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Queensland’s pet magazine for all animal lovers! SUMMER ISSUE 25: DEC 11 - MAR 12 Dog breed feature:
The Gentle
Greyhound
Special feature:
The Adoptables: stories of success www.facebook.com/PawsClaws
...and lots more!
TICK PARALYSIS | WATER DOGGIES | ODE TO PETS
HOME-MADE TREATS FOR YOUR PET
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EDITOR & DIRECTOR Johanna Jauregui & Jason Allender SUB-EDITOR Susan Shoring EDITOR’S PA | COPY WRITER | JOURNALIST Kirsty-Lee Workman CONTRIBUTORS Dr Cam Day Dr Lisa Roberts BVSc (Hons) MACVSc Scott Donald Solange Newton Susan Shoring
Gracing this summer edition’s cover is the elegant, sweet Lady. Lady was fostered through Friends of the Hound by Leeann Chapman. Leeann fell in love with Lady and couldn’t bring herself to part with the beautiful Greyhound, so she adopted her instead! See page 16 for our special feature on Greyhounds. Disclaimer: Content and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the publishers. No liability is accepted for issues or damages arising from content or advertising by Arcadia Publishing Pty Ltd. The contents, design and graphics of Paws & Claws magazines are copyright and may not be reproduced in any form in whole or part without the written permission of the publishers. Contributions in the form of articles, letters and photographs are most welcome. Please supply us with a stamped, self-addressed envelope if you would like the items returned. The provider is responsible for copyright of all material supplied. Copyright (C) 2005-2011 Arcadia Publishing Paws & Claws. The material in Paws & Claws magazine is protected by the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968.
The days are getting longer and the sun is getting hotter –welcome to summer! Time to get your togs out and take your beloved pooch for a dip in the pool or to one of South-East Queensland’s many pet-friendly beaches. There are many health benefits to swimming your dog; turn to page 58 for some great safe swimming tips. We have also issued a very important reminder on page 12 about the potentially fatal dangers awaiting dogs that are left inside hot cars. With the holiday season just around the corner, many animal shelters around the nation are preparing themselves for one of the busiest times of the year. For our 25th issue this summer we bring you a special heart-warming feature on successful adoption stories from three of our local animal rescues. (pg 25) This festive period you can include your pets in the yummy feasting too! Check out our scrumptious home-made recipes on page 32. With the hot weather come the little nasties: ticks. Be sure to read our Animal ER special on tick paralysis on page 54. Why not get to know your own backyard these holidays and take the family to visit the beautiful seaside town of Tin Can Bay! Here you can meet the magnificent Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins that have been visiting the locals since the 1950s. Full story on page 50. Stay cool this summer and keep your pets cool too!
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Feature Story:
The adoptables: stories of success
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Feature Story:
Potential for tragedy: dogs inside hot cars
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Dog Breed:
Greyhound
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Norwegian Forest Cat
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To breed... Or not to breed...
Vet Advice:
Hot spots by Greencross Vets RSPCA Qld Cat Breed:
Feline Feature:
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Pet Nutrition:
Healthy treats for happy pets
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Forever Friends:
Ode to pets
Pet Behaviour:
Which dogs bark the most? Wild News:
The dolphins of Tin Can Bay
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Animal ER:
Tick paralysis: an epidemic
Story: 58. Feature Water Doggies by Windaroo Vet Clinic 61. Vets & Emergency Contacts
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The Adoptables: stories of success By Kirsty-Lee Workman very year, around 400,000 animals pass through shelters and council pounds in Australia. The vast majority of these deserted companion animals would make fantastic family pets, if only they had the opportunity. Giving an animal a second chance at a happy home can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences, for you as well as for them. Research continues to reveal a range of health benefits associated with living with animals. The facts are in: pet owners are generally healthier and happier than non-pet owners. Throughout South-East Queensland there is a range of animal shelters and rescue organisations where healthy, socialised, temperament-tested pets can be adopted. Those who have adopted a rescue animal know that these animals are full of love and loyalty, and can make the best pets of all. If you’ve been thinking about adding an animal friend to your family, please read these amazing adoption stories. They are just a few of many that testify to the good that can come from adopting an animal in need.
a short-haired cat, from the RSPCA Miami Adoption Centre in August. This is their story... “I adopted Tess so that Beau would have a furry friend to cuddle. We live in an apartment, so we can’t have dogs. We did have birds, but they died, and Beau was just shattered. He recently turned 10 and all he wanted was a new friend, so Tess was a birthday present from the family, and it was the best move. We live near the Miami RSPCA store and drop in to the Op Shop to have a look around all the time. I had wanted to have a look at the cats and Beau was really interested in them too. I chose to adopt from the RSPCA because the animals need a home, and they’re that little bit older and just out of the kitten stage, so they’re toilet trained and it makes it that little bit easier.
Kelly, Beau, & Ness RSPCA Miami Adoption Centre Kelly and her son Beau adopted Tess, Paws & Claws Issue 25
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Tess has been awesome since day one. I haven’t had to teach her anything. When we first met her in the shop, she was a bit stand-offish and growled a little when we tried to go near her. But since we’ve had her at home, she’s not shown any sign of aggression. Sometimes their personality is a little different in the shop because of the circumstances. I almost had second thoughts, but we gave it a go anyway and I’m so glad we did. The first day we had her at home, Tess followed Beau around like a shadow and just made his day.” For information on adopting from the RSPCA, call the Miami Adoption Centre on 5575 6146 or visit www.adoptapet.com.au.
