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Welcome to our Spring Newsletter

Once again the season changes, earlier than expected and we can enjoy the outdoors. With the warmer weather there are more insects which can cause harm and irritation to our pets.

Living here on the Peninsula, we are very fortunate not to have the problems of Paralysis Ticks but during Spring/Summer if your pet leaves the Peninsula area be sure to take precautions.

Talk to us further if you are planning to travel regularly with your pets.

Fleas, once again with warmer weather there will be fleas. If you have not been treating for fleas all winter you will have a flea invasion in summer. Treat all your pets and the environment where they sleep. Keep at it regularly to beat them.

Fly bite on ear tips can affect some dogs, use insect repellents (low irritant) but apply every 4 hours for best effect.

Finally, after many months recovery following spinal surgery, we welcome back Sian. She will be only taking on light duties at this early stage. Jane who had been filling in has recently broken her arm so we wish her well for a speedy recovery.

Kate has been with us for several months now and introduces herself in this newsletter. Naomi tells us how she is going after 6 months as a vet nurse. Jackie, happy as ever, has been enjoying teaching Puppy Preschool for the past 6 months.

Enjoy your reading.

Top of Page

Why I need Puppy Pre-School  by Zinzi Lilford

Hello there

My name is Zinzi Lilford. I am a Miniature Foxie x Chihuahua pup belonging to Vet Nurse Sian. I am 12 weeks old and very energetic (Mum says destructive). Mum has me attending Puppy Preschool for a few reasons...

• 1. I get to socialise with other pups my age in a safe environment.
• 2. I learn how to sit and drop and other good manners. (I am having a few problems understanding this concept)
• 3. My Mom learns loads of interesting tips on how to house-train me, feed me and care for me.
• 4. I learn how to cope with new experiences without becoming fearful.
• 5. I also learn that the Vet is not a place to fear, but a place where I have fun and get loads of treats.
• 6. Mum gets loads of printed information to keep detailing training tips and lots of other useful information.
• 7. I am learning to interact with other dogs in a controlled environment and my Pup Preschool teacher Jackie explains to Mum what my behaviour means and how to correct them or encourage them.
• 8. Mostly though I just have fun!!!!!

Pet Proofing Your Home

As parents we like to child-proof our homes, so as pet owners we should pet-proof our homes. Our four-legged members of our family, especially when young are like small children, and are naturally curious and love to explore their environment with their paws, claws and mouths.

But they do not know what is dangerous and what is not.... so it's up to you to make sure our home is a safe haven. The following tips may help to ensure that your pet enjoys a long, happy and accident-free life in your care.

All around the House

Particularly with cats screen windows to guard against falls from 2 storey homes

Be careful with young pets out on balconies or high decks.

Many house plants, including Lilies/Liliaceae family, Dieffenbachia (dumbcane), Philodendrons, Ivy (various species), Creeping Charlie, Umbrella Plant and many more are extremely poisonous if eaten. Remove them or put them out of reach in hanging baskets.

Rat bait is extremely tempting for dogs to eat, yet is highly poisonous and potentially fatal, and should not be accessible at any time.

Puppies & kittens love to chew when they’re teething, so unplug, remove or cover electrical cords.

Don’t leave a room where a fire is lit or a space heater is being used unattended.

Plastic bags may be fun to play with, but they can suffocate.

If your pet can put something in their mouth, they probably will. Don’t leave small, sharp, easily swallowed objects lying around.

In the garage

Cats enjoy naps near a warm engine so, before you drive off, honk your horn and make sure your pet is not under or near the car.

Pets like the smell and taste of antifreeze and windscreen washer. Tightly cover their containers and wipe up any spills.

Paint, petrol and other dangerous chemicals should be stored out of reach.

In the kitchen, laundry & bathroom

Never leave hotplates or irons on unattended.

Dangerous household chemicals such as bleach and ammonia should be stored out of your pet’s reach.

Close washing machine and dryer lids – your pet might climb in and become trapped.

Keep toilet lids down – small pets can actually drown if they fall in.

Medicines, shampoo, sunscreen and other personal care items can kill your pet. Make sure they can’t get hold of them.

Out in the yard

Some outdoor plants, like Brunfelsia (Yesterday Today & Tomorrow), Lilies, Ivy, Oleander, Azalea, Foxglove, Hydrangea, Morning Glory, Nightshade, Rhododendron, Yew and many more can be poisonous to pets. Many plants can also be responsible for allergies in our pets.

Cane toads are very poisonous; the toxin they secrete, which usually occurs when your pet mouths the toad, can potentially cause convulsions and cardiac arrest.

