under UV light) had been negative and so getting the laboratory sample had been vital to her diagnosis.

Lucy was then started on an appropriate medication for her condition and is now a much happier dog. Even though her hair loss and skin colour changes are permanent, Lucy is now recovering well and living in comfort.

Skin conditions can be ongoing and frustrating and developing a team approach between pet, owner and veterinarian is key.

Ernie’s Road to Recovery - A Case of Feline Urethral Obstruction

Ernie, a six-year-old male cat, was presented to our clinic with classic signs of feline lower urinary

tract disease (FLUTD) – lethargy, vocalisation, and repeated straining in the litter tray. The diagnosis was a urethral obstruction, a potentially life-threatening emergency commonly affecting neutered male cats due to their narrower urethra.

Prompt medical intervention was critical. Ernie received intravenous fluids, analgesia, and underwent a urethral catheterisation and bladder decompression. After surgery the vets and nurses continued to monitor and offer supportive care. Ernie responded well and was soon discharged to recover comfortably at home.

To help prevent a recurrence, Ernie was transitioned onto Royal Canin Urinary S/O, a veterinary-exclusive diet scientifically formulated to dissolve struvite crystals and reduce the risk of both struvite and calcium oxalate stone formation. The diet also encourages increased water intake and dilutes the urine—key factors in minimising the likelihood of future obstructions.

Since starting his new diet, Ernie has shown excellent progress. His urinary habits have normalised, and his overall wellbeing has markedly improved. His owners remain attentive, but Ernie continues to thrive.

Ernie’s case underscores the vital role of timely intervention and ongoing nutritional management in FLUTD. Therapeutic diets like Royal Canin Urinary S/O are integral to long-term success in managing this common but serious condition.

Ruff's Heartache

Ruff, a dog in his senior years, got into a bit of a fight with another dog. None of his wounds were too serious so after a clean-up his owner didn’t think too much more about them.

He presented to the clinic a few days later because some of his wounds weren’t healing as expected and he had started to become unwell. He was admitted into the Blue Cross Veterinary Hospital for supportive care and antibiotics. Within a day he developed a quiet heart murmur that continued to worsen.

We performed an echocardiogram (a cardiac ultrasound) which showed that he had a growth of bacteria (endocarditis) growing on one of the valves of his heart. The infection from his bites spread via his bloodstream, causing his heart to work less efficiently.

Ruff was promptly put onto intravenous antibiotics and some supportive heart medication to which he responded amazingly. Ruff has made a good recovery and is back to enjoying his daily walks with his owner around their farm.

Supporting Mobility in Senior Dogs

Tess, a 11-year-old Labrador x Huntaway, was showing signs of reduced mobility and difficulty jumping. She was very stiff and sore after her beach walks and her owners were concerned when they bought her to the Veterinary Centre.

Radiographs of the hips and pelvis showed underlying hip dysplasia and severe osteoarthritis.

Her Blue Cross Veterinary Centre team recommended ROYAL CANIN® MOBILITY C2P+ diet as part of a comprehensive management plan to control pain, lose weight and improve mobility.

Within weeks of starting on Rimadyl (ACVM A008023) and transitioning to the diet, Tess showed improved ease of movement and increased activity levels. The diets’ hydrolysed collagen supported joint cartilage, while its moderate calorie content is helping maintain her ideal weight, reducing joint stress. Antioxidants and omega-3 fatty acids have contributed to her overall joint health.

Tess doing what she loves best, relaxing after a beach walk at Kakanui.

Hips Don’t Lie – Identifying Hip Disease Early

Pain associated Canine Hip Dysplasia is one of the common things we see as veterinarians. The arthritis resulting from Hip Dysplasia occurs commonly in older dogs, but can affect young dogs. Pain and reluctance to walk, jump, or run are common signs but they start gradually.

• Early identifying provides us with the chance to improve outcomes for your dog.

• The Veterinary Centre can perform PennHIP radiographic assessments, the most comprehensive test available.

• This can be done in puppies from as young as 16 weeks.

• PennHIP is a great screening tool for dogs being considered for breeding.

• If your dog is found to have hip dysplasia, one of our veterinarians can discuss management of the disease to provide the best quality of life.

Always feel free to discuss this with our vets.

Lucy goes from Limping to Leaping

Lucy is a 12-year-old Labrador, who was becoming increasingly stiff, limping in her back legs and was slowing down. She was also having some trouble sleeping at night.

Lucy was diagnosed with osteoarthritis and veterinarian Sarah suggested Beransa®, a relatively new arthritis treatment.

Beransa® is a type of antibody that interferes with the pain signalling associated with arthritis, and is safer on the liver and kidneys than other pain-relieving medications.

