Grey hairs aside (and there is an extra couple of dozen every week) she’s taken the leap from battling middle age spread to a senior citizen and I honestly can’t tell you when this change occurred.

We too are seeing the graying of a population. Elderly pets are now accounting for a large part of our veterinary frequent flyers club. With your own pet check on the following list:

• Are they eating more or less?
• Have they lost weight or gained weight recently?
• Are they drinking any more than usual?
• Do they need to go to the toilet more frequently?
• How are their energy levels-used to be a 10/10 and now only a 5/10?
• Are there any changes in behaviour especially around sleeping habits?

Any changes give us subtle clues that it is time to take a closer look. Veterinary medicine used to be about the ambulance at the bottom of the cliff but these days with our ‘Grey Paws’ examination early detection of treatable or at least manageable disease is on offer to all pets.

So, though our park walks are getting shorter and cutting across the field the new norm we still have the water. Watching her swim reminds me of the lovely scene from the movie ‘Cocoon’ where the seniors are floating and laughing in the weight-less carefree existence buoyancy affords. Seeing her revert back to the exuberant youth of a young Labrador is a precious moment for me, her doting owner, to enjoy and etch into my memory.

Thoughts on fertility, the origins of our Easter celebration, lead to fecundity and fecundity to the wonderment of the reproductive cycle. This cycle revolves around the female of every species-those commonly described as ‘Mother’.

Mothers have been a source of inspiration and admiration since the infamous Madonna and child portraits were painted by the Renaissance artists. The fascination continues today with the paparazzi entertaining us with surreptitious photos of besotted celebrities and their kin.

Will Brangelina ever stop breeding? Has poor old Jen left her run too late? Is being a mother so important it would be a crime to pass up on the gift of reproduction? Can being a fur parent take motherhoods place?

I’m always perturbed when I hear ‘I have never felt love like when holding my baby for the first time’. With no biological babies of my own I wonder is this oxytocin-induced love affair brought on by the first milk or will over half the world’s population truly miss out on the natural phenomena of mother-baby love?

For a mother a baby is like the beginning of all things – wonder, hope, possibilities and dreams. The strength of the maternal bond is essential for survival of all species, and let’s face it some of us need to breed or we would never be able to enjoy playing with cute little puppies and kittens.

I know many homosapien mothers also have a very special place in their hearts for their pets. By raising our pets we can call ourselves proud mothers as a mother is said to be someone who can take the place of everyone else, but no one in the world can take her place. This is how my dog, Sydney, feels about me-I am her special person (and I shamelessly call her my furbaby) and she my special dog friend.

So for all the mothers of our pets to honour the less traditionally touted bond between ‘Mother and Furbaby’ our team at The Strand Veterinarian are giving away the ultimate Mother’s Day makeover for you and your precious pet.

Go to www.facebook.com/TheStrandVet for further details on how to enter. Entries close May 8^th 2012.

But can puppy love last? How do you make the relationship stick when that cute little fur ball is peeing all over the house or turning into a destructive force to be reckoned with?

My regular RadioLive Pet Show opened my eyes to the most common problem faced by New Zealand pet owners. There seems to be a skewed 3 -1 ratio of behavioural versus medical problems owners wish to discuss on air. The behavioural problem often more life threatening than the medical issues ever are.

Is a 10 minute Google search on how to tame your canine the answer to the problem? No, not something I would recommend. My best advice for your doggy-dilemma is to enlist some early intervention with the professional help from a qualified animal behaviourist as they are the specialists in this area.

Critical socialisation, firm and clear boundaries and the ability to earn respect from your dog as a calm and assertive leader are essential before the cracks in your relationship appear.

Start as you mean to go on early in the honey moon period of your ‘puppy love’ to allow something more precious and permanent to evolve. With a little pre-purchase preparation many of the problems outlined on air could have been avoided completely.

Puppy socialisation classes are an essential first step to a lasting, affectionate, mutually respectful relationship and deep down that is what we are all searching for.

For relationships that are currently on the rocks you can learn how to bridge the gap between the dog you have now and the dog you always wanted. Your behaviourist can help you to develop your dogs Attention, strengthen your current Relationship and increase your Control (essential for fun times off leash).

As with all lasting relationships communicaton and effort is required for sustainability ……cats, now that’s a completely different story!

3 bee stings
Can cause facial swelling leading to life threatening asphyxiation if left untreated. Carefully remove the stinger and use baking soda in water on the area. Apply ice packs wrapped in a tea towel. Use prednisone or Benadryl if you have on hand and call your vet immediately for help. We always recommend carrying a pet first aid kit in the car if you know your pet is allergic to bee’s.

2 sunburnt ears
In lightly pigmented animals sunburnt ears nose and eyelids can predispose them to skin cancer just like us. Protect ears with a pet-friendly sunblock (like Filtabac) over the summer. Use aloe vera gel on already sunburnt ears and noses and a sun suit on breeds like bull terriers who love to spend a bit of time soaking up the rays.

