WELCOMING THE NEW YEAR WITH GRATITUDE

Dear Cherished Clients,

As the vibrant colours of the New Year unfold, we find ourselves reflecting on the immense joy of serving the wonderful pets and their caring families that make our days at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery so fulfilling.

As we step into this new chapter, our hearts overflow with gratitude for each wag of a tail, each comforting purr, and every feathered friend that graces our practice. Your trust in us to care for your beloved companions is an honour we deeply cherish.

The past year has been one of shared triumphs, where together, we navigated uncertainties and celebrated victories, all centred around the health and happiness of your cherished pets. Your support and loyalty have been the cornerstone of our journey, and for this, we extend our sincerest gratitude.

Looking Ahead

With the dawn of this New Year, we embrace the opportunity to continue providing the highest standard of care, and compassion to your furry, feathered, or whiskered family members. We’re excited about the possibilities ahead, striving to enhance our services and uphold the trust you place in us.

A New Year’s Wish

May this year be filled with wagging tails, gentle purrs, and joyful chirps. May your homes be adorned with the love and companionship of your pets, and may their health and happiness continue to bring warmth and light to your lives.

Dog And Cat New Years

Grateful for Each Step Together

 

Thank you for entrusting us with the care of your beloved pets. Your presence in our veterinary family is deeply appreciated, and we eagerly anticipate the opportunity to continue nurturing this bond in the coming year.

Warmest Wishes for 2024

From all of us at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery, we wish you a splendid New Year filled with prosperity, health, and the unwavering love of your furry companions.

Warm Regards,

The Team at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery

PROTECTING YOUR PET: UNDERSTANDING THE SUMMER THREAT OF FLEAS AND TICKS IN BUNDABERG

As the sun shines brighter and the temperature rises in Bundaberg, our furry friends are eager to explore the outdoors. However, with the warmth of summer also comes a lurking threat: fleas and ticks. These tiny pests may seem insignificant, but they pose serious dangers to the health of your beloved pets.

Understanding the Threat: Fleas and Ticks

Fleas and ticks are more than just nuisances. They’re carriers of diseases that can severely impact your pet’s health. In Bundaberg’s warmer climate, they thrive, making prevention a crucial aspect of your pet care routine.

Risks Associated with Fleas and Ticks

Health Complications: Fleas and ticks can cause various health issues in pets, ranging from skin irritations, allergic reactions, and infections to more severe conditions like Lyme disease, anaplasmosis, and Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Anaemia: Fleas, especially in large numbers, can cause anaemia in pets, particularly in puppies and kittens. This condition can lead to weakness, lethargy, and even life-threatening complications if left untreated.

The Significance of Paralysis Ticks

Among ticks, paralysis ticks hold a particular danger due to the toxin they inject while feeding on the pet’s blood. This toxin can lead to paralysis, respiratory distress, and, in severe cases, death. While less common, paralysis ticks require prompt identification and removal.

Prevention Tips

Regular Check-ups: Schedule routine check-ups at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery to ensure your pet is free from these parasites. Inquire about a comprehensive prevention plan that includes protection against fleas, ticks, and specifically, paralysis ticks.

Use Preventive Medications: We here at North Bundy Vet Surgery can recommend and provide to you the right preventive products suitable for your pet’s age, size, and health condition. From spot-on treatments to collars and oral medications, various options are available for effective prevention.Flea And Tick Dog New Imgaea

Environmental Care: Maintain a clean environment by regularly vacuuming and cleaning your home, pet bedding, and yard. This helps eliminate flea eggs and larvae, reducing the risk of infestation.

Recognizing Signs of Infestation

It’s essential to be vigilant and watch out for signs of fleas and ticks on your pets:

  • Excessive scratching or biting at the skin
  • Redness or inflammation on the skin
  • Visible pests on the fur or skin
  • Restlessness or discomfort in your pet

Conclusion

Summer in Bundaberg should be a time of joy and adventure for both you and your pets. By staying proactive and taking preventive measures against fleas and ticks, including being mindful of the dangers posed by paralysis ticks, you can ensure your furry companions enjoy the season to the fullest while staying healthy and happy.

Remember, for any concerns or for guidance on the best preventive measures for your pet, don’t hesitate to reach out to us at North Bundaberg Vet Surgery. Together, let’s keep our pets protected and thriving this summer!

OUR CUTEST PET COMPETITION IS ON AGAIN!!!

This is the third year that together with Hitz Fm we have had the pleasure of running Bundy’s cutest pet competition and we are very happy that it is back on again.

