preventative healthcare Archives - Page 3 of 5 - Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital

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Heartworm Disease And Treatment

Heartworm Disease And Treatment: The foot-long worms that cause heartworm disease dwell in the blood vessels of infected dogs and may cause a severe and sometimes deadly illness. The disease spreads when an infected mosquito bites. The mosquito takes tiny worms called microfilaria from an affected animal and puts them on the skin of a new target.

Causes and Transmission of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

A key player in the heartworm life cycle, the mosquito acts as an intermediary host, transmitting the illness from one pet to another. The parasite Dirofilaria immitis causes the illness as it travels through the bloodstream.

When infected mosquitoes bite, parasites spread from one host to another, depositing their eggs on the skin of unsuspecting victims. After invading a new host with a mosquito bite, the heartworm larvae need around six months to develop into adult worms.

Signs and Symptoms of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

A mild chronic cough, lethargy, lack of appetite, weight loss, and inactivity are some of the symptoms that may accompany heartworm illness in dogs.

Pets may have heart failure and a bloated abdomen from fluid buildup as the condition advances. Dogs may experience a potentially fatal kind of cardiovascular collapse if their hearts suddenly get clogged with blood.

Treatment of Heartworm Disease in Dogs

Melarsomine is an injectable medication that kills adult heartworms. It is a usual component of a course of injections given to dogs suffering from heartworm illness. Typically, a treatment plan will include a first injection, a 30-day break, and two further injections spaced 24 hours apart.

Along with pain medicine and other necessary supportive care, the dog will also receive treatment to destroy microfilariae.

Prevention of Heartworm Disease

The easiest way to keep your dog safe from heartworm is to treat them with a preventative and keep them away from mosquitoes. The American Heartworm Society recommends using an FDA- or EPA-licensed insecticide to protect your dog from mosquitoes.

Another way to avoid getting heartworm is to keep standing water to a minimum and stay inside during the morning and evening when mosquitoes are most active.

My Pet and Euthanasia

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Dog Dermatitis Assessment and Treatment

Dog Dermatitis Assessment and Treatment: Excessive itching and inflammation are defining characteristics of canine dermatitis, which is another name for atopic dermatitis. Toxins found in the environment are the root cause of this chronic illness.

Your dog may still have a good quality of life with the aid of excellent therapy, even if there is currently no cure. In other words, this is not a life-threatening condition in dogs.

Dog Dermatitis Assessment and Treatment

There is a hereditary component to canine dermatitis, as well as a skin deficiency and allergen exposure (including pollen, mold, dust mites, and dander). Excessive itching, licking, chewing, and scratching are signs of dog dermatitis. This may cause further infections and skin damage. Paws, bellies, and ears are the most typical sites of infection.

How to Diagnose Dermatitis in Dogs

It is common practice to rule out other possible causes of pruritus or itching in dogs before making a diagnosis of dermatitis. In order to diagnose the root cause of symptoms, a veterinarian will do a thorough physical examination, collect a full medical history, and maybe run tests like blood tests, skin scrapings, or allergy tests.

Physical exam findings, the presence of typical itchy symptoms, and the efficacy of atopic therapy all contribute to the final diagnosis.

Treatment of Dog Dermatitis

Because canine dermatitis is multi-modal, it usually necessitates a mix of therapies. Topical treatments, oral drugs, injectable pharmaceuticals, allergen-specific immunotherapy, and oral medications are the most effective treatment choices. In order to desensitize pets to certain allergens, allergen-specific immunotherapy entails giving them tiny amounts of the problematic allergen.

Shampoos, rinses, and medicated wipes are examples of topical treatments that may help alleviate inflammation and eliminate allergens. You may alleviate inflammation and irritation with the use of oral drugs including cyclosporine, corticosteroids, and antihistamines. Lokivetmab and other injectable medicines may alleviate inflammation and irritation.

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Dogs and Musculoskeletal Disorder

Comprehensive Guide to Dogs Musculoskeletal Disorder

Dogs and Musculoskeletal Disorder: The most Common Musculoskeletal Disorders in Dogs consist of the muscle and skeleton working together to form support for joints, and musculoskeletal disorders in dogs generally refer to bone and joint problems.

These disorders can be genetic, the result of injury, or as part of the ageing process, and they are more commonly seen in large and active breeds. There are many and varied musculoskeletal disorders, but we’ll focus on the most common ones for this article, and what you can do to help.

