Nail Trimming:
Regular nail clipping, or trimming, should be part of the routine care of your pet. It is essential for elderly and indoor pets, whereas outdoor pets may wear their nails down naturally. The requirement for nail trimming can vary depending on breed, age, level of exercise and the environment in which your pet is kept. Working and herding breeds of dogs are active and generally have compact feet with well arched toes that angle the toenails downwards towards the ground. If these dogs are active on hard surfaces such as gravel, rock and concrete, their nails may not need trimming until they slow down with age and exercise less, however you will still need to attend to their dew claws (the little claws on the inside of their front legs that don’t touch the ground) regularly.
Other breeds may have nails that grow more forward than downward, and therefore no matter how much exercise they get on rough ground, it is unlikely they will wear down naturally. Some dogs may benefit from having the tips of their nails taken off once every week or two, however for most it will be longer than this, and you will have to decide what is right for your dog by inspecting its nails on a regular basis. Certainly if you notice a change in the sound of your dog's nails on hard floors this is a pretty good indication that it is time for a trim.
Nail Trim with Sedation or General Anaesthetic:
At Central Vets we appreciate that clipping dogs nails in some animals is a highly stressful thing to do. We offer sedation as one way to complete this task or a full General Anaesthetic where we trim the claws very close with cautery so that the trim lasts 3-6 months. This is becoming more popular with our clients, especially with bigger or anxious dogs.
Cats:
Cats also require nail clipping, with the frequency depending on their lifestyle. Indoor-only cats will need more regular nail trims whereas outdoor cats may naturally wear their nails and require less frequent trimming.
What happens if my pet’s nails get too long?
If a pet's nails are allowed to grow, they can split, break or bleed, causing soreness or infection in your pet’s feet and toes. Long nails can get caught and tear, or grow so long that they can curl backwards into a spiral shape that can make walking very painful for dogs.Cats are able to retract their claws so this is less common for them. However, cats do still need to have their nails regularly clipped (especially if they don't get much natural wear and tear).
Uncut nails may curl so far that they pierce the paw pad, leading to infection and pain. Nails should be inspected and/or trimmed on at least a monthly basis. If not, the quick tends to grow out with the nail, making it nearly impossible to cut without it bleeding.
We have a variety of nail clippers that suit different pets - from the very small to the very tall. Make an appointment today to have your pet’s nails checked. We can also teach you how to do it if you would prefer to cut them yourself.
If you would like to know more about this procedure then call us on 06 3503950 or e mail at centralvetsandpets@gmail.com
Nail Trim with Sedation or General Anaesthetic:
At Central Vets we appreciate that clipping dogs nails in some animals is a highly stressful thing to do. We offer sedation as one way to complete this task or a full General Anaesthetic where we trim the claws very close with cautery so that the trim lasts 3-6 months. This is becoming more popular with our clients, especially with bigger or anxious dogs.
Cats:
Cats also require nail clipping, with the frequency depending on their lifestyle. Indoor-only cats will need more regular nail trims whereas outdoor cats may naturally wear their nails and require less frequent trimming.
What happens if my pet’s nails get too long?
If a pet's nails are allowed to grow, they can split, break or bleed, causing soreness or infection in your pet’s feet and toes. Long nails can get caught and tear, or grow so long that they can curl backwards into a spiral shape that can make walking very painful for dogs.Cats are able to retract their claws so this is less common for them. However, cats do still need to have their nails regularly clipped (especially if they don't get much natural wear and tear).
Uncut nails may curl so far that they pierce the paw pad, leading to infection and pain. Nails should be inspected and/or trimmed on at least a monthly basis. If not, the quick tends to grow out with the nail, making it nearly impossible to cut without it bleeding.
We have a variety of nail clippers that suit different pets - from the very small to the very tall. Make an appointment today to have your pet’s nails checked. We can also teach you how to do it if you would prefer to cut them yourself.
If you would like to know more about this procedure then call us on 06 3503950 or e mail at centralvetsandpets@gmail.com
Eye Care:
Ophthalmic surgery is the specific area of pet care involving treatment of an animal’s eyes.
Eye examinations require specific equipment, such as an ophthalmoscope (a magnifying light to look into the eye).
Our veterinarians may also use a special dye called fluorescein (it glows a green/yellow colour under a UV light) to identify damage to the cornea (the clear layer at the front of the eye).
Many eye conditions can be treated medically, with eye drops or ointments. However, some specific conditions may require surgery.
Our practice is fully equipped to offer the following eye surgeries:
Cherry Eye – This is a common condition where the tear gland in the lower part of the eye socket bulges out. This can be surgically put back to where it should be.
Entropion – Where the eye lids roll into the eye ball allowing the eye lashes to rub on the surface of the cornea. This causes irritation and ultimately damages the cornea decreasing vision. We undertake cosmetic surgery is to correct this condition.
