PO Box 88
Bungendore NSW 2621

Ph: (02) 6238 1133
Fax: (02) 6238 1102

vetsurgery.com.au

e-News

Welcome to the latest issue of BVS e-News.

In this Issue

	It's been a long wet summer.....
	Fussing over Fleas
	Staff News
	"Yearly Checkups? Why?"
	Jack's Joke
	Greasy Heel in Horses

Pass it on

It's been a long wet summer.....

Firstly we would like to thank all of our clients for their well wishes and patience as we moved into the new clinic at the end of October. We have settled in to our beautiful building and are particularly enjoying the extra space. There is still more work to be done externally with landscaping and fencing so we would ask for your patience for a little while longer. We have been so busy with the move unfortunately we haven't had a chance to get this newsletter out until now, and so much has changed since the last one!

All the rain and humidity we have experienced this summer has brought its own problems with our pets, so below are a couple of articles regarding two of these - fleas and greasy heel. Hoof abscesses in horses and cattle are also very prevalent this year due to hard, dry and cracked hooves from the dryness of previous years now being constantly damp, allowing bacteria into the cracks causing infection.

Our other main battle this summer has been with grass seeds. We have seen many cases a day, mainly seeds in ears or eyes, but grass seeds can also penetrate into the skin causing multiple, painful abscesses to form. The best way to prevent grass seed problems with your pets is to keep your grass and your pets' fur short. Clipping heavy coated dogs for the summer helps you easily find and remove seeds before they venture too far.  

On the up side, this summer we have seen a significantly reduced number of animals bitten by snakes compared with previous years, though we shouldn't be too complacent as the season hasn't ended yet. Once again, keeping the grass around your property short and keeping branches of trees and shrubs off the ground will give snakes less of an opportunity to surprise you and your pets. For more information regarding the symptoms of snakebite please go to our website www.vetsurgery.com.au and follow the link to newsletters, or alternatively call us at the surgery. We recommend that our clients consider pet insurance, as treating a pet who has been bitten by a snake can be costly. We have many brochures from different pet insurers at the surgery so pop in next time you're passing by and we can arm you with all the information you need.

Fussing over Fleas

By Dr Stacy Gwyther

There has been a lot of talk lately about fleas, but what is all the fuss about? We are currently experiencing unusually high numbers of fleas in the region because of this humid summer. Unfortunately many of our clients are finding that they are having to treat for fleas for the first time, or their 'usual' flea treatments are not as effective as they should be. There are several reasons why this might be the case:

1. Are all the animals in the household being treated? It is important to treat ALL cats and dogs for fleas. If you are only treating some of your animals, the others may continue to to act as a source for new infestations and continue to contaminate the environment. In the same way, neighbouring animals that come to visit can also act as new sources.

2. Do your animals have access under the house? Areas under homes are the perfect environment for fleas to breed because they are shaded, damp and humid. These areas are often infested with large flea nests. Unfortunately no product is 100% effective if there are overwhelming numbers in the environment so your pets should be restricted from accessing this area.

3. Are you treating the environment? For every flea you see on your animal there are at least 9 in the environment. When administering flea prevention to your pets you should decontaminate the environment at the same time. This should include washing bedding and coats; vacuuming mattresses, couches and carpet; and considering flea bombs for homes with heavy infestations.

4. Are you using the right product? There has been some speculation that some of the spot-on therapies for flea prevention have not been as effective as they usually are. This may be a problem with application rather than the product itself. In some cases we are recommeding a monthly tablet for flea prevention called 'Comfortis'. Unfortunately this product is only registered for dogs at this stage.

5. Are you applying the product correctly? You should always read the directions on the packaging carefully before administering any flea product to your dog or cat. We are very happy to help you with the correct application of the flea treatment you choose so as to get the maximum benefit for your pet.

Please phone us or drop in to the clinic to chat to our friendly staff for any flea prevention advice.

Staff News

Dr Helena Reeves (pictured right holding 'Trapa') joined us in August last year and many of you will already have had the opportunity to meet her. Helena graduated from Massey University in New Zealand in 2009 and after a brief stint in the Queensland outback she started here with us. Helena has had extensive experience with horses back home in NZ, in particular racehorses, and she will be out and about doing a lot of large animal outcalls to hopefully ease Jack's workload.

In January Dr Stacy Gwyther (pictured left) joined our team after four years working in a mixed animal practice in Wagga Wagga. Stacy is a local gal, having grown up on her parent's hobby farm in Wamboin until going to Sydney University to study Veterinary Science.. She and her husband recently purchased a home and are looking forward to settling down in the district.

Anne Takiari joined us in January this year and works part-time in the reception area. Anne has been a veterinary nurse for many, many years (she won't tell us how long!) working in clinics within the ACT.

