Understanding the Importance of Vaccinations

At Happy Paws, we follow the WSAVA (World Small Animal Veterinary Association) vaccination guidelines.

For Cats

Vaccinations are vital in protecting your cat against life-threatening diseases.

• All cats are recommended to be kept up-to-date with the F3 vaccination – this helps protect them against cat flu and feline panleukopaenia.
• Depending on your kitty’s lifestyle, they may also need to be vaccinated against FIV (feline immunodeficiency virus) and FeLV (feline leukaemia virus).

We recommend that every kitten receive a primary course of three F3 vaccines (from six to eight weeks of age), two to four weeks apart until they are at least 16 weeks old. All kittens with outdoor access are recommended a primary course of three FIV vaccines. Both of these injections need to be boosted annually.

For Dogs

In South East Queensland, dogs should receive a C5 vaccination to protect against parvovirus, distemper, hepatitis, bordetella and parainfluenza (canine cough).

Dogs require vaccinations to protect against several serious illnesses, and may include:

• Canine Distemper: A highly contagious and often fatal disease that affects the respiratory, gastrointestinal, and nervous systems.
• Parvovirus: A potentially deadly virus that causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and is particularly dangerous for puppies.
• Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis): A virus that can cause liver disease and, in severe cases, death.
• Canine Influenza (Canine Cough): A highly contagious respiratory disease.

It is recommended that every pup receive a primary course of vaccines every two to four weeks (from six to eight weeks of age) until they are at least 16 weeks old. This is followed by their first adult vaccination one year later. From this point, they need annual vaccines with alternating components (as not every component needs to be boosted every year).

Know what pet parasite prevention you should give your four legged friend

Any cat or dog should regularly receive products to protect against ticks, fleas and intestinal worms. Dogs should also be on routine heartworm prevention, but this is optional in cats, as they are not the preferred host for heartworm, so are less susceptible.

For puppies and kittens, we recommend an intestinal all-wormer every two weeks up until 12 weeks old, and then continuing worming monthly until six months old. From this point, your pet should be wormed every three months. In rural areas where pets have access to livestock, it may be recommended to give your pet a tapeworm treatment every month in-between quarterly all-wormer doses.

Flea and tick treatments can be covered by combination products. For dogs, there are a range of effective preventative products, including a variety of chews that last between one and three months, veterinary-strength medicated collars or topical products that last up to six months. For cats, there are topical products that last up to three months.

For heartworm prevention in dogs, the gold standard is an annual injection administered by one of our vets. This can be synced up with your pet’s annual health check and vaccination. Monthly chews and tablets are available as a silver standard alternative.

As a general rule, pets should be seen for an annual vet check, where we can assess your cat or dog’s general health and discuss which vaccines are required each year to maintain their protection. At this time, we can also discuss the best options for thorough parasite prevention based on your pet’s requirements.

Parasite Control: A Year-Round Commitment

Parasite Control For Cats

Even indoor cats require regular parasite prevention. Common parasites include fleas, ticks, and intestinal worms. Regular treatments, such as monthly flea and tick prevention and quarterly deworming, are essential.

Parasite Control For Dogs

Doggies are often more exposed to parasites due to outdoor activities. In addition to fleas, ticks, and worms, dogs are at risk for heartworms, which are transmitted by mosquitoes. Heartworm prevention should be given monthly in areas where the disease is prevalent. Your dog’s parasite prevention plan should include:

• Flea and Tick Prevention: Monthly treatments are recommended, especially during warmer months when these parasites are most active.
• Heartworm Prevention: Regular administration of heartworm preventatives is crucial, particularly in regions where mosquitoes are common.
• Deworming: Dogs should be dewormed regularly, as intestinal worms can be contracted from various sources, including contaminated soil or faeces.

Heartworm and Your Pooch

No owner ever expects their beloved pooch to catch deadly heartworm but did you know this disease occurs throughout Australia (particularly prominent in Queensland) and is a problem year-round? A single bite from a mosquito is all it takes to spread this potentially fatal disease. You’ve all heard the saying: “prevention is better than cure”.

