Page 7 - Dog
- September 16, 2022
My dog has Osteoarthritis - how can I care for my dog with canine osteoarthritis?
It is very worrying for pet owners to be told that your dog has Osteoarthritis (sometimes shortened to OA, and also called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD). Sadly, this is a very common disease - it is estimated that 1 in 5 dogs will develop osteoarthritis in their life. Yet, whilst OA is progressive and degenerative, you and your vet can treat your dog, to maximise movement and comfort and to minimise pain.
What is osteoarthritis?
Canine Osteoarthritis refers to the medical condition when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint. In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, cartilage acts as a cushion - when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating, or breaking - September 16, 2022
My dog has Heart Failure- Caring for your dog with Heart Disease
It is very scary to be told that your beloved pet has heart disease or heart failure. At least 10% of dogs have heart disease, and whilst it cannot be cured, you can manage the disease and give your dog a full and long life with proper care and treatment.
What is canine heart failure?
Canine Heart failure isn’t the same as a heart attack in humans! Heart disease in dogs or heart failure means that the dog’s heart isn’t able to pump sufficient blood to meet the body’s needs. As the dog’s heart performance declines, the symptoms increase. Importantly, heart failure in a dog
- July 21, 2021
My vet prescribed Metrogyl / Flagyl / Metronidazole. What does that mean?
Metronidazole is an antibiotic and antiprotozoal drug, sold in Australia under the brand names Metrogyl and Flagyl, as well as under the drug name Metronidazole. The different brands offer the same active ingredient in different strengths and different delivery methods (tablet, suspension, paste etc) and you should check with your vet if you intend to change between the brands.
- July 14, 2021
My vet put my pet on Meloxicam / Mobic / Loxicom / Metacam. What does that mean?
Meloxicam is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), used as a painkiller or to relieve pain, inflammation and fever in dogs (and more rarely,cats). It is often prescribed for pets that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis, and is also used to manage post-surgical pain.
- April 30, 2021
Pexion is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with neurological conditions like epileptic seizures or epileptic fits that are of unknown causes (idiopathic) and affecting most or all of the brain (generalised seizures). It can also be prescribed to reduce anxiety and fear associated with noise and other phobias.
IMPORTANT NOTE AT AT MAY 2021: PEXION MANUFACTURER ANNOUNCES GLOBAL DISRUPTION TO SUPPLY OF PEXION - OUT OF STOCK WORLDWIDE!
The manufacturer of Pexion has advised that, due to Covid19 related interruptions, there is a global shortage of Pexion. In Australia, we have been advised that there is NO available Pexion stock.
You can read more about the global shortage from Boehringer Ingelheim here .
Until supply is resumed, it is critical that you speak with your vet about an alternative medication to Pexion.
We will continue to update this page with any further information we have about the expected restocking.
Understanding Epilepsy
Remarkably, humans and dogs have similar nervous systems, and this means that our beloved dogs can suffer many of the same neurological disorders that we do. Whilst vets can sometimes identify the cause of these disorders (trauma, congenital defect, autoimmune disorder, infection etc.), other times they are idiopathic disorders, meaning no cause can be found.
Epilepsy simply means “repeated seizures”. Your dog’s brain has a burst of excessive electrical activity, which causes the epileptic seizure.
It can be very distressing to watch your dog have a seizure or epileptic fit - or the seizure might be as mild as lip twitching on one side of Fido’s face. Your dog may collapse, move involuntarily, or lose consciousness.
You can learn more about epilepsy at www.dogswithepilepsy.com.au
What do I do when my dog is having a seizure or epileptic fit?
If your dog is having a seizure:
- As hard as it might be, it’s important for you to remain calm - your panic or upset won’t help, and your calmness may calm your dog as well.
- Your vet may have given you specific instructions - follow any advice that your vet has previously given you
- Your dog is not in pain, when they are having a seizure, even if they sound or act like it. He is not conscious and is not aware of what is happening. Neither animals nor humans swallow their tongue during a seizure - don’t ever try to grab a pet’s tongue whilst they are having a fit.
- Talk to your dog or cat softly, to reassure them. If you can, remove sensory stimuli - dim the lighting and reduce the noise in the room.
