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AORANGIVETS PETS

The Small Animal Newsletter for Aorangivets
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Small Animal Newsletter 

January 2015

In this issue: 
  • Toxic Algae
  • Barley Grass Time Again
  • When is the right time to put your pet down?
  • Hayleys' Hints
Toxic Algae
Blue-Green Algae
Image courtesy of Vetscript
There is a lot of media attention at the moment about "Toxic Algae" in our local rivers. I fear this issue may even get worse with the current dry spell and the rivers drying up.
The algae, commonly known as blue-green algae or technically as Cyanobacteria are always present in our water ways, but under certain conditions (slow water flow and increase in temperature), algal blooms occur. These are seen as "mats or rafts" and can be seen floating in the water or on the adjacent shingle.
Dogs are particularly susceptible to the toxins.
Poisoning occurs by eating or chewing the mats, and the signs of poisoning may include lethargy, muscle tremors, frothing, convulsions and unfortunately often death.
Thankfully, we have seen very few confirmed cases of Toxic Algae Poisoning, but it is not a reason to be complacent. I have attached a link to the ecan information site, that gives up to date information on the presence of toxic algae. If you are considering taking your dog to the river, please check this site before you go. 
http://ecan.govt.nz/services/online-services/monitoring/swimming-water-quality/Pages/river-warnings.aspx
Barley Grass Time Again
Here is my usual seasonal warning. We are now seeing large numbers of dogs with barley grasses needing to be removed. Just yesterday we had one poor dog that had 14 grass awns under the skin of the arm pits and in the ears!
 
The typical places we find barley grass is between the toes or armpits where you will often see a small oozing hole that the dog is constantly licking or in the ears.
The treatment is to remove the barley grass obviously, and treat the animal with antibiotics. They will normally require an anaesthetic to remove them.
Prevention:
  1. Not taking your dog to areas where barley grass is present.
  2. Trim the fur away between the toes, under the arm pits and under the ears.
  3. Make it a daily ritual to check the feet and ears for barley grass.
 It is much easier to remove the seeds before they penetrate the skin. 
When is the right time to put your pet down?
In veterinary medicine we have the ability to perform euthanasia on animals. This is a task that we as vets don’t take lightly. It breaks our hearts when we have to put down healthy animals that have outgrown their owner’s requirements, but we cannot re-home.
 
We do have the ability to stop suffering through the judicious use of euthanasia however.
 
When an animal is suffering due to an acute accident, or an acute disease condition, especially where there is no cure, or if the cure is unachievable due to financial considerations, the decision for euthanasia is simple.
 
The difficult ones to make a call on are the animals with chronic conditions. Just when is the right time.
 
I rationalize it like this:
 
My first priority is to prevent suffering. I prefer to put the animal down before it is suffering, not once the condition has become severe enough to make the animal miserable.
Here is the dilemma though. When does this occur?
 
The kind of questions we should be asking are:
  • Is the animal mobile (can it get around to perform normal daily requirements like eating and going to the toilet)
  • Is the animal still eating
  • Are there any open sores (wounds or pressure sores)
 
The other thing I am very aware of is the emotional turmoil the owners are going through. As a rule, if an owner has made the decision to put their pet down due to health reasons and I consider any treatment to keep the animal alive will be painful, on going or not very successful, I will normally not try to talk them out of that decision.
 
The hardest part of this whole process is physically bringing the animal to the clinic to be put down, so I am reluctant to send the owner away only to go through the same dilemma at a later date.
 
The other advice I give is that if the decision has been made, act now. I feel there is nothing worse than putting a future date on the euthanasia, and then every day up until that date, looking at the animal in the knowledge of what is coming up for it. This is a personal decision though.
 
Just a final reminder that we often undertake the euthanasia at the pets’ home. Some people like this because it causes less disruption and anxiety to the pet.
 
If you do have to have your pet put down, don’t forget that cremation is a popular option. We can organize this through the clinic.
 
Hayleys' Hints
Royal Canin Anallergenic Food for dogs with skin conditions.

Royal Canin have recently introduced a new food for aiding in the treatment of dogs with allergic skin conditions. We have a number of dogs on this food, and are having encouraging results with a number of these.

If your dog has an ongoing skin condition, come and talk to us and we will see whether this food may be an appropriate part of your dogs treatment.

Below is a quick overview of the food:

Anallergenic is formulated to assist in the management of severe adverse food reactions in dogs. The complete diet includes hydrolised protein sources and carefully selected carbohydrates to reduce skin and digestive reactions.

Recommended for (indications):

  • Food intolerances 
  • Food elimination trials
  • Food allergies with dermological and/or gastro intestinal signs 
  • Inflammatory bowel disease 

Not recommended for (contraindications): 

  • Pregnancy, lactation and growth 
  • Pancreatitis or hyperlipidaemia 

Feeding Advice

Feed Anallergenic for 3 to 8 weeks. If signs of intolerance disappear, this diet can be used indefinitely. It is recommended that a veterinarian’s opinion be sought before use or before extending the period of use.

Key Benefits:

 

OLIGOPEPTIDES

The protein is broken into smaller pieces (with a very  low molecular weight) to reduce the risk of allergic reactions.

 
 

 

ALLERGEN RESTRICTION

Manufactured in a strictly controlled production process to minimise contamination.

 
 

 

SKIN BARRIER

Supports the barrier function of the skin with a patented complex (of five special nutrients). 

 
 

 

ANTIOXIDANT COMPLEX

The patented antioxidant complex helps fight free radicals, maintain healthy DNA and promotes a healthy immune system. 

What happened when the cat ate a ball of wool?
She had mittens!

What do cat actors say on stage?
Tabby or not tabby!

Why did the poor dog chase his own tail? 
He was trying to make both ends meet!

What did the cat say when he lost all his money?
I'm paw!

What is the cat's favourite TV show?
The evening mews!

What happens when it rains cats and dogs? 
You can step in a poodle!

How is cat food sold?
Usually purr can!

What's the unluckiest kind of cat to have?
A catastrophe!

What do you get if you cross a cat with a tree?
A cat-a-logue!

If there is H2O on the inside of a fire hydrant, what is on the outside? 
K9P.

What do you call a cat with eight legs that likes to swim?
An octopuss!

Why did the cat join the Red Cross?
Because she wanted to be a first-aid kit

Why did the snowman call his dog Frost?
Because frost bites !

Copyright © 2015 Aorangi Veterinary Services Ltd, All rights reserved.


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