When it comes to heartworm this couldn’t be more true. In fact, it’s because heartworm is so difficult and expensive to treat that we recommend continuous 12-month protection for all our doggos. Sadly a great percentage of heartworm positive dogs who receive the treatment still don’t make it. Make sure you don’t put your pooch at risk!

If you are overdue in your doggo’s heartworm treatment or have never treated, call us to book an appointment so we can chat through some options about continuous 12-month protection to ensure your baby is protected

How To Handle Less Cooperative Pets

Administering vaccinations and parasite prevention can be challenging, especially with pets that are anxious or resistant. Here are some tips for managing this process:

Cat Vaccination and parasite control routines for ‘less than cooperative’ kitties

Whilst our domesticated feline friends may like to think of themselves as little wild jungle cats, they still require our assistance to stay healthy, starting with the protection of a regular cat vaccination and parasite control program. Here’s how you can practically achieve optimal protection for your resident feline, even if they are acting a bit like a jungle cat!

1. Gentle Restraint: Wrapping your cat in a towel can help keep them calm and prevent them from scratching during treatments.
2. Calming Aids: Products like Feliway can help reduce stress, making your cat more receptive to treatment.
3. Positive Reinforcement: Rewarding your cat with treats or playtime after treatment can help them associate the experience with something positive.
4. Veterinary Assistance:  If your cat is particularly difficult or anxious, seek help from your vet who can dispense prescription medication to help ease their stress.

TIP – Choosing the Right Carrier To Bring Your Kitty To Happy Paws

Avoid backpack carriers and flimsy fabric carriers as these can be tricky to clean and give the sensation of collapse. Being visually exposed, having restricted space, limited ventilation as well as being in an unsteady or unstable environment will cause unnecessary distress for your feline friend. Our recommendation is for a sturdy, plastic carrier that can be easily cleaned with a front and top opening.

A removable top half of the carrier with quick release clips will allow your cat to remain in the bottom half, feeling safe during any interactions or examination.
Your carrier should also have a secure door to prevent escape and slats on each side for ventilation ….. and treat delivery. 😺

In a purrrrfect world, your cat should enter their carrier voluntarily, perhaps with some encouragement in the form of treat or toy, or through being trained to do so. Just as Dr Felicity’s little Walter is being trained to do here! We will provide some tips on how to do this soon!

For Woofers

1. Training and Desensitisation: Gradually getting your dog accustomed to the sights and sounds of treatment can make the process less stressful.
2. Distraction Techniques: Using treats, toys, or even gentle praise during treatment can keep your dog focused on something positive.
3. Muzzle Training: For dogs that are particularly resistant or prone to snapping, a well-fitted muzzle can ensure safety during treatments.
4. Veterinary Support: For particularly challenging dogs, professional help from your vet or a trained technician can make a significant difference.

The Role of Regular Veterinary Check-Ups

Whether you have a cat or a dog, regular veterinary check-ups are essential for maintaining their health. These visits ensure your pets are up-to-date on vaccinations and parasite prevention and allow your vet to catch any potential health issues early. Additionally, your friendly Happy Paws vet can provide guidance on the best products and techniques for managing your pet’s health at home.

Conclusion: A Lifelong Commitment to Health

Keeping your pets protected from diseases and parasites is a lifelong commitment that requires regular vaccinations, consistent parasite prevention, and routine vet visits. While these tasks can sometimes be challenging, particularly with less cooperative pets, they are vital for ensuring your pets enjoy a long, healthy life. With the right approach and support from your veterinarian, you can make these processes smoother and less stressful for both you and your pets.

If you’re unsure whether your pet is properly protected, seek advice from our friendly team!

We list the key summer heat hazards and provide our Vet’s top tips to prevent your pet from overheating and suffering from heatstroke or heat stress.

Types of Pet Heat Hazards

Pet Heat Stroke and Heat Stress

In hot weather, cats and dogs can be at risk of dangerous overheating. This can lead to heatstroke, a potentially fatal condition where your pet goes into a cardiovascular shock state, putting them at risk of brain, kidney, liver or heart damage.

It can be easy to overdo it in the summer and heat stress can be very serious in our pets. Therefore, it’s crucial to remember that our pets can’t perspire the way humans do, as they only produce only a tiny amount of sweat through their footpads. They cool themselves down by panting but sometimes this isn’t enough and they start to overheat.

