Animals
A regular column with handy information for your pets/animals from qualified and respected professionals in the community. Featuring Drs Andrew Rissman, Roger Dunn and Jon Makin, of Coast to Coast Vets, Warkworth & Wellsford.
www.warkworthvets.co.nz
2012
Kennel cough is a very contagious disease in dogs, which is spread by droplets expelled during coughing.
The worst part of the job, and the main reason vets drop out of the profession, is the after-hours work.
Dogs do not sweat like humans. To shed heat they pant and with laryngeal paralysis their ability to pant off heat is compromised.
For the things that really matter, such as blocked drains and dying pets, where personal service and a positive attitude are required small town NZ still beats its bigger sibling hands down.
Bringing up a dog up through those “teenage” years can be a challenge. The chewing and destructive phase can last a surprisingly long time, sometimes up to two years of age in exuberant breeds such as bull terriers or labradors.
2011
One of the most repulsive of conditions we deal with on a regular basis, particularly at this time of the year, is flystrike.
Euthanasia can be a touchy subject but at least in the animal world, we can talk about it as a sensible and compassionate solution to what can be an otherwise intractable problem.
Give me blood - by Roger Dunn - September
Blood transfusions are required surprisingly often in veterinary practice. A blood transfusion may be needed in any situation where the blood count falls to a dangerously low level.
Rabbits are a companion animal which we are seeing more and more of at our veterinary surgery. A recent bereavement in my family has reinforced what wonderful family pets they make.
Dying cattle - by Campbell Woollams - July
The North Island has had a number of farms over the last few weeks suffering cattle deaths as a result of chronic copper toxicity.
“My dog scratches, chews and licks itself, therefore it must have fleas, right?” Not always. While in our warm moist climate fleas are the most common cause of canine itches, they are far from the only ones.
Vets are frequently involved in the removal of unwanted objects from their patients.
The intensive farming systems practised in poultry and egg industries are similar the world over, but what about pasture-based agricultural industries in NZ?
This used to be easy, just vaccinate for everything and repeat annually. However, there are several problems with this approach. Apart from unnecessary expense, vaccination is not an entirely benign procedure.
Over New Year’s I happened to spot a hedgehog stuck down a hole left from a recently removed fence post.
One of the more memorable call outs I have had in recent years involved an early morning visit to a farm several years ago.
2010
Vaccinate those calves by Roger Dunn - December
Clostridial disease (known as Blackleg, Malignant edema, or one of their several cousins) in young growing calves has been about for many years and is still a distressing, costly, unnecessary cause of loss.
Cancer eye by Dr Jon Makin - November
Squamous cell carcinoma or cancer eye is one of the most common tumours affecting cattle. It is generally seen in cattle with no pigmentation about the eye such as Herefords and white-faced Fresians, although it can be seen in all cattle types.
Bird advice by Dr Andrew Rissman – October
Now for a completely different subject: birds. Pet birds are being brought into vet clinics as patients more these days. Birds do get sick but are much better at hiding illnesses than mammals.
Fighting Mastitis by Dr Jon Makin – September
All dairy farmers will be familiar with the associated costs and hassles of mastitis, and at this time of the year mastitis prevention will be a high priority.
I hate ticks by Dr Roger Dunn – August
As I write, the first half of winter has been mild and fairly warm in these parts, which has been good for pasture growth and for minimal soil pugging. One downside of a favourable winter is the early emergence of ticks.
Woody tongue by Dr Jon Makin – July
Woody tongue is a disease commonly seen in cattle, and as the name suggests, the condition results in the formation of a wooden-like swelling of the tongue.
Dry benefits parasites by Dr Andrew Rissman – June
Lately, as I travel around the district I've seen the average condition of farm stock is lower than at the same time last year. Lack of grass has been a common problem of north Rodney this autumn.
Rats! I've poisoned the dog by Dr Roger Dunn – May
It's the time of year when the ubiquitous rats come in from the cold into our houses, and time to deploy your traps and poisons.
Increasing the odds by Dr Jon Makin – April
A large part of a vet's job involves the control of reproduction. In small pets, emphasis is on preventing pregnancies. In the farming world, it is on creating pregnancies.
Pets need dentists too by Dr Roger Dunn, Coast to Coast Vets – March
Dental disease in casts and dogs is a problem that mostly progresses unnoticed until it is so advanced that extractions, and antibiotics are needed.
Ticked off by Dr Andrew Rissman, Veterinarian – February
The tick season has well and truly started and we are seeing large numbers of ticks on cattle, sheep, dogs and occasionally on other species.