Eyelid tumour removal – These can irritate the cornea and are readily removed if surgery is undertaken early on when they are small and more manageable.
Corneal Ulcer Surgery – Often pets will run into grass or have an eye infection that results in the surface of the cornea becoming damaged. This may become an ulcer and as such may require the cornea to be surgically scraped to allow the healing process to reoccur in a properly ordered fashion.
Corneal Ulcers are often problematic and require long periods of treatment to resolve, so early intervention is best if your pet has developed one of these conditions.
Cataract Surgery – Central Vets is now offering removal of cataracts in pets. These protein deposits found on the lens block light from getting to the retina and as such partial to full blindness can occur. By removing the cataract, light can once again reach the retina (the lining at the back of the eyeball), with partial vision returning allowing the animal to move around more freely again and once again enjoy life more.
Enucleation (removal) of the eye – Sometimes the eye infection or trauma is so great that the only treatment method is removal of the entire eye ball. Diseases such as severe glaucoma or cancer of the eye ball can also result in requiring this operation.
Nutrition
Along with regular exercise and veterinary care, careful nutrition is the best way you can contribute to your pet's prolonged good health.
These are the basic nutrients every pet needs:
- Water is most essential. Your pet's body is made up of approximately 70% water, therefore requires ready access to water at all times.
- Carbohydrates supply energy and come from sugars, starch, and fibre from plant sources. Carbohydrates help energize the brain and muscles, making your pet bright and active.
- Fats also supply energy and in the right amounts help build strong cells and promote nutrient absorption. Fats are also required for a healthy coat.
- Proteins are required for a healthy coat, skin, and nails. Your pet's body uses the amino acids in proteins to make enzymes and hormones in the blood stream and to maintain a healthy immune system. Proteins can come from plant and meat sources, but cats and dogs need a high-quality animal protein.
- Vitamins and minerals help regulate many body systems. For example, your pet needs the minerals calcium and phosphorous for strong bones. Antioxidant vitamins like vitamin E and C help boost your pet's immune system during times of stress.
How do you make sure your pet's diet is healthy?
- We strongly recommend that you:
- Feed premium pet foods. Premium foods offer high-quality ingredients, are made by companies specialising in nutritional research, and show a solid track record of quality and palatability
- Make sure the food is fresh. When you purchase pet food, check for freshness and purchase only the amount necessary for your pet. Store pet food in a cool, dry place and keep it tightly closed. Discard uneaten food and always place fresh food in a clean bowl. In general, hard food (or "kibble") is preferred for maintaining dental health and minimizing tartar build-up. Soft, canned food tends to be more palatable and can be stored for longer. Dog roll is also another suitable form of food.
- Keeping the diet varied by mixing biscuits with canned food and dog roll is a good way to not only prevent nutritional boredom but keeps the bacteria in the gut active and diverse, leading to a healthier gut and an animals ability to digest a wide range of different food types..
- Feed the right amount. Ask us or check the label for how much to feed according to your pet's ideal weight (not necessarily the same as their current weight). Avoid feeding pets as much as they want or feeding a large amount at one time. Doing so can lead to obesity, gastrointestinal upset, or even bloat, a life threatening condition.
- The best way to feed pets is two feeds per day, morning and night – this prevents the stomach from being empty for long periods helping reduce gastric erosions and ulcers.
- Allowing animals to graze continuously is also a good idea as they learn not to eat fast as there is always food available. However, this does not work for certain breeds ie/Labradors, so common sense applies here.
- Regular weighing of your pet and monitoring weight changes is a good thing to practice to ensure under or over feeding doesn’t occur.
- Maintain a daily routine. A regular schedule will help your pet keep normal bowel movements and avoid indoor accidents. Younger pets need to be fed more frequently, as they are usually more energetic and burn more calories so 3-4 smaller feeds per day.
- Avoid over treating your pet – treats can become a means to becoming overweight. Owners need to learn to ignore those begging eyes.
- Human food is not always the best thing to feed. Especially pork or fatty foods as these can lead to intestinal upsets.
- NEVER feed your dog a bone or any bone products, including the large shank bones sold at per shops or the butchers shop. Bones are the cause of many obstructed dogs that we see every year . This is a life threatening problem and causes a lot of financial pain for the owners to try and resolve. Please don’t feed your dog bones....of any kind.
Life Cycle Feeding
Your pet's nutritional requirements will change as they age. Puppies need puppy food because it is higher in energy, calcium and protein, but feeding it to an adult dog can lead to obesity. Likewise, older pets need diets restricted in fat and supplemented with fibre for their optimum health. Many premium senior diets also contain additives to assist in the management of arthritis and can make your pet more comfortable.
Cat Diets:
Older cats often have kidney issues. There are specific diets available to help prolong the life of your cat as these diets are lower in protein and phosphorus. Changing to this prescription diet later in life may benefit your pet.