Arthritis

People typically associate arthritis with older dogs, and in fact, osteoarthritis arises from the degeneration of cartilage in the joints, often due to age and overuse. Most Common Musculoskeletal Disorders in DOS. However, hypertrophic arthritis can occur in younger large-breed dogs and is often referred to as growing pains. Treatment usually consists of anti-inflammatory medication and pain killers, and joint support.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Disorders

The cruciate ligament supports the knee in the dog’s hind legs and can be injured, as it often happens with large working dogs, or it can degenerate over time. Partial tears can heal with rest, but more extensive damage needs surgery to repair and stabilise the joint.

Dogs with cruciate ligament disorders will often have swelling and pain around the affected joint, and it’s important to ensure they rest and see their vet to prevent further damage.

Patellar Luxation

Often called knee dysplasia, patellar luxation is when the kneecap slips out of place repeatedly and can cause further damage to the joint over time if not treated. The dog may develop a strange skipping gait, and treatment is not always effective. Only severe cases require surgery.

Hip or Elbow Dysplasia

Large dogs that grow too fast due to an inappropriate diet or excessive exercise often develop hip or elbow dysplasia, which damages the joints and causes them to develop incorrectly. Many large breeds inherit this genetic health condition, which can manifest in young dogs or remain undetected until much older.

Depending on the severity of the condition, doctors may prescribe medication and painkillers, or in the worst cases, surgery.

Dogs and Musculoskeletal Disorder: Osteochondrosis

Another disorder caused by rapid growth in large dogs, osteochondrosis affects the shoulder, elbow and knee joints and often affects pups less than a year old. When the smooth cartilage in the joints becomes inflamed, small pieces break off and float around, exacerbating the pain.

Mild cases can heal with plenty of rest, but more severe cases will need surgery.

Finding the Cause and Cure

When it comes to diagnosing musculoskeletal problems, doctors usually use diagnostic imaging methods like X-rays or MRIs in addition to physical tests. For certain myopathies, laboratory testing may also be necessary.

Depending on the pet’s health, possible treatments may involve:

Some medications reduce inflammation and alleviate discomfort.
Manual treatment increases the range of motion and muscular strength.
Surgical procedures for more serious instances, such as stabilising joints, are necessary.
Correcting nutritional deficits through nutritional management

The key to effective therapy is early detection, so it’s a beneficial idea to have your pet in for checkups often.

Veterinary Hospital Port Kennedy

Your pet’s health and comfort are our top priority, so if your dog shows signs of any musculoskeletal disorders, bring them in to the vet clinic at Port Kennedy Vets for assessment and early treatment.

Call 08 9524 6644 or contact us online for any enquiries or health concerns regarding your pet.

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Tips to Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy

Healthy Dog, Happy Life: Tips to Keep Your Dog Fit and Active

Tips to Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy: Your dog is truly the ultimate 4-legged bestie. Your furry friend’s health is highly important for their happiness and longevity. There are habits we should avoid, but there are also great ones we can adopt to improve our long-term health!

Obesity poses serious risks to your dog’s health. So, let’s examine how dog owners can help their pets maintain healthy weight ranges.

Exercise is essential for all dogs.

Getting extra activity can help your dog lose weight faster and help it elevate its mental health. Extend your walking sessions or include an extra stroll in your routine to increase your walking duration. If your family members participate, you can easily divide and conquer the daily walk duty. As a family, you may all benefit from spending more time outside playing with your dog.

Avoid Unhealthy Treats

Whether you’re training your dog and looking for ways to reward positive behaviour or getting ready for a lengthy trip, it’s easy to give in to your furry friend’s every wish. On occasion, it’s OK to treat your dog to a snack. Nevertheless, be sure to only feed them foods that aren’t harmful to dogs. You can’t go wrong with little bits of fresh fruit, dental chews, or specialised meat sticks as treats for dogs.

Tips to Keep Your Dog Fit and Healthy: A Healthy Dinner

Dinner is essential for gods, but what you have for dinner isn’t healthy for dogs. Inform everyone in the home about the dangers of feeding leftovers to your dog, as it could lead to weight gain and behavioural issues. Excessive amounts of leftovers for dinner can make your dog gain weight faster, making it susceptible to a range of health conditions.

The Ideal Portion for Dogs

Instead of caving in to its demands, ensure that your canine is receiving the nourishment it needs. Consult your veterinarian or check online to determine your dog’s daily calorie needs. Then, you can plan your meals appropriately. Serving size reduction of 20–30% might be an effective starting point for weight loss in dogs. Monitor your pet’s nutrition levels to ensure they remain sufficient.

A Weekly Weigh-In Is a Good Idea

Your veterinarian can help you establish a weight reduction goal for your dog. A healthy weight loss for your dog should ideally occur gradually over time. Remember, you must aim for healthy weight ranges; being too low or overweight cause health issues in dogs. So, a healthy meal plan in the long run is vital for your dog’s overall health.