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Giving an animal a second chance at a happy home can be one of life’s most rewarding experiences.
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Christopher Barrett & Piki Animal Rescue QLD Alisa Voss works as a trainer for AWARE Dogs—Australia’s first Mental Health Assistance Dog Program, and one of few organisations that allows members to select their own dog to participate in the program. She is often asked to assist applicants to find a suitable dog. “Having an organisation such as Animal Rescue QLD, where the dogs are in foster care as opposed to a shelter, allows us to get a greater understanding of the dog’s behaviour.” Alisa recently helped Mr Christopher Barrett, an applicant who required an assistance dog to help him with his sight, and had his heart set on adopting a Jack Russel cross. Alisa found Piki, a Jack Russel cross that had been rescued by Animal Rescue QLD. “I found Piki on the Petrescue web site, www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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made an enquiry, and had a reply back the same day from Piki’s carer. An assessment was made and Piki passed with flying colours. Within the week, Piki and his new pack leader were united, and I am pleased to report that they make a great team, and are working hard to pass the Public Access Test, which Piki must pass to get accepted into the program.” To foster or adopt a dog from Animal Rescue QLD, go to www.animalrescueqld. com.au. Find out more about AWARE DOGS at www.awaredogs.org.au. The Mitchell family & Byron Animal Welfare League of Qld (AWLQ) My name is Byron, I am an 11-month-old Australian Kelpie x Cattle Dog. I arrived at the AWLQ at 8-weeks-old with a broken leg. After a few months, the shelter’s vet clinic decided amputation would be the best option for me. I
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bounced back super-quickly and was full of beans and buzzing with energy shortly after surgery. I lived with my foster parents for a few months and, boy, did they give me the royal treatment. I was fighting fit in no time. When I was at the shelter, I paraded my new figure ever so proudly to my potential owners. I had a sneaky suspicion that my unique appearance would eventually win over the perfect family, and I was right. My adoptive family was left heartbroken when their much-loved dog passed away. But, when the time came to add a little fur back into the family, I was the perfect pooch to brighten up their world. I just knew they would come back for me, and they did. The day they chose me was the best day of my life. Now I live with my mum, dad, and three brothers. The boys and I play fetch, and tug-of-war, and go for walks before and after school each day. My mum just shakes her head and laughs when she catches me lying in the dirt in the backyard. Many people say I have an uncanny resemblance to a dingo, so my excuse is that I am just getting back to my roots, but Mum says I’m just a typical dog. My new mum gets very protective when people pity me. She
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the best pet for your personal situation. If a dog or a cat is not right for your family, many shelters are often looking for new homes for a variety of smaller animals as well, including birds, guinea pigs, and even mice. Most shelters and rescue organisations will also provide adopters with continual support, to ensure that the relationship between you and your new pet has the best chance of being a happy and successful one.
says ‘there’s nothing wrong with you Byron. You’re beautiful, happy, and you run like the wind!” Boy, am I a lucky tripod: I had one wish and that wish came true. I now have my very own kennel and backyard, but most of all I have three new best friends. To foster or adopt a dog from AWLQ, visit www.awlqld.com.au. As these stories reveal, adopting a pet can be a fantastic experience for all involved. But, while choosing the right pet for your family can be a lot of fun, it also takes time, planning, and research. Animal welfare shelter and rescue organisations can help you work through the important aspects of adopting a pet, and find
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Sadly, of the more than 400,000 animals dumped at shelters across Australia every year, roughly 40% of dogs and 75% of cats are euthanased. If you can, please always choose to adopt.
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By Kirsty-Lee Workman | Photo by Lina Saller
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ueensland is famous for its hot, humid summers; but the same weather that makes summertime trips to the beach or local park so much fun can also be deadly for pets. Because dogs are more likely to accompany their owners on car trips, they are especially susceptible to extreme summer temperatures. The most common warm weather hazards include heat stroke, dehydration, and sunburn—all of which can affect a dog very quickly in a hot car. When a dog is left unattended in a car on a hot summer’s day, the potential for these hazards to cause serious, irreversible health issues is dramatically increased. Despite a long-running nationwide campaign about the dangers of leaving dogs in cars, Pam Cordell from RSPCA Qld says that every year the RSPCA continues to receive alarming numbers of phone calls about dogs found locked alone in cars. “People go to the beach, or they go out surfing, and leave the dog in the car,” she said. “We get a real influx of these kinds of calls in summer.” Heatstroke, or heat stress, is a state of extreme hyperthermia—elevated body temperature—that occurs when heat
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Tips for taking care of pets in hot weather:
• Always have plenty of fresh water on hand. • Never leave your dog unattended in a car—for any amount of time. • Be aware of sunburn, even inside cars (especially for pets with non-pigmented skin or a white coloured coat). • Remember to ensure sufficient ventilation even while the car is still moving—this is important as dogs cool down via evaporative cooling (panting), which requires adequate air flow. • Dogs travelling on the back of utes are susceptible to sunburn as well as pad burn—owners need to cover ute trays with suitable material and provide shade.