AND... after only a few days, Lucy’s owner had noticed an improvement in her mobility and energy, even more noticeable following her second injection.

‘Now when I return home from work, Lucy is at the fence leaping up and down with excitement to see me and that is something she hasn’t done for a long time. She is also much more energetic during our walks and can jump up onto things without any fear and has started sleeping better at night’.

Talk to one of our vets about treatment options for your pets.

Small but mighty - Maggie's Battle

Maggie was the smallest in her litter, having three much bigger brothers to contend with. When she failed to gain much weight between her puppy vaccinations Sarah, her Blue Cross vet became concerned. A blood test confirmed these concerns, and at only 4 months old Maggie was diagnosed with a rare liver shunt (portosystemic shunt).

A liver shunt occurs when there is an abnormal connection between the veins that would normally allow blood to the liver meaning liver function is severely compromised. Puppies with this condition have poor growth rates and eventually a build-up of substances that are normally processed by the liver can cause neurological disfunction, seizures and a markedly reduced life span. Her owners were devastated.

Maggie had an ultrasound performed by our vet Felicity which gave an indication of the location of the abnormal vessel which was confirmed by a CT scan. Fortunately, this meant that she was a candidate for life saving surgery with a specialist in Christchurch. During surgery, a cellophane band was placed around her liver shunt. This band stimulates scar tissue formation with the goal being gradual constriction of Maggie’s abnormal vessel allowing a more normal blood supply to her liver.

We are now 4months post-surgery, and although she is still very tiny, Maggie has been slowly growing and is a bundle of energy. While she is not completely out of the woods yet, monitoring blood tests are looking great so far, and the hope is Maggie will live a long and full life.

Puppy Panic - Sid's Swollen Face

Sid, a curious 6-month-old Labrador puppy, was exploring the backyard one evening when his owners heard a yelp. Sid came running back inside with his face rapidly swelling. Concerned, his owner rushed him to see our after-hours vet.

By the time Sid arrived, his muzzle was double its normal size, his eyes were swollen shut and he was frantically licking his itchy paws.

After examining Sid, our vet Sarah diagnosed him with angioedema, a condition where fluid builds up under the skin due to a severe allergic reaction. This was most likely due to a bee sting which is common in young, curious puppies. She quickly administered an intravenous antihistamine and steroid. Following treatment, Sid made a full recovery and within 20mins the swelling had started to improve, and he was wagging his tail again.

Hopefully, Sid has learned to avoid bees in future, but his owner now keeps a close eye on his outdoor adventures and has medication on hand just in case!

Does my Dog have Dementia?

Canine cognitive dysfunction syndrome (CDS) is best described as the dog equivalent of dementia. It occurs in about 15% of dogs, especially small dogs and those over 8 years old. The structure of the brain changes with age, reducing the dog’s cognitive capacity.

Common signs of CDS are:

• Disorientation

• Soiling inside

• Disrupted sleep

• Variable activity levels

• Anxiety

This can be relatively distressing for elderly dogs and their owners, especially as they often have other conditions occurring at the same time, such as arthritis, incontinence, blindness and deafness. We have resources that can help you monitor changes in behaviour patterns over time and help us to diagnose your pet as early as possible, so we can slow down the progression of the disease.

There are a number of strategies available to manage the signs of cognitive dysfunction your pet is displaying.

• Diets to support healthy ageing.

• Sensible exercise routines.

• CDS support medications.

If you have any concerns as to how your pet is ageing, please come and see us at the Veterinary Centre and we can plan to make their older years the best that we can.

Importance of nutrition!

As vets we see a lot of overweight pets, and owners are often quite surprised when we say that their pets are “well loved”. Carrying too much body weight can put pressure on all systems of the body including hearts, lungs and joints.

A balanced and nutritious diet equals a happy and healthy pet, but getting the right amount of nourishment can be a tricky business. We recommend premium pet foods because we know that these products have been made to be a fully balanced diet under strict quality control guidelines using good quality ingredients. They are an easy way of providing good quality nourishment to your pet with minimal preparation and fuss. When using premium foods, often smaller volumes are required making them more cost effective and competitive than most people think.

A recent study found that home cooked pet meals contain at least one nutritional deficiency in 95% of cases, so we suggest complimenting these diets with a higher ratio of a premium pet food.

Diet can also assist pets dealing with more chronic conditions, not just weight management. Digestive complaints, skin & coat issues, mobility, and even urinary conditions can also be influenced by the foods that our pets eat. With these conditions our vets will often recommend a dietary change.

If you have any concerns about your pet's diet, or any health issues, please feel free to ask for advice from our helpful vets or reception staff.