- Make sure the space around them is as safe and quiet as possible - block any stairs, remove items that they may get tangled in and if possible, cushion their head.
- Take a video. This may not be your first impulse, but video evidence can provide your vet with lots of information about the seizure.
- A seizure that lasts more than 5 minutes, or repeated seizures in 24 hours needs an immediate call to your vet.
Epilepsy can be managed!
Whilst there is no cure for epilepsy, especially idiopathic epilepsy (where no cause can be found), the great news for dog lovers is that it can be managed so you and your dog can live your best life together.
What is Pexion?
Pexion’s active ingredient is Imepitoin, which is an anti-epileptic and anti-anxiety medicine. As epilepsy is caused when there is excessive electrical activity in the brain, Pexion works by activating the receptors for the neuro-transmitter GABA, a substance that reduces electrical activity in the brain. It also works to (weakly) block calcium channels - normally, these channels or pores let calcium move into nerve cells, and allow electrical impulses between nerve cells - when this are blocked, excessive activity and seizures are controlled. The activation of the GABA neurotransmitter receptors also reduces fear and anxiety.
What can I expect when my dog starts on Pexion?
- Pexion starts to work within hours of the first dose. As most dogs only have a seizure every few weeks, you may not see it working immediately - and it may take a little time for your vet to work out the optimal dose of Pexion for your dog’s needs.
- Sadly, it is considered very unusual for a dog with epilepsy to become completely seizure free. Epilepsy medication aims to reduce the number of seizures, but cannot promise that the seizures will be completely eliminated.
- A major benefit of using Pexion to control seizures (compared to phenobarbitone based treatments) is that there are minimal side effects of sedation or unsteadiness. Talk to your vet if you see these side effects, as the dosage of Pexion may require adjusting.
- Your pet is likely to require medication to control their seizures for the rest of their life.
How to give Pexion to my dog?
Pexion comes in tablet form,and generally given twice per day. If possible, you should give the dose to your pet at approximately the same time each day. It can be given with or without food, although studies suggest superior absorption when given without food to fasted dogs (ie. give your dog the tablet, wait, then give the dog its meal).
What if I give too much Pexion? What if I miss a dose of Pexion or give the wrong dose of Pexion?
Administration of drug issuesWhilst it is important that you give your pet the correct dose at the correct time, if you miss giving a dose of Pexion, don’t worry - just give the normal dose next time. Don’t increase, or give a higher dose to “make up” a missed dose.
If your animal has taken too much Pexion, or you suspect an overdose, monitor your dog closely. Pexion has a high margin of safety in dogs, but if you are in any way concerned, call your vet.
Storage of Pexion
The manufacturer of Pexion recommends that it be stored at room temperature (below 30 degrees).
Who should NOT take Pexion?
- Dogs that are allergic/sensitive to imepitoin should not take Pexion
- Dogs with severely impaired hepatic (liver) function, severe renal or cardiovascular disorders should not take Pexion.
- Use by pregnant or lactating dogs should be assessed by a vet.
- There are many other drugs that will not work as well, if your pet is also taking Pexion. Also, there are drugs that cannot be taken with Pexion. For this reason, please make sure that you tell your vet about all other medications that your pet is taking, including vitamins, supplements and herbal therapies.
Can I buy Pexion online?
Pexion is a prescription medicine, and you can buy it online from PetScripts once you have a script (prescription) from your vet. Please ensure that you have read the How to Order page before ordering this item.
Disclaimer
This information is not intended nor is it implied to be a substitute for professional medical or veterinary advice or any information contained on or in any product packaging or labels. Always seek the advice of your Veterinarian, Pharmacist, or qualified health provider when starting any new medical treatment, continuing with medical treatment or with any questions you may have regarding
- April 12, 2021
It is important to closely follow the instructions of your veterinarian. Some of the medications used to treat seizures and epilepsy. It can take time to find the right medication for your pet, and in some cases, management of your pet's epilepsy or seizures with medication may not be possible.
Here are some of the toxins that can cause seizures in pets
Toxins can cause seizures in cats.
- Permethrin - An ingredient in some flea, tick, scabies, and lice products for pets and people.