generation exceeds the body’s ability to dissipate heat, resulting in thermal injury to tissues. Heatstroke is very serious: it can lead to multiple organ damage or failure, and can even be fatal. Vehicles are made of metal and glass, both of which heat up quickly and retain heat. Dogs that are locked in cars with a lack of adequate shade and water are extremely susceptible to
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• Distressed, frantic behaviour • Signs of mental confusion or delirium • Staggering, collapsing, lying down, or loss of consciousness • Increased rectal temperature (over 40°C requires immediate action)
serious heatstroke, because the temperature inside a closed vehicle left in the sun can double within just 12 minutes. The high temperature inside the car, combined with inadequate air flow, means that a dog locked inside cannot thermo-regulate properly. Even when the windows of a car are left down, the temperature inside the car can still rise to dangerous levels—animals left in these conditions suffer horribly, and can die in less than six minutes. Recognising heatstroke The physical symptoms of heatstroke may vary, but commonly include: • Incessant panting/respiration • Weakness and fatigue • Profuse salivation, vomiting, or diarrhoea • Redness of the gums or tacky mucous membranes • Muscle spasms or convulsions
How to treat heatstroke Heatstroke is a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. It is vital that a dog suffering heatstroke is taken to a veterinarian, but it is also important to never put a heat-stressed dog into a hot car, as this may put the dog’s life at even greater risk. Initial emergency treatment at home should aim to normalise body temperature as soon as possible by spraying tepid or cool water onto the dog and fanning the wet fur (never use ice-cold water or ice, as extreme cold can cause blood vessels to constrict and prevent the body’s core from cooling). Offer the dog a drink of cool water, but never force water into the dog’s mouth. Aim to reduce body temperature to 39°C within 30-60 minutes by following these steps: • Gently hose down the dog • Cover the body with a wet towel and place the dog in the path of a fan • Hold ice bags wrapped in cloth in selected areas such as the back legs or on the jugular vein on the neck • Pack cool towels in armpits and stomach areas where there is little or no fur • Cool the head and foot pads with cool water, a cool sponge, or wet towel • Massage extremities to increase blood flow and allow better cooling Once the temperature has normalised, take the dog straight to a vet, even if it seems to have fully recovered. Internal damage might not be obvious to the naked eye, and given the seriousness of heatstroke, it is always better to be safe than sorry.
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What to do if you find a dog locked in a car Leaving an animal without appropriate water and shelter is an offence under the Animal Care and Protection Act 2001. If you come across a dog locked in a car and cannot immediately see the car’s owner, notify one of the following organisations immediately: • RSPCA Animal Cruelty Hotline 1300 852 188 • DPI Call Centre – 13 25 23 • Local Police station (000 for emergencies only) • Local council’s Animal Management • If in a car park, notify centre management RSPCA Qld runs an ongoing campaign to educate dog owners about the dangers of leaving dogs in vehicles. You can help by purchasing a “Dogs Die in Hot Cars” sticker for just $2, or a spare tyre cover if you own a 4WD. To find out more about the campaign, visit www.rspcaqld.org.au/campaigns/ dogsdieinhotcars.
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Greyhound By Lisa White Friends of the Hound Inc.
Make a fast friend... Greyhounds are gentle, affectionate dogs that thrive on human companionship and make wonderful family pets and companions. Placid and tolerant, Greyhounds are generally good with children. They are sociable dogs that usually enjoy the company of other dogs and can often live happily with other smaller animals. Greyhounds do love and crave attention and affection, and are quite often known as ‘velcro dogs’, but are usually happy to lie around or sleep until family time. They are excellent indoor pets, preferring to spend much of their time lazing on a comfy dog bed or couch. Owners are familiar with the delightful sight of a Greyhound ‘roaching’ on the lounge (upside down with all four legs in the air—similar to a dying cockroach). Minimal shedding, a distinct lack of doggy-odour, and an aristocratic appreciation of the good life all support
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Photos courtesy of Friends of the Hound Inc.
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regular short walks. Brief bursts of energy and long bouts of lethargy typify the Greyhound’s character, and they can often live happily in a small backyard or courtyard (this is understandable when you consider that they are routinely kept in small cages or kennels by racing owners and trainers). Greyhounds also make excellent ‘pets as therapy’ dogs. Their soft, sensitive nature and calm manner, combined with their height, responsiveness and sedentary behaviour, make them highly suitable for the elderly, and for people with disabilities or special needs. Friends of the Hound Inc. has successfully rehomed Greyhounds as resident pets in several nursing homes. A large dog, the Greyhound stands 60-75cm tall and weighs between 24-35kgs, and has an expected lifespan of 12-14 years, with no significant medical issues or genetic problems. Possessing a fine coat and low body fat, they tend to feel extremes in temperature. Greyhounds come in an array of colours: black, white, red, blue (grey), fawn, and brindle varieties, and any of these colours
such indoor privileges. Greyhounds are very suitable pets for highdensity suburban areas as they are quiet, docile, and adaptable. Surprisingly, these sleek, sinewy, stylish hounds do not require a lot of room or excessive exercise, being quite content with
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Ancient Egypt. Images of greyhound-type dogs are found in murals and paintings over 4,000 years old, including paintings inside the tombs of the Great Pyramids. Greyhounds were held in high regard in Egypt, the Middle East, Italy, and Greece for the sport of hunting. The gods and goddesses of Ancient Rome were often shown with Greyhounds, and Greek mythological figures were often portrayed with this distinctive breed. Greyhounds also enjoyed a favoured status in Europe during the Middle Ages, when
broken with white. A strong, muscular dog, the Greyhound is built for sprinting over short distances. They are sighthounds, which hunt their quarry primarily by sight rather than scent. Renowned for their speed, Greyhounds are often referred to as ‘the 70km/hour couch potato’.
