For many years, Mira Mar Vets have been dedicating one month of every year promoting the health and wellbeing of our older patients.   Senior Pets are considered older than 7 years of age, or 5 years old for giant breed dogs.

We are very excited to announce that we will be running our Senior Pet Month again in June 2025.

Early detection and treatment are key to addressing many of the diseases and health issues we see arise as our pets age. Management of conditions such as arthritis, dental disease, diabetes, thyroid disease, pancreatitis and kidney disease is always most successful when diagnosed before they are too far advanced.

In 2025 our Senior Pet Health Assessment will include the following;

• A complete head to tail physical examination with the vet
• A blood pressure assessment
• A blood test to screen for general health and several commonly seen diseases including kidney disease, thyroid disease and pancreatic inflammation.
• A free recheck for your senior pet in 6 months’ time

And while you are at the clinic, please feel free to fill out an arthritis survey from Zoetis to go into the draw to win a great 'Winter Warmers' Hamper!

To book a Senior Pet Health Assessment please contact the clinic directly on 98415422.  We look forward to seeing you and your best friend soon!

Regards, Jim, Sara and all the team at Mira Mar Vets.

Can you guess three of the most common “hidden” quality of life problems that we see in elderly dogs? Read on to get confident in spotting these canine comfort complications!

1. Dental disease

Untreated dental disease leads to inflammation, infection and pain, which has a major impact on the affected pet’s comfort and general health.

Common symptoms to watch for include:

• Smelly breath and saliva
• Red gums, particularly along the gumline just above the teeth
• Brown discolouration of teeth
• Recession of gums so that teeth start to appear longer (due to root exposure)

Remember that with proper pre-emptive health checks and preparation, it’s rare for a dog to be “too old” to safely undergo dental treatment!

2. Arthritis

Unfortunately, many well-meaning owners mistakenly ascribe their mature pet’s reduced activity to “natural ageing”, whereas in many cases, painful arthritis is a major contributing factor.

Common symptoms to watch for include:

• Difficulty getting up from the floor
• Hesitation before jumping on or off furniture
• Walking stiffly after a rest
• Reduced muscling around your pet’s rump and upper hindlimbs
• Slowing down on walks

The good news is that there are lots of safe and effective options for arthritis relief, even for dogs with sensitive stomachs or other health issues.

3. Overgrown nails

It’s common for the nails of older dogs to overgrow due to reduced wear. This is uncomfortable and puts your pet at risk of slipping and hurting themselves. Unfortunately, the quick (the sensitive inner portion of the nail) will also overgrow too, making comfortable trimming a bit trickier.

If your pet’s nails extend beyond the level of their footpads, or if you hear their nails clicking as they walk, it’s a good idea to get them checked by our friendly team.

By managing these common issues, we can help ensure that older pets continue to live their best lives!

Did you know that elderly cats can suffer from cognitive decline (brain health deterioration) too? Read on to learn more about feline brain health and how we can help maintain it in your pet.

What causes cognitive decline?

Classic cognitive decline occurs due to age-related brain deterioration. However, there are other medical issues commonly seen in older cats that can cause similar symptoms, such as hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland) or high blood pressure.

Symptoms of cognitive decline

Age-related brain deterioration often starts in cats around 10-12 years old and tends to progress gradually.

Common symptoms include:

• Increased vocalisation
• Altered interactions with people or other pets
• Changes to sleeping patterns or general activity
• Changes in toileting behaviours (such as house soiling)
• Disorientation or confusion
• Increased anxiety

Other neurological symptoms, such as circling or seizures, may indicate different brain health issues.

Can brain deterioration be treated?

Whilst age-related cognitive decline can’t be reversed or cured, there are therapies that can slow the progression of the disease - especially when started early, before significant damage is done. These include:

• Supplements or diets containing therapeutic levels of omega-3 fatty acids
• Certain vitamins and antioxidants
• Supportive nutraceuticals such as SAMe (S-Adenosyl-Methionine)
• Regular environmental enrichment and gentle exercise

Affected pets can also be supported with appropriate anti-anxiety treatments if needed.

