When making the decision to put our animals to sleep the choice is often represented by a Triangle – Patient, Family, and the Vet – it is essential to allow time and space between these three.   How will I know when it’s ‘time’? There is a fear of making the wrong decision. If there is a lack of confidence– invite those whose opinions you respect. Don’t share stuff with those who know exactly how you feel! Avoid mind chatter….”I could be doing more / not doing enough, what if they pass without me being there, am I paying enough...

TAKING AN ‘ARTHRITIC’ CASE IN A DOG An alarming number of dogs have been diagnosed as ‘arthritic’ only for the chiropractor to find it may be a spinal problem, and the arthritic ‘changes’ are as a direct result. Always look at body alignment if your animal has problems with luxating patellas and cruciates. Breeders of dogs with these problems should consider looking at the whole dog’s structure, not just focusing on the apparent problem. A four-year old Golden Retriever was brought in with lameness and non-weight-bearing in the left fore limb. The onset was sudden nearly two years ago, and...

My article on heartworm is instigated by a concerned owner in the USA who is looking for answers to this problem. NZ doesn’t have Heartworm but our trans tasman cousin does. Although heartworm in Australia has in the past been considered to be mainly a problem of tropical and subtropical coastal regions, in recent decades it has become increasingly prevalent in more southern areas. Only a few dogs get infected each year in Melbourne whereas in Queensland and the Northern Territory, heartworm is a very prevalent disease and one would be unwise not to be on prevention in these areas....

Major Causes of Skin Issues in the Dog and Cat   General Unwellness- recognising the first signs   The coat is often the first indication of the pet being unwell. This may be due to something simple like needing to be wormed or a red flag ‘take a closer look’. The coat may thin, become coarse, excessive shedding, looking unkempt, appearance of ‘dandruff’ scurf, have an odour (often ‘mousy’), loss of hair, pulling at it. Action Plan: Check worming, your flea program, watch thirst/appetite/stools/urination/discharges (eyes, ears,vulva,penis) ,mouth odor, nausea (excessive drooling), hydration levels, changes in behaviour. Itching patterns. Think back...

I am deeply concerned about Cytopoint and Apoquel. These seemingingly innocuous drugs which appear to prevent arthritis, itch and other pet ailments may have a terrible downside – lymphoma, cushings and chronic illnesses that appear to have no obvious clinical cause.   The saddest fact in this newest drug push is that there are natural, safe and quietly effective choices which owners are not being made aware of; rather a vet clinic ‘quick-fix’ is being encouraged at the expense of the holistic health of the dog.   We are in the legal drug running age under the guise of promoting...

The Mirror-ing Effect Many owners of pets will have heard of this term where the pet or pet owner reflects the problems of the other. I have seen many cases of lung problems, early cancers, arthritis, emotional issues (a biggie) that have arisen in the pet that after some soul-searching during case taking, also exist in the owner. Who started it (the pet or the owner) is debatable but dogs are particularly good at reflecting our inner problems. There is more to the comment ‘looking like your dog’ than meets the eye! My dog had just been through a health...

The regular but judicious use of homeopathy has a lot to offer for the aged animal and herbal medicine of course really comes into its own in the treatment of age-related conditions. It has been said that homeopathy treats the mind, herbal medicine treats the body; there is definitely an overlap but a very basic guideline at its best. A healthy dog, regardless of age, is happy, alert, inquisitive and clear-eyed. He loves to play, even, in advancing years, if this is only just exercising the mind! His coat is shiny, his hair thick and evenly distributed over his body....

Many of us are confined to our homes with Lockdown BUT we can still do much to improve our health and wellbeing at the same time providing additional protection against the current outbreak and some of its symptoms. Essential Oils may become even more ‘essential’ in our homes Our major ‘respiratory’ essential oils come from eucalyptus (the finest of the respiratory herbal essential oils), pine. thyme, hyssop, tea-tree and terebinth. Here are some beneficial anti viral blends that not only fill the air with their lovely fragrance but provide a method of administering ‘medicine’.   ANTI VIRAL ESSENTIAL OILS The...

Call us 027 448 3322 Book a Consultation Call us 027 448 3322 Kabul’s first ever female-led veterinary clinic and shelter, Kabul Small Animal Rescue, has been operating in the region for several years. Their work has brought kindness, alleviated suffering and given a second chance to thousands of animals from the streets of Kabul. They haven’t stopped their tireless work, even as the situation there intensifies. Seeing their work filled me with an immense worry for their safety, but an even greater sense of gratitude. When I spoke with their founder and Director, Charlotte, last night, I could hear...

Is vaccination the great boon we have been led to believe ? Is it effective?           Hygiene & nutrition have contributed as much to disease control as vaccinations. Many epidemics with low levels of vacc up- take have been attributed to those low levels & presented as reinforcing the need for vacc. In fact many cases occur in populations with poor hygiene & nutrition   Some studies of efficacy has led to much under-reporting of disease eg. in spite of presenting symptoms, it may be assumed that if the patient has been vaccinated, therefore it cannot be that disease, hence it’s...