Category: vet blog

Caring for your horse means protecting it from diseases, and the only way you can protect your horse from Tetanus, Hendra, Strangles and Equine Herpes Virus is by vaccinating against them.

This month is Equine Vaccination month, and we would really love to bring more awareness to equine diseases that can be prevented by vaccination.

This week we would like to focus on Tetanus which is a completely preventable disease.

A recent survey of Australian equine veterinarians reported at least 150 cases of tetanus with a fatality rate of 85%.

The vaccination regime for tetanus involves just 2 vaccinations one month apart, followed by yearly vaccinations.  Given the terrible pain and suffering that tetanus causes before likely death, it is a small price to pay.

Having a preventative healthcare plan in place provides comprehensive protection from preventable diseases, plus it helps you maintain regular contact with veterinary experts and plan financially for the wellbeing of your horse.

Your horse should be protected, even if it never leaves your property!

Some symptoms of tetanus include a stiff legged gait, pricked ears, tail held out stiff, paralysis of breathing muscles. (see picture below)

Some causes of tetanus include any deep penetrating wound e.g. barbed wire injury, nail/stick injury, and in foals eating contaminated faeces which then may get into a tooth socket to mention a few.

Zoetis Australia, the manufacturer of tetanus vaccination (amongst many other) has an online community devoted to health, preventative care and well-being for horses. Please copy and paste this link into your web browser if you are interested in learning more:  https://www.zoetis.com.au/programs/health4horses.aspx

Bravecto is a chewable tablet which provides treatment and prevention of flea infestations for 3 months and treatment and control of all ticks including the paralysis ticks for 4 months, something that no other product can offer.

This is a great option for those of us who just want something to last for as long as possible before having to re-treat.  This way you will only have to treat 4 times each year for full year round protection.

With the weather having been so hot and humid recently, fleas and ticks are thriving and we are seeing lots of clients coming in with this issue.

It can be used in puppies from 8 weeks of age as long as they do not weigh less than 2kgs.  It comes in 5 sizes so it is just a matter of buying the correct size for your dog.

We currently have a great promotion where you receive a really great cooler bag (see pictured below) with the purchase of one pack. (1 x pack = 1 tablet).

If you purchase 2 packs, you will receive a bonus $20 eftpos card simply by filling in a claim form online.  This is a really great saving on a great product.

Please call in anytime to discuss any of your pet concerns with our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

We have a great promotion at the moment for our customers who may be looking to buy a flea and tick preventative.  Nexgard is a chewable tablet which treats dogs for fleas and ticks (including the paralysis tick) for one month.  Call in anytime to see our friendly and knowledgeable staff about this great product.

We would like to introduce our new vet, Dr Shannon Goodwin.  She has recently graduated from James Cook University in Townsville and she has just joined our team.

Growing up on a beef cattle property in central Queensland has given her a lot of experience with horses, cattle and dogs, with a large assortment of pets over the years.

Shannon enjoys getting out on large animal calls as well as being in the clinic doing consults and surgery.

She is new to Bundaberg and is looking forward to meeting our wonderful clients and their fabulous pets.

We would like to let our clients know that there is a great promotion running at the moment if you purchase Advocate.

We sell Advocate in either single units or a 6pk.  There is a saving if you buy the 6 pack rather than the singles each month, however the singles are very convenient for many people.

The promotion is that for every 12 Advocate purchased (either 2 x 6pks or 12 singles), you will receive 3 single applications completely free!  Given that each treatment lasts for a full month this is a really great saving.

We will keep a record for you here in a special frequent buyer card by stamping it once for every single unit you purchase.  Once you have 12 stamps, we give you 3 single vials.  It is that easy.

If you need any further information on this product, please feel free to call in anytime and ask our great staff about it.  If you are currently on Advocate just ask our friendly staff to start a card for you when you are next in.

We look forward to seeing you.

We would like to let all the horse owners out there know of a great n product we now have available.

Sand Flush is a natural psyllium husk pellet which helps avoid the accumulation of sand and helps maintain digestive health and prevent colic in horses and ponies.

Sand Flush is highly palatable and easy to administer which will tempt even the fussiest of eaters.

How does it work?

• The main ingredient of Sand Flush is psyllium husk.
• Psyllium husk is derived from the seed of the plant, plantago ovata.
• Psyllium husk is a highly soluble fibre which allows it to absorb a large amount of water in the gastrointestinal system.
• As sand flush pellets absorb water in the intestines a soft, sticky gel is formed
• As the psyllium gel moves through the intestines, it will pick up sand which will then pass out in the manure
• Just feed Sand Flush for 5 days every month to help prevent the accumulation of sand in your horse

CHECK OUT THIS PHOTO OF WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WATER IS COMBINED TO SAND FLUSH:

Does your pet have Dental Disease?

Up to 85% of dogs and up to 70% of cats over 3 years of age suffer from dental disease.

How do you know if your pet has dental disease?

Some of the clinical signs of dental disease include:

• Bad breath
• Drooling/excess salivation
• Broken teeth
• Difficulty chewing
• Loss of appetite
• Tartar build up
• Swollen/red gums

Dental disease is easily preventable, but it is one of the most commonly diagnosed problems in our pets by veterinarians every year.  If dental disease goes untreated, it can lead to other health problems, such as bacterial infections affecting the heart, liver and kidneys.

Come in and have a consultation with one of our vets to find out if your pet has dental disease. Our friendly staff can also assist you in finding the best course of action for preventing dental disease for your pets.  Our staff can show you how to brush your pets teeth, recommend a dental friendly diet or dental chews.

During the month of August if your pet has a dental scale & polish done, you will receive a FREE bag of Royal Canin Dental Food, selected specifically for your pet.

Did you know that the RSPCA is having a Cupcake Day to raise much needed funds for  animals in need?  In 2015 RSPCA Qld cared for over 44 500 neglected, injured or homeless animals and they would love you to get involved in Cupcake Day.

Cupcake Day for the RSPCA is all about baking, eating and, most importantly, fundraising for animals in need. When you put on your apron and whip out that mixing bowl, you are helping to ensure animals across Australia are treated with dignity and love. Who would’ve known the humble cupcake could transform lives?

So what are you waiting for? Register today and the RSPCA will send you a free host kit so you can plan, promote and hold your own Cupcake Day party to help animals in need.

If you would like to get involved in this very worthy cause, please follow this link to their website where you can register your interest:

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For all of our clients who may be interested, there is a First Aid app available with lots of great information.  It has been rated 4 and 1/2 stars by users and has over 130 essential first aid articles.

The free app was created to ensure you are better prepared to recognize an emergency situation and then act quickly with effective first aid during the critical minutes before you get to us.

You can search for First Aid for Pets Australia in your app store if you are interested , or you can call in the clinic and pick up a leaflet with the barcode which will allow to download it directly.

No one knows when an emergency will happen, however by having the First Aid for Pets Australia app on your phone, you can be better prepared and have quick and easy access to a comprehensive list of emergency situations wherever you are.

We hope you and your pets stay safe and healthy over the coming winter months.