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October Email Newsletter |
October 2015 |
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01 CASE OF THE MONTH |
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Dusty is a lovely 9 ½ year old Cocker Spaniel who we treated recently because he had been scratching his ears. During the examination we discovered an oral mass growing on his upper left jaw. This growth, unbeknownst to the owners, must have arisen over the last few months since his last check up.
A quick decision was made to remove the mass on the grounds that most rapidly growing lumps in the mouth are nasty (malignant or locally invasive). The surgery required the use of an oscillating bone saw to remove a large portion of the left upper jaw bone (partial maxillectomy), as well as multiple adjacent teeth so that clear margins free from the growth could be achieved.
Dusty amazed everyone by happily eating the day after his major surgery. His wounds have healed beautifully and his facial features are only slightly altered. His ear incidently, also responded very well to treatment for a bacterial infection.
Dusty's pathology report was also very positive, with the mass (an ossifying fibromatous epulis) having been totally removed with little chance of regrowth.
It really does pay to look inside your pet’s mouth on a regular basis. Droopy lips can hide large problems!
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02 Calving - What is normal? When do I call the vet! |
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Getting live calves on the ground is critical for successful cattle production.
Approximately 90% of difficult calvings (dystocias) are due to the calf being relatively oversized for the cow or heifer. Surprisingly only 5% are due to abnormal presentations and other factors like maternal fatigue, deformities and uterine problems.
Stage One: The cervix starts to open and uterine contractions become regular, causing signs of discomfort and restlessness. She may get up and down frequently, arch her back and lift her tail. You may see a mucous 'string' hanging from her vulva We recommend checking her internally or calling your vet if a cow has been restless for 12 hours without progressing to straining.
Stage Two: Begins with the onset of abdominal contractions (straining) and the rupture of foetal membranes (seen as fluid spilling from the vagina). 70 minutes is the average time for this stage, but it ranges from 30 minutes to 4 hours and ends with birth. Heifers normally take longer in stage two than cows.
If a cow has been straining for 30 - 60 minutes without any progress, please consult your veterinarian. For heifers, you could allow 2 – 3 hours.
Stage Three: Begins once the calf is born and ends when foetal membranes (afterbirth) have been passed. This may take up to a week. We recommend a veterinary visit if the afterbirth has not been expelled after 5 days, or earlier if the animal appears unwell as infections are common.
Our veterinarians are well trained to assist with all calving problems.
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03 Kidney disease is thirsty work |
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If your pet is thirstier than usual it could be a sign of kidney disease. Sometimes the increase in thirst can be subtle but if you find yourself filling up the water bowl more regularly, or notice your pet drinking from the shower or toilet, you should arrange a check up with us.
The kidneys contain thousands of little factories called nephrons and their job is to work out how much water should be conserved in the body. Once damaged or destroyed, nephrons do not function properly and can't regenerate. As a result, the body doesn't conserve enough water so your pet will need to drink more to stay hydrated.
Toxins, drugs, diseases or even just old age can harm the nephrons, and your pet may not show any signs until 75% of these nephrons are damaged.
Other than increased thirst watch out for:
- increased urination
- weight loss
- vomiting
- lethargy
Many other diseases present with similar signs to kidney disease (such as diabetes) so it is important that we investigate further. Measuring your pet's water intake over 24 hours and bringing us a morning urine sample are two things you can do to get the investigation process started. A blood test, urine testing and a measure of your pet's blood pressure may then be necessary.
If we detect that your pet's kidneys are not working properly, the earlier we initiate treatment the better.
It's best to arrange an appointment with us as soon as possible if you notice any changes in your pet's thirst.
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04 What to do about equine eye injuries and ulcers |
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Eye problems in horses are common and can be severe. Severe cases can result in vision loss or require the removal of a chronically painful eye. Quickly recognising the signs of eye pain is crucial in maximising the chances of effective treatment and speedy recovery.
Horses with painful eyes appear to be squinting as the muscles controlling the eyelids spasm, closing the eye. Discharge or weeping can often occur with damage to the surface of the eye, or conjunctivitis. An ulcer is an area where the protective surface of the tissue is missing.
We all know how painful a sore eye can be, especially if something is stuck in there. Only the most cooperative of horses will let us thoroughly examine the eye without sedation. Grass seeds and other foreign bodies can become lodged deep under the eyelids (including the third eyelid) making them difficult to find and remove.
After sedating the horse we will thoroughly examine the eye and under the eyelids. Staining the eye with a fluorescent dye will allow us to see defects to the surface not otherwise visible. An special tool called an opthalmascope may be used to see the internal structures of the eye, which are important for vision.
After thoroughly assessing the eye a treatment plan can be begun. Treatment often involves application of ointment or drops containing antibiotics and atropine. Antibiotics are used to prevent or treat any infection that can develop on or below the surface of the eye. Atropine helps to dilate the pupil, aiding treatment and providing pain relief. Some horses will become very difficult to treat and in some cases a treatment tube can be surgically placed to make treatment much easier.
Uncomplicated eye injuries or ulcers often improve quickly with the above treatment. In addition to topical ointments or drops we will often prescribe pain relief. Severe complications are rare with eye injuries but given the importance of the eye to a horse we should be proactive in seeking prompt veterinary attention.
Please contact us if your horse’s eye remains painful after treatment.
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05 Top tips on bathing your dog |
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We thought we'd share our top tips for making bath time easier with your pooch.
1. Choose the right shampoo - never use human shampoo (even baby shampoo) as it's the wrong pH for your pooch. If your dog is itchy, oily or has sensitive skin, we can recommend the most suitable shampoo for your dog.
2. Pop some cotton wool in your dog's ears to prevent any water sneaking into the canal - don't forget to take it out after you've finished.
3. Provide a non slip surface - put a towel on the bottom of the bath, or a non slip mat to help your dog feel more secure and prevent slipping.
4. Place a towel over your dog to prevent water going everywhere when the inevitable shake occurs.
5. Jam some steel wool in the plug hole to catch the wet fur and make cleaning up easier.
If you need any more information about bathing your dog you can always ask us for the most up to date advice. We'll even make sure your dog is clean enough to sleep in your bed!
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The Fine Print |
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This email contains comments of a general nature only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. It should not be relied on as the basis for whether you do or don't do anything. |
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All content © Pet Pack 2015
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