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How well can your bird hear?
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Have you ever wondered how well your bird can hear? How can we test what a bird can and can't hear? Birds have fascinating hearing abilities though they differ from ours in some intriguing ways. To test a birds hearing, scientists train captive birds to peck at a lever when they hear a sound. They then play tones at different volumes and frequencies, determining the quietest sound each bird can detect at each frequency. Alternatively, researchers can measure auditory responses directly using electrodes on a bird's auditory brain stem, recording activity as different tones are played.
We often assume that the senses of birds including hearing are superior to that of humans, but is this actually the case? Looking at the frequencies that birds can detect compared to humans is where things get interesting. The frequency of sounds is measured in Hertz, abbreviated to Hz. In terms of frequency range, most humans can hear sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Birds, however are most sensitive to sounds between 1,000 Hz and 5,000 Hz, with hearing dropping off at frequencies outside this range. For example, no bird tested, so far, can detect sounds higher than 15,000 Hz. In general a birds ability to hear very high and very low frequency sounds is poorer than that of most humans!
It's not just about frequencies. Birds excel in other aspects of hearing that far exceed those of humans For example, studies show that Budgerigars and Zebra Finches, are about three times better than humans at recognising subtle differences in acoustically complex sounds. This suggests that birds listening to the vocalisations of other birds are able to distinguish small differences and rapid changes that are inaudible to humans.
So what does this mean? When we wake up in the morning and you hear birdsong, we tend to think that we can distinguish all the subtle notes, but in reality we do not have a clue that there is a world of communication happening around us every day, of which we can only catch a glimpse. |
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Vacation veterinary care
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Planning to head off on holidays soon? We’d recommend ticking off these pre-vacation pet care tasks before you go!
1. Checking that your pet has enough prescription medication
If your pet is on a prescription medication or diet, ensure that you have enough of this product to see your pet through until your return.
If possible, try to check two weeks before your departure, so you have time to order more of the prescription item and await any potential delivery period.
2. Ensuring your pet’s vaccinations and parasite control are current
Whether your pet will be minded in a pet-sitting arrangement or staying at a boarding facility, it’s important to ensure their vaccinations are up to date. Boarding facilities will generally insist on your pet having been vaccinated within the last 12 months. It’s best to check with the facility in question as to their particular vaccine requirements, as this can vary.
You’ll also need to ensure that your pet will be covered against internal and external parasites (fleas, intestinal worms, and depending on the geographical area, heartworm and/or ticks), and will remain covered for the duration of your absence.
Please contact us if you are unsure about your pet’s vaccination or parasite control status.
3. Clarifying your emergency veterinary care preferences
Should the worst-case scenario occur and your pet becomes ill or injured during your trip, it’s helpful to have confirmed your veterinary care preferences in advance with whoever will be minding them. These include:
- Your pet’s regular veterinary clinic
- Whether your pet is covered by insurance
- A basic budget that you’d be happy for your pet carer to immediately authorise on your behalf for any emergency diagnostics tests or treatment
This information will allow your pet’s carer to make informed decisions if required in an emergency (especially if you may be temporarily out of contact due to flights or poor mobile reception).
For more holiday help regarding your pet, consult our knowledgeable team! |
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Travelling with a canine companion
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Planning to take your dog on a road trip or driving holiday? With good preparation, you can help ensure smooth sailing (in the car!) for you and your pet.
Health care
In the couple of weeks before you leave, you should check that your pet is healthy and up to date with all their required treatments. This includes:
- Coverage with vaccinations and parasite control relevant to the areas you’ll be travelling in
- Ensuring you have a sufficient supply of any regular medications or prescription diets that your pet is on
If you’re unsure about the appropriate vaccine and parasite protection for your pet, please consult our friendly vets.
If your pet sometimes suffers from motion sickness, you can also have a chat with our vets regarding the safest travel sickness prevention medication options.
