It’s that time of year again. It seems like everyone is sneezing, congested, and has itchy, irritated eyes. Yes, it’s allergy season. But did you know that pets can have allergies, too? An allergy develops when a pet’s immune system reacts to a specific substance, called an allergen (for example, food protein, pollen, or flea saliva). The body’s immune system will produce antibodies to fight off the foreign antigen. The confrontation causes a chemical reaction in the body called an allergic reaction that makes many people and pets miserable. The canine and feline olfactory sensors (the nose) are extremely important to survival, so that if they develop allergies like humans (congested, runny nose and eyes, sneezing) it could hinder their ability to survive. So Mother nature caused allergies to more commonly develop in the skin or gastrointestinal tract. Most pets with allergies will show some of the following signs: itching & scratching, especially on the hind end or the paws, hair loss, red and irritated skin, hot spots, and vomiting and/or diarrhoea. They can also develop secondary skin infections from the constant itching. There are 3 common types of allergies – inhalant, flea and food. When your pet is allergic to something that is inhaled, it is called an inhalant allergy. Some examples of inhalant allergies are: mould spores, pollen (grass, weeds, trees), aerosols, mildew and house dust mites. These are the most common forms of allergies. Usually, if your pet has seasonal allergies, then it might be caused by inhalant allergens (excluding the house dust mite). Pets can also develop an allergy to saliva of fleas. Pets are not allergic to fleas, but their saliva and it only takes a couple of fleas to cause severe itching and discomfort. If your pet has flea allergies, it is very important to stay up-to-date on flea control. We recommend Advantage. Pets are not born with food allergies, but they may develop them at any point over their lifetime to any food protein. If your pet has food allergies, they are allergic to a specific protein in the food, such as chicken, corn, turkey, beef and/or pork (list is not exclusive). Hills Pet Nutrition has developed a hypoallergenic food for dogs and cats with food allergies. We have pet owners feed a special diet to their pet for 6 weeks. If your pet responds to the special food, then we know that your pet is allergic to something in their own food. If they don’t respond then they can possibly have inhalant allergy or some other form of allergy. It is very important that pets on special food eat only that food and no other treats or scraps. If you feed something else you will never know if the special food is working and if your pet is allergic to a certain protein in the food. FEATURES • Allergies • Case History – Rex the “Low GI” obstructor • Staff news • Key tags • Pet quiz • Staff News Breed of the Month – Cornish Rex ALLERGIES Forrest Hill NEWS SUMMER 2008
Transcript
We welcome new staff members –
Danielle Howard is our new receptionist and she is starting her veterinary nurse training this year through Otago Polytech.
Brigitte Bowring is a British trained veterinary nurse who now lives permanently in New Zealand.
Margaret Eyton completed her veterinary nurse training through Otago Polytech and has been working as a veterinary nurse for 2 years.
Antoinette Ratcliffe comes to us from Wellington where she has been working as a veterinary receptionist whilst completing her veterinary nurse training.
Niki is on maternity leave as she gave birth to her son, Dylan, on 10th January
We welcome Mark Pangalila, a veterinarian who has joined our team. Mark owned his own practice in England and has emigrated to New Zealand with his wife, 3 children, 3 cats and 3 dogs.
S TA F F N EWS
It’s that time of year again. It seems like everyone is sneezing, congested, and has itchy, irritated eyes. Yes, it’s allergy season. But did you know that pets can have allergies, too?
An allergy develops when a pet’s immune system reacts to a specific substance, called an allergen (for example, food protein, pollen, or flea saliva). The body’s immune system will produce antibodies to fight off the foreign antigen. The confrontation causes a chemical reaction in the body called an allergic reaction that makes many people and pets miserable.
The canine and feline olfactory sensors (the nose) are extremely important to survival, so that if they develop allergies like humans (congested, runny nose and eyes, sneezing) it could hinder their ability to survive. So Mother nature caused allergies to more commonly develop in the skin or gastrointestinal tract. Most pets with allergies will show some of the following signs: itching & scratching, especially on the hind end or the paws, hair loss, red and irritated skin, hot spots, and vomiting and/or diarrhoea. They can also develop secondary skin infections from the constant itching.
There are 3 common types of allergies – inhalant, flea and food.
When your pet is allergic to something that is inhaled, it is called an inhalant allergy. Some examples of inhalant allergies are: mould spores, pollen (grass, weeds, trees), aerosols, mildew and house dust mites. These are the most common forms of allergies. Usually, if your pet has seasonal allergies, then it might be caused by inhalant allergens (excluding the house dust mite).