1 baited fish hook
Can be swallowed in one moment of inattentiveness. Never leave baited hooks around. If your pet swallows a hook never pull on it, this is the most common mistake as the hook may get stuck in the oesophagus which is a much more difficult place to get to than the stomach. Clip the nylon short, feed a meal of soft food mixed with cotton wool to try and trap the hook and seek veterinary advice as soon as possible.

So wishing all your pets a very Merry and Petsafe Christmas and see you in the New Year!

7 common areas where grass seeds can affect your dog’s health are:
• Behind the ears
• Underneath the armpits & groin
• Between the ears
• Between the webbing of every toe on all four feet
Clip these areas short or check daily if you walk them on grass as one grass seed can cost $$$$ of vet bills once they get in under the skin.

6 windy roads can cause anxiety and travel sickness in pets.
As a rule don’t feed your pet and try Rescue remedy directly into the mouth every ½ hour, to calm your pet for the remainder of your drive. If your pet suffers terribly prescription medicine is available to make life easier from your vet.

5 Hot Spots
Can pop up overnight due to your pet being on the wrong diet, insect bites from fleas, ticks and spiders or a bit of rough play with four legged friends. Sticky, crusty foul smelling, bacterial coated spots of matted fur can quickly become painful, inflamed & itchy. To help deter use a chlorhexidine based hand wash or shampoo as soon as you see red or broken skin, gently massage into the area for at least 10-15 minutes & use a fine comb to lift out the crusts. Clip the hair short over the area & use manuka honey or an antibiotic/steroid preparation from your vet on the clipped area for instant relief. Some deep infections will require antibiotics systemically from your vets so seek advice if not on the improve in 24 hours.

12 days before Christmas…
Check vaccinations are up-to-date. Kennels require a kennel cough vaccine and catteries peak protection, as respiratory viruses can be a significant problem, especially in elderly animals. Vaccinations are not magic, they time time to stimulate the immune system and two weeks would be the minimum to peak effect.

11 fleas are jumping…
With fleas at an all time environmental high monthly applications of Advocate/Frontline/
Revolution or Comfortis are recommended. Comfortis is especially important this year if your pet suffers from flea allergy dermatitis-when it only takes 1 flea to make them scratch and pull out fur- as it seems to be working well for this condition.

10 minutes
Is all it takes for a dog to succumb to heatstroke. Dogs can’t sweat like we do and need to pant to try and exchange heat in adverse conditions. The car can quickly become like an oven if left sitting in the sun. Vigorous panting, dark red gums, collapse or loss of consciousness are all serious signs of overheating.
Take immediate action by cooling with a wet cloth and using fans if possible to decrease the core temperature to below 39 degrees, for ongoing monitoring and advice seek a vet immediately as this can lead on to a life threatening situation and damage to internal organs. Be sun smart this summer and don’t cook your dog.

9 common toxins are looming…
»» Slug pellets are not pet safe-even the pet safe ones can cause stomach cramps and gastroenteritis!
»» Ant bait
»» Rat bait and rabbit bait
»» Possum bait including 1080
»» Cleaning detergents such as wet-n-forget-if you can’t drink it then cats grooming it off their coats can cause terrible oral and gastric ulcerations
»» Human medications (Voltaren in dogs and Panadol in cats)
»» Lilies-all parts are toxic especially to cats
»» Recreational drugs
»» Chocolate and all of the above toxins are each death sentences for pets. If you pet has ingested something you think may be toxic call Poisons Emergency Line on 0800 764 766 for advice.

Our First XV Team

Why do we want the weak, the disabled, the quirky and the not so pretty to rise up victorious, become the hero of the story or be chosen to join the family when nature’s law dictates survival of the fittest?
We naturally empathise with the underdog as at some point we have all suffered, been pushed around, been ostracized or made to feel unwanted and small. No matter how popular and successful you are, there was once a time when you weren’t.

Noticing the lame duck, picking the runt of the litter, rescuing the seagull with the broken wing is part of human nature. How will they survive if not for our help? Our empathy with their situation, the capacity to recognize and share what they are going through, leads on to compassion-a wonderful thing to demonstrate and teach to our children as they develop and make it part of their daily lives.

As a veterinarian I now understand that empathy has a scale. We’re not all the same when it comes to our pet care needs. On the far left are the clients I will never see, those in which animal health care is not a consideration. On the far right the animal hoarder, a complex addiction to care for unusually large numbers of animals. Most of us sit somewhere in the middle and enjoy the companionship and mutually beneficial relationship people can have with their pets.

With spring now sprung and love in the air it’s not only the lusty two legged species out enjoying the surge of testosterone the warmer weather brings. The most important decision any type of pet owner can make is to get your pet de-sexed. From our point of view ‘if you’re not going to breed from them then they don’t need them’ and you will have a healthier and happier pet.