- Fluoroquinolone antibiotics - A family of antibiotics that includes ciprofloxacin, gemifloxacin, moxifloxacin, norfloxacin, and ofloxacin that is used to treat a variety
- April 01, 2021
Lovan is used by veterinarians to reduce anxiety and aggression in dogs and cats. It is the equivalent to the human drug Prozac, but in a different dose.
Anxiety in pets
Pets can suffer many different types of anxiety, and your pet may be showing that anxiety in different ways. It may be a fear or phobia that your pet shows - when new people arrive at the house, or when a storm approaches, or it may be separation anxiety (this affects approximately 14% of dogs!), which may result in destructiveness, distressed vocalization (crying, howling or constant barking), or “housesoiling” (a nicer term
- March 31, 2021
Cardisure is prescribed by vets to treat dogs with heart diseases. Cardisure is used for congestive heart failure (CHF) which can be caused by either:
- Mitral valve disease (MVD)
- Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
Heart disease in dogs
Heart disease affects about 10% of all dogs. Some of the causes of heart diseases can be:
- a valve defect (eg. mitral valve disease)
- a cardiac muscle disease (eg. dilated cardiomyopathy) or
- a parasite like heartworm.
- March 31, 2021
Vetoryl is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with Cushings syndrome (pituitary-dependent and adrenal dependent hyperandrenocoticsim.
What is Cushing’s syndrome or Cushing Disease?
Both pets and humans can suffer Cushing Syndrome, or hypercortisolism. It happens more often in middle-aged and older dogs, and there are some breeds of dogs that are more likely to develop Cushing disease, such as poodles, dachshunds and smaller terrier breeds.
Cushing’s syndrome means that the body has abnormally high levels of the hormone cortisol, which is produced by the adrenal glands. A hormone called ACTH controls the production and release of cortisol from the adrenal glands. ACTH itself is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea-sized gland located at the base of the brain. Cortisol is a natural steroid produced by the body, and a normal amount helps the body adapt, in times of stress. It regulates proper body weight, skin condition and tissue structure. However, too much cortisol leaves the immune system weakened, and can lead to other diseases and infections.
Sometimes this over-production of cortisol is pituitary-dependent (about 80 percent of Cushing’s disease is caused by a tumour on the pituitary gland that overstimulates the production of cortisol), or it may be adrenal-dependent (caused by a tumour in an adrenal gland). Your vet will do tests to diagnose Cushings, and to determine what is causing it.
Left untreated, hypercortisolism not only lessens your dog’s quality of life, but increases your dog’s risk of developing serious diseases like diabetes, blood clots, kidney infection and pancreatitis.
There are treatments to help your dog with Cushing’s syndrome!
Most cases of Cushings are treated with medications, rather than surgery, and it is normally a lifelong condition, once your pet is diagnosed. However, it can be managed and your dog can live a good life with well-managed Cushing’s syndrome. You’ll be pleased to know that veterinary medicine has made big progress, and it is possible for your dog to enjoy many years with a good quality of life, after being diagnosed with Cushing’s disease.
What is Vetoryl?
Vetoryl is the only licensed Cushing’s treatment for use in dogs, and contains the active ingredient trilostane. This drug rapidly reduces the production of cortisol by the adrenal glands. Vetoryl treats both pituitary-dependent and adrenal-dependent Cushing’s in dogs.
What can I expect when my dog starts on Vetoryl?
- Vetoryl starts working in the body in a matter of hours.
- Some symptoms of Cushings Disease can disappear quickly, once treatment commences, and other symptoms can take a few weeks before the full effect of Vetoryl is seen, but there should be gradual improvements after the first few doses.
- Many dogs with Cushings disease have a ravenous
- March 22, 2021
Trocoxil is prescribed for dogs that are diagnosed with osteoarthritis.
What is osteoarthritis?
Sometimes called Degenerative Joint Disease or DJD, osteoarthritis refers to when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of a joint. This happens when the cartilage in the joint starts deteriorating. In a healthy joint, which moves smoothly and painlessly, the cartilage acts as a cushion. This cushioning cartilage can start to break down or deteriorate, due to age, injury, repetitive