Pets can also develop an allergy to saliva of fleas. Pets are not allergic to fleas, but their saliva and it only takes a couple of fleas to cause severe itching and discomfort. If your pet has flea allergies, it is very important to stay up-to-date on flea control. We recommend Advantage.
Pets are not born with food allergies, but they may develop them at any point over their lifetime to any food protein. If your pet has food allergies, they are allergic to a specific protein in the food, such as chicken, corn, turkey, beef and/or pork (list is not exclusive). Hills Pet Nutrition has developed a hypoallergenic food for dogs and cats with food allergies. We have pet owners feed a special diet to their pet for 6 weeks. If your pet responds to the special food, then we know that your pet is allergic to something in their own food. If they don’t respond then they can possibly have inhalant allergy or some other form of allergy. It is very important that pets on special food eat only that food and no other treats or scraps. If you feed something else you will never know if the special food is working and if your pet is allergic to a certain protein in the food.
Forrest Hill NEWS is Published by: Forrest Hill Veterinary Clinic 218 Forrest Hill Road 09 410-5169 (24 Hours)
FEATURES• Allergies
• Case History – Rex the “Low GI” obstructor
• Staff news
• Key tags
• Pet quiz
• Staff News
Breed of the Month – Cornish Rex
ALLERGIESAnswers:
1. False – Dogs are Omnivores that evolved by being extremely flexible about what they eat. Cats, on the other hand, are Carnivores.
2. True – Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat (or beef fat or chicken fat) can all create serious health problems for dogs, and can even kill them if consumed in large enough quantities.
3. False – When humans domesticate an animal species, we take away their ability to live on their own in the wild. The average life span of a cat that lives outdoors is sadly only about five years. An indoor cat, however, can live 15 to 20 years.
4. False – A dog can choke to death on these objects while you are away. Supervision is the key. If you want to leave your dog alone with something that will keep him/her occupied while you’re gone, consider a carrot – frozen carrots are especially good since they last much longer.
5. False – Owners of cats that stop using the litter box should first start by ruling out a urinary-tract infection. Once that’s done, look at the cat’s environment to determine what may be causing this problem. Cats often spray as an involuntary response to stress, and they may be trying to mark their territory because they feel insecure. Maybe there’s an unneutered cat in your area or a new kitten or puppy in your home. If you have more than one cat, maybe you need to clean that litter box more frequently. Cats truly do prefer a clean box.
6. False – Dogs need a balanced food to suit their lifestage, therefore puppies, adult dogs and geriatric dogs all need foods tailored to their age
7. False – Most veterinarians now advise against giving your dog any type of bone. Bone fragments that get into a dog’s intestines can create an impaction, and sharp bone fragments can even perforate your dog’s intestine. At the very least, dogs can break their teeth on them.
8. False – The truth is that most pets get fat because they tend to exercise less once desexed and if they are fed the same amount of food then they will put on weight. Spey/Neuter reduces the risk of your pet developing cancer, and it’s also the only way to help control the devastating unwanted pet overpopulation problem in our world today.
9. False – Although all pet foods must meet certain nutritional standards, the way manufacturers meet them can vary widely. For example, the protein requirement can be met by soybeans, but dogs and cats do best with meat as their main protein source. Cheap foods are cheap for a reason; they have lots of fillers. As with anything else, you get what you pay for.
10. False – Even cats can be clumsy, and they often fall because they misjudge the distance needed for a successful leap, especially as they age. They have been known to fall off rooftops, and to even wander off the edge of kitchen countertops.
Forrest Hill NEWSSUMMER 2008
BREED OF THE MONTH..... Cornish Rex
In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact, it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is even variation among individuals within the breed.
In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type. Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps.
In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact, it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is even variation among individuals within the breed.
In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type. Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps.
dryer filter and clinging to some fabrics. Certainly, by comparison to some other cats, the shedding is minimal. Even so, most allergic people are bothered by the dander (dead skin cells) and the saliva, both of which are present in Cornish Rex cats.
How well do you know your pet? Answer the following questions – True or False?
1. Both Dogs and Cats are Carnivores.
2. Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat can be fatal to dogs.
3. Cats are natural hunters that can live by their wits outdoors.
4. When you leave your dog alone in the house, it’s a good idea to leave it with a bone or a rawhide to chew so it doesn’t chew your shoes or furniture.
