Companion Animals. May fleas breeding LEPTOSPIROSIS. Photos by Richard Hilson

Transcription

1 Companion Animals May 2015 fleas breeding LEPTOSPIROSIS Photos by Richard Hilson

2 FLEAS A YEAR ROUND PROBLEM KATE MATTHEWS BVSc With the cooler months almost upon us, now is a good time to remember that year round treatment is essential for good control of the flea population. Many owners believe that fleas aren t a problem over the winter months, and while we may not see quite as many issues with heavy infections of our pets during this time, what is actually happening is that the immature stages of the flea are going into hibernation in the environment building up in numbers which will all emerge during spring as the weather warms. As a result we often see a massive spike in flea infestations as the temperature rises again. When using a spot-on flea treatment part the hair at the base of the neck and apply directly onto skin WHICH PRODUCT TO USE? We recommend the use of spot-on products, such as Advantage, as these not only treat the adult fleas on your dog or cat, but are also effective against eggs and larvae which make up around 90% of the total flea population (the adult fleas which we see are only the tip of the iceberg!) These products are easy to apply and long lasting. The main point to remember is that the animal must stay dry for 48 hours after application no baths or swimming (or jumping in the trough!). This is because the product is absorbed into the sebaceous (sweat) glands of the skin where it remains as a reservoir, being constantly released over 1-2 months depending on the product used. Seresto is a collar product which is long lasting and has proved to be effective in the working dog population. Broadline for cats (flea and worm treatment combined) and Nexgard for dogs (chewable) are both relatively new products which have been popular with clients and have worked extremely well since their introduction. Products, such as flea bombs are also available to treat the environment in cases of severe environmental infestation we can discuss their use with you. PUPPIES AND KITTENS The regular treatment of puppies and kittens is essential fleas can suck enough blood to cause a life threatening anaemia in these young animals spot on treatments can generally be used from 6-8 weeks of age, and sprays are available for safe use from 2 days of age. WORKING DOGS Farmers working dogs are not immune! We often see heavy burdens of fleas on working dogs when they are in the clinic, and this needs to be addressed. Spot-on products are convenient and highly efficacious as are the new chewable products which removes the need to keep dogs dry for 48 hours. When using these products it is very important to treat the whole team at the same time and continuing to treat throughout the winter will help stop the major infestations we often see in the spring/ summer. Antifreeze Poisoning A regular cause of poisoning in cats and dogs is consumption of antifreeze (ethylene glycol) solution. Common sources of antifreeze solution are vehicle radiators, heat exchange units and malicious (intentional) poisoning. Surprisingly small amounts of antifreeze are needed to reach lethal doses; 15 ml in cats and 130 ml in dogs of a diluted solution, antifreeze diluted 50/50 with water. Accidental poisoning is most common in autumn and winter when radiators usually get drained and refilled. Because of its sweet taste, antifreeze solution is attractive to cats and dogs, so leaving drained antifreeze lying around where animals can access it is very dangerous. Stuart Badger BVSc Antifreeze is rapidly absorbed, with clinical signs of illness occurring within one hours of ingestion. Signs include depression, vomiting, increased thirst, coma and death. The most serious consequences of poisoning are caused by calcium oxalate crystals forming in the kidneys, effectively destroying them. While antidotes may help a poisoned animal if it is presented straight after accidental poisoning, by the time clinical signs of poisoning are present the animal is usually beyond hope. The take home message is that prevention is the answer, so never leave antifreeze lying around where animals may access it, dispose of it immediately.