The History of the Greyhound
Greyhounds have a long presence in recorded history, dating back to the Pharaohs of
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to racing industry needs. There is increasing concern about dog racing and the exploitation of animals for entertainment and gambling—dogs being injured and killed for a betting industry is simply getting harder to justify. Rescue groups such as Friends of the Hound Inc. have worked tirelessly to promote the breed and raise public awareness, resulting in widespread recognition and appreciation of their suitability for a range of situations and age groups, including children and the elderly. These gorgeous dogs have impressed many with their numerous wonderful qualities. Greyhounds make great pets. For more information on Greyhounds as pets, fostering, adopting, or helping Friends of the Hound, please go to www.friendsofthehound.org.au or email enquiries@friendsofthehound.org.au.
owning a Greyhound became the exclusive right of nobility. It was decreed during this time that the punishment for killing a Greyhound was the same for killing a person: death. In Australia, Greyhounds made their first appearance in 1770 with botanist Joseph Banks, who sailed with Captain Cook aboard the ‘Endeavour’ and brought with him a male and female. When Governor Phillip arrived in Australia with the first colonists in 1778, he too brought Greyhounds or ‘kangaroo dogs’. In 1804, a proclamation was issued in Australia ordering the destruction of all dogs except Greyhounds.
Greyhounds Today
In modern society, Greyhounds have long suffered from widespread misconceptions about their nature and character. The stigma has arisen after decades of racing promotion, muzzling laws, and a general notion of them as dogs that ‘race and chase things’. There are still some people who view Greyhounds as only ‘racing dogs’. Around 20,000 Greyhounds are bred for dog racing in Australia every year and, as a direct result, there is a mass wastage of this beautiful breed of dog. Thousands upon thousands of healthy young Greyhounds are destroyed each year for no other reason than that they become surplus
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About the author…
Lisa is the founder and President of Friends of the Hound Inc. – a non-profit, volunteer-based group dedicated to the welfare of Greyhounds. Lisa has three gorgeous greyhounds living amongst her menagerie of dogs, cats, rabbit, chickens, and horses, and has fostered over 300 Greyhounds in her home, which she shares with her husband and three young children.
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Is your dog or cat registered?
Each year more than 4000 lost dogs and 2000 lost cats are found by Council’s Animal Management staff. While most registered dogs and cats are reunited with their owners, many unregistered pets can not be traced back. To find out how to register your dog or cat visit goldcoastcity.com.au or call Gold Coast City Council on 5581 6668. Registrations can also be made in person at any Council Customer Service Centre.
GCCC7771
A citywide doorknock is underway to make sure all Gold Coast dogs and cats are registered. If you are keeping an unregistered dog or cat you will be issued with a $200 on-the-spot fine.
A registered pet is never lost for long.
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Hot Spots: acute moist dermatitis & moist pyoderma By Dr Dan Drennen BVSc Greencross Vets Chermside Photo by Zoo Studio Animal Art Photography
What are they?
These are bacterial infections that appear as raw circular patches anywhere on the body, but most commonly under the ears, rump, or near the rectal area. They mostly occur on dogs but can also affect cats. They appear suddenly and enlarge quickly, as warm, painful and swollen patches of hairless skin that exude pus and give off a foul odour. In longer haired breeds, the hair usually becomes matted from the discharge.
Skin Folds: Dog breeds with loose skin may be better candidates for pyoderma than breeds with tight-fitting skin. Ask us about how to care for your dog if it has many folds, such as in a Bulldog or Pug-type breed. It may be as simple as antiseptically cleansing prone areas.
How do you treat them? The area around the hot spot should be shaved, allowing air to hit it so that it will scab over. The pet must stop scratching, licking, and biting the area in order for the hot spot to heal. Typically, antiseptics, antibiotics, and other medications may be prescribed by your vet.
Oral Hygiene: Proper dental care can keep bacterial counts down in the dog/cat’s mouth. We can instruct you on proper oral hygiene, and special chew/bones, as well as in-water treatments that may also keep the bacterial counts down in your pet’s mouth.
What causes them and how do you prevent them? Moist/Dry/Broken/Dirty Skin: They most often occur in the hotter months of the year. Firstly, a dog that is wet, dirty and/or matted is more susceptible. An excessively wet dog may promote pyoderma after the dog is exposed to water and is not dried properly afterwards. Make sure that you dry your dog thoroughly after swimming or bathing, and you may gently blot water out of your dog’s ears with cotton balls. Secondly, broken skin is also more prone to pyoderma infection. Examine your dog’s skin for any eczema, rashes, or scratches. Ensure that localised inflammation of the skin from clipping/ grooming or any open sores/infections on your dog’s coat are treated correctly. Regular bathing every other week or so, especially in warm weather, can reduce colonies of bacteria on your dog’s skin, and can help to keep him healthy in the long term. Paws & Claws Issue 25
Nutrition: Proper nutrition from a premium food using high quality ingredients may provide a significant advantage to pets suffering from hot spots, especially those secondary to food allergies or contact/atopic/flea allergy dermatitis. Low allergenic foods and foods high in essential oils can significantly help. Come and talk to us about foods specifically prescribed to help these conditions. Avoid Ticks and Fleas: Flea or tick bites may cause a microscopic tear in your dog’s flesh, leading to pyoderma. Regular skin inspections and parasite protection that can ward off infestation are essential. Consult us at Greencross on how to prevent parasites from irritating your pet’s skin.