5. Cats intentionally forget to use the litter box to show you that they’re upset.
6. It’s best to stay with the same dog food throughout your dog’s life.
7. Dogs should never get chicken bones, but certain beef bones, such as rib bones or knuckle bones that don’t splinter, are OK.
8. My pet will get fat and lazy if I spay or neuter him/her
9. It doesn’t matter whether you feed your dog or cat cheap food or expensive food. They all provide complete nutrition for your pet.
10. Cats are very sure-footed; they hardly ever fall, and if they do, they always land on all four feet.
Answers on the back page...........
PET QUIZ
When we arrived at work one Sunday morning we admitted a 42kg collapsed Great Dane, waiting on our doorstep. Initial examination revealed severe dehydration, subnormal temperature and a dog approaching the edge of circulatory collapse and death.
An intravenous fluid line with supporting Shock and antibiotic treatment was instituted. Blood tests revealed a very high red blood cell and protein count, indicating extreme haemoconcentration (very concentrated blood). Screening xrays revealed a suspect intestinal obstruction. Rex had been known to consume several corn cobs at a barbeque two weeks earlier and these were the likely culprits of the intestinal blockage.
Once the severe shock and hypotension/sepsis had been stabilised, exploratory surgery was performed and the offending corn cob was
removed from the very end of the small intestine, just before the large bowel.
However, because of the obstruction Rex’s intestines took 10 days of intensive treatment to recover. 7-8 litres of intravenous fluids were necessary in the first 24 hours to rehydrate and stabilise Rex. Intravenous antibiotic and shock therapy helped to address the severe septicaemia and toxic shock that nearly claimed Rex’s life.
Moral of the story is: Don’t leave these corn cob pieces around over summer!!
PS Raw and/or cooked onions, even if eaten in small quantities, can be toxic to dogs and may precipitate a haemolytic anaemia (rupturing of red blood cells).
So chocolate is not the only baddy for canines!!
CASE REPORT: REX THE "LOW GI" OBSTRUCTOR
ODE TO A VETWe think of him as someone who attends to dogs and cats
Prescribes a little medicine and gives them loving pats
Who keeps them from distemper and from rabies when they stray
And boards our precious animals the weeks we go away
But seldom do we realise when we pay his little fee
How hard he has to study for his medical degree
And who is there to estimate his everlasting worth
As he devotes his life to all God’s animals on earthBy James J. Metcalfe
WANDERING JEW
Wandering Jew causes allergic dermatitis in dogs and other animals walking through mats of this plant. It has dark green oval shiny leaves with short stems and at this time of year white flowers. If you find your dog has a rash on it’s tummy/arm pits have a look around your garden for this plant.
Next time you visit our clinic, ask for a personalised Forrest Hill Vet Clinic keytag. Slip this onto your keyring and present it at each visit. It will be linked to your customer file and it will aid in quickly and efficiently finding the correct client record. In the future we will be adding benefits and bonus points on certain products to pass any special offers on to you.
KEY TAGS
BREED OF THE MONTH..... Cornish Rex
In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact, it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is even variation among individuals within the breed.
In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type. Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps.
In appearance, Cornish Rex cats are a study in curves starting most noticeably with their coat which ideally falls in washboard waves. The coat is very short, lies close to the body and is incredibly soft to the touch, prompting comparisons to cut velvet, karakul lamb, rabbit fur or silk. In fact, it feels like a Cornish Rex coat and nothing else is the same. There is even variation among individuals within the breed.
In addition to the coat, this breed has a distinct head and body type. Large ears are set high on a comparatively small, egg-shaped head with high cheekbones, hollow cheeks, and a high-bridged Roman nose and strong chin. The body has been compared to a Whippet dog’s because of its arched back, barrel chest, small waist and very long, fine legs. In spite of their dainty appearance, these small to medium sized cats are extremely hard-bodied and muscular, using their well developed hips and long legs for fast starts and stops, quick turns and high jumps.
dryer filter and clinging to some fabrics. Certainly, by comparison to some other cats, the shedding is minimal. Even so, most allergic people are bothered by the dander (dead skin cells) and the saliva, both of which are present in Cornish Rex cats.
How well do you know your pet? Answer the following questions – True or False?
1. Both Dogs and Cats are Carnivores.
2. Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat can be fatal to dogs.
