Jumabaar

I hope this years tick season is a lot less busy with the new oral products available. And at the same time I also hope people will still be vigilant checking their dogs. No help with environmental agents to minimise risk but sending anti-tick vibes your way!

A little late- but running around with a traditional spay can certainly increase the risk of adhesions. We know that these can be painful in humans so I recommend to keep girls at walking speed only for 10 days post surgery. Then slowly let them go back to being feral. As with all things- since we can't ask the dogs if they are in pain, and hormones released when they are excited mask pain so I believe in erring on the side of caution even if they are bouncing around like a nutter. I desexed 2 adult Kelpie bitches at the same time. And yup 10 days of quiet wasn't fun but compared to 10years of life ahead of them I just told them to suck it up. Although this is a common surgery, and so gets treated quite blasé it is still a major abdominal surgery and should be treated as such.

Both are oral treatments- they come in chews.

Nexgard is reliable within 24hrs of administration and what I chose to use on my dogs when we venture into tick areas. (Bravecto lasts 4 months so more than what you need). Scalibor tick collar is the only non oral recommendation that I make.

Today I had the opportunity to scrub in and participate in a Laparoscopic Spay (Key-hole surgery) at Vetmed Randwick. This was to desex Fable my 5yr old Finnish Lapphund. I wanted to share my experience as I have worked in a LOT of different clinics and have seen a spectrum of veterinary practice and I believe that this is a great procedure. The team at Vetmed were more than happy to cope with overprotective Vet mum who has a tendency to hover. Its easy to deal with overprotective mums when you are providing the outstanding level of care that they give to all their clients. When offered the opportunity to scrub in I was a little nervous, it has been quite a while since I have done any surgery. I am usually out in the recovery area getting dogs up and walking and starting their rehab as they come out of anaesthesia :laugh: Having had a number of girls traditionally spayed in the past and struggling to keep them (Kelpies) quiet and worrying about adhesions and loss of core strength AND one managing to impale herself 2yrs after her spey and give herself a hernia, I was ready for a new experience. I was lucky enough to meet up with Andrew at the Dog Lovers Show last year and found out that they offer Keyhole surgery!! I had seen a number of keyhole spay's while in Finland and had been impressed with the dog's recovery and reduced impact on core strength. So that is how I ended up having the procedure done with my own fluffy furball. 6hrs post op she is groggy and a little sorry for herself but she has a 1cm and 1.5cm incision in her midline so she can potter around quietly for the next few days, instead of the super strict crate rest previous dogs have had to suffer. I have even been able to start some super basic proprioception (knowing where your body is in space/spatial awareness) exercises and asking her to activate her abdominal muscles very briefly with good results. I will update this in a few days time to share how I think she has recovered physically but so far I am super pleased. **I am not a vetmed employee- just a super happy customer who wanted to let others know of a great service.

Lead, umbrella,treats and a good book. Take puppy out onto grass- use treats if necessary. Stand reading your book on the grass till puppy goes to the loo then go back inside. Going back inside is the reward so I always let them off lead so they can bolt inside as soon as they are done. Even now with adult dogs who don't need to go out on lead they often sit and tell me they are not walking on the wet grass unless I suffer too :laugh: When I go out they rush out to wee then rush straight back in.

This is something that I will be offering at all the events that I am at/sponsoring!! CHECK THEIR CHIP I will be checking for microchips then bringing up the details on the registry so people know the chip is working, hasn't migrated out of the dog AND the details are correct! I will also have the NSW form to update information and will be investigating what to offer when I travel interstate to try and make updating dogs details as pain free as possible. I have been remiss in updating phone number changes and know that having everything right there in front of you to update will result in the best compliance The current system with SEVEN different registries across the countries is a complete joke. Even the pet address website sometimes fails. I am not looking forward to my interstate trips trying to work out what registries dogs are on etc. But its an easy way to make a difference.

As a 'in the mean time/very short term assistance' tie the dog to a tree when you are throwing toys and have him on a harness if you can't guarantee no other dogs around. This will mean your not going to be pulled over and he can still have some fun. It may also give you some 'back up' while you are training him to walk politely and you have him on a collar and know that he is still attached to something secure. I have even used witches hats to discourage people from coming to close for this type of situation. It is nothing more than a bandaid but hopefully one that will keep everyone safe. I also suggest avoiding sticks as toys purely because they can go down dogs throats and cause lots of problems. There are plastic sticks that float that may also be an option. And as others have said training training training!

