Holbrook Vet Centre July Newsletter July 2014

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1 Holbrook Veterinary Centre Cnr Byng and Hay Streets Holbrook, NSW, Phone: Holbrook Vet Centre July Newsletter July 2014 Does your cat or dog have smelly breath? If so it is possible that they may be suffering from dental disease. Statistics show that 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of oral disease. Not only is dental disease uncomfortable for your pet, it can cause major health issues if not addressed. Next week Emma and Yo will be conducting free dental checks and providing samples of Advance Dental food (*while stocks last). Emma will be conducting the free dental checks on 1/9

2 Tuesday 22nd July between 9:30-10:30, and 2:30 and 3:30 Friday 25th July between 9:30-10:30, and 1:00 and 2:00 Please call (02) to secure your free dental check Smile for the dentist Contents of this newsletter 01 Public Health: What is a Zoonosis 02 Production and Equine: Foot Abscess Affecting any large animal, any time 03 Companion: Why our senior citizens need extra special care 04 Companion: Top tips to help your senior pet 05 Companion: Old dog, new tricks 06 Companion: Is your pet losing his mind? 07 Companion: The oldest cat ever 2/9

3 01 Public Health: What is a Zoonosis Anyone who deals with animals whether they be of the small or large kind should be aware of the the term Zoonosis and its meaning. Zoonoisis refers to the process whereby an infectious disease is transmitted between species from animals (other than humans) to humans. All animals, wether they be cats, dogs, lizards, birds, mice, cows, horses (the list goes on), are capable of passing diseases to humans, some of which can be deadly. Some zoonotic disease include but are not limited to Q fever, hook worm, tape worm, Leptosporosis, Listeria, Psiiticosis, and ringworm. By being educated and aware we can help reduce the risk of contracting illnesses from our animals. While all people can contract zoonotic diseases if the circumstances are right, the people at highest risk are the young, the old, pregnant women and anyone with suppressed immune systems. Some things to keep in mind when working with animals include: Keep all domestic animals up to date with regular worming Follow good hygiene practices- wash hands after handling animals Vaccinate animals where appropriate - i.e. 7in1 vaccine in cattle protect them from Lepto which can be passed to humans through urine and fetal fluids Vaccinate yourself where appropriate- i.e. Q-Fever vaccinations for people who handle live stock. Education and Prevention is far better than a cure! For more information on Zoonotic disease feel free to talk to one of our vets by calling (02) or reception@holbrookvetcentre.com.au 3/9

4 02 Production and Equine: Foot Abscess Affecting any large animal, any time Foot abscess is a bacterial infection within the sole of the foot. Abscesses can affect all of our large animals including cattle, horses, sheep and even alpacas, they can occur in one or multiple feet, most commonly in sheep and cattle the abscess will be present in one toe of a single foot. The lameness can be significantly debilitating due to the pain associated with the infection occurring in a foot that is fully weight bearing. In sheep and cattle, foot abscess can cause severe lameness almost as severe as footrot, therefore it is important to have the feet examined to arrive at the correct diagnosis and management plan. In horses, foot abscess is extremely painful and often presents as a 3-legged lame animal. The bacteria that cause foot abscess are commonly found in the environment and in the faeces of healthy animals. The infection will start on the surface of the foot and when there is damage to the sole caused by prolonged wetting of the foot, abrasions or stone bruising, the bacteria will enter through very small wounds and can cause an abscess in a number of parts of the foot. Foot abscess can be readily treated when appropriately identified, by opening the abscess to relieve pressure and expose bacteria to air and sunlight, providing antibiotics and ensuring that the animal is comfortable enough to move around and work the discharge out of their foot. Factors that predispose animals to footrot include prolonged wet weather, warm moist conditions, stoney yards/ laneways/ paddocks, heavier animals due to weight or pregnancy status and excessive moving either across paddocks for water or frequent yardings. In order to control foot abscess it will vary across the different species. In horses the most important thing is to ensure proper hoof care and regular hoof trimming, during times of excessive ground moisture and to a lesser extent dryness, horses should be monitored and avoid housing, or working them on rough surfaces. In sheep and cattle, prevention of injuries to the foot will reduce the prevalence of foot abscess. The aim is to avoid predisposing factors, such as over-fatness and wet, muddy ground conditions. Avoiding excessive yardings during winter, or stoney laneways is important in cattle. In sheep avoiding working through muddy 4/9

