Author: ChrissyFlet

‘Tis the season to be jolly! As we adorn our homes with glittering decorations and indulge in festive treats, let’s not forget our beloved pets who make our holidays even brighter. Amidst the joyful celebrations, it’s essential to ensure our furry companions stay safe and healthy during this merry season.

The Magic of Christmas for Our Pets

The twinkling lights, the aromatic scents, and the overall cheerful atmosphere of Christmas can captivate our furry friends as much as it does us. Dogs wag their tails at the sight of beautifully wrapped presents, cats curiously bat at ornaments adorning the tree, and even birds chirp along to the merry tunes playing in the background. This time of year brings joy and a unique sense of togetherness for the whole family, including our pets.

Potential Hazards Lurking Around the Christmas Tree

However, amidst the festive joy, there are hidden dangers that pet owners should be mindful of:

1. 1. Decorations: Tinsel, ornaments, and ribbons may add sparkle to your tree, but they pose a serious risk if ingested by pets. These can cause intestinal blockages or other digestive issues.
   2. Christmas Plants: Mistletoe, holly, and poinsettias are commonly used for decorations but can be toxic to pets if consumed. Keep them out of reach.
   3. Festive Food: The irresistible aroma of holiday feasts might tempt your pets, but some foods like chocolate, grapes, raisins, and certain nuts are toxic to them.
   4. Electrical Cords: Pets might chew on cords from festive lights, leading to electric shocks or injuries

Tips for a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

To ensure a joyful and hazard-free Christmas for your pets:

• Secure Decorations: Hang ornaments higher on the tree where pets can’t reach, and avoid using tinsel or small, breakable decorations.
• Pet-Friendly Plants: Opt for pet-safe alternatives like Christmas cacti or pet-friendly artificial plants to adorn your home.
• Mindful Feasting: Keep holiday treats away from pets and ensure garbage bins containing food scraps are secured.
• Cord Management: Tape down or cover electrical cords to prevent pets from chewing on them.

Clinic Closure for the Holidays

As much as we love caring for your furry companions, please note that our clinic will be closed for the Christmas holidays. Our closure will be from Friday, December 22nd, through Tuesday, December 26th. We encourage our clients to ensure they have adequate supplies of any medications or pet essentials needed during this period.

Conclusion

Christmas is a time for celebration and spreading cheer, and with a little precaution and care, it can be a joyful time for your furry companions too. By being mindful of potential hazards and considering our holiday closure, pet owners can ensure that the holidays remain a safe and festive time for everyone, including our four-legged friends.

Wishing you and your pets a paws-itively wonderful Christmas filled with love, joy, and safety!

Introduction:

Separation anxiety isn’t exclusive to dogs; our feline companions also experience distress when apart from their owners. At North Bundaberg Vet Surgery, we recognize the significance of understanding and managing separation anxiety in our beloved pets. This article aims to shed light on this common issue, offering insights and strategies to help pet owners alleviate their pets’ distress.

Understanding Separation Anxiety:

Triggers and Causes: Both cats and dogs can develop separation anxiety due to similar triggers, including changes in routine, past traumatic experiences, or lack of socialization.

Symptoms of Separation Anxiety: Understanding these distinct manifestations is crucial for identifying and addressing separation anxiety in our beloved pets effectively. By recognizing these specific behaviours in dogs, such as pacing, panting, excessive barking or attempting to escape, and in cats, including excessive meowing, urinating outside the litter box, or aggression towards other pets, pet owners can take proactive steps to alleviate their pet’s distress and foster a more comfortable environment in their absence.

Managing Separation Anxiety:

Establishing a Safe Environment: Create safe spaces equipped with familiar scents, toys, and comfortable bedding to alleviate anxiety in your absence.

Gradual Departures and Reintroductions: Incrementally increase time apart to build their confidence and reassure them of your return.

Behavioral Training: Employ positive reinforcement techniques tailored to their specific needs to help them cope with separation.

Professional Guidance: Seek veterinary advice from our experts at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery for personalized strategies and support.

Conclusion:

Understanding and managing separation anxiety in pets requires patience, empathy, and tailored approaches. At North Bundaberg Vet Surgery, our commitment extends to the well-being of all pets. We offer compassionate care and expert guidance to help pet owners navigate separation anxiety, ensuring a harmonious bond between them and their beloved companions.

Contact Us:

North Bundaberg Vet Surgery 29 Queen Street, North Bundaberg, Queensland,

Phone: 4151 3688

By comprehensively addressing separation anxiety in pets, we aim to support pet owners in providing the best care for their furry companions.

1. Chocolate: A Bitter Sweet Temptation

Chocolate is a delectable treat for humans but a potential hazard for dogs. It contains substances called theobromine and caffeine, both of which are toxic to canines. Ingesting chocolate can lead to symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, rapid breathing, increased heart rate, seizures, and, in severe cases, even death. Dark chocolate and cocoa powder contain higher levels of theobromine and are especially dangerous. Be vigilant and keep all forms of chocolate out of your dog’s reach.

2. Grapes and Raisins: A Tiny Fruit with a Big Threat

Grapes and raisins may seem harmless, but they can have dire consequences when consumed by dogs. These fruits can lead to kidney failure in dogs, even in relatively small amounts. Symptoms of grape or raisin toxicity include vomiting, diarrhoea, lethargy, and loss of appetite. Ensure your dog stays away from these foods, including dishes that contain them, such as grape salad or raisin bread.