We welcome Shae Sadler (Young Australian of the Year in Bungendore!) who started with us in January, helping out on our busy Saturday mornings and two afternoons a week. Shae attends Braidwood Central School and is currently in Year 11. Last year, as part of her Year 10 certificate, she studied Companion Animal Care at CIT in Canberra.  Shae has already completed two work experience placements with us so she had a foot in the door (and also knew what she was getting herself into!).

Sadly, after nine years at the surgery, we have farewelled Suzie Shephard who has left us for the "big smoke".  She is pursuing a new career in the public service and we wish her all the very best for the future.

"Yearly Checkups? Why?"

By Dr Michael McCormack

Those clients who have brought their dogs in recently for vaccination will know that the C3 component (parvovirus, hepatitis and distemper) of the vaccine now only needs to be adminisitered every 3 years. This has come about after the Australian Veterinary Association, based on recent scientific research, developed new protocols for vaccinating dogs. The vaccine now administered to your dog is safe and has been rigorously tested to ensure that your dog maintains immunity for 3 years. So the question begs, "If my dog doesn't need a vaccine why does he need to come to the vet every year?"

Firstly, other 'non core' vaccines like kennel cough DO NOT last for more than a year and neither does injectable heartworm prevention. Secondly, and more importantly, a year is a long time in your dog's life and their health status can change dramatically over 12 months. A health check every year is a perfect opportunity to inspect that 'little lump', examine your dogs' teeth or keep a check on a previously diagnosed condition like a heart murmur. Furthermore it is not uncommon for silent problems to be detected and we recently had a very pertinent reminder of this.

One of our lovely patients (a big smiley, woolly fellow) was presented to us for vaccination with no reported health issues. A thorough physical exam was performed and in our patient's abdomen we discovered a growth about the size of a grapefruit. Radiographs, ultrasound and blood tests were conducted but ultimately surgery was necessary to investigate the full extent of the growth. Two large growths were discovered in the spleen and lymph nodes nearby were also affected - all were removed. Pathology of the spleen and lymph nodes identified cancer that had already begun to spread, but there is a very good chance that removal has resulted in a cure and a full and happy life is expected.

Whilst this case may seem extreme, in fact it is a typical reminder of the problems that may be discovered during an annual health exam. Early intervention in any problem will always give the best chance of a good outcome. Although developments may mean your dog only needs a vaccine every 3 years, an annual check up is a critical component of your dog's health and longevity.

Jack's Joke

Some horses in a racing stable were having a chat. One of them starts to boast about his track record. "In the last 15 races, I've won 8 of them!"

Another horse breaks in, "Well in the last 27 races, I've won 19!!"

"Oh that's good, but in the last 36 races, I've won 28!", says another, flicking his tail.

At this point, they notice that a greyhound dog has been sitting there listening. "I don't mean to boast," says the greyhound, "but in my last 90 races, I've won 88 of them!"

The horses are clearly amazed. "Wow!" says one, after a hushed silence. "A talking dog."

Greasy Heel in Horses

By Dr Helena Reeves

Many of our horse clients have spent a frustrating few months battling ongoing greasy heel issues. A few recent cases have brought to light the fact that many owners are treating what appears to be greasy heel on their horses but is actually a different skin condition which needs to be managed differently.
 

Greasy Heel.
Greasy heel is a skin condition caused by proliferation of bacteria in the superficial layers of the skin. The main culprit is the bacteria Dermatophilus congoliensis , this is found normally on the horse's skin and only invades after the natural barriers of the skin are compromised. This can be due to excessive wetness (the most likely cause this year), insect bites and irritation from grasses, bedding or terrain.
Greasy heel infections begin at the heel and spread up the pastern and fetlock of any coloured leg. They are characterised by redness, matting of the hair and scab formation. Secondary bacteria such as Staphylococcus species complicate the process which may progress to swelling up the leg and nasty cracked, weeping, infected wounds.
And then there is the other disease…….
 

Solar Dermatitis.
Solar dermatitis looks exactly like greasy heel, with areas of redness, matting, scabs and infection. However it only occurs on WHITE areas and starts on the SIDES of the FETLOCKS and PASTERNS not the heels (however it can spread there).
It is caused by an increased skin response to exposure to UV light. It requires a photodynamic agent which makes the skin more sensitive to the sunlight. These agents are found in lush clover or improved pasture, or from St John’s Wort. Photodynamic agents are removed from the body by the liver so liver disease may also lead to this condition.

As the treatment for these problems are quite different it's important to make sure you know which one your horse has. It is best to make an appointment for one of our vets to come and examine your horse and then to work out a treatment regime before it gets too severe.