You can also use a cool damp washer (i.e. wet a washer then place in fridge) to settle some of the itchiness.

In some areas C7 is necessary- and not being in that area I have no idea how often that clinic sees lepto. That being said if it is not prevalent in the area then it is a shame that it is being used. In defence of vets- the attitude that dogs don't need yearly check up's has been one of the reasons it is been difficult to change some vets to 3yrly vaccinations. I recommend annual health checks to all my clients if not more regular check ins because I want to practice preventative veterinary medicine rather than reactive veterinary medicine! I can find/predict some issues years in advance of them occurring and we can actively manage the situation which is both cheaper and less stressful for all involved. In my fantasy world all the dogs are healthy and injury free and with a team approach thats how they stay lol.

It is amazing what people see as normal. I think your awesome for spotting this and pointing it out . Knowing that something isn't right is the first and most important step in getting dogs help!!

Nexgard or Bravecto. They are both oral treatments so she can spend as much time as she likes in the water! I have been using Nexgard for my muppets when they are in Tick areas with no issues.

Being itchy is horrible- talk to anyone who has had chicken pox!! Quality of life should be the first aim of any treatment. Does this medication improve Jake's quality of life- I think it does, significantly. That being said I would chat to a vet about doing a full allergy work up on him as it might be possible that he also has bacterial or yeast infections that are adding to the itchy feeling. Treating all the secondary infections can reduce the dose of the Cyclosporine needed to keep him comfy. Recurrent ear infections suggests that there is 'more' than just the grass allergy going on which is why I suggest a full work up. So this could clear up the ear infections as well and generally make him feel awesome.

I believe there is an animal physio in the ACT- particularly if there is compensation occurring. While I love chiro's you also need to treat how the dog is using its body to really maintain and possibly improve mobility.

Here is an article on correct weight http://www.primalpaws.com/primal-paws/2014/06/body-condition-scoring-what-is-right-for-your-pet And here is an article for you to pass on about WHY it is so important for their dog to be kept in good condition http://www.primalpaws.com/primal-paws/2014/06/why-keep-pets-lean

Does she actually have any Cardiovascular problems? Good heart health is maintained by exercise!! Exercise intolerance and a decrease in the ability to walk is often the first sign of problems so it is typically the fit and active dogs that are exercising that are diagnosed early, have lots of reserves that do the best. It sounds like your doing everything right :)

I have Chinese herbs, Zonisaminde and Potassium Bromide for my Boof. It holds him most of the time but transitioning from Summer to Winter is a struggle. I know Pheno can impact on the Zonisamide levels (decrease them) which is a downside of using them together and why we are using the KBr instead of Pheno.

Georgina is quite amazing. That being said all the internal medicine specialists (at ARH, SASH and USYD) deal with seizure disorders and are typically very up to date with the meds available as it is relatively common.

I strongly believe in K/D after working with lots of Kidney patients. Also maintaining general fitness and muscle tone. If your going to do a home made diet then I would be wanting a nutritionist to work it out rather than DIY. There are some American services that can help out in this area. You need adequate (but not excessive) protein of high bioavailability and quality. I hope your little muppet is doing ok

I don't see a problem with that- particularly as a temporary solution while you are working on the barking. Long term I like my dogs to be able to mooch around the house rather than being crated but they are inside rather than being outside due to interesting neighbours and a few potential Houdinis!! My 10week old pup holds on for 7hrs overnight so it is certainly achievable.

