February Newsletter - Avoca Drive Animal Hospital, Australia

Avoca Drive Animal Hospital
11 Avoca Drive
February Newsletter
Erina, NSW 2251
Volume 11
February 2012
The Hot spot on Hot Spots
•
Hot spots are moist, red, raw, inflamed, hairless and itchy
lesions often around the face and neck.
•
Animals usually lick, bite or scratch them causing the area to become inflamed.
•
Hot spots are usually seen in dogs with long
hair or dense undercoats in humid weather
conditions.
•
They are often caused by an allergic reactions
or insect bites, especially fleas.
•
Other causes can include allergies, mites and
ear infections.
•
Keeping your pets coat clipped short during
summer, bathing them in a medicated shampoo and
keeping up to date with flea treatment can help prevent
hot spots.
Send us an email!
:[email protected]
Inside this issue:
Hot spots require prompt medical diagnosis & treatment, as they spread
rapidly if untreated.
Pet of the Month NUGGET
Nugget is a
handsome &
playful 2 year old
Bull Terrier.
If you would like
to enter the pet
of the month
competition send
us a photo of
your pet.
Our Vets Love Pets!
Hot Spot on Hot
Spots
1
Pet of the Month
1
Cruciate Rupture
2
Product of the
Month
2
Digging Dogs
3
Pet Myths
3
Breed Profile
4
www.avocadrivevet.com.au Phone: 4365
1028
February Newsletter
Page 2
Cruciate Rupture
What is it?
The cruciate ligaments are the bands of fibrous
tissue in each knee joint. They join the bones
above and below the knee (called the femur and
tibia)
Most dogs are middle aged or older when the
rupture occurs, however it can occur in young dogs.
Breeds commonly affected include Labradors, Rottweilers, Border Collies and German Shepherds though many small breeds can also develop cruciate ligament tears.
How does it occur?
Cruciate damage is most often seen in dogs after running and suddenly changing
direction so that the majority of the weight is taken on a single joint. The joint then
becomes unstable and causes extreme pain, resulting in lameness.
In many cases the dog was running and suddenly cries out in pain, and was then
unable to put any weight on the affected leg.
Signs include:
•
Stiffness of the limb after resting for a period of time
•
Varying degrees of lameness in a hind limb
How is it diagnosed?
Physical examination by a veterinarian and radiographs are required and will
frequently reveal the following:
•
Lameness on the limb
•
Instability of the knee
•
Swelling of the knee joint
How do I prevent it from happening to my pet?
You can help decrease the risk of your pet having a cruciate ligament rupture by
keeping your pet at a healthy weight and managing any arthritis or joint pain early
on. Seek veterinary advice for your pet specifically.
Product of the Month..
Royal Canin Skin Support Dog Food
Royal Canin Canine Skin Support Food has been specially formulated
to assist with the management of allergic skin diseases by helping to
control inflammation, reduce pruritus, minimise secondary skin
infections, providing a skin barrier and promoting skin renewal.
Our Vets Love Pets!
www.avocadrivevet.com.au Phone: 4365
1028
Page 3
February Newsletter
Digging Dogs…
Why Do Dogs Dig Holes?
Below is a list of the most common reasons your dog may be digging:
•
May be bored and digs for mental and physical stimulation.
• If your dog is digging under the fence he may be trying to get out searching for a mate. Get
them desexed, phone us for an appointment 4365 1028.
• Dogs often like to dig in freshly turned dirt (like your rose bed!). The smells are irresistible to
some dogs.
•
To dig themselves a den - much as they would have in the wild.
•
For shelter, to cool themselves down or warm themselves up.
•
May be because your dog is hunting for some little critters that live in your garden.
• For food storage purposes. While you and I prefer to use the fridge, our dogs think the garden
will do just fine.
How To Stop Dogs From Digging
• Give your dog lots of exercise, including heaps of physical and mental stimulation.
• If your dog is always digging in order to bury a bone, don't give bones! Substitute with chewing toys like rawhide bones.
• If your dog has a favorite spot he or she likes to dig you can bury some chicken wire just under the surface of this area. When your dog starts to dig he won't like the feeling of his paws
scraping along the wire.
• Some dogs just copy what they see their owners doing. So if you're working away in the garden, suddenly your dog may be interested in doing the same! Such dogs may need to be confined while you are working in the garden.
• If you've got the room a great solution for both you and your dogs is to provide them with a
digging area. You can encourage your dog to dig in this designated area. Fill it with nice soft
sand and bury some of your dog's favorite treats in it. Most dogs figure out that if they want to
dig, they must go to this area.
• If your dog is digging under the fence it may be worth filling in all the holes
in and under the fence. By blocking these outside distractions or triggers you
take away the visual temptation that your dog may be trying to get at.
Our Vets Love Pets!
www.avocadrivevet.com.au Phone: 4365
1028
February Newsletter
Page 4
PET MYTHS– ADAH MYTH BUSTERS!
1.Cats only purr when they are
happy
Yes, cats can purr when they are
happy but what a lot of people don’t
know is that cats can also purr when
they are in pain.
2. Maltese dogs are Terriers
Maltese dogs are often called Maltese terriers but this is incorrect,
they are not actually true terriers.
3. ALL tortoiseshell cats are
female
Most Tortoiseshell (Black, White
and Ginger coat colour) cats are
female but they CAN be male – approximately 1 in 3000 tortoiseshell
cats are male!
4.All cats hate water!
This may be true for most cats, but
this is untrue for some cats, especially the Turkish Van. They have
been known to LOVE water and
even enjoy swimming!
5.Garlic gets rid of fleas
There is no scientific evidence that
garlic gets rid of fleas. In fact garlic
can be toxic to pets.
Hi my name is Pebbles, I am now looking for a loving home having been taken in and
cared by Gosford Pound at Pateman Road Erina. If you can help me call Gosford Dog
Paws on 4304 4350 or us on 4365 10 28. I am unbelievably well behaved!
Breed Profile…
Breed: Abyssinian Cats
Temperament: loving, active, playful
Lifespan: 12 years
Appearance: medium sized with long, slender
legs and a round, wedge-shaped head.
Ideal Owner: People who want a lively, attentionseeking cat, will enjoy an Abyssinian. They are very good with kids and are best suited to
families that can offer lots of affection and attention to the cat. Abyssinians are also great for
the active older people as they are great companions.
Our Vets Love Pets!
www.avocadrivevet.com.au Phone: 4365
1028