Brachycephalic or flat-faced dogs (French bulldogs, Pugs, Cavaliers, Boxers) are super susceptible to heat stroke but ANY breed is at risk. Keep an eye out for excessive, exaggerated or noisy panting, drooling, weakness or collapse.

Pets Can Get Extremely Hot Underfoot

Ever heard the term ‘this pavement is so hot you could fry an egg on it?’ The hidden danger on the street this summer IS the street!

Pavement and bitumen (and even sand at the beach) can get so hot in summer that it can cause excruciatingly painful burns and blisters to your dog’s paw pads. Metal ute trays can also burn your dog’s paws.

We recommend you test the surface by holding your hand to it for a count of five seconds. Or stick to walking your dog in the cool of the day and take the softer (grass) route to the park.

Pools are not always safe

Pets don’t always like the water and many cannot swim. Never force your pet to get in the water and do not leave your pet where they can access a body of water without supervision. Dogs have been known to fall into pools and drown.

Don’t let your pet drink the pool water as it can be toxic and wash your pet off after a swim as chlorinated water can irritate the skin and eyes. Moisture in the ears can also lead to annoying ear infections.

Pets Can Get Sun Burnt Too

Pets can get sunburnt just like us, particularly those with areas of pink skin on their noses, ears or bellies. Repeated sun damage can lead to nasty skin cancers, so regular protection against sunburn is best. In summer, prevent at-risk pets from sunbathing between 9:30 am – 4:00 pm. If they’re going to be outside during these hours, regularly apply a pet-safe sunscreen.

Look Out For Grass Awns

From spring to summer, the grasslands in suburban and rural areas produce copious amounts of grass awns (seeds). Some of these awns are very sharp with backwards-facing barbs, which can get caught in your pet’s fur and embed painfully into their eyes, ears, paws or skin. From there, the awns can migrate surprisingly deeply and cause infection. Pets may require surgical removal of awns under anaesthetic, sometimes with specialist CT or MRI to ascertain the location of particularly deep awns.

Help prevent issues by keeping your pet well-groomed during spring and summer, with weekly brushing to remove excess undercoat, and trimmed fur around their face, ears and paws.

Is your Cat or Dog experiencing heat stroke or stress?

If you think your pet might have heat stroke, bring them to us immediately (or seek emergency veterinary care). Heatstroke can be life threatening! If your pets show signs of heat stress, such as open-mouth panting, collapse, or excessive salivating (dogs), contact us immediately.

It’s best to place your pet in front of the air conditioner or a fan while you are in the car. You can lightly spray them with water and also place wet towels on hairless parts of the body (footpads and groins). You should not immerse them in cold water or use ice as this can cause the body to cool down too quickly and lead to further complications.

Ask Your Happy Paws Vet

We are here to help keep your pet healthy and comfortable over the summer months and all year round.

If you are worried about your pet you should always ask us for advice.

Looking For Pet Summer Safety Tips for Fur Parents?

To prevent some common hot-weather and warm-weather hazards from raining on your pet’s parade, our vets suggest following these summer safety tips.

Regularly vaccinating your pet is important to protect them against various potentially fatal or debilitating infectious diseases. During a consultation, we can discuss with you the most appropriate vaccination protocol for your pet to keep them healthy.

Our vets will advise the type of vaccination which will be best for your pet, taking into account your pet’s age and lifestyle – such as whether they are mainly indoors or outdoors, and any risk factors that they might be exposed to.

We follow current world guidelines on vaccine types and frequency of use to ensure your pet is best protected from disease. If your pet has any health problems of concern, or a history of autoimmune disease, we may recommend titre testing to check the pets level of immunity which can then guide the vaccination protocol.

Similar to when us humans get our vaccinations, when your pet has a vaccination there is sometimes some mild pain or discomfort at the site of the vaccination injection. However, pets have a lot looser skin than people, and the vaccination injections are given subcutaneously to pets instead of into the muscle like with us. Some pet vaccinations, such as for canine cough, can also be given orally or sprayed into the nose.

We will be able to explain any common things to be aware of after your pet has had their vaccination, and what to do if you have any concerns. Your pet’s health and wellbeing are of paramount importance to us, so make sure to book in for your pet’s regular vaccinations today.