Lydia Tong is an amazing Aussie Veterinarian who will hopefully make a huge difference in this field world wide. Being able to identify pet abuse could lead to help for those who truly need it earlier than they are currently receiving it. http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/media-releases/dogs Can vets help fight domestic violence by identifying pet abuse? 17 AUGUST, 2014 in FRESH SCIENCE, MEDIA RELEASES Media call: 11am, 17 August 2014 with researchers and dogs at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, NSW Lydia Tong Credit OK-White Lane Pet abuse and domestic violence are closely linked. Animals can’t talk but University of Sydney vet Dr Lydia Tong has shown vets how to tell the difference between bone fractures caused by accidents and those caused by abuse. Her fracture identification methods are giving vets the added confidence to identify cases of violence against pets and could serve as a warning of domestic violence. Now, in a new study with Domestic Violence NSW, Lydia is looking deeper into the connections between animal abuse and domestic violence to assess the need for better services to protect both human and animal victims. “Around 70% of women escaping violent homes also report pet abuse,” says Lydia. “So vets are often the first to see evidence of abuse in a family, when they treat injured pets.” “Different forces on bones can tell a story—the skeleton of an animal keeps a distinct record that indicates the force applied to bones from past injuries, breaks or fractures. But it can often be difficult for vets to say with confidence whether a fracture has resulted from abuse or accident.” To give vets this confidence, in a 2014 study, Lydia collected cases of abused dogs who were punched, hit with a blunt weapon or kicked, and examined the fractures from these injuries. She then compared these fractures to those caused by genuine accidents. Her results, published in The Veterinary Journal, identified five key features of fractures that vets could look for to distinguish accidents from abuse. Now, having given vets this reference to diagnose abuse, Lydia and her colleagues at The University of Sydney are gathering more information on the connections between domestic violence and animal abuse. “We already know that many women will delay seeking shelter if their pets are threatened or can’t be housed along with them,” explains Lydia. “US studies also tell us that domestic violence perpetrators who also abuse pets are more dangerous—they have increased rates of physical and sexual violence and stalking, and are more likely to kill their partner. “We need to know more about the relationship between animal and human abuse in Australia so that we can recognise abuse earlier, save lives, and provide appropriate services for victims and their pets.” Lydia and her colleagues at the University of Sydney are working with Domestic Violence NSW to survey victims of domestic violence who are also pet owners. “Perpetrators of violence will often threaten to abuse or harm family pets as a way to exert control” says Moo Baulch, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW. “This research is essential because we need to have a much clearer picture of the connections between domestic and family violence and the abuse of animals. “Building a solid evidence base in this area will assist policymakers, domestic and family violence services and people working with animals to better respond to the needs of women and children with pets who are experiencing violence and are afraid to leave.” Lydia and her team are keen to hear from other domestic violence support agencies, services or refuges that would be willing to be involved with this study. Lydia was a 2014 national finalist of FameLab Australia. FameLab is a global science communication competition for early-career scientists. Media call: Lydia Tong and Moo Baulch will be available for interview at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Evelyn Williams Building B10, The University of Sydney NSW, from 11am-12noon, Sunday 17 August 2014. See online map Contacts: Dr Lydia Tong, The University of Sydney, +61 425 166 516, [email protected] Verity Leatherdale, The University of Sydney Media, +61 403 067 342, [email protected] Niall Byrne, Science in Public, +61 417 131 977, [email protected] Errol Hunt, Science in Public, +61 423 139 210, [email protected] Background In Australia, an estimated 300,000 pets are exposed to abuse in their own homes every year. In 2012, the RSPCA investigated over 51,000 cruelty complaints, but only 298 convictions resulted. In part, this is because the scientific tools to confidently diagnose animal abuse are underdeveloped. Lydia’s work on identifying animal abuse fractures is aimed at addressing this gap by examining canine abuse injuries in order to determine what differentiates them from accidents. Her work has been published in: L.J. Tong, Fracture characteristics to distinguish between accidental injury and non-accidental injury in dogs, The Veterinary Journal, 199 (2014) 392–398. Abstract Non-accidental injury (NAI) refers to trauma arising from deliberate physical abuse and is increasingly recognised as an important differential diagnosis in veterinary medicine. Given the sensitivity and importance of identifying NAI, clinicians, pathologists, and veterinary forensic experts need clear scientific evidence to support their diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate fractures occurring in accidental and NAI in dogs by comparing the radiographic features of fractures in 19 dogs with abuse fractures and 135 dogs with accidental fractures. Radiographic findings indicated that the following five features should raise the index of suspicion of and support a diagnosis of NAI: (1) the presence of multiple fractures; (2) fractures occurring on more than one region of the body (forelimb, hind limb, or axial); (3) transverse fractures; (4) fractures presenting at a later stage of healing (delayed presentation); and (5) multiple fractures at different stages of healing. Staffordshire bull terriers were over-represented in the NAI group. Many findings in this study correlate with patterns seen in human NAI fractures. However some aspects show significant differences, serving as a reminder that veterinary forensics cannot rely on data from existing human studies. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.019 Contact [email protected] for a copy of the paper. Acknowledgements Lydia is collaborating with Associate Professor Peter Thomson, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, to deliver the upcoming survey. Welfare services For advice or help regarding temporary housing for pets for owners escaping domestic or family violence, contact the RSPCA’s Safe Beds for Pets program on [email protected] or phone (02) 9782 4408. For help or advice regarding any domestic violence matter, contact Domestic Violence NSW on 1800 65 64 63 or go to domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au FameLablogo - in association In 2014, the British Council and Fresh Science have joined forces to bring FameLab to Australia. FameLab Australia will offer specialist science media training and, ultimately, the chance for early-career researchers to pitch their research at the FameLab International Grand Final in the UK at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival from 3 to 5 June 2014. FameLab is an international communication competition for scientists, including engineers and mathematicians. Designed to inspire and motivate young researchers to actively engage with the public and with potential stakeholders, FameLab is all about finding the best new voices of science and engineering across the world. Founded in 2005 by The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, FameLab, working in partnership with the British Council, has already seen more than 5,000 young scientists and engineers participate in over 23 different countries — from Hong Kong to South Africa, USA to Egypt. Now, FameLab comes to Australia in a landmark collaboration with the British Council and Fresh Science — Australia’s very own science communication competition. For more information about FameLab Australia, head to www.famelab.org.au