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Giving a mature cat a forever home By RSPCA Queensland
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ouldn’t it be wonderful if every Queensland animal had a loving home to call its own? We think so! RSPCA Queensland receives many mature cats surrendered to them annually. These loving animals have found themselves in our care for various reasons, including family relocation— either interstate or to a unit, where in a large number of cases, animals are not permitted.
our website—www.adoptapet.com.au—that you would like to adopt, then you can organise to meet them in the store and check your compatibility with each other. Currently, we have “Harriett” and “Pepper”, who are looking for a loving, mature person to give them their forever home. Why choose an RSPCA animal? When you choose your new pet from the RSPCA, not only do you get a loyal companion, but we have taken care of most of the initial pet ownership responsibilities for you:
Sometimes they have been injured or have strayed, and the owners have not been able to be located, particularly if the cat has not been registered or micro-chipped. Shelter animals on the move
• Desexed • Microchipped • Vaccinated (up-to-date) • Wormed (intestinal) • Flea treated • FIV tested (cats) • Behaviour and temperament tested
Bringing an animal into your home is an exciting time. However, people sometimes shy away from rehoming a shelter animal. Sometimes this is because people find the shelter environment distressing and overwhelming, or because it is hard to choose one animal when so many are seeking a new home. That is why we have developed the Community Outreach Adoption Program.
Each animal is medically checked and if there is any illness or ailment, the RSPCA treats this before the animal is made available to you.
Through our RSPCA Gold Coast Adoption Centre and World for Pets store at Miami, you can meet and rehome an animal without ever stepping foot inside an RSPCA shelter. If you find a particular cat on
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With kitten season almost upon us, now is the perfect time to consider giving a mature cat a forever home. Loyal companionship, along with generally quiet, sedate personalities, not to mention the fact that your furniture won’t be destroyed, are just some of the rewarding benefits of providing a loving environment for these older animals. And they in turn will return that love tenfold.
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NORWEGIAN FOREST CAT
By Susan Shoring, Secretary of the Gold Coast Cat Club Photo courtesy Fiona Cooper Photographics.
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he large, semi-longhaired Norwegian Forest Cat is a uniquely Scandinavian breed whose origins are shrouded in mystery. Archaeological evidence has shown it to have been well established even before 1000AD. It has featured in Norwegian mythology and fairy tales, as enchanted cats of the forest that could disappear at will. Stories include the cat so heavy that Thor, the God of Thunder, could not lift it,as well as the cat sacred to the Norse goddess Freya – powerful enough to draw her chariot. Known as “Skogkatt”(literally ‘forest cat’) in its native Norway,its full breed name is usually shortened to NFC, and it is often fondly referred to as the ‘Wegie’. Artist Olaf Gulbransson had a 1910 drawing of a grand champion Skogkatt in his autobiography. Norwegian author Gabriel Scott wrote a popular 1912 children’s book called ‘Sølvfaks’, in which the main character is a Skogkatt. The NFC was designated the official cat of Norway by the late King Olaf V in the 1970s.
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There are many theories of how the NFC originally came to Norway. One notion is that Angora cats came on ships from the Middle East, then evolved into the early NFCs through becoming bigger and bigger,and developing thicker and thicker coats. Or perhaps longhaired Russian cats (now ‘Siberian Forest Cats’) arrived in Norway by Baltic and North Sea routes. Alternatively, local domestic cats became feral and grew bigger and more heavily furred each generation. The NFC is sturdy and muscular, built to match its environment, having developed through many years of natural selection into a breed that is able to survive the long, harsh winters of Norway.
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Its forebears are reputed to have travelled with Leif Erikson and his fellow Vikings to keep ship rodents under control. These cats are thought
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to have reached Newfoundland in about 1000AD, and could have contributed to the emergence of longhaired cats in the north-east of the United States – breeds such as the Maine Coon. It is a natural breed that lived in Norway for centuries as a farmyard cat. The cat fancy there began in 1934, and 1938 saw Norway’s first cat club founded by NFC devotee, Haldis Rholff. The Skogkatt was not thought a special breed initially, until greater interest was taken by cat enthusiasts and planned breeding programmes commenced. As with many breeds throughout Europe,further progress was interrupted by the Second World War. In 1963, the Norske Rasekattklubbers Riksforbund (Norwegian National Association of Pedigree Cats) was founded, reflecting Norway’s interest in cat breeds.
The Norwegian Forest Cat features a woolly undercoat, topped by a glossy, thick, water-repellent top coat.
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In the early Seventies, Norwegians realised that this cat was disappearing from the countryside, because of urban expansion and also from interbreeding with shorthaired domestic cats. Breeding programmes began in earnest then, and it was given the international name of Norwegian Forest Cat in 1972. The breed was close to extinction when cat fancier Carl-Fredrik Nordane organised the Norsk Skovkattring (Norwegian Forest Cat Club) in 1975 – a club committed to the promotion and development of the breed.
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Carl-Frederik’s tireless efforts led to NFCs being seen at cat shows in many different countries during the 1970s.He and the Breeders’ Committee saw photographs of a striking cat called Pan’s Truls, and they believed he embodied the ideal image of a
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Opp. page: Bushkenheim Arnbjorn, a red silver mackerel tabby and white Norwegian Forest Cat, bred by Tracey Camp of Bushkenheim cattery; owned by Maureen Norberry. This page: CCCA Ch Gl Db Gd Ch Norskatt Coola Copy, a black mackerel tabby and white Norwegian Forest Cat, owned and bred by Sandra Dukes of Norskatt Cattery.