Read more about Feline Vaccination and Parasite control for your kitty.

Flea and tick prevention for your dogs and cats is essential

By using flea and tick prevention products on your pet, you can help keep your pet healthy and prevent illness and discomfort.

With so many combination flea and tick prevention products now available, we frequently field questions from pet owners about what products to use for their pets.

Fleas are present all over Australia, and can cause severe skin irritation and infection in flea-allergic pets. Fleas can also transmit human diseases, such as cat flea typhus.

Paralysis ticks can be active on the east coast of Australia all year round. Affected animals can suffer paralysis and breathing difficulties, requiring intensive emergency care. This condition can even be fatal for pets.

Other species of tick, such as the brown dog tick and bush ticks, are mostly found in bushland areas near to waterways or the coast, and can cause local skin irritation and also transmit diseases. In northern areas of Australia, ticks can transmit dangerous diseases such as ehrlichiosis in dogs.

A regular program of parasite prevention is recommended for all dogs and cats who go outdoors. In areas where tick-borne diseases are known to occur, it is recommended to use dual prevention with a tick repellent product plus an oral flea/tick prevention product to best protect your pet.

Veterinary studies of flea and tick prevention products have shown these drugs to be safe and effective for pets. Please ask us about the best flea and tick protection options for your pet.

Why Our Vets Ask What Preventatives You Are using for your Pet

Ever wonder why we’re always asking you what preventatives (for fleas, ticks, intestinal worms and heartworm) you are using on your pets and how often? It’s so we can make sure your pet is protected!

Let’s face it, there seems to be a never ending list of products available and it can get really confusing with exactly what they do and don’t cover and even the frequency with which they should be used. One thing is clear  prevention is better than cure and sadly, in some cases, a cure may not be an option.

Our team is here to help find products that suit your needs and most importantly, provide effective protection for your pet ensuring they can continue living their best healthiest and happiest life!

Does your doggo or kitty need their vaccination?

Happy Paws Vet pet vaccination protocols are all tailored to your individual pet and their circumstances.

Book an appointment online today or call the friendly team at Happy Paws Veterinary Clinic on (07) 5577 5084.

Anaesthesia

Veterinary nurses will work with our veterinarians or other staff members to gently restrain animals in order to place intravenous catheters and, if required, collect blood samples for pre-anaesthetic health testing.

They will calm and restrain a patient whilst they are being anaesthetised and then will carefully monitor parameters, such as heart rate, breathing rate, blood pressure, reflexes and body temperature to ensure that the patient remains deeply enough asleep to not feel any pain, but also not become dangerously over-anaesthetised. A nurse will then monitor the patient as they recover from the procedure, alerting one of our vets if they seem uncomfortable, nauseated or disoriented.

Patient care

When animal patients stay in hospital, it is often our experienced nurses who will perform ongoing checks on them throughout the day (between morning and evening assessments by our vets), ensuring that they are provided regular toileting opportunities, have any pain or nausea sufficiently treated, are clean and comfortable, and are tempted to eat and drink. Our nurses will also request a reassessment of the patient by one of our vets if they feel their condition is changing.

Diagnostic procedures and tests

Our nurses are proficient in running in-clinic laboratory tests, including blood tests, urine tests and faecal analysis. This allows us to diagnose many common health conditions on site, so we can start prompt treatment for our patients.

Hospital cleanliness

Our nurses perform regular cleaning duties to ensure that, even in the face of frequent blood drips, urine spills and coughing, vomiting or defecating patients, our clinic and its equipment are kept as germ-free as possible to minimise the risk to other animals and our clients.

Reception duties and animal triage

As well as all these hospital duties, our nurses often have to take on reception duties. They are the first point of contact for worried owners wondering if their pet needs treatment, providing emotional support and knowledgeable advice. They meet emergencies at the front door and help to triage sick or injured patients (performing a rapid assessment of the patient’s basic functions to ascertain how urgently they require treatment).

Assisting our vets

Last but not least, our nurses provide valuable support to our vets, providing hands-on assistance during important medical or imaging procedures, and performing sterile preparation of animals for surgery whilst our vet “scrubs up”.