3. Onions and Garlic: Hidden Dangers in the Kitchen

Onions and garlic, common ingredients in many human dishes, are toxic to dogs. They contain compounds that can damage a dog’s red blood cells, leading to anaemia. Symptoms of onion and garlic poisoning in dogs may include weakness, vomiting, diarrhoea, and difficulty breathing. Keep these ingredients out of your dog’s reach and ensure that they do not accidentally ingest any food containing onions or garlic.

4. Xylitol: The Silent Sweetener Threat

Xylitol is a sugar substitute commonly found in sugar-free gum, candies, and some baked goods. While it’s safe for humans, it’s incredibly toxic to dogs. Ingesting xylitol can cause a rapid release of insulin, leading to hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar). This condition can result in seizures, loss of coordination, and, in severe cases, liver failure. Always double-check ingredient labels to ensure your dog is not exposed to xylitol-containing products.

5. Alcohol: Never a Party Favour for Pets

Alcohol consumption can lead to severe health issues in dogs. Even small amounts can cause symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, coordination problems, and incoordination. Ingesting larger quantities can result in alcohol poisoning, which can be life-threatening. Never leave alcoholic beverages unattended, and make sure your dog doesn’t have access to them during gatherings or parties.

Conclusion

Our furry friends bring joy and companionship into our lives, and it’s our responsibility to ensure their safety and well-being. Understanding the dangers of certain foods is crucial in protecting our beloved pets from potential harm. At North Bundaberg Vet Surgery, we’re here to provide guidance and care for your pets. If you suspect your dog has ingested any of these dangerous foods or is experiencing symptoms of poisoning, contact your veterinarian immediately. By staying informed and taking preventive measures, we can keep our canine companions safe and healthy for years to come.

We have been seeing quite a big increase recently in the amount of dogs who are testing positive for heartworm and therefore we thought it very timely to share some information with our clients to help understand the importance of prevention in controlling heartworm.

Did you know that just one bite from a mosquito can give your dog heartworm?  It is spread between dogs by mosquitos and one bite is all it takes.  Through that bite, your dog can get infected with young heartworms that can develop and eventually grow up to 30cm long in the heart and lungs.  This leads to heart failure, lung disease, organ damage and death.

Heartworm disease is a risk through all of Australia.

It is possible to treat heartworm infection, but the treatment program is expensive and can cause serious complications.  Prevention is definitely better than cure.

Protecting your dog from Heartworm

There are a number of ways to protect your dog from heartworm.  One option is to give monthly treatments to your dog, and these often include flea and tick prevention as well as treating some intestinal worms.  However forgetting monthly treatment is one of the leading causes of deadly heartworm disease in dogs.

If you think you might forget to give your dog their heartworm prevention every month, there is a year-round prevention (given by injection) available which can be administered at our clinic simply by making an appointment with one of our vets.

Testing for heartworm is recommended when heartworm prevention is unknown or lage.  Testing is performed in the clinic and only requires a small blood sample from your dog.  Results are known within minutes.

If you would like to make an appointment to have your dog tested for heartworm, please just phone and we can make an appointment for you.

Please call us anytime if you would like to know more about this protection, or if you have any questions at all about your pet’s health.

Nail clipping is one of those tasks that some pets don’t cope with too well.  However checking the nails regularly is important.  A nail that grows too long can cause your pet discomfort and is more likely to be snagged on things and broken.  It can also curl and become ingrown, leading to painful swelling and infection of the paw.

So what is the best way to get a puppy used having their nails trimmed?                                     

• Frequent handling of your puppy’s paws – the more time you spend with your puppy touching his paws and in between the toes, the more likely it is he/she will cope with having the nails trimmed.
• Give him treats and praise whilst doing this – it will create positive reinforcement around being touched around their paws.
• Begin introducing very gentle trimming or filing of the nails, followed by more treats and praise.
• Clip only a few nails at a time and reward them for good behaviour.
• Try to get your pet used to having their nails cut when they are young

What about adult dogs that are already fearful?

If your dog is already fearful of nail trims, positive reinforcement is still worth trying. Here are some tips you can try:

• having someone distract the dog with a toy or food while another gently trims the nails
• patience – this is not a problem that can be fixed in just a few sittings and it can take months to years to overcome
• take your dog to a vet or groomer to have the nails trimmed – sometimes a nice, calm, easy-going environment is all a nervous dog needs to turn their fear around

Why are nail trims so important anyway?

Nail trims are very important, especially for dogs that don’t naturally wear their nails down.  If the nails grow too long, they can curl back and grow into the paw pads, potentially leading to pain and infection.

How often should nails be trimmed?

Every dog is different, but as a general rule, nails should be flat on (or just above) the ground.  Generally once every six to eights weeks is ideal. If the nails are too long, the toes will bend and this can be uncomfortable, even painful.

What if despite all of your best efforts, it is still too difficult/stressful to trim your dog’s nails?

We are always here to help – Please call us anytime to make an appointment for your dog’s nails to be trimmed – if your dog is still too stressed for our vet to do this, the kindest option can be to sedate your dog so that the nails can be trimmed without causing them any more fear and anxiety.