Benalla Veterinary Clinic
16 Church Street
Benalla, VIC, 3672
admin@benallavetclinic.com.au
www.benallavetclinic.com.au
Phone: 03 5762 2788

NEWSFEED 

CHRISTMAS & NEW YEAR HOLIDAYS – The clinic will be closed from Christmas Day (Sunday 25^th Deccember) and re-open at 8.30am Wednesday 28^th December 2016. We will also be closed on Monday 2nd January 2017 for New Years Day.

A vet will be on call for emergencies at all times as normal for emergencies.

For emergency help please call (03) 5762 2788 and leave a short message with a return phone number.

In this month's newsletter we have a short article with a video about the 'keyhole' procedures for dogs. We are now able to offer this exciting minimally invasive surgery which is terrific news for pets.  Pain and trauma from surgery is greatly reduced togther with a faster recovery using this technology.

Speaking of which it is timely to mention our Facebook page because over there you will be able to not only enter our monthly competitions, but also we think you will find the tips on pet health and livestock issues interesting, with regular posts several times weekly.  And don't forget to pop over and check our information available on the Benalla Vet Clinic website as well. 

We’d love for you to share your experience with Benalla Vet Clinic by reviewing us on Google. Please click here to write a review and give the clinic a Christmas present! (note: you will need a Google account).

If you’re not sure what to write consider including:

• what services we provided
• why you chose our practice
• what was good about your experience

Tiny Wounds = Less Pain = Speedy Recovery

Nutters is a delightful young Rex rabbit who, like many unlucky bunnies, has developed a nasty problem with his incisor teeth over the last year.  His upper incisors, which are constantly growing, have an altered shape and course. His upper left incisor has a 90 degree twist, while the right upper incisor grows out laterally as demonstrated in the picture.

When his teeth grow to this point he is unable to eat properly, and often the first foods to not be eaten are those fibrous foods like hay and grass which really require biting front teeth.  This is a serious problem for rabbits who need to have a large proportion of their diet made up of these high fibre foods to allow their intestinal tract health to be maintained.  Many bunnies with these dental problems will consequently have weight loss problems and if not given timely dental treatment, develop ulcerations in their lip skin, which are painful and further reduce eating.

Nutters comes in on a regular 6 - 7 week roster to have his teeth timmed and reshaped using our high speed tiny dental burrs. This enables him to resume normal eating immediately.  This process is well tolerated in rabbits who usually do not need any sedation for this painless process - the pulp (containing the nerve fibers of the teeth are not touched and a fine water spray ensures the teeth are cooled during this quick, low cost procedure. 

For some rabbits with particularly bad dentition, extraction of the upper and lower incisiors is the best course of action, and they are able to still eat the correct diet with some human help (chopping up the hay and other foods so that they are small enough to be grasped.

If you have a rabbit, feel free to bring him down to the clinic for a FREE dental health check up with one of our qualified vet nurses so that any problems can be alleviated.  Check our website for more bunny health tips.

We are very excited to announce our new surgical 'keyhole' service and explain what it is all about for your pets. 

Minimally invasive surgery is what it is all about - making tiny entry incisions into body cavities in order to be able to view inside an animal for diagnosis and then to operate.  An instrument called a rigid endoscope with a video camera attached is passed through a cannula to allow entry into the abdomen (laproscopy) or the chest (thoracoscopy). Usually one or more extra cannulas are placed nearby to allow specialised long and narrow surgical intruments to be used, most of which have a diathermy function to enable blood vessels to be sealed and cut.

This sort of surgery although more difficult to master is much better and safer for animals. It causes less surgical trauma and so less pain, with greater surgical accuracy achievable due to the magnified images. All of this leads to a happy animal who will achieve a speedy recovery with minimal discomfort.

We have produced a short video to demonstrate what it looks like inside a dog undergoing laproscopic surgery, including speying (desexing), gastropexy of the stomach and liver biopsy.  Please do not watch it if surgical images upset you! 

Call us to discuss this new modality if you would like more information on (03)5762 2788 and visit our website.

There are already plenty of snakes about so we are asking our clients to be extra vigilant. 

Different species of snakes possess different types of venom and these can cause varying symptoms that appear anywhere from 15 minutes to 24 hours after a bite.

Early signs might include:

• Salivation (drooling)
• Enlarged pupils
• Vomiting
• Hind limb weakness
• Rapid breathing
• Depression

How you can help your pet survive a snake bite:

• Seek veterinary attention immediately, even if you only suspect your pet has been bitten. It is better that your pet is checked over rather than wait and be sorry
• If your pet has been bitten on the neck remove his collar
• Keep your pet quiet and still - this is critical to help reduce movement of the venom around the body
• Do not attempt treatment options such as cold packs, ice, tourniquets, alcohol, bleeding the wound or trying to suck out venom in place of getting your pet to the vet - they are a waste of precious time

NEVER attempt to kill, handle or capture the snake as you risk being bitten too. 