Keep pets away from lawns and gardens treated with snail bait or chemicals.

Store garden tools, baits and chemicals securely. Keep garden sheds locked.

Cover swimming pools, spas and ponds- your pet might fall in and not be able to get out.

Keep pets away from spiders and snakes.

Dog-gone disasters

Eliminate hooks or similar objects placed at your dog’s shoulder height – their collar or harness could become tangled and they could choke. A tall perimeter or invisible electrical fence around your property will minimize the risk of your dog running out into traffic or roaming far from home.

Home for the holidays

Tinsel and icicles, Christmas tree lights and glass ornaments will be sure to tempt your pet’s curiosity – but all could be lethal if chewed or swallowed. Poinsettia, holly and mistletoe are poisonous to your pets.

We have four vet nurses (2 part time and 2 full time) at our practice and we rotate jobs these include reception duties, surgery nurse and backup nurse which helps to do everything.

I am one of the full time nurse's and a usual day for me starts at 8am. I arrive 15 minutes early to set up the consult rooms ready for a busy day ahead.

Soon after patients start to arrive between 8.10 and 9am to be greeted and settled in and then various admission procedures follow including form filling (the boring but very important stuff).

Next, preparation for surgery; making sure all surgery kits are sterilised and ready to go, A quick coffee to boost energy levels for a busy surgery day. I then draw up Pre-meds and other medications patients.

Whilst I am doing all this the other nurse is busy handling all the many telephone calls, patient appointments and general duties (however as the phone rings constantly sometimes the surgery nurse is needed to help).

Another very important job is to give the animals that have been in-patients during the previous night some very much needed TLC. Their cages are cleaned, drugs administered and feed given if appropriate, temperatures checked, heart rates, respirations are done and recorded.

When the vet arrives he checks them over administering any new drugs if needed. Between 9 and 11am consultations take place.

They can be anything from boosters to blood test, anything! We all have to be prepared to be called in to help the vet to hold the patient, helping to calm them when they are nervous or scared.

Normally we try to start surgery at 11am but sometimes consults run over or an emergency case has come in and must take priority. One nurse assists the vet which often consists of castrations, spaying and x-rays - all routine but we can get unusual cases from the emergency which come in.

During surgery we prepare the area ready for the vet making sure we have everything ready for when the vet needs it. Our job is to maintain a safe level of anaesthesia throughout surgery.

After surgery we fill out post operation forms to go home with our patients. A nurse's day concludes with tidying up the surgery room, cleaning equipment and cleaning some more.

We spend a lot of time with our patients as they can be very groggy after anaesthetic and need lots of reassurance from a friendly face. Being a small veterinary practice we get to know are owners and pets and they become part of our family.

The worst aspect of the job can be euthanasing a beloved pet because we get to know our patients so well it always feels upsetting. We console ourselves with the fact that we are doing what is best for the animal, especially if it is suffering. We have to remain strong for the owners and their pets.

It can be heartbreaking especially when the patient is the sole companion to there owner. You never walk away from this job and leave it at work. I won't lie to you the hours are long and hard work, money isn't great, but we do it because we are passionate about animals.

No day is the same, never dull or boring (especially with our vets). We are committed to our patients and always give 110% to being a great nurse to all our patients.

By Naomi Paterson

Spring has sprung and along with this occurrence is "Cat Breeding Season". Traditionally August signals the beginning of "kitty courting"....

Female cats (Queens) are known as "induced ovulators", this means that they do not actually ovulate until they are mated. So unlike dogs who have a "season" every 6 months or so, your kitty will cycle every 2-3 weeks throughout the summer months unless mated.

Typically a female cat in season "calls", meows constantly, tries to escape to find males, will push her rear end up into the air and be very demanding. You may find stray tom cats starting to frequent your property and mark with urine.

You can also expect a few fights to occur. We often have calls from frustrated owners with their cute kitten having turned into a demanding noisy creature!

Cats may come into season as early as 4 months old, so it is very important to book them in for desexing to avoid all this happening to you and your kitty!

I was born in Newcastle, NSW but moved to Queensland in 1987. My family travelled for a few years up north before deciding to settle in Redcliffe, where I have now lived for over 20 years.

I completed Year 12 at Clontarf High State School in 1999 and have since worked in a variety of industries including corporate reception, pharmacy and childcare.

I have always had a great love of animals and have volunteered at the Peninsula Animal Aid as well as doing work experience through a local vet.

I am very excited to be a part of the team here at Peninsula Veterinary Surgery and I look forward to getting to know you and your pets.