Thorough identification
Before travelling, ensure that your pet is well “labelled”, so you can be easily reunited should they get lost. This includes:
- Make sure your dog is microchipped, and that your up-to-date contact details are linked to their microchip number on an online microchip register that is recognised in the state/s within which you’ll be travelling (some registers are recognised nationally, whilst some are only state-based)
- Attaching an ID tag to your dog’s collar that bears your contact details
Safe travel
Consider how you will comfortably restrain your pet in the car. The safest options include:
- A travel harness attached to a car safety belt
- A well-ventilated transport crate (secured within the car)
On the day
On the day of travel, we’d recommend not feeding your pet for at least three hours prior to setting off, so they don’t travel on a full tummy that could predispose them to nausea. You should also take them for a walk just prior to hopping into the car, for one last toileting opportunity.
Then, buckle up and enjoy the freedom of the road with your four-legged friend! |
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The pre-boarding checklist
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Is your cat going into boarding over the holiday period? Check out this helpful pre-boarding checklist that will help ensure that your cat’s stay is as purr-fect as possible!
Vaccinations
Unless your cat has been exempted due to a documented medical issue (e.g. they cannot receive vaccinations due to severe autoimmune issues), they will be required to be up to date with their vaccinations to attend a cattery. In most cases, this means that your cat will need to have received at least an F3 vaccination (against feline herpesvirus, feline calicivirus and feline panleucopaenia) within the last 12 months. Ideally this should be administered at least 14 days prior to boarding to ensure maximum protective effect.
You should double-check the specific vaccination policies of your boarding facility to confirm that your cat meets their admission criteria. If you’re unsure about your pet’s vaccination status, please check in with our friendly team.
Parasite prevention
Unfortunately, cats can be exposed to pesky parasites even in a boarding environment. We’d recommend that prior to boarding, you protect your cat with a long-lasting flea and mite (+/- tick) prevention product that will last for the duration of their stay. If you’re unsure about the most effective parasite control options for your pet, consult our knowledgeable vets for advice.
Grooming
Given your pet will be confined to a smaller area with less opportunities to naturally wear their claws, we’d advise sending them into boarding with well-trimmed claws. The cattery staff will also appreciate this for easier handling of your pet!
If your cat has long fur, you should also ensure they are matt-free and comfortable on arrival, ideally with any long fur trimmed from around their bottom to reduce the potential for uncomfortable post-toileting mess.
Support for sensitive felines
If your cat has a sensitive tummy, or you’re worried that they’ll be anxious in boarding, consult our feline-friendly vets regarding appropriate dietary or medical support measures. |
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Animal News In Brief
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Mars unveils world’s largest pet parent study
Mars has released findings from the largest-ever pet parent study, involving over 20,000 participants across 20 countries. The study shows that cat ownership is more common than dog ownership, with 52% of cat owners being men. Over one-third of pet owners consider their pets the most important part of their lives, especially among Gen Z (45%) and Millennials (40%). "We know pet parents are evolving, and we must evolve with them," said Ikdeep Singh, Global President of Mars Pet Nutrition.
Click here to read the full story at Pet Industry News.
Work begins on Sydney Dogs & Cats Home’s rehoming centre
The NSW Government has invested $12 million to build a new rehoming centre for Sydney Dogs & Cats Home, doubling its capacity to care for lost and vulnerable pets. Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig expressed strong support, noting, “Hundreds of thousands of animals have been rehomed thanks to the incredible work of the Sydney Dogs & Cats Home.” The new facility will help address the rising number of surrendered pets and is expected to open in mid-2025.
Click here to read the full story at Pet Industry News.
Firefighter resuscitates pet cat after blaze destroys family home
The Layton family’s home in Boambee, NSW, was destroyed by fire, and their 15-year-old cat, Bobby, was thought lost. However, on-call firefighter Megan Hoare, also a vet nurse, and Gary Fuller used oxygen equipment to revive Bobby. “Bobby is a tough old cat,” said Jelena Layton, proud of her pet's resilience. Though Bobby survived, he was left blind due to the smoke. The family is set to move into a new home soon.
Click here to read the full story at ABC News. |
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Sounding a little ruff
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Have you heard of Canine Infectious Respiratory Disease Complex (CIRDC)? This is the newer name for the illness commonly known as “kennel cough”. Whilst it’s a mouthful to say, the term CIRDC better reflects the fact that dogs can be exposed to this illness in a variety of social situations, and not just in a kennels environment.
