Their website can be found at www.oscarslaw.org

The RSPCA is a community based charity who do amazing work to protect the welfare of all animals, great and small. Last year the RSPCA Cupcake Day raised $1.1 million and with your help, will hopefully reach their target of $3 million this year.

Victoria has also used her cake-making skills to produce the four cupcakes seen in the photo for the RSPCA Cupcake Competition. To support Victoria and her efforts, please follow the following link and vote for her Cupcakes now! http://www.rspcacupcakeday.com.au/competitions/creative-cupcake/entry/?cupcake=84

What Do We Vaccinate Against?

The core vaccines we routinely use in cats are , Feline Infectious Enteritis,Viral Rhinotracheitis and Calicivirus. Some at-risk cats are also vaccinated against Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (the cause of feline AIDS).

FELINE INFECTIOUS ENTERITIS

Feline Infectious Enteritis is caused by Feline Parvovirus, also known as Feline Panleukopaenia Virus (FPV). This often fatal disease causes ulceration of the intestinal lining, leading to bloody diarrhoea, dehydration,vomiting,  anorexia and malnutrition . The virus also causes a reduction in red and white blood cell levels, compromising the cat’s immune system and making them extremely susceptible to fatal secondary infections. FPV is a very tough virus, being able to survive in the environment for over a year. The virus is spread by infected body fluids, faeces, fleas, or any object that has come in contact with an infected cat.

VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS

Viral Rhinotracheitis is also known as Feline Influenza and is caused by Feline Herpesvirus. The virus can cause multiple problems, but is mostly known to cause flu symptoms including coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge and, conjunctivitis. It is a common cause of chronic or recurring flu symptoms and often leads to secondary bacterial infection. FVR is manly spread by direct contact with saliva, ocular and nasal secretions. Some cats will become carriers shed the virus intermittently for life.

FELINE CALICIVIRUS

Feline Caliivirus is another common cause of flu symptoms in cats. Common symptoms include sneezing, nasal discharge, conjunctivitis, fever, and ulceration of the mouth. With severe progression of the disease, then virus is able to attack various organs in the body, causing lethargy, jaundice, oedema and death. Calicivirus is excreted in most body fluids and feces, as well as being able to transmit through the air. Some symptomless cats can shed the virus continuously.

FELINE IMMUNODEFICIENCY VIRUS (FIV)

Like HIV in humans, FIVinfection in cats can cause to Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome or AIDS. Since the virus suppresses the immune system, infected cats may become susceptible to chronic infections and even certain cancers. Others become asymptomatic carriers. Transmission is via the saliva through deep bite wounds or scratches, making entire, territorial males more prone to contracting this disease. We have been diagnosis a few cases of FIV recently, so vaccinating against this disease is worth consideration for those cats at risk.

Importance of Vaccinating

Vaccinating your cat not only helps protect your pet from the above infectious diseases, but also helps keep the prevalence of these viruses to a minimum. Current vaccination is usually mandatory for your cat to stay and various boarding facilities. The health check your cat receives prior to immunisation is also extremely important as this allows Veterinarians to discover abnormalities or diseases in their early stages, allowing us to intervene early and sometimes prevent potentially fatal outcomes.

Vaccination Protocol

Young cats required up to three vaccinations to maximise immunity and the course is normally completed by 16 weeks of age. Adult cats will require regular boosters to maintain immunity.

If you have any questions regarding the immunisation of your cat, please feel free to contact us at the clinic and we will be happy to assist.

What Do We Vaccinate Against?

The core vaccines we routinely use in dogs are Parvovirus, Distemper, Parainfluenza and Bordetella which both cause Infectious Tracheobronchitis, and Adenovirus which causes Infectious Tracheobronchitis and Hepatitis. The combination of these vaccines is what is commonly known as the C5.

CANINE PARVOVIRUS

Parvo is a very contagious, debilitating disease, causing haemorrhagic diarrhoea and death if not treated. Symptoms include high fever, listlessness, vomiting and bloody diarrhoea. Spread through infected faeces, this highly resistant virus can remain in the environment for many months.

CANINE DISTEMPER

Although now very rare, Distemper is a highly contagious and very difficult disease to treat. The virus is spread by discharges from the nose and eyes of infected dogs. Distemper produces gastrointestinal, respiratory and neurological symptoms including listlessness, fever, coughing, diarrhoea and vomiting, convulsions and paralysis. Dogs that recover from Distemper may be left with permanent neurological damage.

INFECTIOUS CANINE HEPATITIS

Infectious Canine Hepatitis is caused by Adenovirus Type I. This virus is transmitted between dogs by contact with bodily secretions including saliva, urine and faeces. Causing damage to the liver and other organs, the symptoms include depression, loss of appetite, fever, coughing, jaundice, vomiting, eyes pathology and neurological signs.  The severity of this disease can range from mild to fatal.

INFECTIOUS TRACHEOBRONCHITIS (KENNEL COUGH)

Also known as Kennel Cough and Infectious Canine Cough, this is a highly contagious and common disease caused by many viruses and bacteria. The ones that we immunise against include Parainfluenza virus, Adenovirus Type 2, Bordetella Bronchiseptica, and Distemper virus. Similar to the flu in humans, vaccination does not completely prevent this disease but will greatly reduce the chance of contraction and minimise symptoms.