Similarly, other common health issues affecting brain health, such as high blood pressure, are best detected and managed early for optimal outcomes. It’s recommended that cats ten years of age and above receive 6-monthly veterinary health checks to help detect any developing issues as early as possible.

For more information on the best health support for your senior feline, consult our knowledgeable veterinary team.

With increasing public awareness about the potential benefits of appropriately prescribed CBD oil products in humans, we’re receiving more questions about their use in dogs. So, roll up - our experienced team is here to weed the facts from the fiction!

What is CBD oil?

When we talk about CBD oil, we’re referring to a medication that contains cannabidiol. Cannabidiol stimulates certain receptors in the brain and body that play roles in functions such as appetite, inflammation, pain and nausea.

Products for use in pets in Australia must legally contain at least 98% CBD (plus up to 2% other active ingredients such as THC). This avoids the potentially negative “high” effects that can be associated with THC.

What can CBD be used for in pets?

CBD oil can be a useful aid in the treatment of conditions such as:

• Long-term pain and inflammation (such as arthritis or nerve pain)
• Disturbed sleep
• Anxiety
• Allergies

It’s important to note that CBD may not be the first-choice treatment for these issues. Depending on the pet’s particular needs and general health, there may be other drugs that are more effective, which we would recommend trialling first.

Are there any side effects?

CBD can cause drowsiness or wobbliness (although this is usually more of a problem at higher doses, or temporarily after dose increases), and symptoms of tummy upset.

More significantly, CBD can also affect the metabolism of other medications, such as pain relief or sedative drugs. This means that doses of other drugs may need to be reduced or increased to prevent ineffective underdosing or dangerous overdoses.

Can I use human CBD products for my pet?

Only veterinary-prescribed CBD products should be used in pets. This ensures that your pet receives a safe, effective dosage of CBD (+/- THC), without any added ingredients that could be toxic for them.

For more information on pain relief in pets, have a painless chat with our vets.

Whilst GOLPP is a common condition in some larger-breed dogs, many owners simply haven’t heard of it. Here’s a gulp of information on GOLPP - what it is, the symptoms it causes, and what can be done to help affected pets.

What is GOLPP?

GOLPP (geriatric onset laryngeal paralysis polyneuropathy) is a condition where pets slowly develop progressive nerve dysfunction, which appears to particularly affect nerves of the larynx (the airway opening in the throat), oesophagus, and legs.

GOLPP is most common in elderly Labradors but is also seen in other older large-breed dogs such as Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, and Greyhounds.

What symptoms does GOLPP cause?

Dogs with GOLPP develop paralysis of the cartilage folds in their throat that control air flow into the trachea (windpipe). This partially obstructs their airways, leading to symptoms such as:

• Noisy breathing, mostly when panting
• Breathing difficulties, particularly with excitement, exercise or hot/humid weather
• Reduced exercise tolerance

Many patients will also experience weakness issues with their oesophagus, which leads to symptoms such as:

• Regurgitation of food or water
• Episodes of gagging or throat clearing

Patients will usually go on to develop progressive nerve dysfunction affecting their legs (which can be difficult to differentiate from arthritis), leading to symptoms such as:

• An unsteady walk
• Leg weakness
• An abnormally wide stance

Can GOLPP be treated?

Unfortunately, GOLPP cannot be treated. However, pet's quality of life can be significantly improved with treatment of the symptoms. Depending on the severity of their issues, pets may be treated with:

• Specialist airway surgery to help hold open their larynx
• Medications and a special diet to help reduce regurgitation
• Physiotherapy to help maintain leg coordination and strength
• Treatment of any concurrent arthritis to help support comfort and mobility

Dogs affected by GOLPP should be kept cool during summer and never exercised in hot or humid weather.

