Sally's Stress

Sally was usually a happy and relaxed cat but when she came to visit us at the Veterinary Centre Oamaru, she was going bald from licking excessively and had started spraying inside.

Her vet discovered that Sally and her family had recently moved and they also had a friend's cat boarding with them - either of these things could lead to a cat suffering from anxiety.

Sally's vet recommended a Feliway diffuser be plugged in at home - these produce pheromones that create a safe and familiar smelling environment for Sally to reduce her stress levels.

Sally's vet checked in after two weeks and was happy to hear she was returning to her former chilled out self.

Pets can be very good at hiding their emotions but it can cause huge changes in their personality so if there is a potentially stressful event coming up for your cat or dog, such as traveling, moving house, new pets or people in the home, (just to name a few) - come and see us at your nearest Blue Cross Veterinary Centre for advice today.

Sally's Crippling Case

Sally is a bright and active 1 year old Labrador who was limping on her front limbs when she visited the Veterinary Centre Waimate recently.

X-rays were taken and showed severe osteoarthritis in both elbows.  This is most likely the result of Elbow Dysplasia - a developmental disorder causing abnormalities in the formation and growth of bones in the elbow that leads to Degenerative Joint Disease.

Sally started on a food designed especially for her sensitive joints and was given Trocoxil for arthritic pain relief.  Maintaining her activity with consistent low impact exercise and avoiding outbursts of strenuous exercise is also an important part of management.  Despite developing arthritis at a young age, Sally is doing very well with her current Veterinary Centre treatment plan and continues her active happy lifestyle!

Bonny's Sore Tooth

Bonny was usually a very happy Labrador who loved her food and playing with her toys. 

Her mum noticed she didn't want to play with her favourite ball and was taking a very long time to eat her breakfast - which was most unlike her!

Her mouth was examined at the Veterinary Centre Oamaru and her vet found a large infected swollen lump on her bottom jaw.  Bonny was admitted to the hospital for dental x-rays to investigate the swelling.

Dental x-rays revealed tooth root abscesses on two of her molars, and also ruled out any neoplastic/cancerous involvement.  Both teeth were then extracted and Bonny went home with a course of antibiotics and pain relief.

Bonny came back a week later and her vet was really pleased with how her mouth was healing and she was well on her way back to her normal bouncy happy self.

Roxy's Senior Health Check

Roxy's owners had become worried about their old girl (13), she had slowed down a lot and was struggling to get up in the cold mornings.  she had also started having very anxious episodes when she didn't seem to know where she was or recognise her family, she was panting, pacing and wanting inside to hide.

Her owners took her into Veterinary Centre Oamaru for a "Senior Health Check" for a thorough check over.

She had diagnostic radiographs and senior bloods run.  Roxy was found to have quite bad arthritis in her hips and knees.  She was given anti-inflammatories (Trocoxil) to help her get around more easily and relieve any pain.  Her blood tests came back clear which is fantastic for her age meaning serious conditions like cancer, kidney failure and liver disease could be ruled out.  She was put on dementia medication - to help with her anxiety and disorientation.

Roxy is now doing much better - getting up easily, keen for walks again and is having fewer episodes of confusion.

Bob's Tetanus

Bob is a hard working heading collie who had stiff limb movement.  When he was brought in to the Veterinary Centre his ears were erect, his tail elevated and his facial muscles were pulled back as if he was grinning.  Our vets immediately diagnosed him with tetanus.  Tetanus is a potentially fatal disease that causes muscles to contract - dogs rapidly become stiffer and are unable to walk or swallow.  Fortunately, as his symptoms were noticed early Bob has now made a complete recovery and is back at work.  He spent 10 days in hospital on IV fluids, antibiotics and anti-toxin therapy and supportive care.  Contamination of wounds is the most common way that dogs can get tetanus and although rare, the Veterinary Centre has now treated three cases in the last 6 months.  Thoroughly cleaning wounds (particularly in feet and toes) and early recognition of tetanus is extremely important to ensure that dogs receive treatment in time.