Our nurses are of vital importance in achieving our goal of high-standard, compassionate animal health care. Let’s hear it for all the veterinary nurses!

And, We’re Only Human

Did you know Vets are four times more likely to die by suicide than the general population? On average, a vet dies by suicide every 12 weeks

The “We’re Only Human” campaign, which honours Vet Sophie, asks pet and animal owners to take the pledge to be kind and respectful and to understand the massive pressures impacting veterinary staff.

In honour of Sophie, her family and all veterinary team members, lets take the pledge to be kind, respectful and to understand the massive pressures impacting this industry. Read more about Sophie’s Legacy and the pledge.

Jasper’s Paw Licking Story

Jasper, a one-year-old Cocker Spaniel, just couldn’t stop licking at his paws. After a particularly sleepless and irritating night for both Jasper and his owner Ben (where Ben felt just about ready to crack if he heard one more licking sound), Ben booked Jasper in for a check-up with his regular veterinarian, Dr Jess.

Vet Consultation & Diagnosis

Dr Jess started the consultation by asking some detailed history questions. She found that Jasper was already on an excellent program of parasite prevention. Jasper had started licking his paws a few weeks ago as the spring weather was warming up, and was also rubbing at his face and ears a lot too.

Dr Jess examined Jasper and found him to have inflamed, irritated paws and ears.

Surface skin and ear discharge samples, examined under the microscope, showed that Jasper was suffering from a yeast overgrowth on his paws, and bacterial and yeast infections of both ears.

Paw Licking Treatment Plan for Jasper

Dr Jess sent Jasper home with a medicated shampoo for his paws, medicated ointment for his ears and a short course of anti-inflammatories. However, she discussed with Ben a suspicion that Jasper could possibly have an underlying allergy causing his problems (which were resulting in secondary infections due to a weakened skin barrier), so advised him to return if Jasper became itchy again once the medications ceased.

Jasper’s symptoms resolved fully, but a week or so after the medications finished, he started licking his paws again. Ben booked Jasper in for a recheck consultation with Dr Jess to discuss further the possibility of allergies.

Paw Licking and Allergies

Dr Jess explained to Ben that there are four main types of allergies in pets:

• Flea allergy
• Atopy (allergies to airborne materials, such as pollens or moulds)
• Food allergies
• Contact allergies (from direct contact with certain plants or chemicals)

As Jasper was already on effective parasite prevention, Dr Jess felt that a flea allergy was unlikely. Dr Jess was most suspicious of atopy, given that Jasper’s symptoms started in spring and he had a suggestive combination of paw and ear irritation.

However, it was important to rule out a food allergy first, which pets can develop even whilst eating a consistent diet.

Ruling Out Food Allergies

Jasper was trialled on a strict prescription hypoallergenic diet for 10 weeks, but required several courses of “rescue” anti-itch medications during this time to relieve his symptoms. He showed no improvement on the special diet, so was deemed unlikely to be food allergic.

Atopy Identified

With atopy now seeming the most likely cause of Jasper’s problems, Dr Jess discussed the options of either referral to a specialist dermatologist vet for potential immunotherapy treatment (anti-allergy “vaccines”) or long-term, regular medical management of his symptoms. Ben elected medical management.

Throughout the warmer times of the year, Jasper now receives regular itch-relieving injections with Dr Jess. He is also treated regularly at home with a medicated shampoo to control yeast and bacteria, a skin-soothing conditioner and an essential fatty acid supplement.

Jasper’s Progress

Ben is delighted to report that Jasper is now very comfortable and Ben himself is no longer woken up by those eye-twitchingly, irritating licking noises. Win-win!

Is Your Fur-kiddie Constantly Paw Licking?

If, like Jasper, your pet shows symptoms of recurrent skin or ear irritation, see our skin-savvy vets to discuss effective treatment options. Book online or Call.

We’ll help ban that bedtime itchiness for good!

While advancing age will lead to some inevitable changes in your pet’s physical capabilities and condition, there is a lot you can do to support them in their golden years. With some thoughtful home TLC and regular veterinary care, your senior fur-friend will be able to remain mobile and young at heart for even longer.