Keep Monitoring

Maintaining tabs on your dog’s weight is a good idea, regardless of how small you think it is at the moment. If you want to make sure your dog is still healthy after their weight loss programme has concluded, you should check their weight once a month. If you want to keep your dog in peak physical shape for its whole life, you may take advantage of Port Kennedy Vets’ free weight-management clinic.

Call the Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital team today on 08 6555 5149 or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.

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Dog Training: Why Is It Important?

Dog Training: Why Is It Important? Training a dog is a crucial aspect of being a responsible pet owner. It benefits the dog and the owner in many ways. From many perspectives, we can see why dog training is so necessary: for behavioural control, socialisation, safety, and strengthening the relationship between humans and animals.

The following are the most significant reasons to consider dog training for your pet from a young age:

1. Behavioural Management

Teaching dogs proper manners is a common goal of training programs. Untrained dogs may exhibit aggressive behaviour, chew on furniture, or bark excessively, among other undesirable tendencies. Dogs can learn both appropriate and inappropriate conduct through training.

2. Interactions with others

Socialisation, or the process of introducing them to new people, places, and things, is an essential part of dog training. Appropriate socialisation aids in the prevention of aggressive and fear-based behaviours. Both the dog and her owner will experience less anxiety in new environments if the dog has had enough socialisation.

3. Strengthening the Human-Animal Bond

The owner and dog might develop a stronger relationship during training sessions. Trust and communication are cornerstones of every relationship, and training exercises cultivate both.

4. Safety

Training makes people and dogs safer. Using simple commands like “sit,” “stay,” or “come” can help keep pets safe. One benefit of having a well-behaved dog is that it will be less prone to misbehaving, such as running into traffic or fighting with other animals.

5. Mental stimulation

Mental stimulation is as essential as physical exercise for dogs. Dogs stay active and healthy psychologically thanks to the mental challenges provided by training. Obedience training and agility courses are excellent mental exercises for dogs. This helps them to resist boredom and stop destructive habits like chewing and digging.

We recommend starting puppy courses when the pup is 8 to 14 weeks old. If you are interested in signing up your puppy for our puppy lessons, please get in touch with us immediately.

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Causes of Gagging and Coughing in Dogs

Causes of Gagging and Coughing in Dogs: Coughing and gagging are symptoms of more severe illnesses in dogs than in people because, unlike humans, dogs seldom cough. Breathing problems are common among smaller and flatter-faced dogs, such as pugs, bulldogs, and boxers, due to their short snouts and narrow airways. Additionally, some dogs experience snorting, choking, and other respiratory discomfort due to dietary or environmental allergies.

Here are some of the most common causes of persistent coughing and gagging in dogs.

Kennel Cough

An abrupt and persistent cough, which may escalate to a level of severity that causes your dog to gag, is the hallmark of kennel cough. Like human bronchitis, Kennel cough may cause your dog to snort, choke, wheeze, and cough deeply, but it’s typically not as severe as it sounds.

Although the disease is highly infectious, most dogs will recover on their own after a few days of isolation from other dogs with kennel cough. The typical healing time for a healthy dog is around two weeks, although older dogs and puppies may require extra attention and may need veterinary treatment.

Choking

Some objects that dogs chew on end up stuck in their throats. If your dog gags, licks its lips, and keeps attempting to swallow—even if it’s only a grass seed—you’ll know something is wrong.

If your canine is unable to cough it up, have them checked out by a vet as soon as possible.

Collapsing Trachea

Tracheal collapse may affect small dog breeds, whether it’s a hereditary or acquired defect. In addition to avoiding activity while having respiratory difficulty, your dog may often gag when eating or drinking. Some kinds are manageable, while others may need surgical intervention.

Heart Disease

Coughing, like other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, a blue tongue, lethargy, and extreme exhaustion, particularly during exercise, may be an indication of cardiac illness in dogs. See your vet for a diagnosis and treatment plan if you see any of these signs.

Pneumonia

If your dog coughs up mucus or water, it can be a sign of pneumonia or fluid accumulation in its lungs. A fever, lethargy, and difficulty breathing are possible symptoms. There are many potential causes of pneumonia, so it’s essential to take your dog to the doctor immediately if it develops a wet cough.

Veterinarian Rockingham

Every day of the week, our doors are open at Pork Kennedy Vets to aid and advise you if your dog is experiencing chronic gagging or coughing. Your pet’s comfort and well-being are our first concerns. If you have any questions or concerns about your pet’s health, please call 08 9524 6644 or email us. You can invest in your pet’s health and happiness with our wellness packages, which simplify pet care and offer affordable monthly payments.

