http://www.hillspet.com/en/us/products/pd-canine-derm-defense-dry
http://www.royalcanin.com.au/products/products/vet-products/vet-diet-canine/skin-support
http://prime100.com.au/products/crocodile-and-tapioca/
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CLINIC NEWSLETTER - SPRING 2017CLINIC NEWS
Welcome to Spring! Colds and flu be gone! Can someone please tell Mother Nature that it is SPRING TIME! As we replace the cold and flu season for allergy central we look into some common problems we see in our pets (and their humans!) at this lovely time of year. Grasses and pollen's bring itching and irritation to our pets, warmer weather brings out those pesky snakes, and we all look forward to the next sunny day and the much needed September holidays! PUPPY PRESCHOOL CLASSES ARE BACK! After a short break our nurse Kym is back to running our classes. They will now be held on WEDNESDAY evenings 7-8pm at the clinic. Pups between 7-16 weeks welcome, proof of first vaccine is required. BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL. Please phone us for more info or to book. Ph: 9726 9616 TOPIC OF THE MOMENT ALLERGIES AND OUR PETS Spring is the season for all things allergy related. As humans suffer from conditions such as hay fever; with itchy/watery eyes, sniffles and headaches; our pets are more prone to skin irritations, mucky ears and eye conditions. Allergies are a complicated thing, and can require a lot of investigation, time, effort, cost and patience from owners to get to the bottom of what is causing our pets discomfort. Seasonal allergies, atopy, food intolerances, contact allergies, skin conditions, flea allergy dermatitis, allergic conjunctivitis... the list goes on and on.. ATOPIC DERMATITIS Atopic dermatitis is a chronic, inflammatory skin condition which is associated with allergies. It causes our pets (mostly dogs but can occur in cats) to become itchy and can be either seasonal or year round. Generally, skin conditions are caused by one of following: fleas, food or environmental allergens. Determining which of these is the culprit can be a long process of trial and error, tests, medications, eliminations, and more tests! Unfortunately there is no "one size fits all" fix. Regular consultations with the vet and sometimes even a dermatology specialist are required. If you suspect your pet may be suffering we encourage you to make note of when your pet is showing signs/symptoms - do they increase at a certain time of year, after you mow the grass, has their diet changed, are they on regular flea prevention, etc; then consult your vet to help you get to the bottom of the problem. FOODS FOR ALLERGIES After consultation with the vet about your pet's skin condition it may be recommended to trial a new food. Both Hill's Prescription Diet and Royal Canin have foods specifically designed to help improve the skin barrier, which is vital in preventing harm caused by environmental allergens. If a food allergy is suspected, your vet may recommend a 'food trial' which involves feeding a novel protein (something our pets are not usually fed such as crocodile, duck or rabbit) exclusively for a period of approx 6-8 weeks to see if symptoms improve. Always consult your vet if your pet is having skin issues, as diet alone may not always be sufficient in treating the condition and all trials should be undertaken only after seeking veterinary advice. FLEA ALLERGY DERMATITIS Flea allergy dermatitis (FAD) is a condition caused by none other than the pesky flea! Fleas are very small parasitic insects that infest the skin and coat of our pets. They live in environments such as dirt and carpets and are capable of jumping up to 150 times their own length. This easily allows them to jump from the environment to our pets, who then act as a host off which the fleas feed. Fleas are a common cause of skin disease in our pets and cause itching, scaly skin, sores, and even a condition known as flea allergy dermatitis; where saliva from a flea bite sets off an allergic reaction in the skin. Fleas are prolific breeders with one female able to lay up to 50 eggs per day. For this reason, we recommend year-round flea prevention on all pets in your household to effectively break the lifecycle. There are a range of products available these days to prevent against and kill fleas. Topical ‘spot on’ preparations are easy to administer and are used monthly on the back of your pet’s neck. Newer medications in tablet or chewable form are also becoming more popular and are extremely effective, especially if your pet is suffering from Flea Allergy Dermatitis. BOARDING CATTERY **SEPTEMBER HOLIDAYS ARE FAST APPROACHING AND OUR CATTERY IS ALMOST FULL - GET IN QUICK TO SECURE YOUR CAT'S BOOKING WITH US ** We have your feline friends all catered for here at the clinic with on site boarding available year round. Comfortable and affordable, you can rest assured on your trip away that your best kitty friend is being pampered by our dedicated nurses, with vets on hand if required. Rates are as follows: *Single cat - $17 per night *2 friends together - $30 per night *Cats requiring medications - $22 per night (all boarders require proof of a minimum F3 vaccine) For a reservation please phone 9726 9616 |