3 Breeding, Whelping and After Care of your bitch and pups Caroline Robertson The most important first step when breeding from your dog is deciding if she is really a good candidate to breed from. Has she got a good temperament, are there any inherited issues that she may pass onto her pups and when you decide on the sire dog does he also pass the temperament and inherited condition tests. Especially in large breeds of dogs, tests for hip and elbow dysplasia should be carried out well prior to mating to ensure both parents are clear of these diseases and there may be breed specific inherited conditions such as bleeding disorders and eye conditions that should also be tested for. The ideal time to breed from your bitch is from about 2 years of age. Earlier breeding when the bitch is still growing may limit how well she grows herself. The timing of mating is usually days after the first signs of heat show (vulvar swelling and bleeding) but this does vary between bitches and a blood test can be used to pinpoint the time of ovulation thereby allowing you to time the mating to increase the chance of a pregnancy. Pregnancy can be confirmed by way of an ultrasound scan from around 28 days, and if required an x-ray later in pregnancy can be used to determine the actual number of puppies. During early to mid-pregnancy the bitch should be fed her normal amount of adult high quality food and her exercise and work programme maintained, but towards the later part of pregnancy as she becomes heavier, exercise and work should be reduced to prevent injuries as movement becomes more difficult. Pregnancy usually lasts 63 days so it is best to be prepared at least 1 week before with a quiet, warm whelping area and prepared box. The box should be large enough for the bitch to be able to stretch out comfortably, with sides designed to keep the pups in but allow the bitch to escape to toilet etc. Newspaper is best as it is easy to clean. The mammary glands develop significantly in the last 7-10 days and milk starts to be produced. There may be a clear mucus discharge from the vulva - if the discharge is green or cloudy contact a vet immediately. Stage one of labour usually lasts 6-24 hrs and the bitch may appear restless, seek seclusion and may not want to eat. During stage two contractions start and the bitch will usually lie down. The first pup is usually born within one hour of the contractions becoming frequent and strong. If there is straining for more than one hour and no pup call a vet. During this stage it is best if owners keep a careful eye on timing and proceedings but do not interfere too much as usually the bitch knows what is best. Once a pup is delivered the bitch will bite off the membranes around it and bite the umbilical cord, occasionally owners may need to help with this. After each pup is born the bitch usually rests briefly for mins before recommencing straining and delivering subsequent pups usually within ¼ to ½ an hour of straining. A vet should be called immediately if: - There is weak intermittent labour for 3 hours without any pups - There is strong contractions and no pups in 1 hour - There is a greenish discharge and no pups - The bitch strains for more than 2 hours after a pup is born and no new pups arrive. After whelping the bitch should appear settled and happy to feed her pups. A discharge will be present which will reduce over 10 days and change from a green colour to a clear reddish discharge and then a clear discharge which gradually disappears. Now is the time to feed your bitch larger quantities of the best quality puppy food you can as this will ensure she makes plenty of milk. The pups should be either sleeping or eating. If they are noisy it probably indicates they are either cold or not getting enough to eat. Healthy pups should put on at least their birth weight in 10 days. The bitch should be wormed 2 weeks after whelping and the pups wormed every 2 weeks from 2 weeks of age. Weaning usually occurs at 6-8weeks and it is best to gradually limit the bitch s access to the pups over a 2 week period to ensure milk production reduces gradually. During this weaning period introduce the pups to high quality puppy food with a mixture of water softened dry puppy biscuits and canned puppy food. Over time the wetness of the biscuits can be reduced so they end up eating dry biscuits happily. Pups should be rehomed with some of the food that they are used to eating to help them settle in. Prior to re-homing it is advisable that all pups have been examined and vaccinated by your vet to ensure all pups are healthy to re-home and issues such as retained testicles, and umbilical hernias etc can be identified. If you have any questions pre or post mating, or during delivery please contact us.

4 LEPTOSPIROSIS VACCINATION FOR DOGS ANOTHER UPDATE! richard sides As reported last spring, we had several more cases of leptospirosis in dogs over the winter of 2014, of which 3 were fatal. That situation, coupled with the research done by Massey over the previous 2 years (which we were involved in), meant that we started recommending vaccination in farm dogs. Since September last year we have administered nearly 2000 doses of the vaccine, meaning that (since dogs require a booster when they first start vaccination), towards a thousand dogs have been vaccinated here. Other vet practices in the lower North Island have been doing similar numbers, and further reports have appeared in the vet literature regarding various aspects of the disease. It is certainly still a hot topic, but fortunately we have been up-to-date from early in the recent recognition of this disease. To repeat a bit of background information to those who have missed it before, it is accepted that most, if not all, NZ farms have leptospirosis present. Many sheep and cattle (particularly young animals trade lambs and young bulls especially over the winter) carry the disease for long time periods. This means exposure of dogs (and people!) is likely; this has been confirmed by the fact we know that many dogs have antibodies to lepto without having been obviously ill. However, serious disease (often fatal) does occur in dogs, often younger dogs or ones that are new to a property - they have not had time to pick up natural immunity. This is where vaccination comes in like all vaccines, it is insurance against sudden overwhelming infection. All that sounds like a simple and compelling argument for vaccination, but there is a complication, which is that there is no licensed vaccine for dogs in New Zealand that covers the strains of lepto found on our farms. All those dog owners who have agreed to vaccination of their canines will have had the talk about this. Fortunately there is one particular vaccine that has been researched in dogs over the last 3 years (and in fact used to be licensed for dogs a few years ago), which gives a good immune response without any significant adverse reactions reported. Your vet will talk you through this on the farm-vaccination runs and when you bring pups in for their core vaccinations; the bottom line is that we are satisfied that the benefits outweigh any theoretical risks. Following a great uptake of vaccination, we are looking forward with interest to this winter, and are hoping the hospital work-load will be reduced compared to last year! If you have dogs still needing vaccination, now is the time to do it give us a ring. Pre-lamb treatments: Make sure you get your pre-lamb treatments sorted as soon as possible. Talk to our vets or retail staff about all of the available options. Deer & Sheep scanning Reminder: DON T FORGET: You can also register on-line at If you haven t received a letter yet or got in touch to make a booking please get in touch with us.