Lydia Tong is an amazing Aussie Veterinarian who will hopefully make a huge difference in this field world wide. Being able to identify pet abuse could lead to help for those who truly need it earlier than they are currently receiving it. http://www.scienceinpublic.com.au/media-releases/dogs Can vets help fight domestic violence by identifying pet abuse? 17 AUGUST, 2014 in FRESH SCIENCE, MEDIA RELEASES Media call: 11am, 17 August 2014 with researchers and dogs at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, NSW Lydia Tong Credit OK-White Lane Pet abuse and domestic violence are closely linked. Animals can’t talk but University of Sydney vet Dr Lydia Tong has shown vets how to tell the difference between bone fractures caused by accidents and those caused by abuse. Her fracture identification methods are giving vets the added confidence to identify cases of violence against pets and could serve as a warning of domestic violence. Now, in a new study with Domestic Violence NSW, Lydia is looking deeper into the connections between animal abuse and domestic violence to assess the need for better services to protect both human and animal victims. “Around 70% of women escaping violent homes also report pet abuse,” says Lydia. “So vets are often the first to see evidence of abuse in a family, when they treat injured pets.” “Different forces on bones can tell a story—the skeleton of an animal keeps a distinct record that indicates the force applied to bones from past injuries, breaks or fractures. But it can often be difficult for vets to say with confidence whether a fracture has resulted from abuse or accident.” To give vets this confidence, in a 2014 study, Lydia collected cases of abused dogs who were punched, hit with a blunt weapon or kicked, and examined the fractures from these injuries. She then compared these fractures to those caused by genuine accidents. Her results, published in The Veterinary Journal, identified five key features of fractures that vets could look for to distinguish accidents from abuse. Now, having given vets this reference to diagnose abuse, Lydia and her colleagues at The University of Sydney are gathering more information on the connections between domestic violence and animal abuse. “We already know that many women will delay seeking shelter if their pets are threatened or can’t be housed along with them,” explains Lydia. “US studies also tell us that domestic violence perpetrators who also abuse pets are more dangerous—they have increased rates of physical and sexual violence and stalking, and are more likely to kill their partner. “We need to know more about the relationship between animal and human abuse in Australia so that we can recognise abuse earlier, save lives, and provide appropriate services for victims and their pets.” Lydia and her colleagues at the University of Sydney are working with Domestic Violence NSW to survey victims of domestic violence who are also pet owners. “Perpetrators of violence will often threaten to abuse or harm family pets as a way to exert control” says Moo Baulch, CEO of Domestic Violence NSW. “This research is essential because we need to have a much clearer picture of the connections between domestic and family violence and the abuse of animals. “Building a solid evidence base in this area will assist policymakers, domestic and family violence services and people working with animals to better respond to the needs of women and children with pets who are experiencing violence and are afraid to leave.” Lydia and her team are keen to hear from other domestic violence support agencies, services or refuges that would be willing to be involved with this study. Lydia was a 2014 national finalist of FameLab Australia. FameLab is a global science communication competition for early-career scientists. Media call: Lydia Tong and Moo Baulch will be available for interview at The University of Sydney Veterinary Teaching Hospital, Evelyn Williams Building B10, The University of Sydney NSW, from 11am-12noon, Sunday 17 August 2014. See online map Contacts: Dr Lydia Tong, The University of Sydney, +61 425 166 516, [email protected] Verity Leatherdale, The University of Sydney Media, +61 403 067 342, [email protected] Niall Byrne, Science in Public, +61 417 131 977, [email protected] Errol Hunt, Science in Public, +61 423 139 210, [email protected] Background In Australia, an estimated 300,000 pets are exposed to abuse in their own homes every year. In 2012, the RSPCA investigated over 51,000 cruelty complaints, but only 298 convictions resulted. In part, this is because the scientific tools to confidently diagnose animal abuse are underdeveloped. Lydia’s work on identifying animal abuse fractures is aimed at addressing this gap by examining