Woollahra Vets News
Christmas holiday consulting times
The practice will be closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Years Day but at all other times will be open as per our usual advertised times ie Monday to Friday 8.30am to 7pm, Saturday mornings 9am to 12 noon, Sunday mornings 10am to 12noon. Emergency services are available 24/7 through the Vet ICU of the Small Animal Specialist Hospital at North Ryde; and at the North Shore Veterinary Specialist Centre at Crows Nest. Contact details and maps to both centres are available on the emergency/after hours page. We wish all of our clients and patients a happy, safe and healthy holiday season.
Acupuncture now available at Woollahra Vets
We're pleased to advise that acupuncture services are now available in house at the practice with an experienced veterinary acupuncturist. Dr Barry Nielsen is a veterinarian with over twenty five years clinical experience and has been a qualified veterinary acupuncturist for over ten years. The benefits of acupuncture as a complementary treatment modality are well known, particularly for structural problems such as arthritis. Barry recommends acupuncture particularly for elderly cats who have become reluctant to jump, become poor groomers, or who have difficulties toileting: all can be signs of arthritis. Cats are more resistant to medicating with conventional pain relief and arthritis management medications and can be more prone to side effects from them, so acupuncture is a safe and passive response to arthritis management. Treatment involves sedation and a day stay in hospital for the procedure but the benefits from a single treatment can last many months. Neck pain in dogs is also specifically responsive to acupuncture.
Please contact us for further information or to book an acupuncture session.
Pet Friendly Holiday Accommodation
As we all travel more frequently for business, pleasure and family needs, pet friendly accommodation and holidays become more important to us.
Two new websites are available which detail Australia wide pet friendly accommodation for all budgets and family sizes:
Chocolate toxicity in dogs !
Although Christmas comes but once a year, we all love giving and receiving chocolate regardless of the occasion. However, chocolate not only needs to be hidden from those we're giving it to, but out of reach from dogs in the household. Chocolate contains both caffeine and theobromine, compounds called methylxanthines. Dogs develop a toxicity from chocolate because they have a lesser capacity than people to metabolise these compounds due to fewer detoxification enzymes in their liver and unique active metabolites that are produced. Unlike most of us dogs don't know when to stop eating chocolate, so will usually eat all they can find, even dark,bitter or cooking chocolate which has the highest theobromine levels. Methylxanthine sensitivity produces hyperactivity, increased heart rate, tremors, and potentially death if ingested at a toxic level. Other effects seen are vomiting, diarrhoea, increased thirst and urination, and lethargy. Always seek veterinary advice immediately if your dog has eaten chocolate: if you know the type and amount of chocolate eaten and the weight of your dog, we can usually tell you if there is cause for concern.
Profender spot on cat wormer
We all know the difficulties associated with worming cats and the need to restrain, aim and avoid pain when administering worm tablets or paste to cats. Those days are now gone with release of Profender, Bayer’s new spot on wormer for cats. It works in the same way as spot on flea control products via a small amount of liquid easily applied to the back of the neck. Available in a convenient twin pack of three sizes for cats up to 8kgs Profender will make regular worming of your cat less stressful for all participants.
Lily Intoxication in Cats
Although lilies are commonly used in floral arrangements and cats often have access to them, many pet owners are unaware of lily intoxication
as a potential cause of kidney failure in cats. Indoor cats and especially kittens may be drawn to cut flowers as they are a novel feature in an otherwise very familiar environment that often lacks other form of vegetation. The toxic substance that causes kidney damage in lilies has not been identified but ALL parts of the lily are poisonous and the toxic dose is unknown: mouthing or ingestion of very small amounts is sufficient to cause illness. Cats appear to be unique in their susceptibility to this toxin, similar to their easy susceptibility to poisoning by human medications such as panadol, ibuprofen and aspirin.
Signs of kidney damage caused by lily intoxication include vomiting, depression and loss of appetite followed by dehydration and increased thirst. Kidney failure can be diagnosed and treated but even early diagnosis and diligent intensive treatment does not guarantee a successful recovery. Indoor cats should not be exposed to the risk of this intoxication. Always advise potential admirers not to send lilies: keep life rosy for your cat and avoid pushing up daisies!