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.

Skin Cancers and Sun Protection for Our Pets

Animals, like people, can get sunburnt and suffer from UV induced skin cancers.

• The sites commonly affected are those with minimal hair coverage including ears, nose, eyelids and groins of those pets that love to lie on their backs in the sun.

• Animals with white fur on these areas are especially at risk. Squamous cell carcinomas are especially common on the noses and ears of cats. These will initially look like scratches that won’t heal.

• If treated early enough, the team at the Veterinary Centre are able to perform a non-invasive, cryosurgery to remove them before they become advanced and require surgery. Attacking them early is the key!

Pet specific sunblock is available for pets who are at risk. These are made to be safe if your pet happens to lick it. Please make sure that any outdoor pets are provided with shelter and shade. If you have any concerns about any changes in your pet’s skin, especially if small wounds seem to heal and then come back, then don’t hesitate to come and see one of our friendly vets at the Veterinary Centre or pop into the shop for some sunblock today.

Spring & Summer - the time of increased itchiness in dogs

Spring and summer mark a time of increased itchiness in dogs. Not only does the flea population explode, so does the pollen count which can trigger allergic reactions in sensitive dogs.

Pollen allergies tend to manifest as itchy skin and is known as atopy. Atopic reactions can be caused by allergens like grasses, dust mites, moulds, storage mites and even the dog’s own yeast.

The typical signs are itching/scratching/licking/rubbing/ chewing one or more of the following areas: feet, groin, under the tail, axillas (armpits), neck, ears, and face.

Because these are allergic reactions, we can’t cure the disease, only manage it.

When we don’t know what the animal is allergic to, the traditional treatment is with steroids, which dampen down the immune response but can have potential side effects.

Apoquel is a daily anti-itch tablet that doesn’t have the side effects that steroids can have, or Cytopoint, an anti-itch injection given monthly.

If you’re pet is suffering from seasonal itchiness then bring them in to see us at the Veterinary Centre by the Big Blue Cross for a veterinary consultation.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis, also known as degenerative joint disease, is a progressive disease of the joints causing cartilage loss and inflammation which gives rise to the clinical sign of pain lameness, with less work or play activity.

It is commonly age related but can even occur in young animals. Arthritis is estimated to affect approximately 20% of dogs older than one year old and up to 90% in senior dogs. 90% of cats older than 12 will have x-ray evidence of arthritis.

There are numerous treatment options available that help to reduce pain and support joint health and longevity. The best outcomes are achieved when support is started as early as possible.

Medical treatment is targeted according to severity. At risk dogs and early stage disease may benefit from specialised diets. As loss of mobility and signs of pain worsen, anti-inflammatories alone or in combination with other medications become necessary. Archie certainly doesn’t seem to notice being given his monthly pill and it means he is still happy to go to work.

Symptoms are worse in cold weather. If you have any concerns about the mobility of your pet then please visit the Veterinary Centre and we will be happy to discuss and customise treatments for your pet.

The Vet’s Cat Needs a Dental!

Like a mechanic who is always too busy to service their own car, the vet’s cat was well overdue for some attention. Ned had started to develop the common signs of dental disease in the form of bad breath, tartar (dark discolouration along the gumline) and gingivitis (a redness and swelling of gums along the gumline).

Dental disease can cause serious pain and discomfort, reducing appetite and impact on your pet’s quality of life.

Even in mild cases, disease left untreated allows bacteria to invade the connective tissue under the gumline causing hidden problems such as tooth erosion, root exposure, abscesses and loose teeth. Early intervention helps avoid pain and costly extractions.

Veterinary dental treatment requires a general anaesthesia to allow for a full oral exam and dental x-rays. Problems often occur under the gumline which will only showup on x-rays, so imaging is essential.

Ned had his teeth cleaned and polished, with teeth looking pearly white, and now has a fresh pleasant smelling breath.

In future his diet will include a special dental care biscuit and dental treats to improve his oral health before his next visit in a year.

If you notice any of these signs please arrange a checkup and we’ll be happy to discuss the options for you and your pet.

What do I do if I suspect my Dog has ingested Rat Bait?

Rat bait is often formulated in appetising blocks that encourage both the rodents they are targeting, and unwitting dogs to eat them.

Rat bait is an anticoagulant rodenticide. It acts by inhibiting the recycling of vitamin K which is required for blood clotting. Dogs usually have enough vitamin K circulating in their system, dependent on clotting factors, for 72 hours after rat bait is consumed, at which time they can begin to show clinical signs. Clinical signs depend on where in the body bleeding is occurring and can include weakness, pale gums, bleeding from the nose, coughing or difficulty breathing, black faeces, bruising of the skin, acute lameness in multiple joints, and seizures.