For more information on snake bite signs, visit http://www.benallavetclinic.com.au/SnakeBiteGuide.aspx

The most simple way to make sure your pet is comfy this summer is to prevent itchy skin.

Allergies to fleas, grasses, trees, plant pollen, dust mites and moulds as well as certain foods can all set off an itchy and scratchy show at your house! 

Itchy dogs will bite, lick or scratch with their legs however a cat will constantly lick at particular areas, causing hair loss. This quickly leads to self-trauma of the skin which causes secondary infections that require medication.

Our top skin care tips:  

• Be vigilant with flea treatment all year round. Fleas are THE major cause of an itchy pet and regular use of a flea treatment is easier (and cheaper) than fixing the itch. Ask us for the best flea treatment available
• A premium diet balanced in essential fatty acids is essential in keeping your pet's skin and coat in top shape. This will provide a good barrier against allergens - ask us for a recommendation.  Royal Canin Skin Support diet is an excellent choice for allergic, itchy dogs.
• Always wash your dog in pet approved shampoo and conditioner - we have these available all year round 
• An antihistamine or a medication to help reduce the immune system's response to the allergen can reduce the itch - we can provide you with more information so enquire now

If you have an itchy pet at your house it is best arrange an appointment with us. We will help keep your pet happy and healthy this summer.  

Alpacas and llamas originate from high altitude climates in South America. They are hardy, intelligent and have an innate dislike of canids (e.g. dogs and foxes). Their hostility towards dogs, coupled with strong herding behaviours, makes them suitable for use as livestock guardians.

The species they protect does not seem to matter - they will even defend chooks! Once llamas and alpacas have established a paddock as ‘their territory’ and have bonded with the livestock or poultry, they work hard to ensure the paddock stays clear of canids.

Considering employing an alpaca or llama to defend your flock? Here are a few things you should know:

• Alpacas & llamas don’t fully develop their protective instinct until 18 months of age

• Gelding alpacas and llamas is necessary to prevent them mounting ewes

• Ideally introduce them to the flock 6 weeks before lambing so they have time to settle and bond

• Use between 1 and 3 animals per flock of sheep. Alpacas and llamas tend to form social species groups with any more than 3, and won’t protect

• Alpacas and llamas need a drenching regime the same as the sheep flock, which is ideally executed based on faecal egg counts

• Vaccination is required every 6 months with 5-in-1

• They require Vitamin D injections. This is done more frequently in crias, and generally just once in July for adults

For any questions about the health of your alpacas and llamas, please give us a call.

Feline AIDS is caused by the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which affects the immune system of cats.

The virus acts in the same way as the human form of HIV, destroying the immune system and leaving a cat susceptible to infections, disease and cancers. Once a cat has been infected, FIV can then progress to feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as Feline AIDS.

The virus is spread from cat to cat through saliva, often via a cat bite wound. A mother cat can also pass the virus to her kittens across the placenta or through her milk. FIV cannot be transferred to humans.

Close to 30% of cats in Australia are thought to be FIV positive and the scary thing is, any cat that ventures outside and has contact with an infected cat is at risk. 

Can we prevent the disease?

Cats that are kept inside 100% of the time are generally safe, that is unless they accidentally escape. This is not uncommon so why put your cat at risk? Thankfully there is a vaccine available to help prevent FIV infection. All cats require an initial course of three vaccinations and then yearly boosters to maintain protection.

Ask us for more information if you are worried about your cat or would like to commence this vaccination program.

It's fun to involve your pet in the Christmas and New Year celebrations so here are our top tips on how to keep them safe. 

Paws off the following
Chocolate, grapes, raisins and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. Always keep your pets away from the Christmas table (Christmas ham is very attractive) and secure the lids on rubbish bins. Christmas cake is definitely off limits and please don't leave edible gifts under the tree! Remember that cats should be kept away from the sweet-smelling Christmas lilies as these can cause kidney failure even if just a small amount of the plant is ingested.

Leave leftovers off the menu
Don't be tempted to feed your pet leftovers - most are too fatty for our pets and can cause upset tummies and nasty episodes of painful pancreatitis. Never feed cooked bones and watch out for skewered meat that falls from the BBQ. 

O Christmas tree
Secure your Christmas tree so it doesn't tip or fall. Don't let your pet access tree water and keep any wires and batteries out of paws' reach. Tinsel and Christmas lights: Kitties love these sparkly "toys" but if swallowed they can lead to an obstructed digestive tract.

Fear the fireworks 
If you know fireworks are scheduled, plan ahead. Keep your dog indoors and put him in a room with a television or radio turned up. If possible have a family member stay with him during the fireworks. Make sure all windows closed and all exits secure. Speak to us if you are concerned about your dog's firework anxiety, as we will be able to offer you some more helpful advice.