Areas To Monitor as your pet Ages

Grooming Assistance

Many older pets will need a nail trim every six-to-eight weeks due to a reduced ability to wear down their own nails. This will not only prevent painful nail overgrowth, but improve their stability on slippery floors.

Long-haired pets will usually require regular deep combing or brushing to prevent fur matting, or the clipping of fur from around their bottoms, legs or bodies to reduce grooming requirements. Short-haired pets will benefit from gentle daily brushing to remove dead hairs.

Mental Health

Keeping older doggos and kitty cats mentally active will help to slow age-related brain deterioration – after all, if you don’t use it, you lose it!

Try to offer your pet a variety of food puzzle toys or snuffle mats filled with exciting treats. You can also search online for great DIY puzzle toy ideas that can be created cheaply (and sustainably!) from recycled cardboard boxes and towels at home.

Pooches will love being taken to new parks or walking trails for exploration of new sights, sounds and smells, whilst our furry feline friends will enjoy sitting on an accessible cat climbing tower placed near a window, watching the world go by.

Certain veterinary diets or supplements containing antioxidants and/or essential fatty acids that can help to support brain health and function in pets, particularly when started before significant disease develops.

Mobility Support

Arthritis affects many middle-aged to older pets, and causes progressive joint stiffness and pain.

We can help your pet to stay comfortable and mobile with a variety of supportive treatment options, including anti-inflammatory and pain relief medications, and supplements with natural anti-inflammatory and cartilage repairing effects.

Pets will also benefit from staying in a slim, healthy body condition and partaking in gentle daily exercise, which may include walking, hydrotherapy or pet physiotherapy.

Toileting Troubles

Ensure that your older pet has easy access to their toileting facilities, ideally with no steps to traverse. It’s also safest if all surfaces along their route are non-slip. For smooth-floored areas, cheap non-slip matting can be purchased from stores such as Kmart or Bunnings and made into tracks for your pet.

If your pet has reduced vision, it can also really help to place some night lights along their toileting path. If they show any noticeable cloudiness in their eyes, it’s best to have them checked by one of our vets to ensure that this is normal, age-related change and not problematic eye disease requiring treatment.

Organise Regular Check Ups

Ongoing preventative care is the best way to ensure your beloved fur-baby continues to live a happy and comfortable life.

Whilst your pet may be getting grey around the muzzle, we can help them to age gracefully and comfortably. Check-ups every 6-to-12 months will help us to identify any behavioural or physical health changes, so we can start supportive treatment as early as possible.

Book your golden oldie pet in for a check-up today!

Whilst the summer holidays can be a wonderful time for us and our four-legged family members, there are a few seasonal hazards to avoid in order to keep your pet feeling merry too! Here are the seven rules for a safe and happy festive season for your pet.

1. Avoid dangerous foods

Keep these potentially dangerous or toxic seasonal foods away from your pet:

• Cooked bones 
• Grape and raisins 
• Fatty foods, e.g. crackling, ham or turkey skin 
• Chocolate, coffee beans or cocoa 
• Onions and garlic, e.g. turkey stuffing 
• Xylitol sweetener 
• Macadamia nuts

In the event your pet gets into any of these items, please be sure to contact us as soon as possible – the sooner we can spring into action, the better.

2. Take care in the heat

Avoid exercising your pooch in the heat of the day, and take particular care with doggos at higher risk of overheating, such as overweight pets, thickly-coated floofers, or brachycephalic (short-faced) poochies. If your pet is outdoors on a hot day, ensure they always have access to shade and cool water. And remember, never leave your dog in the car unless the air-conditioning is on.

3. Keep your pet feeling chilled with guests

Even a friendly doggo or kitty-cat may feel a little overwhelmed if your house is suddenly teeming with hoomans! Keep a close eye on your pet’s body language to ensure that they’re not looking nervous (check out this video about subtle nervous dog body language), and always supervise them with children. Provide your fur-kids with access to a comfortable secluded area that they can retreat to for some quiet time.

4. Be on point with parasite prevention

If you live in, or will be travelling to, a known tick area with your pet, ensure they are up-to-date with veterinary-strength tick prevention. This is more important now than ever as there is a nationwide shortage in tick serum (which forms part of the treatment should your pet ever get a paralysis tick). Chat with our team for personalised advice on the most effective and safe tick prevention options for your pet.

