Have you heard our pets talking about it over the fence? Freshen up for Summer!  Invigorate, Rejuvenate - our focus for your pets this month is on cleaning up and preparing for some carefree summer days of play. Fleas and ticks also like to have fun in the sun so now is the time to freshen up your pets coats and get your flea & tick protection up to scratch!  

Receive a FREE pet brush with any purchase of Advantix, Advocate and Advantage 6 pack flea & tick protection for your pet.

Freshen up and go off for summer when you & your pet "Zoom in for a Groom"

Make a Splash into the Aquadog pool with a friend for some carefree summer fun & fitness.

LOOK OUT!  LOOK OUT there are TICKS ABOUT. Tick tales about pets affected by paralysis tick are still flooding into our clinics almost daily. We feature a tale about Finn the Corgi and give some great tips to help you be on the LOOK OUT for these nasty biting creatures.

With Christmas and holiday times on the horizon its vaccination time for many of our pets. In this months edition you can read about the power of vaccinations and why we recommend a top to tail examination and vaccination for all our precious pets.

Every year Buttons, a loveable Burmese visits us for a health check and a vaccination. Buttons loves the visit until it is time for his injection when he tries to hide under the consult table.

Why do we vaccinate?
A vaccination is delivered by an injection under the skin and provides your pet with immunity. Put simply, this means your pet is armed with the ability to fight off disease. Some diseases, such as Parvovirus in dogs are potentially fatal but vaccination acts as a prevention tool.

Importantly, puppies and kittens need three vaccinations initially in their early months to reach a decent level of protection. Vaccination "boosters" must then be given every year to make sure immunity is sustained.

Buttons may be apprehensive about injections, but if he knew the importance of this vaccination he may be a little more courageous. A yearly health check and a vaccination with us will undoubtedly help your pet live a longer and healthier life.

For dogs, vaccines protect against:
- Parvovirus, Distemper and Hepatitis - all highly contagious, lethal diseases
- Canine Cough: a debilitating but non-lethal sore throat, this disease has a viral and bacterial component

For cats, vaccines protect against:
- Cat Flu: contributed to by a Herpes and a Calici virus, this disease is often not fatal but produces a horrible head cold
- Enteritis: like Parvovirus in dogs, can be fatal
- FIV [the cause of Feline AIDs]: highly contagious and lethal

Special Reminder: with Christmas and holidays on the horizon, boarding kennel and cattery stays require a current vaccination certificate.

As we zoom into summer, here's a list of things to do to help make it a fantastic time for your pets:

Clip off: Long haired dogs and cats often appreciate an army style "short back and sides" haircut over summer. Whether your pet's a Springer Spaniel who loves playing in water or a Persian cat who just has to catch those rays, short hair can be the answer to a more chilled summer. The coat is easier to manage - dirt, sticks and leaves can be brushed out. However, for some breeds such as Collies and Samoyeds, the coat is best left long - it naturally insulates against the heat. Ask your groomer what's best for your pet.

Cool off: Providing water to drink is an obvious essential, but water to play with can also be great fun. During the hot times, a wading pool can be a place to splash around in or simply somewhere to lie quietly. Choose a solid sided plastic wading pool rather than the blow up type - it will last longer. Put some favourite plastic chew toys in the water and watch how your dog goes bananas.

Seeds off: Long grass is a feature of summer - and cats and dogs love to run, hide and play in it. Grass seeds often get entangled in the coat and occasionally they bury into the skin. What you can do: Check your pet's coat daily - grass seeds are often found between the toes, around the head and in the eyes and ears.

Zoom in for "The Works" Groom this month. Clean up when you purchase 6pk Advantix for ticks or Advantage for fleas and receive a FREE PET BRUSH

Finn the Corgi loves the occasional explore in the garden in his backyard.

Recently his owners came home to find Finn wobbling and unable to use his hind legs. Thinking Finn had hurt his back, his owners rushed him to us. ‘Is Finn on any tick prevention?' we asked. Finn's fur was clipped and the culprit was found - a swollen blood filled paralysis tick buried head first into the skin.

The paralysis tick is common along the east coast of Australia especially New South Wales and Queensland. Once the tick attaches at a suitable site it begins to engorge with blood and will inject a potent toxin that causes muscle paralysis.

Things to look out for;

• weakness in the legs or inability to get up
• drooling, coughing or gagging
• difficulty breathing

If you notice any of these signs seek veterinary advice immediately as death can ensue once there is paralysis of the muscles that help your pet breathe.

Of course prevention is better than cure. Speak to us about the best preventative options for your pet.

Boss and Boris are both Rottweillers and are owned and loved by Rosemary and Tony.

Boss is 8 years old and first came to Aquadog in May 2007. Jodi, our vet tech and swim coach, fondly remembers him as one of her very first introductory swims. "Boss was quite special as he had a terrible start to life with abuse and it had left its mark on him as he was not quick to trust anyone" Jodi explained.

Boss was referred to us by his vet due to a torn cruciate ligament, which was unable to be surgically repaired as Boss also has arthritis and advanced hip dysplasia. Boss's owners were keen to do anything to help him and on their vets advice thought swimming might be an option to keep him active. He was, in Rosemary's words - a dog that struggled to get up. Tony even built a ramp for him to get in and out of their van. When first walking, he would stumble the first 5 metres before his hips got into the swing of walking properly.