Likewise, male cats often suffer from an obstructed bladder due to the diet they are being fed. There are cat specific diets that are designed to prevent this from occurring.
Please give us a call to discuss your pet’s nutritional needs. We will tailor a diet specifically for your pet that will give them the optimum quality and length of life.
Remember, you are what you eat, and so is your pet!
Skin Care:
The skin is the largest organ an animal has and in some animals skin issues arise from many different causes, some of which are extremely difficult to diagnose.
There are many different triggers that can lead to an inappropriate immune response whereby the animals skin develops an inflammation and the itch scratch itch cycle begins.
Some of these triggers include flea saliva, mange mites burrowing through the skin, contact allergies such as pollens, wool lino, sawdust, plant allergies such as Ivy or Wandering Jew or food allergies from different proteins found in the diet such as beef or chicken or pork.
In humans a common food allergy is known as Coeliac disease, where people are allergic to a protein called gliadin which is found in the gluten protein of wheat and similar grains. Gliadin is a similar shape to the milk protein casein so many Coeliacs are also allergic to dairy products that contain casein. Similar allergies occur in other mammals and diagnosis of these allergies is difficult, expensive and often unrewarding.
Irrespective of the cause of the skin irritation, there are different ways to approach this problem in your pet. There are specialist referral centres that initiate testing of many allergens through injecting different allergens into the skin of your pet and seeing which one they react to. This form of diagnosis is not commonly undertaken due to its high cost and mixed results regarding achieving a true diagnosis as to the cause of the skin irritation.
Another method is to eliminate potential causes over time. For example, you could increase your flea treatment regime and treat for mange mites. This would then rule out parasitic causes. You could eliminate beef from the diet for at least 6 weeks and see if the skin calms down. You could try a different diet completely such as Black Hawk, where the protein source and oils used to formulate the feed are sourced from outside New Zealand and therefore your pet is unlikely to have come across them before.
Addition of oils to the diet is always a good idea and treating for infectious diseases also is a good start to helping clearing up a skin condition. It is important to note that the skin is a large and dynamic organ and it is unlikely that you are going to get a magical cure from a single visit to the vet. It has probably taken years to develop so will take a long period of time to sort out.
Products that Alleviate Itchy Skin:
Itchy skin comes from an allergic pathway that has been stimulated by something as mentioned above. There are hundreds of things that can cause this immune response and each immune response follows a pathway to produce itchy skin.
Preventing the itchiness can be achieved using drugs such as steroids (glucocorticoids (not anabolic steroids)), or non-steroidal products such as Cytopoint injection or Apoquel tablets.
The pathways followed by each immune response that cause skin itchiness are all different and not all drugs have an effect on every pathway, so some drugs may work in one dog but not in another due to the different immune response occurring in each animal. This is the difficulty in treating itchy pets.....which drug to use?
Steroids:
Steroids are really good at stopping all itchy pathways as they have an effect on every pathway, stopping the itchiness and allowing your pets skin to recover. They are usually started on a high dose rates which then decrease until it stops working. At this point it is increased slightly to give an effective response for the animal over a long period of time.
Steroids do have negative side effects. However, if managed correctly they can be successfully used long term for the treatment of skin conditions in animals.
Cytopoint injection:
This is an immune modulator drug in that it can prevent the pathway of itchiness for some causes but not others.
This is why it works in some animals and not in others due to different primary causes occurring. For this reason it may also only give 2 weeks effectiveness in one animal and up to 3-5 months in another.
If used repeatedly its effectiveness has been known to decrease over time which is why rotation between anti-itch products is a good idea.
Apoquel tablets:
These are also an anti-inflammatory product that works yet another way and has a different activity on different causes of itchiness. This again may work for one animal and not another due to different causes.
These are initially given at high doses reducing to a maintenance dose over time and again given to effect based on clinical signs of your pet scratching itself.
Anti-Histamines:
For all drugs to actually work, the animal taking them must have cells that have receptors on them that can actually receive the molecule in that drug. If the cells do not have any receptors, the drug just passes by the cell which it cannot attach to and is excreted in the urine or faeces at a later date, having had absolutely no effect.
Antihistamines work well in humans for things such as hay fever or pollen allergy due to the fact that most humans have cells that have anti-histamine receptors on them. They take the oral antihistamine, it binds to the cell and turns the itchiness off.
Dogs do not always have antihistamine receptors, therefore in some dogs dosing them with an antihistamine tablet will have no effect. However some dogs do have these receptors and if your dog has say a grass allergy and has these receptors then an antihistamine would be great at preventing it itching when it goes for a walk.
As an aside, and to provide an example of why being able to bind to receptors is important for allergies / diseases to occur. Viruses and bacteria cause disease by being able to bind to animal cells. If they can’t bind, much like a pharmaceutical drug, then there can be little or no interaction with that cell.