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1987, the year the UK formed a NFC breed club. UK championship status was approved in 1997.
NFC. This impressive brown tabby and white male, bred by Egil and Else Nyland of Pans cattery in Oslo, became the prototype for the breed, serving as the model for the written standard.
In Australia, the NFC first arrived in 1997 when Mrs Kerry Evans, of WA’s Firecrystal cattery, imported Maelstrom Jarl Olaf and Maelstrom Saltstramen from the UK.
International Championship status was granted with FIFe (Feline International Federation of Europe) in 1977, and two years later, the NFC arrived in the US. However, due to its similarity to the Maine Coon, it wasn’t recognised there until
The Norwegian Forest Cat features a woolly undercoat, topped by a glossy, thick, waterrepellent top coat. When the NFC is in full winter
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coat, it has a full mane and knickerbockers. The length of the coat and density of its undercoat varies with the seasons. The long tail is always bushy. All colours are permitted on a NFC, except those that indicate Siamese or Abyssinian colouring. Any amounts of white are allowed.
Cat Breed
the big moult each spring, when daily combing is needed to prevent matting and remove the dead winter coat. Taking up to four years to fully mature, males can weigh up to 9kg, with females usually 2-3kg lighter. The NFC is known for its ability to run down trees head first, and for catching its own fish in Norwegian lakes and rivers – it is drawn to running
Grooming this rugged kitty involves a brush-through a few times a week until
Safe Summer Feline Fun! Cats love to play in the fresh air and nap outside in the sun, but if they do wander outside the yard many dangers await them. They could be attacked by dogs, hit by a car, get into a fight with another cat and risk catching an infectious disease such as feline AIDS. This is one of the main reasons the law clearly states that all cats must not leave their owner’s yards, to ensure the cat’s safety and the owner’s peace of mind. As a cat lover, owner and breeder, Pat Lee from Aussie Cat Enclosures knows how difficult it can be to keep cats safe. To make things easier, Aussie Cat Enclosures incorporates a range of purpose built DIY Flat Packs, complete with shelves and hammocks to ensure cats can play to their heart’s content and soak up the warm summer sunshine. To give your cat the lifestyle it deserves call Pat today for a FREE measure & quote on (07) 3829 0563 or visit www.catenclosures.com.au.
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NEXT CAT SHOW ON THE GOLD COAST
water. In Australia, its superior hunting skills make it imperative that it be kept indoors, where it exists happily, provided there are plenty of things to keep its mind and muscles occupied. Tall scratching posts with secure, high perches will be much appreciated, as will plenty of toys, games and hiding places. An outdoor enclosure is ideal for safe birdwatching.
Queensland Feline Association Inc Invites you to Cats on the Coast Sunday 5th February 2012 from 9am to 3pm Albert Waterways Community Centre Cnr Hooker & Sunshine Blvds, Broadbeach www.qfeline.com
Highly intelligent and quiet-voiced, this is a friendly, outgoing, alert and active feline. It isn’t overly demanding and dislikes mollycoddling, remaining independent yet sociable. Whilst not known as a lapcat, it will happily cosy up next to its owner.
TO BREED… OR NOT TO BREED…
The NFC is a sturdy, rugged cat that is adventurous, mischievous and bold. It is adaptable, loving, responsive, and good-natured. A cool, calm, collected breed, it is intelligently cautious but perfect with those it trusts. A true delight in human companionship – visitors, children and other pets will not daunt the magnificent Norwegian Forest Cat.
By Susan Shoring, Secretary of the Gold Coast Cat Club
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hat might be the question, but these days there is really only one sensible answer, given the unacceptable numbers of cats, dogs, kittens and puppies that are euthanased each year in Australia, purely because there are not enough good homes available. Desexing procedures are quick and humane. Early age desexing is widely accepted by both veterinarians and animal welfare organisations, and studies show no adverse effects in those animals. In addition to ending unwanted behaviours such as fighting and wandering, desexing will help to extend your pet’s life. It also eliminates risks of uterine, ovarian, or testicular cancer developing, and the chance of developing mammary cancer is greatly reduced. Desexed pets are more loving and attentive with their families, because they are no longer using all their energy for finding a mate. For reputable breeders, breeding is an all-consuming passion. Their aim is to improve a pedigree breed with each new
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With 180,000 healthy and treatable animals being put down in Australia every year, do you really want to add to this tragic problem?
generation, for which a thorough knowledge and understanding of the breed genetics is essential. Breeding can carry a very high emotional and financial toll. Prior to sale, vet checks, vaccinations, worming, microchipping, desexing, and kitten food involve large financial outlays. Then homes for the kittens must still be found – rarely as easy as it sounds – and it can be much harder than expected to let the babies go! A difficult birth may mean a hurried and costly emergency vet clinic trip. Breeding will also cause heartbreak for the family, if the mother and/or kittens die.
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(Editor’s Note: the author is not, and never has been, a breeder.)
