Both Burmese and Ragdoll cats are popular options for families looking for a family pet. Both breeds are well-known for liking people. But there are some notable differences between to two—and Gabby Dexter summed them up brilliantly in this post she put on the Burmese Cat Obsession group on Facebook.
It can get pretty lonely once the children grow up and many of us empty nesters rely heavily on our pets for company. But we don’t want to replace the children. The best pets for seniors are easy to care for and good company. And of all of the breeds of dog, the whippet is by far the least time consuming and easiest of the lot.
Dr Ingrid Walker has just joined the team at Pet Medical in our Milsons Point clinic and is very much looking forward to getting to know you and your pets. In fact, treating family pets is one of the things Ingrid loves most about veterinary practice. A special interest in veterinary dermatology could have taken her down a path away from day to day contact with pets and their families but instead she chose not to, as she would miss that aspect of veterinary life too much.
Dr Rachel Nugent graduated from Bristol University in 1999 and has been a vet with Pet Medical since it began, nine years ago. Whilst juggling her family and own animals, Rachel works two days a week at our Pet Medical Muswellbrook clinic and also teaches veterinary nursing - small animal and equine at TAFE NSW, Scone campus.
Sick cats pose a difficult problem for vets. Cats don’t like change, and a vet clinic can be both scary and stressful for a cat. That’s why is so important that the vet you choose is cat-friendly. This doesn’t just mean someone who is nice to cats. As veterinary professionals, it’s important that we recognise the signs of stress and fear in caged cats. Their body language is the only voice they have and sick animals don’t heal well if stressed.
There are been several confirmed cases of heartworm in both the Scone and Muswellbrook areas. It is vital that you have your dog tested and protected from this disease. In order to map the spread of this disease, Pet Medical is offering FREE heartworm tests if the injectable preventative is used.
As vets we often see dogs with injuries caused by another dog in the household. We can patch up the results of the fight. But owners don’t think to ask how to stop dogs fighting at home in the first place. Often we treat the injury and then have to send the animal home into the same high-risk environment. Which isn’t good for the dog or you. At Pet Medical we aim to address the underlying cause of these disagreements so that they are not repeated.
Pets and children don’t always mix, and as a society we spend a lot of time discussing the safety of children around pets. But what about poor pet? Children can be pretty ‘pet-unfriendly’, from leaving the gate open to shoving items where they should not go. There is no doubt that children can pose a danger to pets. They lack a sense of boundaries and the consequences of their actions. They have a fascination with putting objects on (and in) things, especially body parts and they can’t to seem put ANYTHING away or back the way they found it.
At Pet Medical clinics we are running a free dental check during the month of August. Why are we doing this? Over 80% of aging pets suffer some sort of dental disease and it becomes more severe with age. Animals with dental disease left untreated will lead to teeth that require extraction due to infection within the gums and jawbone. These teeth can be very painful despite animals hiding mouth pain very well. Bacteria in the mouth can cause damage to the heart, liver and kidneys.
Pet obesity is becoming a major health concern, and something we are seeing more and more. We are now asking pet owners to get on board with a drive to help reduce the number of overweight pets, and help to keep their pets in tip top condition. So, I hear you cry, "Why does it matter if my best furry friend has a bit of extra weight? Doesn't it make him more cute and cuddly?”
Inter-dog aggression is fighting and aggressive behaviour directed from one dog to another dog. The most common cause of inter-dog aggression is food related, but it can be triggered by household changes, and can happen when dogs are fearful or over-excited. It is important to learn to understand dog body language to help predict fights. When these fights occur, always remember, SAFETY FIRST. Never come between two dogs that are fighting as they can injure people very badly without meaning to. Use loud noises, water (like the spray from a hose) or throw a blanket over them and use a broom to separate them. Once they have separated, take the dogs away from each other to prevent another fight breaking out.
SNIP Kitten Rescue rescues, rehabilitates and re-homes unwanted kittens, and provides de-sexing at a reduced cost. This not-for-profit organization was founded by Zarli Kew, head nurse at our Pet Medical Muswellbrook clinic and endorsed by Pet Medical. Over the six years since founding the program, our team at Pet Medical has found homes for over 700 kittens, all of which are fully vet-checked, vaccinated, micro-chipped, de-sexed, wormed and flea treated. Our kittens also come with 4 weeks free pet insurance.
Obviously, nipping and biting behaviour from your pet is less than ideal, and for a number of reasons it’s important to limit it. Realistically, they’re natural behaviours for dogs and cats. In fact, they’re natural behaviours for kids too! What's the first thing an infant does when it grasps something new? Chances are, it goes in the mouth, and if it's fun or feels good it happens again! It’s exactly the same for cats and dogs. That said, when it comes to your cats and dogs, you need to draw a line to make sure you have a happy, well-socialised pet who doesn’t terrorise the family or the neighbourhood.
Every family wants young children and pets to bond but it’s important to maintain boundaries. Here are points to keep in mind while animals and young children get to know each other.
Just as human vaccines have eradicated devastating diseases such as smallpox and polio, pet vaccinations are a vital weapon in the fight against the many diseases that threaten our beloved pets. Take parvo (parvovirus), for example. This horrific virus causes viral gastroenteritis in dogs that literally strips the lining of the intestine. It's hideously painful and often results in death. Parvo is also highly contagious. Just a single gram of faeces infected with parvo can spread the disease to another 1,000 animals. The virus will also stay in the environment for about 12 months, and can even survive on your shoes and clothes for up to six months.