Our team would, therefore, love to cough up some important pieces of information about this common disease, including how pets can get it, symptoms to monitor for, and how to help prevent your pet from becoming unwell.
What causes CIRDC?
CIRDC can be caused by a number of different viruses, including canine influenza virus, parainfluenza virus, adenovirus and coronavirus, as well as bacteria such as Bordetella, Streptococcus and Mycoplasma.
Pets are exposed to these infectious agents by inhaling or licking the respiratory droplets of infected pets. This often happens in shelter or boarding environments where pets are closely housed together, but can also occur in normal nose-to-nose social interactions or from the use of shared bowls.
What are the common symptoms of CIRDC?
The most common symptom of CIRDC is coughing – this is often a loud dry or honking-sounding cough that may trigger a secondary retch or vomit. Pets can also develop sneezing and runny eyes or nose. These symptoms generally resolve on their own, although supportive care (such as prescription cough-suppressant medications) can help your pet feel better during their period of unwellness.
Young pups or dogs with other pre-existing health issues can be at risk of developing more severe chest infections, which can cause breathing difficulties, lethargy or a fever, requiring more intensive treatment.
Can CIRDC be prevented?
Keeping your pet up to date with C5 vaccination will protect them against the effects of some of the most common viral and bacterial causes of CIRDC.
If you ever suspect that your pet has a respiratory infection, it’s best to consult our cough-conscientious team for further advice. |
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Climate-adjusted seeds hold hope for Victorian forests and endangered possums
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Victoria’s lowland Leadbeater’s possum, once widespread across the Yarra Valley, is now critically endangered, with just 39 remaining in the wild. Melbourne Water is leading a new effort to save these “forest fairies” by planting climate-adjusted seeds to strengthen their shrinking habitat. “Planting these seeds now gives us a bit of futureproofing,” says Trent Griffiths from Melbourne Water. Using climate modelling, seeds from regions that match future Yarra Valley conditions are being planted to ensure the forest can thrive in the decades to come. The project also aims to connect fragmented habitats, giving these possums more room to survive and grow. Zoos Victoria is also monitoring the population and working on a breeding program to help save this unique species from extinction.
Click here to read the full story at ABC News.
Image source: Zoos Victoria |
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Facts about feline flu
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If you’re a cat owner, there’s a good chance that you’re already aware of cat flu. However, here are four quick facts about cat flu that you might not know.
1. Cat flu isn’t caused by a single type of “bug”
The term “cat flu” refers to a collection of common upper respiratory illness symptoms suffered by affected cats, rather than one specific disease. The illness can be caused by several different viruses and bacteria, although 80% of cases are caused by feline calicivirus or feline herpesvirus.
Most cats with cat flu will develop symptoms of sneezing, with watery eyes and nasal discharge, and sometimes also a fever. If secondary bacterial infection develops (on top of the initial viral infection), the pet’s eye and nose discharge may become thicker and “snotty”. Cats infected with feline herpesvirus may also develop eye ulcers, whilst cats with calicivirus may develop tongue ulcers.
2. Cat flu can remain in your cat’s system long-term
Unfortunately, once infected with feline herpesvirus or calicivirus, some cats can retain the virus in their system forever, and can suffer a recurrence of flu symptoms in times of stress or long-term mouth inflammation problems.
3. Vaccination does not prevent cat flu, but will still help to protect your cat
The good news? Whilst vaccination will not fully prevent your cat from developing cat flu, it will help significantly reduce their symptoms of unwellness should they be exposed to feline herpesvirus or calicivirus.
4. Treatment is largely supportive
Unfortunately, there is no specific treatment for cat flu, although supportive veterinary and home care can help your cat to feel better sooner, and will reduce their chances of nastier complications (such as severe eye ulcers or pneumonia).
Depending on the affected pet’s symptoms, our vets may prescribe:
- Antibacterial eye ointment
- Antibiotics (if bacterial involvement is suspected)
- Hydration support
- Medications to reduce fever and pain
- Appetite stimulant medications
- Anti-viral medications (for more severe or recurrent cases)
For more help supporting your cat’s health, consult our cat-competent team! |
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This email contains comments of a general nature only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Please always consult your vet for specific advice on your pet's individual needs.
All content © PetPack 2024 |
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