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ith the holiday season upon us, most of us will be getting ready for family dinners, backyard barbecues with friends, and weeks of indulging ourselves in delicious holiday treats. During this time of year it’s often easy to forget that our pets are much more sensitive to foods than we are. Human treats can make pets very sick, and can even be fatal. But this year your fur kid doesn’t have to miss out on the fun food festivities. In this special Pet Nutrition, we have some delicious healthy recipes for treats that your pets will love, as well as some great tips on healthy, alternative summer snacks. Bon Appetit! APPLE CRISP DOG BISCUITS This healthy biscuit is full of fibre and flavour. Recipe makes 30 biscuits. • ¾ cups beef broth • 1/3 cup sunflower seeds, shelled • 1 cup dark rye flour • 1 ¾ cups wholemeal flour • ½ cup barley flakes • ½ cup rolled oats • ½ cup buckwheat flour • 1 cup dried apples, chopped • ½ cup apples, peeled, seeded and chopped • 2 tablespoons plain wheat germ • 1 large egg • 2 tablespoons safflower oil • 2 tablespoons dark molasses Directions 1. Preheat oven to 190°C. 2. Spray baking tray. Paws & Claws Issue 25
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3. Separate egg yolk from egg white, set aside in two bowls. 4. Blend beef broth, oil, egg yolk, and molasses until mixed well. 5. In a large mixing bowl, add all dry ingredients. 6. Slowly add the liquid—this will form sticky dough. Make sure you flour both hands and cutting board. 7. Roll out dough to 1/2 a centimetre thickness and cut into any shape you like.
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Human treats can make pets very sick, and can even be fatal. Here are some delicious healthy recipes for treats that your pets will love.
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This second part of the recipe will make your biscuits brown and crunchy: 1. Bake for 20 minutes at 190°C. 2. Remove biscuits from oven and brush the tops with egg whites—this will give them a nice golden colour. 3. Return biscuits to the oven to bake for another 10 minutes. 4. Very important: when the biscuits are brown, turn the oven down to 95°C and leave them in the oven for two hours. 5. Then turn the oven off and leave the biscuits in the oven as long as you can, to dry them out further. This will make them hard (which will help keep your dog’s teeth clean) and also give them a more intense flavour. 6. If you like, leave the biscuits in the oven overnight. The more moisture you take out of the biscuits, the longer they will keep. Be sure to let the biscuits cool at least eight hours before storing.
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KITTY COOKIES Puurfectly delicious treats! • 1 cup wholemeal flour • 1/4 cup soy flour • 1 teaspoon catnip • 1 egg • 1/3 cup CATMILK (a lactose-free alternative to cow’s milk) • 1/2 teaspoon bone meal • 2 tablespoons wheat germ • 1/3 cup powdered milk • 1 tablespoon unsulfured molasses • 2 tablespoons butter or vegetable oil
Pet Nutrition
MUTT MEATLOAF This healthy doggie treat will have them barking mad! • 2 beaten eggs • 2 tablespoons tomato paste • 2 tablespoons chopped parsley • 1 finely chopped celery stick • 500g mince beef • 1 grated carrot • 100 grams raw chicken Directions: Combine eggs, tomato paste, and parsley. Stir in celery and add the ground beef; mix well. Form meat mixture into a loaf and place in a shallow pan. Cover loosely with foil and bake in a 175°C oven for 55–65 minutes. Allow meatloaf to cool. Grate carrot to cover meatloaf with a 1cm layer. Top with sliced raw chicken and serve—YUM!
Directions • Preheat oven to 180°C. • Mix dry ingredients together. • Add molasses, egg, oil, and milk. • Roll out flat onto oiled baking tray and cut into small, cat bite-sized pieces. • Bake for 20 minutes. Let cool and store in sealed container.
CHICKEN CHIPS These yummy treats are good for pets who don’t tolerate liver well. • 2 cooked (boiled) chicken breasts • ½ cup chicken broth • 1 cup wholemeal flour (can substitute rice flour for dogs prone to allergies) • ½ cup cornmeal Directions: Puree chicken in a food processor or blender. Add chicken broth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in remaining ingredients until it’s no longer sticky. Cut dough in half and shape each into a 3cm diameter roll. Wrap in plastic www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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HEALTHY TIPS:
and chill thoroughly. Remove from refrigerator and slice into thin chips. Bake chips on a lightly greased baking tray at 180°C for 25-40 minutes, turning halfway through baking time. Chips will harden as they cool.
When making treats for your pet, steer clear of these potentially dangerous foods: chocolate; onions and garlic; grapes and raisins; persimmons, peaches, and plums; avocado and macadamia nuts; milk and other dairy products; sweets and baked goods (often sweetened with xylitol which is toxic to pets); sugar and salt; baking powder and soda; dough; fat trimmings.
BAGEL BIRD FEEDER A fun toy and tasty treat all-in-one! • 1 day old wholemeal bagel • Peanut butter–the natural type found in health food stores (which is just ground-up peanuts). • Bird seed • String (for hanging) Directions: Slice bagel through the middle and scoop most of the bread out. Spread entire bagel with peanut butter. Place bird seed on a paper plate. Roll bagel in the bird seed. Tie string through the hole of the bagel to hang. The birds can happily munch on the whole thing!
Treats should make up only 15% to 20% of your pet’s total diet. Be sure to make your yummy treats with healthy, natural ingredients. Never use chocolate (milk, dark, or white). Slices of crunchy vegetables (carrots, green beans, celery, zucchini, cucumber) make great healthy treats, and fresh fruits (apples, oranges, bananas, kiwi fruit, watermelon) are fantastic summer snacks (but make sure you remove any seeds, stems, and leaves).