5 yards and lambing in freshly sown cereal crop paddocks will reduce the incidence as these provide the ideal environment for infections of the foot. In all production animals the selection pressure on breeding stock for favorable foot conformation will be hugely beneficial in reducing the incidence come the unavoidable warm moist conditions of winter. 03 Companion: Why our senior citizens need extra special care Our ageing pets require a little bit of extra attention to help keep them on all four paws for longer. A check up at least once a year is essential for your ageing friend. Much can change over this time and we aim to pick up on any problems and act quickly. Some changes may be obvious such as accidents around the house, hearing problems or stiff legs. Beyond the visible changes, there can be much more going on internally, such as a slowing metabolism and changing of nutritional requirements. Here are a few things you might notice at home: Changes in appetite or thirst Increasing or decreasing weight Loss of housetraining Difficulty climbing stairs or getting into the car A cough New lumps Occasional vomiting or diarrhoea Blood and urine tests, blood pressure checks, eye checks, arthritis checks and weight checks are all necessary for a senior pet. We look for changes over the senior years and adjust treatment programs and nutrition as necessary. Ask for our advice to help your senior pet age gracefully - our aim is to give your friend a longer and healthier life. 5/9

6 04 Companion: Top tips to help your senior pet We have compiled a list of the top things you can do at home to help improve your senior pet's quality of life: Diet: Older animals may be less able to cope with nutrient excesses or deficiencies, or changes in nutrient intake and quality. A top recommendation is for your senior pet to be fed a complete and balanced premium food suitable for mature pet - we will be able to give you the best advice when it comes to diet. Exercise: Senior pets must maintain mobility and muscle mass in their later years. Dogs should have consistent levels of daily exercise - slow and steady is the key. Routine: Our senior pets can become a little rattled if their routine is changed, especially if they are showing signs of dementia. Keep to a routine with exercise and feeding times. Too many changes can lead to anxiety problems. Sleeping: As our pets grow older, they are less tolerant of very hot or very cold weather. Always provide a soft and warm bed away from cold drafts. A mattress style bed allows arthritic pets to sleep comfortably. Cats may prefer their bedding closer to the floor for easier access. Grooming: It is not uncommon for our senior pets to forget how to groom themselves. Look out for mats - especially under the arm pits and around the bottom. Nails can become long and painfully ingrown; check these regularly. We can help you with any of the above, just ask us for more information. 6/9

7 05 Companion: Old dog, new tricks Here's a video that is sure to brighten your day - teaching an old dog new tricks never looked so easy! 06 Companion: Is your pet losing his mind? Ageing affects our entire body including our brain and the same goes for our pets. If you think your elderly pet may be acting a little senile - you are probably right! Research confirms that our pets suffer from dementia too and the disease that affects dogs (known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction) has many similarities to Alzheimer's disease in humans. The signs of canine dementia can be classified by the acronym DISHA: Disorientation: dogs often end up stuck in a corner or go to the 7/9

8 hinge side of the door to be let out Interaction: lack or decreased levels of interaction with family members or other pets Sleep pattern is disturbed House training is lost Activity levels decreased Cats can suffer from senility too. Signs commonly include: vocalising more or in an odd manner failure to groom themselves forgetting how to use a litter tray appearing agitated particularly when they should be sleeping Before we diagnose dementia, we must eliminate other problems as there are many other diseases that can lead to any of the signs of dementia. Thankfully we have prescription diets available and medication that may help improve brain function - just ask us for more information. 07 Companion: The oldest cat ever According to The Guinness Book of Records, the oldest cat that ever lived was Creme Puff, who was born on 3 August 1967 and lived until 6 August an amazing 38 years and 3 days! Creme Puff lived with her owner, Jake Perry, in Austin, Texas, USA. Amazingly, Jake Perry was also the owner of Grandpa Rex Allen, the previous record holder. Do you have a old pet? Post a picture on the My Pet Stories Facebook page and let us know the age of your senior citizen! 8/9

9 The Fine Print This contains comments of a general nature only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. It should not be relied on as the basis for whether you do or don't do anything. All content Pet Pack 2014 You received this because you're subscribed to our newsletter or are a client of Holbrook Veterinary Centre This was sent to: Click here to unsubscribe 9/9