Importance of Vaccinating

Vaccinating your dog not only helps protect your pet from the above infectious diseases, but also helps keep the prevalence of these viruses to a minimum. Due to the fact that a majority of dogs are regularly vaccinated, most of these deadly diseases are now uncommon. If the proportion of vaccinated dogs drops too low, it would not be long before we start seeing outbreaks of these diseases again. Current vaccination is usually mandatory for your dog to stay and various boarding facilities and attend obedience classes or shows. The health check your dog receives prior to immunisation is also extremely important as this allows Veterinarians to discover abnormalities or diseases in their early stages, allowing us to intervene early and sometimes prevent potentially fatal outcomes.

Vaccination Protocol

Young pups required up to three vaccinations to maximise immunity and the course is normally completed by 16 weeks of age. Adult dogs will require regular boosters to maintain immunity. We have vaccines available which are registered to be given every three years (triennial) for Parvo, Distemper and Hepatitis. To maintain immunity against Parainfluenza and Bordetella, an annual booster will be required.

If you have any questions regarding the immunisation of your dog, please feel free to contact us at the clinic and we will be happy to assist.

Causes of cranial cruciate ligament rupture…

Cruciate ligaments can rupture when subjected to excessive forces or trauma, but in most cases is due to Cranial Cruciate Ligament Disease. Cranial cruciate ligament disease is a chronic condition resulting in deterioration and weakening of the ligament, leading to persistent lameness and gradual tearing of the ligament, or in some cases a sudden complete rupture. For this reason, dogs that rupture a cruciate ligament have a high probability of rupturing their other cruciate ligament sometime after the first.

Treatment options…

The treatment options for cranial cruciate disease will vary depending on your pet’s individual situation. When assessing your pet, we will take into account their age, size, medical and physical health, and radiographic findings. Although some dogs will do well with conservative treatment, surgery will offer the best prognosis for most dogs with cruciate ligament disease. At the Mornington Veterinary Clinic we routinely perform two different surgeries for ruptured cruciate ligaments; the Extracapular Repair and the Triple Tibial Osteotomy (TTO).

EXTRACAPSULAR REPAIR

The extracapsular technique involves multiple steps. Firstly the stifle joint is inspected and the damaged cranial cruciate ligament is removed along with any damaged cartilage. The joint is flushed, joint capsule sealed and then infused with a long acting local anaesthetic to numb the joint. A nylon filament is then attached specific locations on the femur and tibia bones so that it emulates the function of the cranial cruciate ligament. Finally, the fascia/tissue that runs alongside the joint is altered slightly to further stabalise the knee when fibrosis develops.

Although most dogs will do extremely well with this surgery, certain dogs are at risk of breaking the nylon filament before fibrosis and healing has completed resulting in instability and need for repeat surgery. Those and highest risk are medium to large breed dogs, very active dogs, and dogs with abnormal joint conformation. These dogs usually do much better with the Triple Tibial Osteotomy technique.

TRIPLE TIBIAL OSTEOTOMY

The Triple Tibial Osteotomy (TTO)  is a much more complicated surgery and one of the newest techniques developed for the stabilisation of knees with ruptured cruciates. This procedure results in stabilisation of the stifle joint by altering the shape of the tibia bone, hence changing the mechanics of the joint. The inside of the joint is inspected and the damaged ligament and cartilage removed similar to the extracapsular technique. The tibia bone is then cut in precise location and a wedge of bone remove prior to the tibia being realigned fixed with a stainless steel plate and screws. The location of the bone cuts are determined prior to surgery by measurements and calculations taken from XRays of the affected knee.

At the Mornington Vet Clinic, we have been achieving fantastic results performing the TTO surgery, with most dogs gaining almost complete normal usage of the affected leg within a few weeks.

If you would like further information on Cruciate Ligament Disease and its treatments, please feel free to call Dr Adam Stefani on 5975 3811.

Is chocolate really toxic to dogs?

Chocolate is toxic to dogs and other animals, but like with most other toxins the effect if any depends on the amount ingested. Theobromine is the toxic chemical found in chocolate, which dogs are much more susceptible to than humans are. The concentration of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate, with milk chocolates having the lowest concentration and cooking chocolate have up to ten times the concentration of theombromine of milk chocolate. Therefore, the overall effect of chocolate ingestion depends on the size of the dog and the amount and type of chocolate eaten.

What are the symptoms of chocolate poisoning?

Although small amount of chocolate may not cause any noticeable effects to your dog, larger amounts can cause severe and life threatening symptoms. Moderate amount of theobromine can cause vomiting and diarrhoea, and as the amount ingested increases can cause symptoms such as excessive urination, hyperactivity, depression, coma seizures and even death.

What do I do if my dog has eaten chocolate?

Although small amounts may not cause any harm, it is best to play it safe and at the very least call your Veterinarian for advice. If your dog has recently eaten a potentially harmful amount of chocolate, a visit to the clinic to induce vomiting may be all that is needed to prevent complications. If symptoms do develop, hospitalisation, intravenous fluid therapy and other supportive treatments may be necessary. If treated early, the prognosis of chocolate poisoning is usually good.

So remember, chocolate is toxic to dogs so be sure to keep it out of reach. If your pet does happen to indulge in your secret stash of chocolate, take him or her to your local vet ASAP or at least give them a call for advice.