Page 9 - Blog
- February 16, 2023
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 to give dogs relief within 24 hours that lasts anywhere from 4 to 8 weeks and Prednisone which is an anti-inflammatory drug that’s used to treat allergic reactions, itching, and anaphylactic reactions.It’s always important to consult a vet if you notice
- 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 down, it is called osteoarthritis. This can happen due to “wear & tear” or due to disease, age, injury, repetitive stress, or obesity.You may have seen your dog show pain, or a decreased range
- 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 doesn’t in itself cause pain for the dog.
Heart diseases in dogs can be caused by:
- A valve defect (such as mitral valve disease)
- A cardiac muscle disease (such as dilated cardiomyopathy)
- Congestive heart failure (caused by things like mitral regurgitation/endocardiosis or dilated cardiomyopathy)
- An infection (often originating in the blood or peridontal
- September 14, 2022
My vet prescribed Redipred for my dog. What does that mean?
Prednisone and Prednisolone are corticosteroid drugs, used to treat a variety of illnesses in animals (as well as humans). It is sold in Australia for animal use under brand names including Redipred, Pred-X, Macrolone and Microlone. The different brands offer the same active ingredient in different strengths and different delivery methods (tablet, liquid etc) and you should check with your vet if you intend to change between the brands.
Prednisone and Prednisolone are commonly prescribed to treat allergies (skin allergies and asthmatic reactions are common), inflammations, and sometimes autoimmune diseases and cancers.
This article answers some of your common questions, such as how Redipred helps your dog, the dosage for Redipred, and the side-effects of Redipred for dogs.
How does Redipred help my dog or cat?
Prednisone and prednisolone both mimic cortisol (a hormone that occurs naturally in the body). Cortisol
- September 13, 2022
My vet prescribed Neocort for my dog. What does that mean?
Neocort for dogs is a cream that combines antibiotic, anti-inflammatory and anaesthetic effect to help remove the pain and irritation of the skin lesion so that it can heal
Neocort is a topical cream that is often prescribed for dogs with skin irritation or skin conditions caused by neomycin-sensitive bacterial organisms. Neocort has three active ingredients and these work to make your dog more comfortable and heal in three different ways.
This article answers some of your common questions, such as how Neocort helps your dog, the dosage for Neocort, and the side-effects of Neocort for dogs.
How does Neocort help my dog?
Neocort has three active ingredients that each help make your dog more comfortable and heal faster:
- Neomycin (as sulfate),
- Hydrocortisone (as acetate)
- Lignocaine (as hydrochloride)
Neomycin is an antibiotic that fights bacteria in the body. It is one of the classification of antibiotics known as aminoglycosides,
- September 09, 2022Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid (also known as amoxicillin and clavulanate potassium) is an antibiotic drug, used to treat a variety of illnesses in cats. Amoxicillin-clavulanic acid is sold in Australia most commonly under the brand name Amoyxclav, but is also sold as Noroclav, Clavulox and Juroclav - these drugs have the same active ingredients, in different strengths and different delivery methods.
- August 25, 2021
My vet prescribed Doxylin/Doryx/Vibravet or Doxycycline for my cat. What does that mean?
Doxycycline is an antibiotic drug, used to treat a variety of illnesses in cats. It is sold in Australia under the brand names Apex Doxy, Doxylin, Doryx and Vibravet, as well as under the drug name Doxycycline. 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..
Doxylin is often used by vets to treat cats with upper respiratory infections, sometimes called “kitty colds”, because Doxylin treats a broad spectrum of bacteria. It can also be used to treat infections of the mouth (including periodontal disease) and urinary tract infections. Doxycycline can also be used in the treatment of heartworm in cats - it attacks a bacteria found inside heartworms, weakening the heartworm.
Other brand names for Doxycycline
- 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.
Metrogyl for dogs and cats is generally used to stop diarrhea or loose stools. It works well against certain infections like giardia and trichomonasis, as well as anaerobic bacteria. Metrogyl and Flagyl are also used in dogs and cats to relieve inflammation of the intestinal tract, and sometimes for infections in bones, teeth (including peridontal disease) and the central nervous system.
Metronidazole is also sold as a paste to treat bacterial infections in horses.
This article answers some of your common questions, such
- 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.
Other brand names for meloxicam are Mobic, Loxicom and Metacam - whilst these medications contain the same active ingredient, dosages may differ, and you should check with your vet if you intend to change between the brands.
This article answers some of your common questions, such as how Meloxicam helps your pet, the dosage for Meloxicam, how soon does Meloxicam relieve your pet’s pain and the side-effects of Meloxicam for pets.
Meloxicam and osteoarthritis?
Meloxicam is often prescribed when your pet has progressively worsening inflammation of its joints (your vet may have called this osteoarthritis, or Degenerative Joint Disease
- 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