Spaniel Carter On Form Again

We are a small country renowned for our enormous national pride. For us, the symbol of our strength is represented not by a huge populace and vast economic wealth but by our national rugby team-The All Blacks-our own warriors fighting for the pride and status of our nation.

Even with such strong mana, with little over 4 million people backing our national team the power of positive thought (the collective mental attitude focusing on a favourable result and success) highlights we are up against the odds if the laws of attraction apply.

However…… as New Zealanders we’ve never walked alone. Over 68% of our homes house New Zealand animal companions making up a nation of pets. As pet owners and as a vet we both know nobody has a more unfathomable positive attitude in life than the cat or dog at our feet.

Our collective positive attitude brings strength, energy and initiative and with it the mana, or magic, to support our team across the finish line-as in 1987-to win this rugby tournament.

Behind every All Black there are 4.2 million New Zealanders, 5 million cats and dogs, 4 million dairy cows and 40 million sheep-the other teams just don’t stand a chance!

“Slugs and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails;
And that’s what little boys are made of.”

Amputation by definition is a condition of disability resulting from the loss of one or more appendage. Historically, tail docking was thought to prevent rabies, strengthen the back, increase the dog’s speed and prevent injuries when ratting, fighting and baiting.

While our modern day pets partake little in such activities, these days amputating tails is more about breed standards and canine aesthetics.

Tail amputation or tail docking while being banned in most civilized countries remains alive and well in New Zealand and is a contentious subject splitting breeders, pet owners and veterinarians. Of the 184 breeds recognised by the NZ Kennel Club, 57 are traditionally docked and it is the saddening apathy or perhaps ignorance of new puppy owners that allows the practice to continue. After all, nothing speaks louder than money.

The United Kingdom consider tail docking to be “an unjustified mutilation and unethical unless done for therapeutic or acceptable prophylactic reasons”. Those found guilty of unlawful docking face a fine of up to £20,000, up to 51 weeks of imprisonment or both. Our own National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee quashed legislation, supported by the SPCA and the majority of veterinarians last year, to ban the practice saying there was no available evidence that docking within 72 hours of birth caused pain or distress to puppies. Who were they talking to? Not the puppy at least.

At the time even the strongest supporters of tail docking, the New Zealand Kennel Club made the statement “It is accepted that the procedure may inflict a degree of discomfort”. The most non medical amongst us would consider that severing muscle, tendon, bone and spinal nerves is going to cause pain as our mammalian pain pathways are wired the same.

Ironically, the tail-must-go advocates, the Council of Docked Breeds, catch cry is ‘Protecting the right to choose’ and I am guessing they are not talking about the dog. In the wolf, the tail carries 13 different messages and is an important appendage for balance, steering and communication leaving docked dogs with a docked repertoire of things to say. Given the choice I believe a dog would prefer to keep its tail.

For owner’s with docked dogs, you’re right, I don’t think any serious long term ill effects result and yes, it is your decision how you would like your dog to look. The added benefit of your wine glass remaining on your coffee table is definitely a bonus but be cognisant of your choice when choosing a puppy.

Like the controversial circumcision debate in both male and female babies the disputable health benefits and traditional (or religious) grounds are an important consideration and a parental right. But should harming puppies, little boys and little girls for this reason be allowed to continue? Your choice will ultimately make the difference.

My best butchers patter with me as they saw up her $1 birthday bone. Seems I’m fortunate enough to miss out on the currently expected outrageous expenditure for a kid’s10th birthday these days. Given the choice she wouldn’t have wanted a big party anyway (she is very selective about her friends).  But for me not to celebrate the achievement of seeing her muzzle and paws turn grey, clocking a decade of life together, makes me feel precarious as she has now officially reached a ‘decent old dog’ age.

My family attempt to counsel me on the inevitable, preparing me for the downhill slide of life’s later years. They advise it will be like having a dear old friend reach a ripe old age rather than watching the decline of someone, who is for me, closer to a child.

How we feel about our pets is often very intimate as it involves a relationship between just two. Rather than sharing the important decisions necessary as they get older with extended family and friends, we are left to weigh up their healthcare options alone. This can be daunting as what if things go wrong?

For me, due to a bit of bad early parenting, Sydney’s obsession became not sticks or balls but stones. With my erratic lady throwing arm I eventually managed to fracture a lower canine tooth. Years later I am faced with my elderly Labrador licking my face with a distinctly foul smell coming from her mouth.

This month it’s time to get my ‘big girls pant’s and practice what I preach-good mouth health means good body health and infection becomes more of an issue as the years tick by. With the help of pre-anaesthetic blood tests and anaesthetic monitoring equipment I have all the tools necessary to minimise risk. Scary as it is she needs her mouth sorted out.

If you too are worried about the unhealthy stench coming from your pet’s mouth enjoy a complimentary dental appointment to help you make the right decisions for better overall bodily health (available until the end of July 2011).