3. Cats are natural hunters that can live by their wits outdoors.
4. When you leave your dog alone in the house, it’s a good idea to leave it with a bone or a rawhide to chew so it doesn’t chew your shoes or furniture.
5. Cats intentionally forget to use the litter box to show you that they’re upset.
6. It’s best to stay with the same dog food throughout your dog’s life.
7. Dogs should never get chicken bones, but certain beef bones, such as rib bones or knuckle bones that don’t splinter, are OK.
8. My pet will get fat and lazy if I spay or neuter him/her
9. It doesn’t matter whether you feed your dog or cat cheap food or expensive food. They all provide complete nutrition for your pet.
10. Cats are very sure-footed; they hardly ever fall, and if they do, they always land on all four feet.
Answers on the back page...........
PET QUIZ
When we arrived at work one Sunday morning we admitted a 42kg collapsed Great Dane, waiting on our doorstep. Initial examination revealed severe dehydration, subnormal temperature and a dog approaching the edge of circulatory collapse and death.
An intravenous fluid line with supporting Shock and antibiotic treatment was instituted. Blood tests revealed a very high red blood cell and protein count, indicating extreme haemoconcentration (very concentrated blood). Screening xrays revealed a suspect intestinal obstruction. Rex had been known to consume several corn cobs at a barbeque two weeks earlier and these were the likely culprits of the intestinal blockage.
Once the severe shock and hypotension/sepsis had been stabilised, exploratory surgery was performed and the offending corn cob was
removed from the very end of the small intestine, just before the large bowel.
However, because of the obstruction Rex’s intestines took 10 days of intensive treatment to recover. 7-8 litres of intravenous fluids were necessary in the first 24 hours to rehydrate and stabilise Rex. Intravenous antibiotic and shock therapy helped to address the severe septicaemia and toxic shock that nearly claimed Rex’s life.
Moral of the story is: Don’t leave these corn cob pieces around over summer!!
PS Raw and/or cooked onions, even if eaten in small quantities, can be toxic to dogs and may precipitate a haemolytic anaemia (rupturing of red blood cells).
So chocolate is not the only baddy for canines!!
CASE REPORT: REX THE "LOW GI" OBSTRUCTOR
ODE TO A VETWe think of him as someone who attends to dogs and cats
Prescribes a little medicine and gives them loving pats
Who keeps them from distemper and from rabies when they stray
And boards our precious animals the weeks we go away
But seldom do we realise when we pay his little fee
How hard he has to study for his medical degree
And who is there to estimate his everlasting worth
As he devotes his life to all God’s animals on earthBy James J. Metcalfe
WANDERING JEW
Wandering Jew causes allergic dermatitis in dogs and other animals walking through mats of this plant. It has dark green oval shiny leaves with short stems and at this time of year white flowers. If you find your dog has a rash on it’s tummy/arm pits have a look around your garden for this plant.
Next time you visit our clinic, ask for a personalised Forrest Hill Vet Clinic keytag. Slip this onto your keyring and present it at each visit. It will be linked to your customer file and it will aid in quickly and efficiently finding the correct client record. In the future we will be adding benefits and bonus points on certain products to pass any special offers on to you.
KEY TAGS
We welcome new staff members –
Danielle Howard is our new receptionist and she is starting her veterinary nurse training this year through Otago Polytech.
Brigitte Bowring is a British trained veterinary nurse who now lives permanently in New Zealand.
Margaret Eyton completed her veterinary nurse training through Otago Polytech and has been working as a veterinary nurse for 2 years.
Antoinette Ratcliffe comes to us from Wellington where she has been working as a veterinary receptionist whilst completing her veterinary nurse training.
Niki is on maternity leave as she gave birth to her son, Dylan, on 10th January
We welcome Mark Pangalila, a veterinarian who has joined our team. Mark owned his own practice in England and has emigrated to New Zealand with his wife, 3 children, 3 cats and 3 dogs.
S TA F F N EWS
It’s that time of year again. It seems like everyone is sneezing, congested, and has itchy, irritated eyes. Yes, it’s allergy season. But did you know that pets can have allergies, too?
An allergy develops when a pet’s immune system reacts to a specific substance, called an allergen (for example, food protein, pollen, or flea saliva). The body’s immune system will produce antibodies to fight off the foreign antigen. The confrontation causes a chemical reaction in the body called an allergic reaction that makes many people and pets miserable.