If you know that your dog has consumed rat bait, call us for advice immediately! If you witness your dog eating rat bait, then we may be able to act quickly and induce vomiting to remove as much of the toxin as possible. If you suspect consumption of rat bait but are too late to react, or see it in the faeces (blue green faeces because of the dye in the bait) then we can monitor the effect with blood test. If you were not aware of rat bait consumption but start to see signs of spontaneous bleeding, this is an emergency and veterinary attention should be sought immediately. In severe cases, a blood transfusion may be required as a life saving measure. Rat bait has a long-lasting effect and treatment needs to continue for several weeks.

Prevention is always better than cure. Use bait stations and place them away from animals and children.

5 things to consider this Holiday Season!

• VACCINATIONS

Keep your pets healthy with a current vaccination, a must if leaving your pet in a cattery or kennel over the holidays. Routine flea and worm treatment is also advisable.

• MEDICATIONS

Don’t let your pets prescription medication run out over the holidays, we need at least 24 hours to process requests. Also consider anti-nausea medication for longer trips.

• MICROCHIPPING

Don’t lose your pet these holidays! Legally all domestic dogs should be microchipped, but you can also chip your cat.

• HEATSTROKE

Make sure your pets don’t overheat - especially if traveling in the car. Make frequent stops and NEVER leave your pet unattended in a hot car. Always have access to water and shade.

• JUNK FOOD

Keep all chocolate, wrapping, cakes, ribbons, string etc away from your pet! These should be kept for the humans of the family!

Sarcoptic Mange

As temperatures rise, we start to see more flea problems causing itching and in severe cases, infections and permanent skin changes. Prevention is always better than cure and there are now many oral and topical flea treatments that manage fleas. Another advantage is that these products also treat other forms of skin parasites including Sarcoptes and Demodex mites, the mites that cause sarcoptic and demodetic mange, ear mites and ticks.

We have recently had a case of a young dog who was diagnosed with Sarcoptic mange, also known as scabies. Early-stage mange in dogs can be difficult to differentiate from other skin conditions so you should consult with a vet if you notice any signs of skin disease such as scratching, hair loss or scabs on the skin.

Sarcoptes mites are very contagious. Modern flea treatments are very effective at both preventing and treating sarcoptic mange and I am happy to say that our patient is feeling much happier since receiving treatment.

Never underestimated the discomfort of itching for dogs and cats as it can significantly affect a pet’s quality of life. Using a regular flea product licensed against fleas, mites and ticks is an excellent place to start to rule out these pesky creatures. Just because they cannot be seen does not mean that they are not causing a problem.

Meet Suzie!

Suzie is a super senior cat at the grand age of 15. Suzie was one of the first of our patients to start on the new arthritis monthly injection Solensia. Suzie had been on other painkillers previously, but they upset her tummy. Within a week of starting treatment, she was noticeably more active and comfortable. She has recently had her 3rd injection and is a different kitty. She plays with toys, grooms more, has a better appetite, and is much more interactive with the rest of the family.

If you notice your cat is becoming less active, then pop in for a check-up and discuss the new options for managing arthritis in cats.

Dilated Cardiomyopathy (DCM) in Dogs

Lad is a beautiful Labrador and a much-loved patient here at the Veterinary Centre. He first came in for being off colour with a swollen tummy. He had a full investigation in which he was found to have a heart that was too large. While it would be nice to think that he had a large heart because of all the love he had to give, unfortunately Lad had a condition called dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), the second most common heart condition in dogs and the most common in large breed dogs.

Cardiomyopathy is defined as degeneration of the heart muscle. As a result of this degeneration, the muscle becomes thinner, particularly the muscles of the left ventricle which do the hard work of pumping blood around the body. The pressure of the blood inside the heart causes these thin walls to stretch like a balloon resulting in a much larger heart.

In most cases the cause of DCM is unknown. Giant and large breed dogs of middle to older age are predisposed to developing DCM. Some breeds, such as Dobermans and Boxers are predisposed to inheriting a genetic form of DCM. There can be nutritional causes of DCM in diets deficient in taurine and there has been an increase in cases in dogs on gluten-free diets.

Because his heart was not doing the job it was supposed to, Lad’s energy levels had reduced, and he had built up some fluid in his abdomen. These as well as some other signs such as falling over, and coughing can be common signs of heart disease in dogs.

There is no cure for DCM. Lad will need to take it easy and be on heart medication for the rest of his life. Since being on his medication, Lad is doing very well. The fluid in his abdomen has resolved and he is loving his farming life. We can also attest that he knows how to do some energetic tricks when a treat is on offer.