canine abuse injuries in order to determine what differentiates them from accidents. Her work has been published in: L.J. Tong, Fracture characteristics to distinguish between accidental injury and non-accidental injury in dogs, The Veterinary Journal, 199 (2014) 392–398. Abstract Non-accidental injury (NAI) refers to trauma arising from deliberate physical abuse and is increasingly recognised as an important differential diagnosis in veterinary medicine. Given the sensitivity and importance of identifying NAI, clinicians, pathologists, and veterinary forensic experts need clear scientific evidence to support their diagnosis. The aim of this study was to investigate fractures occurring in accidental and NAI in dogs by comparing the radiographic features of fractures in 19 dogs with abuse fractures and 135 dogs with accidental fractures. Radiographic findings indicated that the following five features should raise the index of suspicion of and support a diagnosis of NAI: (1) the presence of multiple fractures; (2) fractures occurring on more than one region of the body (forelimb, hind limb, or axial); (3) transverse fractures; (4) fractures presenting at a later stage of healing (delayed presentation); and (5) multiple fractures at different stages of healing. Staffordshire bull terriers were over-represented in the NAI group. Many findings in this study correlate with patterns seen in human NAI fractures. However some aspects show significant differences, serving as a reminder that veterinary forensics cannot rely on data from existing human studies. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.tvjl.2013.08.019 Contact [email protected] for a copy of the paper. Acknowledgements Lydia is collaborating with Associate Professor Peter Thomson, Faculty of Veterinary Science, The University of Sydney, to deliver the upcoming survey. Welfare services For advice or help regarding temporary housing for pets for owners escaping domestic or family violence, contact the RSPCA’s Safe Beds for Pets program on [email protected] or phone (02) 9782 4408. For help or advice regarding any domestic violence matter, contact Domestic Violence NSW on 1800 65 64 63 or go to domesticviolence.nsw.gov.au FameLablogo - in association In 2014, the British Council and Fresh Science have joined forces to bring FameLab to Australia. FameLab Australia will offer specialist science media training and, ultimately, the chance for early-career researchers to pitch their research at the FameLab International Grand Final in the UK at The Times Cheltenham Science Festival from 3 to 5 June 2014. FameLab is an international communication competition for scientists, including engineers and mathematicians. Designed to inspire and motivate young researchers to actively engage with the public and with potential stakeholders, FameLab is all about finding the best new voices of science and engineering across the world. Founded in 2005 by The Times Cheltenham Science Festival, FameLab, working in partnership with the British Council, has already seen more than 5,000 young scientists and engineers participate in over 23 different countries — from Hong Kong to South Africa, USA to Egypt. Now, FameLab comes to Australia in a landmark collaboration with the British Council and Fresh Science — Australia’s very own science communication competition. For more information about FameLab Australia, head to www.famelab.org.au

So I currently have a 10 week old puppy- and have been feeding her BARF patties. I gave her some kibble yesterday for lunch (being lazy) and had a million accidents because she was drinking extra water!! So I have realised that I also tend to feed pups raw food which means they only wee 4-5 times per day rather than the 20 we had yesterday. She has also been holding on till I open the door without the kibble on board. So she will be sticking with wet food until she gets better. No inside accidents this morning thankfully!

This helped me when I was waiting for one of my Numpties eyelid to heal. I know when she is happy because she runs around without looking and a normal elizabethan collar wasn't keeping the stitches safe from her collisions which is what caused the initial eyelid laceration. There are times when I am tempted to put it back on her as she zooms around the house and yard..... http://www.provizorinternational.com/the-optivizortrade.html

6 new treat toys, a few kong toys and a tuggy toy. AND a tuggy lead since little miss has decided that you walk next to mum with the lead in your mouth and so far it is a good compromise on tanties so it is easier to buy a lead that she won't chew through quickly. I will be within walking distance of another store selling tugs tomorrow- it is going to be hard not to buy some more!!