We think all of the pets we are lucky enough to see in here are super cute and would make worthy winners, so take a photo and get your entry in!

The prize is a full health check and  $300 to spend in store with us. So whether you have a dog, cat, bird, rat – whatever the species – if you think they’re cute, get entering!

Our previous winners were “Mary-Lou” the Boxer in 2019 and “Oaky” the Quaker Parakeet in 2020.

Nominations close at 5pm on Wednesday, 1 September.

It is super easy to do – simply follow this link to the Hitz939 Cutest Pet page:

https://www.hitz939.com.au/win/156026-bundy-s-cutest-pet

 

Cutest Pet

 

Signs of your pet aging

Compared to us, dogs and cats age at a very different rate.  After their 7th birthday, cats and dogs enter their senior years, which is equivalent in human terms of entering their 50’s.  Large and giant breeds however enter their senior years after only 5 years of age. (Large and giant breeds are considered to be dogs over 25kg’s.)

Therefore it is important to realize that the nutritional and physical needs of your pet changes.  They are also much more likely to develop an age-related disorder so regular health checks should become a priority. There are many products available to help your pet as they age including diet foods and joint formula

Diseases that become more common as dogs age are:

old dog

  • dental disease
  • heart disease
  • diabetes
  • dementia
  • cancer
  • skin disease
  • obesity
  • osteoarthritis
  • kidney disease

Some signs to look out for:

  • hearing loss, poor vision, reduced sense of smell
  • digestion issues
  • loss of muscle mass
  • lower exercise tolerance
  • poor coat
  • difficulty eating/chewing
  • weight gain/weight loss
  • increased drinking and/or urinating
  • decreased agility and playfulness
  • behavioural changes, e.g. loss of previous toilet training, confusion and disorientation

Diseases that become more common as cats age are:

old cat

  • kidney disease
  • diabetes
  • urinary disease
  • dental disease
  • heart disease
  • cancer
  • urinary disease
  • behavioural and neurological diseases

Signs to look out for:

  • poor grooming
  • digestion issues
  • weight gain/loss
  • decreased appetite
  • increased thirst
  • increased urination
  • decreased agility
  • reduced activity and exercise
  • behavioural changes including irritability, confusion, less human interaction

 

The great news is that the earlier these age-related diseases are detected, the better the chances of managing them successfully.signs

SNAKE SEASON IS SLITHERING IN!!

With the warmer weather starting, we thought it would be timely to share some information about snake-bites.   At this time of year, even in suburban areas dogs and cats can  encounter snakes, particularly where there are areas of water such as a lake or dam.

The most common type of snake bites we see in our area are from the eastern brown snake and the king brown snake.

snake-2

We have treated 6 dogs in 5 days!!!!!!

If you believe your pet has been bitten by a snake, it is imperative you get them to us as soon as possible.  While it is useful for us to know the type of snake your pet has been bitten by, do not put yourself in any danger by attempting to identify the snake. Individual species of snake can vary in colour and pattern considerably and it can be very difficulty to make an accurate identification yourself.

Symptoms to look for:

Several factors will determine what sort of reaction your pet has to a snake bite. The type of snake (some species of snake are more venomous than others), the amount of venom injected (depends of the size and maturity of the snake) and the site of the snake bite are all contributing factors.

The most common area for dogs and cats to be bitten is on the limbs and around the head.

The most common signs of snake bite by a venemous brown snake are as follows:

  • Shaking or twitching of the muscles.
  • Sudden weakness followed by collapse.
  • Seizures
  • Salivation
  • Dilated pupils not responsive to light.
  • Vomiting.
  • Blood in the urine.
  • In the later stages paralysis may occur – this usually starts from the hind legs.

IMPORTANT!!!  Please note that while your pet may initially show symptoms of snake bite, it is quite common for them to then appear to make a quick recovery, leaving you wondering if perhaps they were not bitten after all, or if they even need any treatment.

Unfortunately this decision can ultimately mean the difference between life and death. It is imperative that you ignore this apparent period of calm if you suspect they were bitten as they will rapidly deteriorate again once if they have been bitten.

Veterinary treatment:

The first step is an examination: We will assess the clinical signs they are showing and determine the best treatment from there.

Diagnostic tests may be required to determine if your pet has actually been bitten.

Veterinary treatment varies with each individual case, how severe the symptoms are and how rapidly the symptoms progress. Treatment usually consists of intravenous fluids and the administration of antivenom to neutralise the snake venom in the pet’s body. Some patients require multiple vials of antivenom.