5 Seasonal Update Hastings/Napier April has provided an excellent follow up of rain that we so desperately needed, but everyone is still behind in terms of winter feed, so make sure you have a plan B in case we don t have a repeat of the mild May-July we enjoyed last year. That southerly blast early in the month saw snow to quite low levels was a shock to the system and timely reminder that winter really isn t that far away. With the return of some moisture, the parasites are thriving so be sure not to take your eye off young stock in particular, some of whom are grazing low pasture covers at present. The dairy cows are getting organised according to their calving date and will by dried off and enjoying a well earned rest shortly, whilst their owners will be preparing for another busy season that will be Waipukurau Like the spring and the summer just gone, this autumn is looking OK but a bit challenging in the Central Hawkes Bay. The grass is growing after a dry post-cyclone spell, but many will need a real spurt to get covers up to the preferred level by early May, particularly to get some cattle feed on the ground for winter. Ewe and cattle condition has been challenged across the region, at a less-than-ideal time in the case of mixed age ewes. We have been doing some faecal egg counts and finding some ewes wormy, some not well worth testing so you know, one way or Dannevirke Welcome warm rain has brought good growth to most of the region close to the Ruahines but much of the eastern hill country has been slow to respond or not received enough moisture. This has been difficult timing for the bulk of tupping as many ewes are not looking as good as they were. It is looking like it will be a difficult winter as cattle feed in particular is at a premium. Parasite burdens have peaked as expected with young dairy stock being the worst affected. There have been a few lots of affected calves especially where there is little integration of other Helen Taylor here before we know it. Plenty of sire bulls have been awarded their annual warrant of fitness from me to earn their place in the mating team for next season whilst any duds are going on a short truck ride, allowing their replacements to be sourced at the upcoming bull sales. It is not unusual for us to find 20% of a bull team that is not suitable for mating so a service capacity test, that can be combined with semen testing, is a valuable tool to clear out the dead wood! Beef cow scanning is about average with around 7-10% of mixed aged cows dry after 3 cycles with the bull. Early ewe scanning results have shown that there will be plenty of July born lambs, even though farmers would have been happy with a few dries now that feeding them is going to prove to be a challenge! Richard sides the other! Likewise trace element testing in growing cattle, the information is always valuable whether the numbers are low or high. Cattle scanning is very nearly over for another year bring on sheep scanning! The facial eczema season has nearly passed with very few issues, mostly thanks to some timely cool nights. The few spores seen this week from our monitor farms have been old rather than fresh; we will still be checking though, as a warm, sunny, occasionally rainy May has been ordered... Tim Hogan stock classes. The region overall did not have high Facial Eczema spore counts through autumn from most of the monitoring that takes place but there have been isolated clinical cases in some hot spots. This risk may continue in these areas if the warm weather lasts. Some dairy herds have also experienced an increase in metabolic problems following the autumn growth. Otherwise, I hope the Gun dog is fit and rearing to go! Heifer Teat Sealing Trailer taking bookings now! The Teatseal Trailer is ready to go! Give any one of the clinics a call to make your booking!

6 AVAILABLE NOW Save time tomorrow Teatseal your heifers today For Teatseal and Total Mastitis Control talk to your vet or visit dairywellness.co.nz Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Level 5, 8 Mahuhu Crescent, Auckland 1010, New Zealand. Tel: 0800 ZOETIS( ), Fax: TEATSEAL is a registered trade mark of Zoetis Inc. or its subsidiaries. ACVM No. A7294. RVM; Available only under Veterinary Authorisation. eukanuba special Buy 5 bags and get one free! Vet Services Autumn Special on Eukanuba Premium Performance Buy 5 bags at $129 each and receive the 6th free (brings price per bag down to $107.50) Starting 17th April and running until 12th May Available only through Vet Services Napier, Hastings, Waipukurau and Dannevirke clinics NAPIER 210 Taradale Road HASTINGS 801W Heretaunga Street DANNEVIRKE High Street WAIPUKURAU 43 Takapau Road