Find out how to identify your pet’s seasonal allergies, and a few steps you can take to make them feel more comfortable.
Finding lumps and bumps on your cat or dog can be very worrying as a pet owner. While they are more common in older pets, younger animals can also develop different growths on their skin. Most lumps we see in the clinic are harmless, however, they can also be an indication of an infection or more serious health issue. Early detection of anything sinister is important for effective removal and treatment. What causes my pet to get lumps and bumps? There are many reasons for your pet to have a growth on their skin, including: When should you get lumps and bumps checked by a vet? It’s important to get any growths checked by a vet if: Even if your pet doesn’t meet the above criteria and you are worried about the growth you have found, we can always give
Sometimes we need to undertake diagnostic testing of your pet dog or cat to gain a more complete understanding of their health.
Rabbits are herbivores and need a varied, balanced diet full of nutrients. They require a large amount of fibre and even have a specialised digestive tract to process it. Staple Diet In the wild, rabbits eat everything from grass and flowers to fruit and even chew on bark and branches. A mixture of hay and vegetables is a good way to mimic this nutritional diet for your domestic pet. Try to offer a variety of vegetables, scraps and off cuts are fine, leafy greens are a particular favourite. But don’t overdo it on the lettuce, as this can cause diarrhoea. About 250 grams of vegetables per day for every kilo of bodyweight should keep your rabbit healthy and happy. Rabbits tend to pick out what they like. Always remember to give your rabbit access to fresh water 24 hours a day, just make sure
Excessive barking is a very common problem for dog owners. Most of the time dogs are just protecting their territory, feeling a bit anxious or just want your attention. Dogs are very social animals and can easily feel lonely. Punishment-based methods are not a solution for barking. When your dog is excited enough to bark, they are often too distracted to learn new behaviours. It is better to first focus on calming your dog down, and then reward the calm behaviour. Reduce stimuli React quickly Reward good behaviour If you have a persistent barking problem with your dog just make an appointment with us at the Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital. We can give your furry friend a quick check up to make sure nothing physical is bothering them and offer personal advice as to how to deal with any separation anxiety issues.
A collar is everything from a fashion statement to an essential item to attach ID, registration tags and of course your pet’s lead. Registration tags are a must for many types of pet. For dogs, leads are required in many outdoor spaces throughout the metropolitan area. There is a huge range of collars available and we know it can be a little overwhelming. There is such a thing as the right collar for your pet so here is a quick guide to help you keep it simple and make the right choice. Size and Weight While it’s easy to get blinded by all the pretty colours and patterns, the most important thing for your pet is to choose a collar that fits and isn’t too heavy for them to wear. For example, bigger dogs need a heavier and wider collar than
Microchipping is the most effective and harmless way to make sure your pet is never lost.Getting the microchip It is a quick and simple procedure with minimal discomfort, which will soon be forgotten by your pet! The microchip, only the size of a grain of rice, is implanted underneath the skin on the back of the neck, between the shoulder blades. Some owners prefer for the microchip to be implanted during an unrelated surgical procedure, such as desexing, so their pet will already be under anaesthetic. Finding your pet Veterinary clinics, animal shelters or the local council will use a microchip scanner to identify your lost pet’s unique number. This number is linked to a database containing information such as your phone number and home address so you can be easily contacted. Here at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, we have permission from local
Although most lumps are harmless, some can be very dangerous if left untreated, especially those that are cancerous. Non-cancerous lumpsYour pet can get lumps from insect bites, mange, cysts, calluses, infected skin and warts, all of which might appear dangerous. These conditions may cause your pet pain but are not nearly as dangerous as malignant cancer. Cancerous lumpsCancer is a disease caused by an uncontrolled division of abnormal cells forming a lump.Cancer lumps can usually be classed as malignant or benign. Benign lumps stay in one place. Although these cancers can be painful they are not as feared as malignancies as there is a good chance they can be removed, especially if diagnosed early. The most common benign lump diagnosed is the lipoma. Malignant lumps spread around the body. These cancers cause the most pain and suffering and it is
Clean teeth can boost the health and happiness of your dog, not to mention improving that breath! Bad teeth and gums can increase the chance of heart, liver and kidney disease. Healthy teeth also help prevent dribbling, toothache and any reluctance to eat. Toothbrush & toothpasteWe stock finger brushes as well as small and large head toothbrushes with specifically designed long stems, allowing you to reach a dog’s back teeth. As dogs tend to swallow some of the toothpaste, human toothpastes are best avoided as they can cause health problems. The Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital stocks specially made chicken and beef flavoured toothpastes that your dog will love and are completely safe to swallow. How to brush teethPlaque on dog teeth takes 24 hours to begin converting to tartar (that hard brown stuff on the sides of teeth), so you only
Arthritis is inflammation of the joint and neighbouring bone. It is normally caused by abnormal stresses placed upon the joint such as: These increased stresses will cause damage inside the joint. The degradation can cause the joint to become inflamed and swollen. The joint’s surrounding tissue thickens in an attempt to stabilise the joint, causing a decreased range of movement. Symptoms of arthritis Managing arthritisRegular health checks allow for early detection of arthritis, which makes the condition a lot easier to manage. Once the condition is diagnosed, our vets will recommend a multi-pronged approach that may include focusing on weight loss, appropriate exercise, anti-inflammatory pain relief medications, surgical procedures and supplements. The aim is to improve your pet’s quality of life and freedom of movement as much as possible. Weight loss and dietObtaining a lean weight is very important to
The symptomsHeartworms are blood parasites. Adult heartworms can live in the large blood vessels of a dog that connect the heart and lungs. The parasites can cause blockages in blood flow and stimulate inflammatory reactions within the lining of the blood vessels. These serious health problems can then be transferred to other blood vessels throughout the body. The inflammation can have far-reaching, life threatening consequences. Signs include: How it is spreadHeartworms are blood parasites spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, much the same way malaria is spread. It is not a disease that humans contract, but dogs are at risk. The spread of the disease has been well contained inside Australia since it was first identified, but pockets of infection continue to emerge around the country. Some factors can increase the risk of the spread of heartworm: PreventionAlthough