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

Welcome to the very first edition of our email newsletter. We’re all very excited about delivering interesting, useful and timely monthly articles. Content will mainly focus on smaller companion animals and there will also be seasonal reminder articles for the livestock producers as well.

We also have launched our new website -  www.benallavetclinic.com.au and we also have a Facebook page, which we will be regularly updating. We hope you find our web presence useful, entertaining and interesting. Please email any feedback about any of our services to help us with ongoing improvement at admin@benallavetclinic.com.au.

Our happy and friendly staff are always here to help you!

September’s Case Of The Month is about Samuel, a 12 year old Mini Foxie who came in for his bi-annual routine teeth scale and polish. Luckily, with the aid of our new digital dental X-ray facility, some hidden and serious dental problems were identified and resolved. X-rays revealed multiple tooth root degeneration and even a painful crown fracture. Typical of many dogs, Samuel had hidden these problems from his owner. Sometimes dogs and cats will have foul smelling breath as a result of dirty teeth and gum infections, which was the case with Samuel.  Dogs rarely stop eating until their pain reaches an unbearable level.

Dental X-ray technology allowed the vet to remove Samuel's problematic teeth, even when those same teeth appeared normal on the surface.

Dental X-rays are now being used routinely at our clinic to ensure optimum care for your pets. 

Pinkeye (Infectious Bovine Keratoconjunctivitis) is a highly contagious eye disease of cattle causing severe pain to the animal as well as significant economic loss.

Organisms involved:  Bacteria species - Moraxella Bovis, M. lacunata, M cattarrhalis, Mycoplasma.

How does this occur?

The bacteria attach to the surface of the eye (cornea) producing a toxin which causes erosion, infection and severe inflammation, which can lead to temporary or permanent blindness.

Predisposing factors:  

• High stocking rates/overcrowding, Flies, Ultraviolet light, Long grass - which scratches eyes, Dust, Pigmentation (more common in non-pigmented eyes- Herefords), Poor immunity.

What to look out for:

• Increased tear production (initially)
• Eye closure /squinting
• Clouding of the cornea sometimes with a central white spot (ulceration)
• Colour change from white to pink, and finally to yellow

Prevention:

Piliguard is a vaccination for prevention of pinkeye. It works by blocking attachment of bacteria to the cornea in order to prevent infection.

When do I vaccinate?

• 3-6 weeks prior to the onset of pinkeye season
• A single 2ml dose subcutaneous (under skin) or intramuscular (into muscle) injection.
• Annual vaccination is recommended

Please call us now to order your Piligard vaccine.  Don't be caught short!

With a focus on portly pets this month, we've got the perfect YouTube video to share with you. Do you have a guilty pet in your household? 

Is your canine companion a couch potato or your feline friend a bit flabby? Your pet is not alone as more than 50% of our pets are overweight.

Carrying a few extra kilos puts our pets at risk of heart disease, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and diabetes. The scary thing is that most people aren’t even aware that their pet is overweight.

Watch out for:

• When you look down from above, your pet will have lost definition of his waist. Instead of an hourglass figure he might look more like an egg, or even a barrel on legs!
• You can no longer ‘easily’ feel his ribs when you run your hands over his sides
• A very obese pet may have neck fat, a pendulous tummy as well as fat over the hips

The very best way to determine whether your pet is overweight is to drop in for a weight check with us. This will allow us to score your pet’s body condition and, if necessary, start a weight management plan.

Getting your pet to lose weight is easier than you think! Physical exercise will help but it is crucial you are feeding your pet the correct diet and the right amount - something we can help you out with. There are diets available that will actually help your pet lose weight - including one to increase your pet’s metabolic rate.

Remember, when it comes to fighting the flab, we are here to help. 

It might be tempting to feed your pet human scraps as a treat but you may be doing them harm and causing excessive weight gain.

Keep this calorie translator in mind when you are having trouble saying ‘no’ to those adorable eyes!

For a 10kg dog:

• One biscuit = 1 hamburger for a human
• 30g piece of cheese = 1.5 hamburgers for a human
• One hot dog = 2.5 hamburgers for a human

For a 5kg cat:

• One potato chip = ½ a hamburger for a human
• 30g piece cheese = 2.5 hamburgers for a human
• A glass of milk = 3 hamburgers for a human!

Drop in at any time and we'll weigh your pet. We'll also advise you on treats that are suitable for your pet and are light on calories. 

Spring has sprung and with new shoots in the garden there may also be snail bait about.

Snail bait pellets look just like dog kibble so dogs often eat the pellets by mistake. Even so called “pet friendly” products are dangerous for animals.

There are three types of snail bait:

1. Metaldehyde- green pellets
2. Methiocarb - blue pellets
3. Iron EDTA (Multiguard) - brown/yellow pellets

Metaldehyde and methiocarb act on the nervous system causing increased stimulation and can be fatal if immediate veterinary treatment is not given.

Multiguard is less toxic but can cause gastrointestinal issues such as vomiting and diarrhoea, or may cause damage to the liver, spleen, heart, kidneys or brain. Treatment is still recommended.

Signs of snail bait poisoning to look out for:

• Excessive drooling
• Depression or restlessness
• Rapid heart rate & panting
• Vomiting & diarrhoea
• Muscle tremors
• Seizures

If your pet has ingested (or you think your pet might have ingested) snail bait, call us immediately for advice.

Heart disease tends to sneak up on pets and clinical signs might not appear until your pet is in serious trouble.

Knowing the signs of heart disease and starting treatment early can make a big difference to your pet's quality of life and longevity.

The most common form of heart disease leads to a failure of the pumping mechanism of the heart. It is often referred to as congestive failure as it results in pooling of blood in the lungs and other organs.

Look out for these signs

In both dogs and cats:

• Laboured or fast breathing (get to know your pet’s sleeping respiration rate - SRR)
• An enlarged abdomen
• Weight loss or poor appetite

In dogs only:

• Coughing, especially at night or after lying down
• A reluctance to exercise and tiring more easily on walks
• Weakness or fainting associated with exercise

If you think your pet might be showing signs of heart disease, call us for an appointment. Early treatment of this insidious disease will help your pet love a longer and happier life.