The canine and feline olfactory sensors (the nose) are extremely important to survival, so that if they develop allergies like humans (congested, runny nose and eyes, sneezing) it could hinder their ability to survive. So Mother nature caused allergies to more commonly develop in the skin or gastrointestinal tract. Most pets with allergies will show some of the following signs: itching & scratching, especially on the hind end or the paws, hair loss, red and irritated skin, hot spots, and vomiting and/or diarrhoea. They can also develop secondary skin infections from the constant itching.
There are 3 common types of allergies – inhalant, flea and food.
When your pet is allergic to something that is inhaled, it is called an inhalant allergy. Some examples of inhalant allergies are: mould spores, pollen (grass, weeds, trees), aerosols, mildew and house dust mites. These are the most common forms of allergies. Usually, if your pet has seasonal allergies, then it might be caused by inhalant allergens (excluding the house dust mite).
Pets can also develop an allergy to saliva of fleas. Pets are not allergic to fleas, but their saliva and it only takes a couple of fleas to cause severe itching and discomfort. If your pet has flea allergies, it is very important to stay up-to-date on flea control. We recommend Advantage.
Pets are not born with food allergies, but they may develop them at any point over their lifetime to any food protein. If your pet has food allergies, they are allergic to a specific protein in the food, such as chicken, corn, turkey, beef and/or pork (list is not exclusive). Hills Pet Nutrition has developed a hypoallergenic food for dogs and cats with food allergies. We have pet owners feed a special diet to their pet for 6 weeks. If your pet responds to the special food, then we know that your pet is allergic to something in their own food. If they don’t respond then they can possibly have inhalant allergy or some other form of allergy. It is very important that pets on special food eat only that food and no other treats or scraps. If you feed something else you will never know if the special food is working and if your pet is allergic to a certain protein in the food.
Forrest Hill NEWS is Published by: Forrest Hill Veterinary Clinic 218 Forrest Hill Road 09 410-5169 (24 Hours)
FEATURES• Allergies
• Case History – Rex the “Low GI” obstructor
• Staff news
• Key tags
• Pet quiz
• Staff News
Breed of the Month – Cornish Rex
ALLERGIESAnswers:
1. False – Dogs are Omnivores that evolved by being extremely flexible about what they eat. Cats, on the other hand, are Carnivores.
2. True – Chocolate, onions, garlic, raisins, and turkey fat (or beef fat or chicken fat) can all create serious health problems for dogs, and can even kill them if consumed in large enough quantities.
3. False – When humans domesticate an animal species, we take away their ability to live on their own in the wild. The average life span of a cat that lives outdoors is sadly only about five years. An indoor cat, however, can live 15 to 20 years.
4. False – A dog can choke to death on these objects while you are away. Supervision is the key. If you want to leave your dog alone with something that will keep him/her occupied while you’re gone, consider a carrot – frozen carrots are especially good since they last much longer.
5. False – Owners of cats that stop using the litter box should first start by ruling out a urinary-tract infection. Once that’s done, look at the cat’s environment to determine what may be causing this problem. Cats often spray as an involuntary response to stress, and they may be trying to mark their territory because they feel insecure. Maybe there’s an unneutered cat in your area or a new kitten or puppy in your home. If you have more than one cat, maybe you need to clean that litter box more frequently. Cats truly do prefer a clean box.
6. False – Dogs need a balanced food to suit their lifestage, therefore puppies, adult dogs and geriatric dogs all need foods tailored to their age
7. False – Most veterinarians now advise against giving your dog any type of bone. Bone fragments that get into a dog’s intestines can create an impaction, and sharp bone fragments can even perforate your dog’s intestine. At the very least, dogs can break their teeth on them.
8. False – The truth is that most pets get fat because they tend to exercise less once desexed and if they are fed the same amount of food then they will put on weight. Spey/Neuter reduces the risk of your pet developing cancer, and it’s also the only way to help control the devastating unwanted pet overpopulation problem in our world today.
9. False – Although all pet foods must meet certain nutritional standards, the way manufacturers meet them can vary widely. For example, the protein requirement can be met by soybeans, but dogs and cats do best with meat as their main protein source. Cheap foods are cheap for a reason; they have lots of fillers. As with anything else, you get what you pay for.
10. False – Even cats can be clumsy, and they often fall because they misjudge the distance needed for a successful leap, especially as they age. They have been known to fall off rooftops, and to even wander off the edge of kitchen countertops.