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Pet Dental Health Guide

Pet Dental Health Guide: Maintaining your pet’s dental health is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of pet care. Most of us probably don’t give much thought to how to keep our four-legged companions’ teeth clean, even if we wash and floss every day.

The need for regular dental checkups for animals is comparable to that of people. Among the most common health issues that dogs face, dental illness ranks high. When your cat doesn’t get enough dental care, it may affect their mood, health, and behaviour. Poor mouth shape also contributes to poor oral hygiene.

How can you ensure your pet’s teeth and gums are always in optimal condition? Here are some tips.

Healthy Food for Healthy Teeth and Gums

The foods that pets eat significantly impact their oral health. For example, chewing and gnawing on certain foods helps to eliminate tartar and plaque from their teeth. Modern dental diets for pets are just as beneficial as regular brushing.

If you want to help your cat or dog maintain healthy teeth, consult your veterinarian about developing a specialised diet.

Check for Signs of Poor Oral Health

Visually inspect your pet’s teeth regularly for any changes or signs of damage. Plaque, the accumulation of germs, is the first cause of oral health problems, such as tartar formation and tooth decay.

If you see any yellowing, browning, or holes in your pet’s teeth, it might be a sign of tartar or decay. The following are some indicators of poor dental hygiene that might eventually cause problems:

Bad breath
Difficulty eating or chewing
Loose teeth or teeth falling out
Bleeding gums
Increased dribbling/drooling
Pawing at the mouth as though painful

Your pet’s oral health depends on your quick response to these warning signals. Because issues with teeth may spread to other parts of the body, including the kidneys, heart, and liver, you will be doing them a favour by assisting their general health.

Regular Check Ups and Preventive Healthcare

Veterinarians practice preventive medicine by emphasising the importance of regular checkups, vaccinations, dental care, and a proper diet for pets’ long-term health. As a result, pet owners may avoid spending a fortune on costly emergency treatments, surgeries, and dental care.

If you take your pet to the doctor regularly, the vet can monitor their mouth, teeth, and gums for any changes that might indicate an issue. You may save money in the long run while improving the comfort and health of your cats and dogs in the short term by treating them sooner rather than later.

Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital offers a range of affordable wellness packages that provide regular preventative care for the health of your cat and/or dog, including dental checks. Contact the veterinary staff for additional details or to schedule an appointment.

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How to Keep Your Pet Warm This Winter

How to Keep Your Pet Warm This Winter: Even while your cat has a fuzzy coat, it won’t be enough for most breeds to keep them warm in the winter. Here are some of our best suggestions for ensuring the comfort and safety of pets during winter.

Bedding

Whether your pet sleeps indoors or out, it’s best to elevate its bed off the floor for maximum comfort. The cold concrete, wood, or tiles won’t be able to touch the bed because of this. Cover their resting place with additional blankets or bedding to keep them warm in the winter. Your senior pet may need more warmth to be comfortable, especially if they are skinny or have arthritis. You may want to invest in a cuddle pad to ensure your pet stays toasty all night. Heat it in the microwave and lay it beneath your pet’s blanket.

Clothing

Puppies and older dogs find it harder to control their body temperature. A sweater or coat for dogs might provide additional protection when the weather becomes particularly chilly. Whatever you choose to dress your dog in, make sure it can move freely and comfortably.

How to Keep Your Pet Warm This Winter: Grooming

Make sure you maintain a good grooming regime throughout the winter. Dogs with long fur stay warmer in cold weather, so there’s no need to cut or shave it. You should bathe them indoors in warm water whenever they need it. Brush or comb your pet’s coat often to keep it from matting and remaining an effective insulating barrier throughout the colder, wetter months.

Time Outside

Walking shorter distances than usual is okay if the weather is chilly. Unless your dog is still exercising daily, there’s no need to put yourself and your pet in danger of becoming too cold. If you have the room, let your pet play inside to ensure it gets enough exercise and stays warm.

Car Travel

Leaving your pet alone in a hot or chilly car is just as bad. Do not leave your pet alone in the vehicle for extended periods after turning off the heater.

Food

Extra food may be necessary in the winter for pets that spend a lot of time outside, since they will burn calories attempting to maintain their body temperature. Overfeeding, meanwhile, may lead to weight gain in many house pets, so it’s best avoided. Talk to your vet about your pet’s individual energy needs. Regardless of the season, your canine or feline friend needs a source of outside water that is not frozen.

Outside Shelter

You should always ensure your outside pet has a safe place to go when the weather worsens. Kennels should be weatherproof, with a sloping roof, dry bedding, and shelter from the elements. It’s best if your pet can spend time inside to keep it healthy and happy throughout the colder months,

For more information or to make a veterinary appointment, call Port Kennedy Veterinary Hospital or visit our contact page for more ways to get in touch.

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