Proof Is In the Puddy Rob Webster is a specialist emergency and critical care veterinarian based in the paralysis tick heartland of Brisbane and the Gold and Sunshine Coasts. He recently published a communique detailing the drop off in the number of canine paralysis tick cases seen at four emergency practices since the introduction of […]
Ticks Suck I couldn’t tell you how many times we’ve been told, “No its definitely not a tick!” when, of course, it most definitely is? Last year a veterinary critical care specialist predicted that new preventatives could herald the end of paralysis tick caused fatalities. What he may not have counted on was human behaviour. […]
Bushfire Companion Animal Management Ownership of companion animals or livestock is a known risk factor for mortality during disaster emergencies. The bonds that form between people and animals can strongly influence decision making in times of crisis. The Royal Commission into the Victorian Black Saturday bushfires in 2009 where 173 people lost their lives found […]
The Sun Giveth and Taketh Away Our star, the Sun, is the source of all of our food and most of our energy resources but the radiation and heat released can also cause adverse effects in our pets. Heat Stroke Hyperthermia can occur in as little as 30 minutes on hot and humid days especially […]
Smokey Bear Says Be Prepared! Whether or not you believe in climate change likely depends on whether you trust evidence-based peer reviewed science [hint: you should]. At the very least we should all prepare for an increase in frequency and severity of natural disasters including drought, bushfires, flooding and storms. Pet and/or livestock ownership is […]
Smitten by Kittens? With “kitten” season just around the corner here is an update for potential owners on how to select behaviourally resilient and cuddly kittens and to limit conflict in multi-cat households. How Cats Think Cats, unlike dogs or humans, are not socially obligate. This doesn’t mean that they cannot establish or maintain healthy […]
Risky Business? Several studies in the Occupational Medicine Journal analysing significant injuries to Australian veterinarians have concluded that we face “an unacceptably high risk of injury”. It was found that vets face a nine times greater risk of serious injury when compared to human medical practitioners. In the preceding 12 months, 48% of vets reported […]
Noise Phobias Fireworks and thunderstorm related fears are common in the dog. Symptoms of sound related fears include whining, panting, salivation and escape or hiding behaviour. The milder symptoms prompt many owners to attempt self-management. If handled inappropriately these dogs can become complicated via learning and contextualisation then often end up with a generalised anxiety […]
Lets Hopey It’s Not Atopy Doggy Hay Fever Atopic dermatitis is a common chronic relapsing itchy skin disease of dogs. Affected dogs first show symptoms between 6 months and 3 years of age and then itch more or less for the rest of their life. The easiest analogy to a human disease is “hay fever” […]
Things Visitourists with Pets Should Know Firstly, welcome and enjoy, the south coast is a relaxed and laidback region but local dog lovers have had to fight for, and are understandably protective of, their dogs’ right of access to on and off leash beaches. Whilst visiting please respect their hard won gains. On and Off […]
