Forth Valley Veterinary Clinic Blog
Our top tips and useful information regarding pet and animal health…
Mites
Demodex mites are tiny cigar-shaped parasites with 8 tiny legs which live within the hair follicles of the skin of dogs. They are generally considered to be part of the normal skin flora (that is, found in the skin of healthy dogs) but in some cases can cause disease.
While most dogs develop a normal immune response to these mites so that skin disease is not seen, there are some dogs that have an inherited inability to create an adequate immune response and these dogs will develop “demodectic mange”.
Flystrike
Does the idea of maggots feeding on living flesh give you the heebie-jeebies? Us too!
Fly strike can be confirmed by visualising maggots crawling across the skin. There is usually a foul odour associated with the strike which becomes familiar to those with sheep – or veterinary professionals! It’s the same rotten smell that attracts the flies in the first place.
Lice
One louse. Two or more lice.
Knits = lice eggs.
Humans and animals alike are prone to getting lice. Lice are very species specific – meaning that dog lice do not live on cats/sheep/humans and human lice do not live on horses/cows/dog etc. They also don’t like to live off their host for long – so close contact of two or more of the same species is generally required for them to spread.
Arthritis
t can be as uncomfortable for our dogs as it is in humans - but there are ways of managing the disease to ease your pet's pain.
Arthritis simply means 'inflammation of the joints' and is a common problem for many dogs. Most of you will no doubt know of a dog suffering from arthritis that has shown the textbook signs of pain, discomfort and stiffness.
Tapeworm
There are many different types of tapeworm which can affect domestic animals. The most common type is the Flea Tapeworm (Dipylidium caninum). This tapeworm lives in the small intestines of cats and dogs (and occasionally children) and releases small, white packages of eggs which appear like cucumber seeds or grains of rice in the faeces or around the anus of cats and dogs. An intermediate host – typically a flea or louse – will ingest the eggs and they develop into an infective stage within the flea/louse at which time the flea/louse is ingested while grooming and then the tapeworm reinfects the dog/cat.
Whipworm, Hookworm and Heartworm
This small thread-like 6mm worm lives in the large intestine of dogs and causes local irritation in this area. Clinical signs are of blood in the stools, watery/gooey diarrhoea, straining to defaecate and weight loss.
Diagnosis can be challenging as the female worms only produce eggs periodically, so they can be missed in a standard faecal floatation test. Also, the clinical signs of whipworm infection mimic many other syndromes.
Roundworm
Toxocara canis is the most common roundworm of the domestic dog, and it is not able to infect cats (cats have their own species of roundworm). Its presence can go completely without symptoms although more often it creates diarrhoea, vomiting, poor growth, pot-belly and weight loss in the canine host. Sometimes the sheer volume of infection can cause such poor nutrition, even bowel blockage, and can lead to death.
Rat Bait
As we move into the cooler weather, we will do anything to escape the cold….. so do those pesky rodents! We all know how frustrating mice and rats can be, causing absolute chaos to our homes and property. Unfortunately it can also be the case for our furry friends. They will eat it, despite what the packaging states. It is a condition to be taken seriously and early diagnosis and treatment may prove life-saving.
Senior Health Checks
As our pets get older they can be more prone to certain medical issues and may need a bit more attention.
There are many issues that can affect our pets as they age and, as with all things, if we pick these early we can stop the progression and help your pet to live a longer, happier and more comfortable life.
Ticks
In Tasmania we have one type of Ixodes tick which can cause paralysis. Though generally not as severe as their mainland sisters, they can still cause paralysis and ultimately death of your pet if left untreated.
Female ticks attach onto the skin and secrete saliva into the bite site to prevent blood clotting so that they can have a nice long drink of blood. The saliva contains toxins which lead to paralysis. The long nerves are affected first – the hind legs and voice are usually the first areas to show change. Over time the paralysis creeps forward from the back legs until the entire body, including breathing muscles, are affected. Sometimes the toxins can directly affect the heart.
Fleas
These small insects cause our pets grief by crawling through their coat and biting them.
Cat and dog fleas particularly like to feed from cats and dogs but can bite people if the opportunity arises. Rabbit fleas prefer rabbits but will also attach to the ears of cats.
Ear Infections in Dogs
Ear infections are very common in dogs and those cute floppy-eared pets are much more susceptible than those with upright ears. Unlike humans, the ear canal of a dog is almost vertical, making it easy to retain moisture and debris.
Cat Flu
After infection with feline herpes virus or calicivirus, cats develop lifelong immunity but may shed the virus intermittently. The flu is spread from cat to cat via oral, nasal or ocular secretions. This may be directly or indirectly. Diagnosis is usually based on clinical signs, vaccination history and virus isolation or bacterial culture with lab testing.
Blue Tongue Lizards
There probably isn’t an Australian out there who hasn’t at least once in their life crossed paths with a blue tongue lizard in the wild. Their fearless but sedentary natures and placid personalities make them a popular pet.
Bengal Cat
The beauty of wild cats has always been attractive to people, so efforts were made to breed one of the wild cats to a domestic cat in order to have a wild-appearing but gentle-tempered domestic cat. To this end, the first hybridization of the Asian Leopard cat and Domestic Tabby cats were undertaken in the early 1960s in the United States.
Rabbit Vaccination
Rabbit Calicivirus is a disease which damages the rabbit's internal organs such as the liver and gut and can also cause bleeding. Calicivirus is spread from direct contact with wild rabbits, The virus may also be carried by the wind or by flies, fleas, and mosquitoes.
Keeping Birds Cool in Summer
Heat, stress and dehydration can be fatal, and small animals such as birds are especially susceptible. Hot humid days are especially dangerous, as heat loss is reduced in high humidity. Most birds have a body temperature of about 40 degrees, which is higher than that of mammals.
Grooming
~ The Importance of grooming your Dog ~
Brushing and combing your dogs coat is an important part of general pet care
Exotic Short Hair
The Exotic Shorthair cat breed is a mid-century masterpiece, developed in the 1950s to be a shorthaired version of the Persian cat. Persian breeders crossed their prize-winning kitties with American Shorthairs and boom the Exotic Shorthair cat breed was born!
Feliway
Pheromones are chemical messengers used for communication between members of a species. The pheromones emitted by one individual can affect and change the behaviour of other individuals of the same species.
Our staff are wildly passionate about animals and making sure your pet is living its healthiest and happiest life
Back that passion with expert qualifications and a love of learning, and it’s safe to say your fur family is in very safe hands.