In this months newsletter, we continue to look at how we can keep our pets warm, healthy and comfortable this winter. As the winter weather really bites, so do ailments such as arthritis affect our pets, causing pain and discomfort.  

Read a family's story of how the real Soxy, their beloved senior cat was returned to them. Find out about our new pet CAMP and book your senior pet in now!  We also meet Lucy our AquaDog PetFit slimmer swimmer winner of the month.

In this edition, you will also be happy to discover that "FEEDING IS BELIEVING, not a Miracle, it's the Power of Precise Nutrition".  You can "Become a Believer" and Win $1,000 to spend on your pet when you purchase any Hills Science Diet product between 15 May 2009 and 31 August 2009 and go to FeedingIsBelieving.com.au to enter.

So snuggle up, stay cosy and healthy and enjoy this winter with your pet.

Brrrrrr! It's certainly been chilly these last few weeks. It's the time of year when many of our pets also feel the winter chills. Whilst pets can suffer from arthritis at any time of year it's winter in particular that causes many of our pets problems. This winter we're focusing on arthritis management and bringing relief to our pets with creaky joints.

Soxy May is a seventeen year old cat with arthritis. Her owner's fantastic testimony  follows. Let's find out more about our CAMP.

What is CAMP?

C.A.M.P  is  our Canine Arthritis Management Plan & Cat Arthritis Management Plan

What does C.A.M.P consist of?

A specifically tailored arthritis management plan for your pet made up of

• A Top to Tail examination & history to assess arthritis
• A lifestyle plan centred on diet and exercise
• A medication plan
• Ongoing assessment

How many cats & dogs have arthritis?

Research shows that up to

• 34% of all cats and 90% of cats over the age of 12 years show signs of arthritis on x-ray
• 81% of all dogs over 7 years show signs of arthritis

What are the signs of arthritis?

Dogs: slowness to rise after resting, limping or stiffness, reluctance to walk or play, difficulty jumping and climbing

Cats: more time sleeping, hesitance to jump, disinterest in play, litter tray mishaps, poor grooming, vocalising when stroked, increased aggression or biting

How is arthritis diagnosed?

• A detailed history from the owner. Cats often show only subtle behavioural and lifestyle changes.
• Both cats and dogs can hide the signs of early arthritis, apparently tolerating the discomfort when compared to humans.
• A Top to Tail examination
• Xrays may be taken to assess the severity of arthritis.   

What medications and treatments are available?

The good news is that there are a number of options available for managing arthritis and improving your pet's comfort and lifestyle. A plan that is based on integrating different treatment options is the best way to manage arthritis.

CAMP focuses on: 

CONTROLLING -  non steroidal antiinflammatories can be used to control the pain and relieve the stiffness associated with arthritis. Available as an easily given honey flavoured  liquid. 

MODIFYING - these drugs improve cartilage production, the amount and quality of joint fluid & protect cartilage from damage. Given as a series of simple injections, generally over 4 weeks and then repeated as required.

MAINTAINING - glucosamine & chondroitin act as building blocks for cartilage and omega fatty acids protect cartilage from damage. Available as part of a premium diet or as a diet supplement.

DIET & EXERCISE - maintaining an appropriate body weight and exercise plan are key components of treatment.

SWIMMING -  our AquaDog Health & Fitness centre is a wonderful help for dogs with arthritis. Our heated pool, drying room, hydrobath and temperature controlled environment makes it a safe, warm place for hydrotherapy. 

For more information about AquaDog please click here

CAMP -  Book in now!

Missing? Soxy, aged 17. Pretty black & white female Moggie. Enjoyed eating, running, jumping, and cuddles...but her family haven't seen her like that in a while!

This is the May family's account of how their beloved senior moggie's lifestyle was restored by a CAMP and some simple, effective arthritis medication.

'Our cat Soxy is 17 years old and a much loved member of the family. Over the last few months we noticed that she was experiencing discomfort in many of her joints which affected everyday activities such as appetite, movement and even her ability to urinate comfortably. As a result, her physical condition began to deteriorate, with noticeable signs of considerable weight loss, irritability (very unlike our usual placid Soxy), unhealthy skin and coat, decreasing ability to run or jump and frequent litter tray ‘mishaps'. Our first thought was that being an ‘older' cat we could not do much to ease her arthritic pain - it may be something she would need to live with.

After consulting Tony at The Vets at Nerang, Soxy was prescribed Metacam - a medication which alleviates inflammation and pain in musculoskeletal disorders. Within days, Soxy's appetite had increased and within just a few weeks she had gained a quarter of a kilogram and the ‘clicking' of her joints when walking had decreased. Her recent blood and urine tests returned results which are all within the normal ranges, her skin is no longer ‘flaky', her winter coat has grown out shiny and healthy, she is enjoying being able to run and jump again and now has very few litter tray ‘mishaps'.  Soxy is healthy and happy again and has benefited so much from Metacam that she can now once again live the life of a cat half her age!!

A big thank you to Tony and The Vets at Nerang

from Soxy and the May Family. xxxxx

Lucy King, a 2 year old Labrador, truly is our slimmer swimmer winner this month! Congratulations to Lucy and her dedicated parents.

Late last year, Dr Liz at our Helensvale clinic, recommended Lucy joined our PetFit program for weight loss. The program was specially designed for her needs and consisted of fun and fitness swimming at AquaDog combined with a professional weight loss diet. 

At the first assessment with her PetFit personal trainer Lucy weighed in at 42.3kg. She commenced her swimming program twice weekly and started on Hills prescription r/d weight loss diet. Five months later Lucy's weight was down to 29kg. She had reduced her weigh by a massive 13.3kg in only 5 months. 

With a great sense of achievement Lucy cut back to a swim only once a week and went back to her regular diet only to find that within 6wks she had slightly gained weight again. She happily returned to twice weekly swims and now maintains a healthy weight and fitness.

Lucy's family are thrilled with the results. 'The PetFit program has given Lucy  a new lease on life. She is so much happier since coming to AquaDog'.  

Lucy is now more active than ever and loves her swim sessions at  AquaDog each week...Just for Fun! 

Well done Lucy...you're the Biggest Loser when it comes to weight and definitely the Biggest WINNER when it comes to life.

Talk to our team of vets and personal trainers about  'loving your pet back to lean'  with AquaDog and our  PetFit program. 

Our puppy preschool is 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, parents 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.
To join our next class, please call the location that suits your family and ask our friendly staff for more details or click here

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

Congratulations to all our recent graduates of our Puppy Preschool classes:

At Nerang: Class commenced 13.5.09

Liquorice Goode, Skye Phillips, Bella Martin, Bailey Honey, Heidi Windon, Patch Lawlor

At Helensvale: Class commenced 18.5.09 pictured at left

Razz Thomson, Shiva & Cosma Davis, Max Sinclair, Raine Kamura, Gizmo Salrick, Penny Burfeind

Thank you to all the enthusiastic puppy preschoolers and their dedicated families for sharing the experience with lots of learning, 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 class photo.