Narre Warren Veterinary Clinic would like to congratulate our recent Puppy Class graduates:

(from left, back row) Mocha and Seal the Maltese X brother and sister, Samantha the Maltese, (from left, front row) Lucy the Poodle X, Tyson the Labrador, Toby the Beagle (Tyson's brother) and Kingston the Mini Foxy X.

Good luck with all further training!

Jack, a 5 year old Golden Retriever was rushed to the clinic as he had suffered a seizure. Jack‘s limbs had been paddling and he was salivating from the mouth. This was Jack's second seizure in the past month and we were concerned about his health as ongoing seizures can damage the brain.

When a dog has a seizure we need to consider 2 possibilities:

1)   The seizure is caused by something intra-cranial, meaning there is a problem in the brain such as a tumour, or

2)   The seizure is caused by a problem outside the brain or it is extra-cranial, including diseases leading to low levels of sugar in the blood or ingestion of a toxin such as snail bait.

Diagnosis involves a process of elimination. We ruled out access to toxins and blood and urine tests confirmed there were no underlying medical problems. Thankfully a MRI scan with a veterinary specialist ruled out a brain tumour. We concluded that Jack had idiopathic epilepsy, meaning the underlying cause for the seizures was unknown.

Jack has started medication and has not suffered another seizure. We will need to monitor Jack's progress with regular blood tests and health checks. 

Is your dog entering its senior years? Pets age in much the same way that people do but did you know that old dogs can suffer from dementia? In veterinary terms, it is known as Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and the disease can be similar to Alzheimer's disease in humans.

Dogs show periods of disorientation and behavioural changes such as staring into space, no longer greeting you, barking and not sleeping well at night or forgetting their toilet training.

The disease can be difficult to diagnose and we will need to give your pet a full examination including a blood test to rule out other age related disorders.

Unfortunately there is no cure but the earlier the disease is detected the better, as we have a chance of reducing some of the symptoms and can delay the progress of the disease.

Thankfully there is a specific diet available that can help. Complete our questionnaire to see if your dog is showing any signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction and if you are concerned call us for an appointment.

Hill's Prescription Diet b/d (brain diet) contains anti-oxidants such as Vitamin E and C that have been shown to slow the disease. For more information click here (and search b/d)  

Harvey, the handsome ginger moggie was struggling to urinate. He had been constantly visiting his litter tray and was only managing to pass small drops of blood tinged urine.

We diagnosed a common condition called Feline Lower Urinary Tract Disease or FLUTD.

FLUTD is inflammation of the lower urinary tract. Crystals and sometimes bacteria develop in the urine and result in an irritated and swollen bladder and urethra (the tube that carries urine outside the body). This makes urination difficult and painful.

Watch out for these signs:
-  straining to urinate
-  blood in the urine
-  urinating more frequently
-  urinating in unusual places.

The risk factors leading to FLUTD are
1)  poor quality diets that allow crystals to form
2)  lifestyle problems including lack of exercise and reduced water intake
3)  unsuitable litter trays that cause a cat 'to hold on' and
4)  unknown causes referred to as idiopathic disease. 

Thankfully Harvey ‘s urinary tract was not completely obstructed, a common issue in male cats that can be life threatening. His urine was tested and revealed large numbers of crystals. He was given rapid pain relief and started on a urinary tract support diet to help prevent future episodes. Harvey went home a happy cat.

The Devon Rex is known as the ‘E.T.' of the cat world. They are intelligent, inquisitive and affectionate and will be your friend for life. They were discovered in Devon, England, in 1960, near the county of Cornwall. 

Devon Rexes are a small breed of cat weighing up to about 4kg.  They have a wide cheeked face with bat wing ears making them appear pixie like.

Their coat lacks guard hairs so it is extremely low maintenance and low allergenic. As it doesn't have the same protection as a normal coat, Devon Rexes need to be kept cool in summer and warm in winter.

Whilst extroverted and entertaining, this delightful cat is more than happy to get along with other pets as long as they are not too boisterous or aggressive.

With good veterinary care and nutrition, these cats can live up to and beyond 15 years of age. Ask us for more information. 

A Sydney veterinary clinic has been involved in an exciting new technique that has been shown to help dogs with arthritis.

The technology involves taking fat cells from the dog, isolating its adult stem cells and injecting the cells back into arthritic joints.

The stem cells have a unique ability to switch on the dog's regenerative system leading to rebuilding of cartilage and a rapid reduction in the dog's pain and inflammation.

About 60 dogs from across Australia have had the injections so far. There are reports that treated dogs are now happier and more active doing things they haven't done for years such as chasing possums along the back fence.

The treatment costs from $5,000 to $6,000 but it is hoped that the dogs that receive the injections no longer need to be on long term anti-inflammatory drugs and end up living a happier and better quality life.

To read more about the research go to www.regeneus.com.au