NEWSFEED

This month we say farewell to Dr Becky Hallett, who has been with us for the last three exciting years. She is to start work in Hamilton shortly, where she will further her interest in sheep medicine. We wish all the best for her new adventure and we will all miss her! 

We will be welcoming Dr Ellie Duncan to the practice in August as our new vet team member. Ellie will bring with her a broad range of skills including her exciting special interests - the small and furry (rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs) and the slithery creatures (retiles, amphibians)!

Continuing down the welcoming path, what a great relief it has been to finally see some rain again. However once again farmers need to be vigilant and look out for grass tetany on those cold overcast days, and also ensure worm burdens are being managed with approriate drenching.  We strongly advise a Para-site worm count be down before problems start and before drenching.

Dr Becky Hallett examining a young lamb outside Benalla Vet Clinic, and below with a kid she recently delivered (one of three!).

Vomiting and diarrhoea are two words most people don't want to talk about, let alone have to deal with when it comes to their pet. Thankfully, we have a summary of what you need to know so you don't have to dwell on these words for too long!

Most dogs and cats suffer from either (or both) of these at some point in their life. A common cause is 'dietary indiscretion' which is just our way of saying your pet ate something he shouldn't.

If your pet has a vomit or a bout of diarrhoea you should withhold food for a few hours (gastric rest), offer fluids for rehydration and feed a bland diet for a few days. After this, your pet will most likely recover without a problem.

Unfortunately there are times when vomiting and diarrhoea become a little more serious and that's when you need to call on us.

You should seek advice if your pet:

• Vomits more than once
• Has multiple bouts of diarrhoea
• Seems lethargic or is off his food
• Might have ingested something he shouldn't
• Has been losing weight recently

If you have a puppy or a kitten with diarrhoea or vomiting we recommend you get them checked with us no matter what as their little bodies don't have much reserve and they can go downhill very quickly.

It's best to ask us for advice if you are concerned about your pet. We might not be able to clean your carpet but we can help put your mind to rest!

Pancreatitis is a painful and potentially life threatening condition and requires veterinary attention as soon as possible.

The pancreas releases enzymes to help digestion. These enzymes usually don't start to work until they reach the small intestine but if a dog has pancreatitis, these enzymes become active as soon as they are released. This causes inflammation to the surrounding tissue and organs. In severe cases, the enzymes start to digest the pancreas itself causing extreme pain.

Knowing the signs can enable us to start treatment quickly and effectively and help reduce the severity of the condition.

Watch out for:

• Hunched back
• Vomiting
• Lethargy
• Appears uncomfortable or bloated in abdomen
• Diarrhoea
• Not wanting to eat

A high-fat diet is a major cause of pancreatitis, especially for a dog who gets a large helping of fatty food in one sitting (such as human left overs or a rich marrow bone).

Obesity, hypothyroidism, diabetes and certain medications or other toxins can also predispose a dog to pancreatitis. Some breeds such as miniature schnauzers are also more susceptible indicating there may be a genetic component. 

Treatment involves intensive fluid therapy, anti vomiting drugs, gastric rest and then reintroduction of a low fat food, often for life. A dog that has had a bout of pancreatitis is much more susceptible to repeat attacks in the future so diet management is essential.

We are always happy to answer any question you have about your pet's health. Ask us today.

Are you aware of some of the potential doggy dangers out there? We've compiled a quick list for you below.

This list is not complete and these are just a few of the hazards we find people forget about or are not aware of.

Grapes, sultanas and raisins: induce kidney failure in some dogs

Macadamia nuts: cause weakness, vomiting and diarrhoea

Avocados: lead to a stomach upset and the pip can also cause an obstruction if ingested

Onions, leeks, garlic and chives: ingestion leads to destruction of red blood cells

Chewing gum: contains Xylitol and this can cause weakness and seizures

Apricot, cherry and peach pips and apple seeds: contain cyanide and may cause poisoning

Corn on the cob: the corn might be digested, but the cob may lodge in the small intestine causing a blockage

Chocolate: you've probably heard this before, but remember chocolate is toxic to dogs and ingestion of just a small amount can be fatal - cooking chocolate and dark chocolate are the most dangerous

Rodent bait: can lead to blood clotting problems 3-14 days after ingestion

Snail bait: can cause seizures and even death 

Stockings, undies, socks: are all attractive to dogs and can cause a nasty intestinal obstruction

If you think your dog might have ingested something that's on this list you should seek veterinary advice immediately. 

Cats can be a bit fussier when it comes to what they will and won't eat but they can of course get themselves into trouble too.

Again, this list is also not complete and if you are worried about your cat you should always ask us for advice. 

Watch out for:

Household products: chicken bones, dental floss, yarn, string, lights and tinsel can lead to intestinal blockages

Certain chemicals: taste especially good to cats. Keep these locked away: antifreeze, bleach, detergents, fertilisers, herbicides, insect spray (e.g.ant rid) and rodent bait

Common houseplants: can be hazardous to your cat's health: lilies can cause kidney failure, and poinsettias and tulips can also cause problems

Human medicines: medicines such as paracetamol and antidepressants pose a serious threat to your cat, so keep them in a place they can’t get into 

Dog flea and tick medication: a cat that shares a house with a dog that has had supermarket pyrethrin flea treatment is at risk. These can KILL your cat. Ask us for the safest flea prevention for ALL of your pets 

If you think your cat might have ingested something toxic you should phone us for advice.

Calves display their health with behaviour, posture and physical traits. When assessing calves, all workers on farm need to have a consistent routine that is followed every day. This enables fast disease detection, good treatment outcomes and quick action to prevent larger outbreaks of disease.

Initially a group assessment is performed. This is often done while feeding. An assessment is made of the distribution of the calves in the pen, their hair coat, condition and cleanliness. Any calves hanging back definitely need checking.

A more thorough examination is then done on individual calves in this manner - ears, eyes, nose and tail. If you have any concerns, please call us.

Ears – should be parallel to the ground in the resting calf. Asymmetry indicates ear infections, and ears pointing to the ground in an awake calf is an early sign of disease. There should be no discharge from the ear. Their ears should be erect and responsive to sound. 

Eyes – should be bright and shiny with minimal discharge and no cloudiness on the cornea. They should not be squinting, and their eyes should be in contact with their eyelid.

Nose – should be wet and shiny. Minimal mucous should be present, and if it is, it should be clear with no colour or odour. Ulcers, sores and wounds are signs of disease. Calves lick their nose frequently and breath through their nose. Open mouth breathing is a late sign of disease or heat stress. Saliva should not hang from the mouth, nor should a calf’s tongue poke out past its lips.

Tail – A calf’s tail should wag in all directions. Observe for loss of hair, scalding, flies and wetness and faecal staining down the tail.