Easter Chocolate And Your Dog!

Did you know...... Chocolate contains substances known as METHYLAXANTHINES, most importantly THEOBROMINE.

Dog are far more sensitive to theobromine than people and can quite easily consume toxic amounts.

The darker and more bitter the chocolate, the higher the concentration of these toxic products.

If acted on promptly, emptying the stomach of the ingested chocolate can prevent clinical signs of toxicity from developing.

If your pet has ingested a toxic amount you should bring them in to your nearest Blue Cross Veterinary Centre as soon as possible for treatment.

Cody's Troubled Gallbladder

Cody, a beloved 13 year old Bichon came into the hospital because he was feeling unwell and hadn't been eating.  Blood tests revealed increased liver enzymes and an ultrasound scan showed an abnormality in the gallbladder called a 'gallbladder mucocele'.  This is a rare and life threatening disease where the gallbladder becomes inflamed and hugely distended with gelatinous bile.  If untreated, the gallbladder is at risk of infection and may eventually rupture.  Cody was placed on IV fluids and underwent complex surgery to remove his enlarged gallbladder.  After surgery, Cody required a feeding tube and intensive care for several days but made a speedy recovery and is now back to his usual, energetic self. 

Heat Stroke

During this hot summer season it is important to make sure your sogs, cats, rabbits and other furry friends have plenty of water, access to shade, and can escape the heat. Heat stroke can be a serious condition as dogs and cats do not sweat like us.

• Never leave a dog in a hot car
• Never leave your pet in an unshaded yard
• Dogs who go on extended hunting trips are more likely to usffer
• Dogs with shorter noses (pugs, bull dogs, boxers etc) are more prone to heat stroke so make sure they have access to shade and water

Prevention is key with this potentially serious condition. Signs of heat stroke include exhaustion, excess salivation, collapsing and really red gums.

If your animal is showing these signs of heat stroke first hose them down with cool water and contact your Blue Cross Veterinary Centre for further assistance.

Kora the Miracle Dog

Kora was rescued from near death as a pup by the loving Henderson family.

While visiting a farm in Palmerston with her family she was accidentally run over. Her grandparents rushed her to the Veterinary Centre Palmerston. She was given pain medication and promptly sen up to Oamaru for further treatment. On arrival at the veterinary hospital she was started on emergency support including intravenous fluids and oxygen. X-rays revealed that her stomach and liver had moved into her chest preventing her from being able to breathe. She was taken into surgery straight away to have her ruptured diaphragm repaired and her liver and stomach returned to their position in the abdomen. Kora was a real fighter and recovered remarkably quickly from surgery.

We look forward to Kora coming for a visit soon for a catch up with our miracle dog.

Cat and Dog Poisons

We all know our furry friends often like to get their noses stuck into a variety of things - but there is a list of common household substances that can be very dangerous to dogs and cats and should be avoided!

• Chocolate: the darker the chocolate the more harmful substances it contains. Coffee and caffeine contain similar harmful chemicals.
• Grapes and raisins: can cause kidney failure
• Macadamia nuts
• Avocado
• Xylitol: is an artificial sweetener found in many products, including sugar- free chewing gum
• Plants: tulips, daffodils, azaleas just to name a few
• Anti-freeze: animals love the sweet taste of anti-freeze
• Rodenticides: either direct ingestion or through eating a poisoned rodent
• Paracetamol: there is alternative veterinary pain relief available
• Onions (and garlic): can cause a life threatening anaemia 
• Alcohol

Common signs you may see in your dogs and cats following ingestion of these poisons are vomiting, diarrhoea, collapsing and seizures. Typically the more they eat the more severe the signs are. if you have seen your pets tuck into any of these toxins then contact us immediately. The sooner we can help your animal the better the result will be.