For more information on supporting older large breed doggos, consult our veterinary team - we’re clued up about canines!

(This fictional story has been created for educational purposes only and does not depict a real pet, owner or clinic.)

Daisy, the eight-year-old female pug, was not a fan of vets, even though she had always received excellent care (including successful airway-opening surgery as a young dog). This was because she took issue with nail clips, even with the kind handling and regular treats provided by the nurses. However, when Daisy’s owner, Megan, noticed the dog seemed irritated “down there”, she informed Daisy that a veterinary check was required.

At her appointment, Daisy huffed indignantly whilst the vet checked her back end. While her bottom appeared healthy, it was noticed that she had significant irritation of the skin fold around her vulva, which she had clearly been licking at excessively. Megan consented to a urine test for Daisy, which didn’t show any indications of a urinary tract infection. A swab of the irritated skin did, however, show evidence of bacterial infection when assessed under the microscope. Daisy was diagnosed with intertrigo (a skin fold infection), most likely due to her being overweight with excessive skin around her vulva that was trapping urine.

Megan was sent home with an antibacterial and anti-inflammatory skin cream for Daisy, and instructions on how to regularly clean and dry the area. Unfortunately, whilst Daisy responded well to treatment, the issue recurred a couple of months later. Once again, a urinary tract infection was ruled out.

At this time, Megan agreed to a program of prescription weight loss for Daisy, to see if this would help reduce her problematic skin fold. If not, Daisy would be recommended to undergo surgery to resolve the issue.

Fortunately, Megan was dedicated to getting Daisy back to her ideal body weight and instituted an effective program of exercise and a healthy diet. Six months later, Daisy was looking fantastic, acting like a puppy again, and hadn’t suffered from any more skin infections. She still, however, strongly objects to nail clips.

540 days later: Valerie the sausage dog makes her way home

Valerie the dachshund has finally been reunited with her owners, Georgia Gardner and Josh Fishlock, after going missing on Kangaroo Island for 540 days. “She ran straight up to me - I just burst into tears,” Ms Gardner said. Found safe by Kangala Wildlife Rescue, Valerie was described as “strong and healthy… healthier than we are, honestly.” The couple are now helping her adjust back to home life in Albury with crate training and support from a behaviourist.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Meet the dog helping farmers sniff out footrot

Dog trainer Jo Griffiths has successfully trained her labrador cross, Leroy, to detect footrot in sheep by scent - a condition that’s typically slow to identify. “When he finds it he will sit down next to the sheep,” said Ms Griffiths, who’s been working on the project near Naracoorte, SA. The idea came from researcher Dr Colin Earl, who said, “This idea can work… I’m sure it could be used across Australia.” Trials on local farms are now underway.

Click here to read the full story at ABC News.

Pets preferred over partners for stress relief, study shows

A global survey of 30,000 pet owners found that 65% prefer to de-stress with their pets rather than with partners, family, or friends. “Reframing your pet’s daily ‘interruptions’ as loving reminders to pause, breathe and be present can be a powerful wellness tool,” said Dr Tammie King from the Waltham Petcare Science Institute. The study, by Mars and Calm, also found that 9 in 10 Aussies believe their pets have improved their mental wellbeing.

Click here for more tips at news.com.au.

For the first time since the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983, helmeted honeyeaters have been released back into Cardinia Shire, Victoria. Twenty-one of the critically endangered birds, bred at Healesville Sanctuary, were set free on Bunurong Country as part of a long-term recovery plan. With fewer than 250 in the wild, threats like habitat loss and inbreeding continue to endanger the species. “Second to the problem of not much habitat, the remaining birds are actually quite inbred,” said breeding program lead Dr Kim Miller. Dr Nick Bradsworth from Zoos Victoria added, “This is really just the start,” noting that the team hopes to establish more colonies in the future. The birds will be closely monitored using radio trackers and coloured leg bands to study their movements and pairings.

Click here to read the full story at ABC 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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