We don’t normally think of human roundworm infection as a problem in the modern world, but it is.  Studies have found that in soil samples from playgrounds approximately 20% of samples were contaminated with roundworm eggs. This would be partially due to animals being exercised in parks and playground areas. Most human roundworm infections occur in people under 20 years with children being at highest risk.

Most people have very mild or no symptoms, but it all depends on how many worm eggs someone is exposed to. These species of roundworms employ a full body migration through their host as part of their development and symptoms in the human host result as part of this migration.

The most common skin allergies in dogs and cats are to things in their environment such as dust mites, pollens and grasses.  These skin allergies manifest as itching and scratching, causing red, inflamed and damaged skin.  This is a condition called atopy or atopic dermatitis. 

The reason some animals suffer from environmental allergies is that they have a defective skin barrier which is an inherited disorder.  Allergens, such as pollens, pass through the skin which cause an allergic reaction.  Moisture can also be lost through this defective barrier, causing the skin to be dry.  This in turn makes the pet feel itchy and then they lick and scratch their skin causing further damage.  An analogy may be a treated/oiled deck vs an undressed deck.

You may already be aware that Hill's range of wet and dry diets are experiencing supply shortages across the country.

 
Despite Hill's best efforts to avoid future disruptions, we were recently advised that several shipments of Hill's products scheduled to arrive in December have been delayed. The delays are due to the continued, severe disruption at shipping ports,

We do have alternatives to some of the Hills lines available and are more than happy to advise you of these.  All of our staff are well trained in prescription diets.

We understand the support that these foods give to those pets whose health is compromised and will do all we can to source these and support our patients.

Our clients are more than welcome to place a special order with us and then when stock is available, you shall be supplied first.
  
We apologise for any inconvenience the ongoing disruption has caused and thank you for your continued support and understanding.

We all know that for some dogs, coming to the vet is not their favourite activity.  There are ways to try and reduce the anxiety level and negative associations with the clinic.

For many dogs the anxiety they feel stems from the negative association they have formed.  This makes sense as most dogs only come to the vet when something is wrong or they are due for a vaccination.  These dogs have come to associate the vet with experiences they view as negative such as nail trims, ear cleanings, vaccinations and taking blood samples.  Over time this experience becomes rooted in their brain and they become anxious even if nothing is being done to them at that visit.  Thankfully we can do things to create a more positive emotional response.  We create positive experiences to have ‘happy visits’ where only good things shall happen. 

AUTUMN CROCUS: Highly Toxic and can cause severe vomiting, gastrointestinal bleeding, liver & kidney damage and respiratory failure.

AZALEAS: Even eating a few leaves can result in vomiting, diarrhea and excessive drooling. Without immediate attention, depending upon consumption and the pet’s bodyweight, the animal could fall into a coma and possibly die.

CYCLAMEN: The roots of this seasonal flowering plant are especially dangerous.  If ingested, they can cause severe vomiting and even death.

Bloody and discolored urine is a common reason cat parents seek Veterinary help.  It’s incredibly upsetting to see drops of blood in a litterbox, on bedding or on the floor.  Sometimes you can’t see the blood until the urine is examined with a microscope or detected on urinalysis.  The two major causes of blood in in cat’s urine are cystitis and feline lower urinary tract disorder or FLUTD. 

Blood in the urine is called haematuria.  Haematuria can be identified by the presence of pink, red, brown or black urine. 

Cystitis is a general term referring to inflammation in the urinary bladder.  In cats, diseases of the lower urinary tract, the bladder and the urethra are often categorized by the term FLUTD. 

It has never been easier to incorporate furry friends into Christmas plans with so many great dog-friendly campsites and pet-friendly accommodation around Australia.  If you are holidaying with your pet’s, remember to pack their bags too - bedding, food, medication & bowls.  So that pets can be identified easily should they become lost while holidaying, ensure registered microchips are up to date with your personal details.  Most importantly, never leave your pet alone in a locked car, as they can die very quickly from heatstroke, even in milder weather. 

Too many treats, especially at this time of year, can add lots of unnecessary calories to our pet’s diets.  It is these treats, not over-feeding, that is the largest contributor to the bulging bellies we are seeing more often in practice.

Dog or cat treats should be less than 10% of the daily calories our pets consume, however this is a hard concept for pet owners to understand.

To many pet owners, “Food is Love” and they do not consider or understand how many calories can be packed into a treat. 

 A dog with itchy skin is a common problem faced by pets and their owners.

Just as in humans, itchy skin can have many causes, such as nutritional deficiencies, allergies or parasites. 

The most common allergens are environmental such as pollens, dust mites, flea saliva, weeds & grasses.  In addition to this, dogs can have food allergies, just as we would. 

Nutritional deficiencies can cause itchy, poor quality skin.  Diets lacking enough essential fatty acids will be evident with dry, flaking skin and a dull coat.  The correct balance of omega-3 & 6 fatty acids help maintain healthy skin and promote a strong immune system.

Until we experience an issue with our pet’s teeth, owners would not be aware that 80% of dogs and 70% of cat’s overs 3 years of age have some form of dental or oral disease. 

There are many ways to help prevent dental disease: