It's time to bring you our latest monthly newsletter for October. But how can it be October already?

In this issue, we dive into important topics like anxiety in pets and preventing snake bites, along with a variety of engaging articles on pet care.

We hope you enjoy it, and please remember to tell your friends and family how our newsletter can be delivered straight to their email inbox each month just by filling out the easy form on our website.

Our last Puppy Preschool class was a big one, with dogs of all sizes and breeds represented!
Huge congratulations to Indy, Mabel, Marley, Meggs, Mitzi, Piper, Pockets, Remi and Woody.
All of these adorable pups learnt new social skills, enjoyed their playtime and ate a lot of treats!

Puppy Preschool is a 4-week course run at Mira Mar Vets for any puppy aged between 8 and 16 weeks of age. Please give the clinic a call on 98415422 if your puppy fits the criteria and would like to come along to our next class!

Sadly, we have already started seeing snake bite affected pets in Albany this Spring.  With ten of the deadliest snake species in the world calling Australia home, a known or suspected snake bite in your pet should always be taken very seriously.

Here’s how to help protect your pet from snake bite illness.

What symptoms do snake bites in pets cause?

Whilst different species of snake venom have some variance in their effect, the most common symptoms to look out for in pets include:

• The rapid onset of weakness, wobbliness or an inability to walk
• The pet collapsing suddenly and then (apparently) recovering
• Muscular tremors
• Loss of bowel or bladder control
• Unusual bleeding from the nose or mouth
• Red or brown-coloured urine

Can I help to protect my pet from snake bites?

Snakes tend to be most active throughout the warmer times of the year. Hence, spring and summer are sometimes referred to as “snake season”.

During this period, it’s a good idea to keep your pet by your side on a short leash when out walking in bushier areas, as snakes are unlikely to bite unless stepped on or otherwise provoked. You can reduce snake hiding spots on your property by clearing up empty plant pots, wood stacks, junk piles, etc, and keeping vegetated areas cleared and mown.

What is snake avoidance training?

Snake avoidance training uses your dog's own superpower, it's amazing sense of smell, to identify the presence of a snake well before they get close enough to be bitten.  Please see below for a unique opportunity to learn about FEAR FREE, dog-safe snake response training being offered in Albany.

What should I do if I think my pet has been bitten?

If you suspect that your pet may have been bitten by a snake, it’s imperative that you seek immediate veterinary attention, as time is of the essence for effective treatment.

As much as possible, limit your pet’s movement by calmly carrying or driving them to the veterinary clinic. If you think they have been bitten on one of their limbs, you can apply a firm (but not too tight) pressure bandage, wrapping from their toes to the top of the affected limb, provided that doing so does not cause significant delay in seeking veterinary care.

With effective prevention, awareness and vigilance, you and your pet can hopefully avoid any scary scaly encounters!

If you know that your cat tends to be anxious or even “spicy” for visits to the clinic, never fear – there are lots of things we can suggest to reduce everyone’s stress and facilitate the purr-fect veterinary visit.

The right carrier

While most owners know that their cat will feel more secure and safer in a carrier (as opposed to being carried in your arms), choosing the best carrier can make a real difference, too.

The ideal carrier should have a generously sized front or side opening door to ensure that your cat can go in and out easily, plus a removable/openable top for added convenience. This allows our team to perform some examination or treatments on your cat whilst they remain huddled down in their carrier, which can help them feel safer.

Getting your cat in the carrier

With many cats unfortunately associating the carrier with trips in the car, they can understandably be reluctant to go in!

We’d recommend leaving your cat’s carrier out all the time in a quiet spot of the house, and placing a comfortable bed or blanket inside, so that your cat can start to consider it as a safe resting space.

At least ten minutes before placing your cat in the carrier for car trips, we’d also advise spraying some calming feline scent hormone inside – ask our team about this if you’re unsure.

Lastly, it can be easier to place reluctant cats into the carrier bottom-first, as this tends to create less of a struggle!

Anti-anxiety medications

For more anxious or spicy cats, we recommend discussing with our vets the potential use of gabapentin, a calming anti-anxiety medication that can be administered 1-2 hours prior to veterinary visits. This medication is generally safe and well-tolerated and can really help to reduce your cat’s stress.

Home visits

Did you know that if your cat really hates the carrier, the car or the clinic, Mira Mar Vets can come to you?  On every second Wednesday, for only $10 extra our experienced vet, Dr Renae, can visit your pet in their home for any routine care items like vaccinations and health checks.  Please call the clinic on 98415422 if you would like to find out more.

And for any other help giving your cat a chill pill, ask our knowledgeable team!

Positive, gentle interactions between young children and pets are a joy to behold and can enrich the lives of both the child and the animal. However, it's not always a given that these interactions will run smoothly, so it's important to take some consistent precautions to keep both parties happy and safe.

Supervision

It's recommended that children below eight years of age should always be supervised in their interactions with pets, with the adult on duty looking out for subtle body language cues that may indicate the pet is not enjoying themselves and requires space.

We’d recommend checking out these articles on dog and cat body language, including how to recognise signs of stress.

Retreats

Who doesn’t need a bit of remedial “quiet time” on occasion? Our pets are no different, particularly if they are feeling stressed by an intense social interaction or unfamiliar visitor.

We’d recommend that all pets have at least one designated private space that they can retreat to when required to feel safe.

For dogs, this can be a comfortably furnished crate or bed in a quiet area, whereas cats may prefer a quiet room sectioned off with a child-proof gate (that they can jump over) or bed elevated up onto a piece of high furniture.

Ensure that children are taught that when a pet is in their “safe zone”, they should be left alone.

Ensuring pets are in tip-top health

It’s not uncommon that we see a pet become uncharacteristically temperamental or uncomfortable with handling due to an undiagnosed painful medical condition, such as arthritis, dental disease, or an ear infection.

We’d recommend that pets eight years of age and older undergo a veterinary health examination every 6-12 months, but that any pet showing an unusual change in behaviour is rechecked promptly too.

For more advice on supporting positive interactions between children and pets, please consult our family-friendly team!

Murphy the seven-year-old Labrador was, to put it politely, in slightly “generous” body condition. Hence when the dog flopped happily into his owner Josh’s arms and Josh noticed an increased roundness around Murphy’s tummy, he was initially unsure if it was a problem.

When Murphy was convinced to roll over for a better look (which took less than a second once Josh mentioned the word “treat”), Josh ascertained that there appeared to be a lump on the underside of Murphy’s tummy.

Josh immediately felt very worried, as his previous pet (a rottweiler called Doof), had developed a cancerous lump at the age of eight.

Josh considered conveniently “forgetting” that he had noticed the mass, but then decided that it was best to have the dog promptly checked out by his regular vet, so he could get more information about what the lump might be.

Two days later, a very cheery Murphy arrived at the veterinary clinic, and was greeted by his favourite vet Dr Erin. Upon being offered treats, Murphy obligingly allowed Dr Erin to perform a general health check on him, and then lay down so she could examine his lump.

The lump was located subcutaneously (beneath the skin), so Dr Erin advised a fine needle aspirate to help determine what it could be. This procedure involves a needle being poked into a lump a few times, aiming to collect some representative cells that can then be assessed under the microscope. In some cases, this can give an immediate answer as to the type of mass present.

Fortunately, Murphy’s mass was diagnosed as a lipoma; a benign, fatty mass that generally causes no issues unless it grows big enough to become a physical impediment.

Josh felt extremely relieved and was content to monitor the mass for any changes thereafter. Murphy was delighted that he got more treats. Both considered the day a success.

Have we recommended anti-anxiety medications for your dog or cat? Whilst this can sound concerning, try not to worry! When used correctly, these medications are generally well-tolerated and effective.

Are anti-anxiety medications commonly used in pets?

Anxiety is an issue that is increasingly being recognised in pets. Whilst this is partly attributable to an increased awareness of the symptoms of anxiety, many veterinary staff have also noticed an increase in pet anxiety since COVID – perhaps due to reduced socialisation opportunities at that time.

The bottom line? Your pet isn’t the only one requiring a little extra help with their mental health sometimes!

Will my pet always require these medications?

Depending on your pet’s type of anxiety (situational or generalised), they may require regular daily medication and/or episodic usage (e.g. medication administered a couple of hours prior to predicted stressful events).

With good concurrent behavioural modification (“brain retraining”), some pets may improve enough to be able to be successfully weaned off their medication eventually. However, others may require their medication to be continued in the long term, and that’s OK, too.

Will there be side effects?

Two of the most common anti-anxiety medications, fluoxetine (commonly used in dogs) and gabapentin (commonly used in dogs and cats), are generally safe and well-tolerated when used appropriately.

The main side effect of gabapentin usage tends to be sleepiness, whereas fluoxetine may cause nausea or tummy upset for the first few days of use until pets become acclimated to it.

In cases involving older pets or prospected long-term medication usage, it is recommended that pets undergo a general blood test first, to ensure that their organs are healthy enough to handle the drug safely.

Additionally, it’s important to ensure that you always follow the dosage instructions we have provided for that medication.

For more information on the safe usage of anti-anxiety medications in your pet, consult our mental-health aware team!

Ngururrpa ranger Clifford Sunfly recently spotted one of Australia's rarest animals, the elusive night parrot, in the Great Sandy Desert. This region is home to the largest known population of the critically endangered bird, with new research suggesting that dingoes, which prey on feral cats, may be protecting the parrots. "Cats don’t want to travel here because of the dingoes," said Mr Sunfly, who, along with fellow rangers, is dedicated to conserving these parrots.

However, plans for a mining project in the area may pose new risks to their habitat. Mining company Agrimin has proposed measures such as fire management protocols and a nighttime road curfew to help protect the night parrots and other threatened species like the bilby. "We’re using this information to adapt our plans and minimise any impact," said Agrimin CEO Debbie Morrow.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Push for pet-friendly offices gains momentum in Australia

Allowing pets at work is becoming a popular trend in Australian workplaces, with companies like RACT seeing benefits like reduced stress and improved employee engagement. "Dogs just break down barriers," said Henry James, who brings his rescue dog Billie to work. A 2024 report from PetSure highlights how pets in the office boost productivity and collaboration. However, pet-friendly policies must balance employee comfort and animal welfare.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Retiree recycles a million containers to support animal rescue

Selwyn "Nuts" Nutley, an 82-year-old retiree from Emerald, Queensland, has raised over $100,000 for his local pet rescue group by recycling more than a million cans and bottles. Using his custom ute, he collects up to 6,000 containers a week, helping fund CQ Pet Rescue, a group that saves animals from euthanasia. "I drive around in my ute, and people even throw containers over my front fence," Mr Nutley shared. His dedication kept the rescue running during the pandemic.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

NSW rental reforms aim to make pet ownership easier

New legislation in NSW will prevent landlords from refusing pets without valid reasons, making it easier for renters to own pets. "This is an important step towards fairer renting," said NSW Rental Commissioner Trina Jones. With input from over 16,000 public submissions, the changes aim to balance the needs of tenants and landlords. RSPCA data shows many animals are surrendered due to rental issues, making these reforms a crucial step.

Click here for more details at Pet Industry News.

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.

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