5. Offer your pet fireworks TLC

It’s recommended to keep all pets safely indoors on New Year’s Eve, but particularly those who are anxious about loud noises. Offer them a snug “den” to hide in (e.g. a crate partially covered with a blanket), and keep windows closed and covered. Try leaving the TV on at a moderate volume to help mask fireworks sounds, and offer your pet calm reassurance. If you know your pet becomes panicked with loud noises, don’t wait, speak to your vets in advance about the option of temporary calming medications for them.

6. Keep good control of your dog when out and about

If you’ll be going out and about with your pet, remember that it’s a requirement to keep your doggo on a leash in public areas, unless it’s a designated leash-free zone. Remember; even if your pet is super friendly, unfortunately, not every other person or pet wants to meet them.

7. Know and avoid these toxic plants

Checking out this compilation of common toxic plants found in Australia will help you to recognise any problem plants in your garden or on your dog-walking route. However, if you are uncertain about other plants in your garden, you can try searching for them on this (US-based) poisons database. If you think your pet may have consumed a toxic plant, we’d advise contacting our team or the Animal Poisons Hotline for urgent advice.

Lastly, the informal eighth rule of the festive season? Don’t forget to give your pet the best present of all: lots of cuddles and quality time with you!

What could the lump be?

Lumps on or underneath your pet’s skin can have a number of different causes. Some of the most common types of lumps we see in dogs and cats are infections, tumours, inflammation, cysts or calluses.

• Infections
  Infections involving the skin can manifest in different ways. Some of the most common types of infection that can cause discrete masses are:– Abscesses – pockets of infection that can form beneath the skin due to penetrating injuries, such as cat bites or foreign bodies (e.g. grass seeds), or from tooth root infections.

  – Pyotraumatic dermatitis, also known as “hot spots” – these areas of inflamed, oozing and painful skin occur when your pet scratches or nibbles at an area of skin irritation, and often develop secondary infections.

• Tumours
  Tumours on or beneath the skin can be benign (i.e. not spreading or causing your pet to become unwell) or malignant (aggressive tumours that can spread around your pet’s body and cause other health problems).– Common benign tumours are lipomas, benign sebaceous gland tumours, skin tags, papillomas (warts), or histiocytomas– Common malignant tumours are high-grade mast cell tumours, squamous cell carcinomas, soft tissue sarcomas or melanomas
• Inflammation
  It’s common for dogs and cats to suffer from episodes of hives, which are skin swellings caused by mild allergic reactions to insect bites or contact with certain irritating plants, foods or chemicals.
• Cysts
  Sebaceous cysts are skin swellings that occur when sebaceous glands (oil glands) in the skin become blocked and clogged with sebum.
• Calluses
  Calluses are areas of thickened skin over pressure points, commonly developing on the elbows of large to giant breed dogs who lie on hard surfaces.

What’s the best next step for pets with lumps?

It’s a great idea to book your pet for a veterinary check of their lump, if:

• The lump has been present for at least four weeks, or
• The lump is growing or changing (e.g. becoming red or ulcerated), or
• The lump is causing your pet discomfort, or
• You are feeling worried!

At your pet’s appointment, we will perform a general check of your pet and examine the lump itself. In some cases, we will discuss further testing of the lump to confirm a diagnosis. This may involve fine needle aspirate testing (collecting a sample of your pet’s lump using a fine needle, and examining the collected material under the microscope), or booking your pet for a proper surgical biopsy performed under anaesthesia.

Once we confirm a diagnosis, we can make informed recommendations as to whether your pet would benefit from any further testing or treatment.

So, do your pet a solid and have that lump checked!

With this in mind, we’d like to provide some general information about common emergency symptoms, so you can feel informed about the best course of action should your pet ever be similarly affected.

Weakness, collapse or a sudden inability to walk

If your pet collapses or seems generally weak, this can indicate a severe unwellness causing shock (low blood pressure), such as dehydration from gut upset, blood loss from internal bleeding or heart disease. It can also indicate a snake bite, tick paralysis or a severe allergic reaction to a bee sting, or even brain/spinal problems.

