Page 6 - Dog

As our beloved canine companions age, their healthcare needs evolve, requiring additional attention and care. Taking your older dog to the vet can be a different experience compared to when they were younger. To ensure their well-being and comfort, it's essential to be prepared and informed. In this article, we'll provide you with valuable tips and tricks to make the vet visit with your older dog a smooth and positive experience. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or facing this situation for the first time, these insights will help you navigate the process with confidence.

1. Plan Ahead and Share Information:

Before the vet visit, gather all relevant information about your older dog's medical history, previous diagnoses, and any ongoing treatments. Share this information with your veterinarian, as it helps them assess your dog's health status accurately and provide appropriate care. Inform the vet about any changes you've noticed in your dog's behavior, appetite, mobility,

Introduction:

Bringing a new furry friend into your home is an exciting and rewarding experience. As responsible pet owners, it's important to prioritize your dog's health by scheduling their first visit to the veterinarian. This initial check-up lays the foundation for their lifelong wellness. In this article, we'll provide you with a comprehensive guide on what you need to know for your dog's first vet visit. Whether you're a seasoned dog owner or a first-time pet parent, these tips will help you navigate the process smoothly and ensure your canine companion

As pet owners, we never want to see our beloved companions in pain. Fortunately, there are several medications available to alleviate discomfort and improve their quality of life. In this article, we'll explore the differences between popular pain relief medications for pets: Metacam, Carprofen, Carprieve, Prolet, and Rimadyl. By understanding their unique characteristics, you'll be better equipped to make informed decisions about your pet's pain management.

Metacam: Tailored Relief for Inflammation

Metacam, also known as meloxicam, is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) commonly prescribed for dogs and cats. It effectively reduces pain and inflammation associated with conditions such as osteoarthritis and post-surgical discomfort. Metacam is available in both oral and injectable forms, providing flexibility in administration. It is known for its long-lasting effects, typically

As pet owners, we understand the distress that accompanies seeing our furry companions incessantly scratching and itching. Luckily, modern veterinary medicine offers effective solutions to alleviate their discomfort. Two popular options, Apoquel and Cytopoint, have gained attention for their ability to tackle itching problems in pets. In this article, we'll dive into the differences between these two medications, allowing you to make an informed decision when it comes to your pet's well-being.

Understanding Apoquel:

Apoquel is a revolutionary medication designed to target the source of itching by inhibiting certain enzymes responsible for the itch-scratch cycle. It is an oral tablet that works rapidly to provide relief, often within hours. This medication offers a quick and efficient solution for

Ensuring the well-being of our cherished canine companions remains a top priority for dog owners across Australia. PetSure, a prominent pet insurance company recently published in their Pet Health Monitor 2023 Report, revealing the most common dog diseases in the country. Familiarising ourselves with these conditions and implementing preventive measures can significantly enhance our dogs' overall health and save us from substantial veterinary expenses. This article aims to explore the leading dog diseases in Australia, their average treatment costs, and practical strategies for prevention.

1. Skin Conditions (Allergy Related):

Skin allergies emerged as the most frequently reported dog diseases in Australia in the last year. These allergies often manifest as itching, redness, rashes, and hotspots. Multiple factors, such as fleas, pollen, specific foods, or environmental allergens, can trigger these conditions. To mitigate skin allergies, it is vital

If you hare asking "does my dog have arthritis" you obviously suspect that your canine companion may be suffering from arthritis. If so, there are several things you can do to help manage their pain and maintain their quality of life. Arthritis is a common condition in dogs, particularly as they age, and it can cause discomfort and stiffness in their joints but modern veterinary practices will help your pet live a full, pain free life.

The following are some steps you can take to help alleviate your dog's symptoms and improve their comfort:

• Manage Your Dog's Weight: Carrying extra weight can exacerbate the symptoms of arthritis in dogs, so maintaining a healthy weight is crucial. Speak to your veterinarian about a nutrition plan that is appropriate for your dog.
• Exercise: Regular exercise can help to keep your dog's joints flexible and reduce their pain. However, it is important to ensure that you do not over-exercise your dog or cause them to overexert

In Australia, most vets recommend that all dogs be vaccinated for canine distemper virus, canine adenovirus and canine parvovirus. They are combined within a single vaccine commonly known in Australia as the C3 vaccine and are often called core vaccines.

Non-core vaccines are those that are administered depending on the risk. This is based on an assessment of the dog’s location, lifestyle, and risk of exposure to the infection so it is important to ask your veterinarian about which vaccines are most appropriate for your dog. Non-core vaccines in Australia include those against canine parainfluenza virus, Bordetella bronchiseptica (both of which contribute to kennel cough) and leptospirosis. The canine parainfluenza virus and Bordetella bronchiseptica vaccine (more commonly known together with the core vaccines as a C5 vaccine) is recommended for dogs who regularly come into contact with other dogs, such as on walks or at the park, or go in to boarding kennels.

The leptospirosis

Diabetes is a common disease in dogs in Australia. Diabetes is caused by the failure of the pancreas to produce enough insulin to regulate blood sugar. This is insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (also called Type 1 Diabetes). Symptoms of diabetes in dogs include weight loss, increased thirst and low energy.

When making a diabetes diagnosis, veterinarians will undertake blood tests looking for factors such as persistent fasting hyperglycemia and glycosuria . Hyperglycemia is a medical term for a high blood sugar (glucose) level. Glycosuria is the excretion of glucose into the urine.

After diagnosis, veterinarians will determine the insulin dose based on your dog’s weight. In Australia Caninsulin is the most commonly used types of insulin in diabetic dogs. Oral medications are not considered effective in dogs and are not used in the treatment of canine

Certain pet medicines are prescription-only in Australia because they are classified as prescription-only medicines (POMs). POMs are medications that require a prescription from a veterinarian before they can be dispensed by a pharmacist1

The reason for this is .....

Skin complaints are a common issue among dogs in Australia. Some of the most common symptoms of skin irritation in dogs include constant scratching and itching, hair loss, areas of small bumps on skin, redness or swelling, scaling, crusting, or hardening of the skin, dry skin, abnormal odour and excessive oil production. The most common skin conditions found in Australian dogs include flea allergy dermatitis (FAD), atopic dermatitis (AD), food allergies, contact dermatitis and pyoderma.

There are several medications that Australian vets use to treat dog skin complaints. Some of the most popular medicines include Apoquel which is an anti-itch tablet medication for pets with allergies, Cytopoint which is another anti-itch medication made