Keeping our pets safe over summer6 days
With long, hot days on the horizon here is a reminder of some safety tips to keep your pets happy and healthy this summer. Heat stroke: Signs a dog is overheated include heavy panting, rapid heart rate, bright or dark …Read More
What not to feed your dog at Christmas…1 week
Yep! It is tough when those big brown eyes are staring forlornly at you but as tempting as it is to share your food with your dog during the festive season, our treats can be extremely dangerous to your canine …Read More
Monique the dachshund’s path to a stronger back3 weeks
Monique, an 8-year-old female dachshund came to us with spinal pain and an unsteady, staggering gait. She crossed her hind legs over when walking and fell over occasionally. Her lameness was worse in the left hindlimb and she had a hunched spine. …Read More
Leroy’s blown butt3 weeks
Leroy is a lovely 9-year old male Pointer, who presented very subdued and reluctant to walk and ended up being carried into our Papakura clinic on a stretcher. He had a huge swelling alongside and below his anus. Leroy …Read More
Zeke runs again2 months
Damage to the cruciate ligament in the stifle (knee) joint is the most common cause of lameness in a large breed dog. Dislocation of the patella (kneecap) is a very common cause of lameness in small breed dogs. Having both …Read More
Ear infections – under the microscope2 months
Ear infections are an unfortunate secondary complication of skin disease. Occasionally they will occur due to other conditions such as ear mites, foreign bodies in the ear (such as grass seeds) or swimmers ear, which is where some water is …Read More
Taking control of Painter’s itchy skin2 months
Painter is a dog who has suffered from itchy skin due to allergies since he was 4 months old, so basically his whole life. Controlling the itch has taken a regime of treatments, one of which is using Allermyl shampoo, …Read More
Common health issues in elderly dogs3 months
Just like people, as nutrition and healthcare improve, so does the lifespan of our pets. This inevitably results in an ageing population which has to be cared for. There is much debate as to what constitutes “senior” or “geriatric” in …Read More
Cast versus plate for dog with fractured shin bone3 months
Lily is a lovely 6-year-old Bichon Frise cross, who came into our Pukekohe clinic after catching a hindleg in a tractor. Remarkably, Lily had managed to get away with a single fracture, to the tibia (shin bone). The lower hindleg …Read More
Helping our furry friends through the fear of fireworks3 months
The loud noises and bright, unfamiliar flashes associated with fireworks can make Guy Fawkes a stressful time for many cats and dogs. Their fear can be seen as panting, excessive vocalisation, crying, soiling and hiding. A few simple measures can …Read More
Preventing GDV with prophylactic gastropexy3 months
Following up on the article in the last newsletter on gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV), the nightmare we all dread ever seeing in dogs, I’d like to introduce a preventative solution for you. Gastropexy means permanently securing the stomach to …Read More
GDV: every dog owner’s nightmare4 months
Hannah is an 8-year old Newfoundland who recently experienced what all owners of large breed dogs dread most: a gastric dilatation with volvulus (GDV). This condition is where the stomach rapidly swells with gas and liquid, then twists on itself. …Read More