Ongoing veterinarian and nursing care  in hospital will be required until the pet has recovered sufficiently to go home.

What happens after your pet has been discharged

Once the pet is discharged, they need lots of rest and t.l.c for the following 7 days.

 

Please phone us anytime on (07) 4151 3688.

 

**AMAZING NEW PRICE ON SERESTO FLEA and TICK COLLARS – 8 MONTHS PROTECTION FOR $66.55**(only $8.32/month)

Seresto

Seresto is a collar which provides dogs and cats up to 8 months protection against fleas and 4 months control of ticks in dogs.  We recently posted a vet blog offering this product at a reduced price of $79.95, however since then the manufacturer has reduced their price and we are able to pass this saving on to our customers.

The collars are now only $66.55, making it absolutely fantastic value.  This equates to only $8.32 per month for full protection against fleas, which really does make it the most affordable flea and tick preventative on the market.

  • It can be used in puppies from 7 weeks of age, and kittens from 10 weeks of age.
  • It not only kills adult fleas, but flea larvae as well.  It will also kill all adult ticks including the paralysis tick.
  • It has no “chemical” smell.
  • It doesn’t wash off when your dog goes for a swim or is regularly bathed.
  • It comes in 2 size for puppies/dogs – up to 8kgs and 8kgs and over.
  • It comes in just 1 size to suit all kittens/cats.

Unlike other products, Seresto works without fleas and ticks having to bite!!

 

How Seresto works: 

  • Active ingredients (actives) are integrated into Seresto’s innovative polymer matrix.
  • Low doses of these actives are released from the matrix over time and migrate into the lipid (fatty/oily) layer of your pet’s skin and hair.
  • Actives are not significantly absorbed through the skin. but remain within the naturally water-resistant, lipid layer of the skin and hair – so your dog can still enjoy the water.
  • The actives in the skin and hair of your pet kills fleas and ticks on contact therefore not relying on them having to bite your pet.
  • The hair and dead skin that your pet sheds naturally each day contain small amounts of actives, enough to kill flea larvae that may live in your pet’s surroundings.

Your don’t need to remove Seresto when you give your pet a bath or if they get wet.  This is because:

  • the innovative polymer matrix formulation shields actives from unwanted release and washing off
  • actives localise within the lipid layer of your pet’s skin and coat, which minimises their loss with wetting.

If some of the actives are lost, with frequent shampooing or water immersion, the collar will quickly replenish levels in your pet’s skin and coat.

Please call in to our surgery anytime to speak with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

 

 

Seresto – A new tick and flea treatment for dogs and cats!!

Seresto dog

We are excited to let you all know about a new, innovative, gold-standard collar which we now have in stock.  This is the first flea and tick treatment which lasts for a full 8 months against fleas in dogs and cats and 4 months control of all ticks in dogs.

Seresto cat

How does Seresto work?

  • Active ingredients are integrated into Seresto’s innovative polymer matrix.
  • Low doses of these actives are released from the matrix over time and migrate into the lipid (fatty/oily) layer of your pet’s skin and hair.
  • Actives are not significantly absorbed through the skin, but remain within the naturally water-resistant, lipid layer of the skin and hair – so your dog can still enjoy the water
  • The actives in the skin and hair of your pet kill fleas and ticks on contact therefore not relying on them having to bite your pet.
  • The hair and dead skin that your pet sheds naturally each day contain small amounts of actives, enough to kill flea larvae that may live in your pet’s surroundings

Seresto is also water-resistant and odourless

You don’t need to remove Seresto when you give your pet a bath or if they get wet.  This is because:

  • the formulation shields actives from unwanted release and washing off
  • actives localise within the lipid layer of your pet’s skin and coat, which minimises their loss with wetting

If some of the actives are lost, with frequent shampooing or water immersion, the collar will quickly replenish levels in your pet’s skin and coat.

Please call in anytime to purchase one of these collars or to ask our friendly and knowledgeable staff about this great new product.

 

 

Bravecto – A 3 month flea and tick preventative

Bravecto 3

 

Bravecto is an oral flea and tick prevention that only needs to be administered once every twelve weeks (three months).  The tick prevention includes brown dog ticks and also the paralysis tick for the twelve week period.  The three monthly oral chew has been specifically designed for ultimate palatability, therefore making administration an easy task.

Bravecto has also been approved for adult dogs that are breeding, pregnant or lactating and can be used in puppies from eight weeks of age and treats dogs that weigh as little as two kilograms.

Please call in or phone to find out more about this latest product.  Our friendly and knowledgeable staff can also help you with any queries you may have.

Bravecto