Interesting Animal Facts

Fleas

As owners we often use the word “fleas” for any itch, but would you recognise a flea from a picture or understand their cycle?

Fleas are small, wingless parasites that range in length from 2-4mm, they are brown in colour and oval in shape. They have six, spiny legs, with powerful hindlegs for jumping. Fleas can jump more than 200 times their body length. They have small antennae and mouth parts for piercing and sucking. They feed on the blood of humans and animals.

Driven to Drink

A long-held view that koalas get all of their hydration from eating leaves has been overturned by researchers at Sydney University.

The purpose of the study is to help fight the conservation of this threatened species. The researchers have found that koalas will regularly use artificial water stations, particularly during hot and dry conditions to supplement their hydration.

Birds - Most Common Pets

In Australia, we assume that dogs and cats are the most popular pets in our homes. Surprisingly, there are estimated to be over 8 million pet birds in Australia, making them the most common household companions.

Despite how common they are, they’re often seen as a challenge in the Veterinary industry because of their unique anatomy, behaviour and amazing ability to hide injury and illness.

Osteoarthritis

We know our dogs are not just like family – the are family. In caring for our family, we need to look for signs of pain. A common condition suffered is Osteoarthritis (OA). It is a joint disease that affects people as well as dogs and can be just as painful for dogs as it is for us.

In healthy joints, a slippery tissue called cartilage cushions the ends of the bones in the joints. With OA, cartilage breaks down, causing pain and swelling. As OA gets worse, bone spurs can form, causing more pain and joint damage. When this happens, your dog may become less active or show signs of stiffness when getting up.