In very young animals (especially toy breeds), general significant unwellness can lead to low blood sugar, which can cause weakness or even seizures.

An obvious traumatic injury

If your pet has just experienced a significant trauma, such as a high fall, they should be assessed urgently, as bruising injuries to the lungs or internal organs can worsen over several hours. Pets should also be assessed urgently if they have a wound that is steadily dripping blood.

Breathing difficulties

Breathing difficulties can be caused by problems with the airways or within the lungs, or issues affecting the chest. They can cause pets to have an increased breathing rate, more noticeable chest or abdominal breathing movements or even begin gasping for breath.

Brachycephalic (flat-faced) dog breeds often have narrow nostrils, excessive tissue in their throat and narrow windpipes. These breed-related issues can be worsened by significant heat or stress, causing sudden breathing distress.

Common lung issues include congestive heart failure (where fluid accumulates in the lungs) or pneumonia.

Issues affecting the chest include trauma (such as being hit by a car or a small pet being attacked by a larger dog), or bleeding within the chest due to rat bait poisoning.

Inability to pass urine

An inability to pass urine can be caused by severe kidney damage (e.g. lily poisoning in cats), or obstruction of urinary flow, such as bladder stones becoming lodged in the urethra. Trauma causing spinal issues or bladder damage may also cause urine to be retained within the body.

Pets may strain when attempting to pass urine, or just become very lethargic due to the build-up of waste products in their bloodstream.

Ingestion of a toxin

If you know that your pet has eaten something potentially toxic (e.g. human medications or rat bait), it warrants an urgent phone consultation with us for further advice. Depending on what your pet has eaten, and when, we can recommend appropriate treatment or monitoring.

Severe pain

Any cause of significant pain (especially pain of the neck or spine, or pain within the belly) lasting for more than five minutes warrants an urgent veterinary assessment.

If your pet is experiencing any of these symptoms, we advise calling us for urgent advice. Rest assured, our team are always here to help your pet and set your mind at ease.

Just as important, however, is the daily care that your pet receives at home! Here are some basic things you can do to support your pet’s long-term health, starting with their mouth!

Choose the right food

We recommend that dogs and cats are fed at least the majority of their diet as a premium veterinary brand food. These dry and canned foods are complete and balanced, having been carefully formulated by PhD certified or board-certified veterinary nutritionists and food scientists to meet guidelines for ingredient quality, food safety and adequate macronutrients (protein, fats and carbohydrates) and micronutrients (vitamins and minerals) necessary for long-term health.

If your pet has any special dietary requirements, we’d recommend having a chat with our vet team for more personalised advice. We can make recommendations on appropriate prescription diets for particular health concerns, or provide advice on how to select a quality commercial diet for your pet. For pets on home-cooked diets, we can refer you to a certified veterinary nutrition service to help ensure that your pet’s diet is complete and balanced in the long term.

Good dental hygiene

Regular home dental hygiene is important for keeping periodontal disease at bay – this is the gum and jaw inflammation and infection that naturally develops if teeth are not kept clean. Periodontal disease will cause chronic pain for your pet (not to mention stinky breath) and can also release bacteria into their bloodstream, affecting the health of other organs, such as the heart and kidneys.

The best home dental hygiene routine involves daily care for your pet, as well as occasional veterinary dental cleaning procedures.

Depending on your pet’s temperament, home care will involve daily brushing (which is the gold standard of care) or prescription dental diets, chews or food/water supplements. Ask our team for more personalised recommendations on maintaining your pet’s dental health!

Monitoring EDUF

EDUF refers to your pet’s eating and drinking levels, and the quality and quantity of their urine and faeces. Monitoring these activities at home can often give you clues as to any potential unwellness in your pet, especially with more subtle internal illnesses which may not show other obvious symptoms in their early stages.

For instance, a persistent increase in drinking levels can be seen with health issues such as chronic kidney disease, liver disease, Cushing’s disease in dogs, hyperthyroidism in cats or diabetes.

If you notice any changes in your pet that concern you, it’s best to book an appointment with our knowledgeable team for a further assessment.

By taking good care of your pet’s mouth on a day-to-day basis, feeding a quality diet, and monitoring EDUF, you can help ensure their general health and quality of life – and that’s the tooth!