Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic Blog
Our top tips and useful information regarding pet and animal health…
Roundworm
Toxocara canis is the most common roundworm of the domestic dog, and it is not able to infect cats (cats have their own species of roundworm). Its presence can go completely without symptoms although more often it creates diarrhoea, vomiting, poor growth, pot-belly and weight loss in the canine host. Sometimes the sheer volume of infection can cause such poor nutrition, even bowel blockage, and can lead to death.
Rat Bait
As we move into the cooler weather, we will do anything to escape the cold….. so do those pesky rodents! We all know how frustrating mice and rats can be, causing absolute chaos to our homes and property. Unfortunately it can also be the case for our furry friends. They will eat it, despite what the packaging states. It is a condition to be taken seriously and early diagnosis and treatment may prove life-saving.
Senior Health Checks
As our pets get older they can be more prone to certain medical issues and may need a bit more attention.
There are many issues that can affect our pets as they age and, as with all things, if we pick these early we can stop the progression and help your pet to live a longer, happier and more comfortable life.
Ticks
In Tasmania we have one type of Ixodes tick which can cause paralysis. Though generally not as severe as their mainland sisters, they can still cause paralysis and ultimately death of your pet if left untreated.
Female ticks attach onto the skin and secrete saliva into the bite site to prevent blood clotting so that they can have a nice long drink of blood. The saliva contains toxins which lead to paralysis. The long nerves are affected first – the hind legs and voice are usually the first areas to show change. Over time the paralysis creeps forward from the back legs until the entire body, including breathing muscles, are affected. Sometimes the toxins can directly affect the heart.
Fleas
These small insects cause our pets grief by crawling through their coat and biting them.
Cat and dog fleas particularly like to feed from cats and dogs but can bite people if the opportunity arises. Rabbit fleas prefer rabbits but will also attach to the ears of cats.
Ear Infections in Dogs
Ear infections are very common in dogs and those cute floppy-eared pets are much more susceptible than those with upright ears. Unlike humans, the ear canal of a dog is almost vertical, making it easy to retain moisture and debris.
Cat Flu
After infection with feline herpes virus or calicivirus, cats develop lifelong immunity but may shed the virus intermittently. The flu is spread from cat to cat via oral, nasal or ocular secretions. This may be directly or indirectly. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs, vaccination history and virus isolation or bacterial culture with lab testing.
Blue Tongue Lizards
There probably isn’t an Australian out there who hasn’t at least once in their life crossed paths with a blue tongue lizard in the wild. Their fearless but sedentary natures and placid personalities make them a popular pet.
Bengal Cat
The beauty of wild cats has always been attractive to people, so efforts were made to breed one of the wild cats to a domestic cat in order to have a wild-appearing but gentle-tempered domestic cat. To this end, the first hybridization of the Asian Leopard cat and Domestic Tabby cats were undertaken in the early 1960s in the United States.
Rabbit Vaccination
Rabbit Calicivirus is a disease which damages the rabbit's internal organs such as the liver and gut and can also cause bleeding. Calicivirus is spread from direct contact with wild rabbits, The virus may also be carried by the wind or by flies, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Keeping Birds Cool in Summer
Heat, stress and dehydration can be fatal, and small animals such as birds are especially susceptible. Hot humid days are especially dangerous, as heat loss is reduced in high humidity. Most birds have a body temperature of about 40 degrees, which is higher than that of mammals.
Grooming
~ The Importance of grooming your Dog ~
Brushing and combing your dogs coat is an important part of general pet care
Exotic Short Hair
The Exotic Shorthair cat breed is a mid-century masterpiece, developed in the 1950s to be a shorthaired version of the Persian cat. Persian breeders crossed their prize-winning kitties with American Shorthairs and boom the Exotic Shorthair cat breed was born!
Feliway
Pheromones are chemical messengers used for communication between members of a species. The pheromones emitted by one individual can affect and change the behaviour of other individuals of the same species.
Cat Aggression
Animals of many species strive to expel or keep out other individuals from their territory, and cats are no exception. Both male and female cats are territorial, but males may defend larger territories than females.
Train your Dogs Responses
All dogs have many different triggers that can cause a fear response. Unfamiliar dogs and people are common triggers. Loud noises can also be very problematic for fearful dogs. Fireworks are especially terrifying, trucks, motorbikes and excessively noisy cars can also be problematic.
Compassion
We’re feeling sad. One of our patients died.
One of the vets spent an enormous amount of their own time working on this patient. There is a feeling of deflation.
Heat Stress and Dehydration
Dogs cannot sweat through their skin as humans do, they sweat primarily from their nose and paw pads and expel heat via panting. On a hot day they can easily become overheated, signs of a heat stressed animal include excessive panting and lethargy. Avoid your dog becoming too overheated and succumbing to heatstroke.
Tips to Keep Your Short-Nosed Friend Cooler This Summer
We all know that summer can be a dangerous time for dogs. As they are susceptible to heatstress and suffer very easily. There is a breed of dog that is even more at risk than others- the Brachycephalic dog breeds, these breeds need more precautions than normal when it comes to the dangers of heat.
Parasites
The warmer weather provides the perfect breeding conditions for fleas and ticks. Breeding requires energy and energy requires food and that food is BLOOD. Fleas and ticks bite animals (and sometimes humans) and secrete saliva into the bite site to allow easy extraction of blood. This saliva can cause allergic reactions and sometimes more complicated conditions as discussed below. Prevention of fleas and ticks is the best treatment.
Our staff are wildly passionate about animals and making sure your pet is living its healthiest and happiest life
Back that passion with expert qualifications and a love of learning, and it’s safe to say your fur family is in very safe hands.