Boss happily started off swimming 6 laps on a lead wearing a buoyancy vest. By his second swim he accepted a pat and liver treat from Jodi and within a month was easily swimming 20 laps. and confidently enjoyed lots of fun fetching games. Boss is now swimming off lead, playing games and just loving every minute of his time with us. He's like a pup again! He's active, playful and he is even running and jumping in and out of van, especially when he realises its swim day.

Boris, who is 4 years old, was rescued from a small, confined yard where he had no activity and was quite overweight. Rosemary said he was like a sausage - he had no shape and no muscle. He was also very scared of water, although  fortunately Boris had no problem with our DIY Hydrobath as a perfect introduction to AquaDog. Boris started cautiously swimming 9 laps on lead with a vest. With loads of encouragement from Jodi and nurturing from his mum, Rosemary, Boss was swimming 16 laps and playing fetch within 2 months.  Now Boris swims for fun just like his mate Boss. His owners are thrilled, "Since Boris has been swimming at AquaDog he has not only lost weight but gained muscle tone. He looks great, has contours and stamina!" Rosemary credits AquaDog for Boris's confidence in water now. "Even at the beach now he confidently runs into the waves and has a great time. The change in him is truly amazing".

Now both Boris and Boss thoroughly enjoy a refreshing fun and therapeutic swim followed by a cleansing hydrobath as part of their "lifestyle" therapy. Rosemary and Tony say they are always being stopped to receive comments on how beautiful both the dogs are and they always tell them how they used to be and that it's all because of Aquadog.

Congratulations to Boss and Boris and their family as our champion swimmers this month. Keep up the great work and enjoy making a BIG splash at AquaDog this summer. Bring a friend for an introductory swim and receive $20 to spend at AquaDog. For more information click here

Puppy Preschool is where we "Love, Listen, Laugh and Learn". It's a fun way for puppies and families to learn all the skills required for a rewarding life together. Under the expert guidance of our qualified nurses, families can enjoy being involved in developing their new puppy's social skills to ensure they become polite and well behaved canine citizens. Classes are held once a week for 4 weeks 6.30 - 7.30pm at our Nerang, Helensvale and Arundel Clinics. To join our next class, please call the location that suits your family and ask our friendly staff for more details.

Our 4 week program includes a puppy water safety class at our indoor swimming facility, AquaDog Health & Fitness Centre. For more information click here.

Congratulations to our recent graduates of our Puppy Preschool classes:

At Nerang: Class commenced 3/9/08 (pictured)
Scarlette Marland; Chilli Hunter; Sammy McSweeney; Bobo Cossens; Rusty Calden; Bosley Nolan; Roman Menzell.

Class commenced 16/9/08
Chelsea Scott; Bob Claydon, Tolula Bartsch; Carter Aitken; Millie Wilkins

At Helensvale: Class commenced  8/9/08
Stoli Crompton; Bella Frazier; Roxie Zraikat; Kody Loveridge; Charlie Walker; Austin Belzner; Cam Shaft Casey; Holly Parks

At Arundel: Class commenced 30/9/08
Lexi Grantham; Tana Travers-Jones; Missy Stenton; Guinness McGrenera; Tsunami Srnec; Buddy Burmeister; Boo Jessop; Rupert Coleman.

Thank you to all the enthusiastic puppy preschoolers and their dedicated parents for sharing the experience with lots of love and laughter.

We hope you will enjoy the memories of your time together at Puppy Preschool by printing your class photo to display in the frame provided. To print your class photo or to email to friends and family go to our website www.thevets.com.au then go to E-cards to find your framed photo.

We're really keen for as many pet lovers as possible to receive our email newsletter. People that love pets love our newsletter. So in order to sign up more people, we're asking you to refer this to your family, friends and workmates - anyone who might enjoy it.

There are great prizes to be won: Village Cinema Passes www.villagecinemas.com.au also valid at Greater Union and Birch Carroll & Coyle Cinemas, and a 1 month's supply of Hill's Science Diet food www.hillspet.com.au

To refer a friend, click on the button below (if the button does not display, use the Refer a Friend link at the bottom of this newsletter). Your friend will be sent an email inviting them to join and they can look at an example of the newsletter. If they choose not to join, they can simply ignore the email and will not be signed up.

We'll be asking people too in the clinic, so let's see how many we can get to join.

Most people are aware of the link between owning a pet and improved physical and mental wellbeing. Did you know that recent research proves that women in particular benefit from owning a dog?

The research confirms that women feel more secure with a dog both at home and when walking in the park. Owning a dog leads to social interaction with others and a greater sense of self esteem.

Michelle Bridges, celebrity trainer from the television series 'The Biggest Loser' agrees; "Women who own a dog are healthier both physically and mentally and are far more likely to get out and exercise with their dog". Michelle runs daily with her dog Paddy, who has changed her life dramatically.

Perhaps dogs are really a woman's best friend?

For more information, go to: www.petnet.com.au 

Mark and Melissa were worried about their beautiful 12 year-old Border Collie Meg, who had suddenly started urinating in the house. Initially a leaking dishwasher was blamed but most of the puddles appeared after Meg had been lying down. Could she be incontinent or was this just part of ‘getting old'?

At a health check we diagnosed urinary sphincter incompetence after blood and urine tests ruled out other problems. The sphincter controls outward flow of urine from the bladder. When the sphincter is not functioning correctly, leakage occurs.

This is not an uncommon problem in older female dogs and is due to many compounding issues, such as position of the bladder and obesity but hormonal changes can also be responsible for a poorly functioning sphincter.

Daily medication for Meg resolved the problem almost overnight and her delighted owners no longer have to chase her around the house with a towel.