For a great summer snack, freeze small chunks of apples, kiwi fruit, and watermelon into ice cubes—your pet will love licking these cool healthy treats!
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oetry has been used for centuries to immortalise loved ones who have passed on. In this special edition of Forever Friends we celebrate the unique relationships that exist between pets and their guardians the world over with three anonymous pet loss poems. We hope these moving verses help you commemorate the special pet that has passed from your life.
Memorial candle, fur keepsake and pawprint Professional counselor now available to help you through this diďŹƒcult and sad time. Please call for further details.
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TO LOVE AGAIN
Forever Friends
Commemorate and honour your beloved pet by sending us a photo of your special friend, along with your story or poem, and we will feature your message in our ‘Forever Friends’ section and send you a copy to keep forever.
Oh what unhappy twist of fate Has brought you homeless to my gate, The gate where once another stood To beg for shelter, warmth and food?
foreverfriends@ pawsandclaws.com.au
For from that day I ceased to be The master of my destiny, While she, with purr and velvet paw Became within my house the law. She scratched the furniture and shed And claimed the middle of my bed, She ruled in arrogance and pride And broke my heart the day she died. So if you really think, oh cat I’d willingly relive all that, Because you come forlorn and thin Well don’t just stand there-come on in! ~ Author Unknown
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TREASURED FRIEND I lost a treasured friend today The little dog who used to lay Her gentle head upon my knee And shared her silent thoughts with me. She’ll come no longer to my call Retrieve no more her favourite ball A voice far greater than my own Has called her to His golden throne. Although my eyes are filled with tears I thank Him for the happy years He let her spend down here with me And for her love and loyalty. When it is time for me to go And join her there, this much I know I shall not fear the transient dark For she will greet me with a bark. ~ Author Unknown
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LAST NIGHT You looked so very tired, and sank into a chair. I tried so hard to let you know, that I was standing there.
I stood by your bed last night, I came to have a peep. I could see that you were crying, You found it hard to sleep. I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear, “It’s me, I haven’t left you, I’m well, I’m fine, I’m here.”
It’s possible for me, to be so near you everyday. To say to you with certainty, “I never went away.”
I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea, You were thinking of the many times, your hands reached down to me.
You sat there very quietly, then smiled, I think you knew... In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you.
I was with you at the shops today, Your arms were getting sore. I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.
The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say “good-night, God bless, I’ll see you in the morning.” And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide, I’ll rush across to greet you and we’ll stand, side by side.
I was with you at my grave today, You tend it with such care. I want to re-assure you, that I’m not lying there.
I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see. Be patient, live your journey out... then come home to be with me.
I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled for your key. I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said “ it’s me.”
~Author Unknown
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H
ow does your dog rate when it comes to its barking behaviour? Is your dog’s breed noted for its barking or not? We all know that some breeds seem to bark more than others, but which breeds are the most ballistic backyard barkers, raising the most community complaints? We recently analysed the barking complaints database of a large South-East Queensland Council, to determine which dog breeds were over-represented for barking compared with their popularity in the same Council area. The results are interesting and, in many cases, unexpected. Before we start talking statistics and numbers, let me just explain how we analysed and processed the data. The Council provided excellent data, but the data needed to be sifted and ranked. The first problem we faced was how to determine a dog’s ‘breed’. That’s easy enough when it’s a purebred dog, but more complicated when it’s a cross-bred. The breed descriptions we were given were nominated by the dogs’ owners. So, how did we handle a Cattle Dog-Kelpie cross when compared with a Kelpie-Cattle Dog cross? We had to presume that the owners had a reasonable-enough idea of the basic breed type, so we took the first breed as the main indicator of the dog’s appearance and called that ‘breed-type’. So, a Cattle Dog – Kelpie Cross became a Cattle Dog breed-type, and a Kelpie-Cattle Dog cross became a Kelpie breed-type. This data was then pooled with the pure-bred equivalent and the data was ranked. What breed-type is the most popular? In the area studied, there were nearly 60,000 dogs registered at the time our data was collected. The top 20 most commonly owned breed-types (from a total of 81) make up just over 80% of all dogs owned in the area. www.pawsandclaws.com.au
By Dr. Cam Day, www.pethealth.com.au
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It’s interesting that 80% of this dog population is made up from just 25% of the breed types, which shows how much bias we pet owners have in selecting the breeds that please us. The top three most popular breed-types are the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, making up nearly 10% of all dogs owned, followed by the Maltese at 9.3%, and the Labrador coming in a distant third at 6.5%. Yes, in South-East Queensland, we love our Daffy Staffies and Manic Maltesers. To determine how popular your dog is, email us at pawsandclaws@pethealth.com.au for a full list of this breed popularity data. The top ten breed-types are as follows: 1. Staffordshire Bull Terrier 2. Maltese 3. Labrador 4. Poodle 5. Border Collie 6. Jack Russell Terrier 7. Fox Terrier 8. Australian Cattle Dog 9. Shih Tzu 10. German Shepherd So that gave us a ranked list of how popular each breed-type is in the study area. What breed-type is most commonly reported for barking? Now that we had determined which were the most popular breed-types in the study area, our next job was to see if the dogs that are most
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reported for barking matched those that are also the most popular. This is where it starts to get interesting. Firstly, a word about the barking data. The data we reviewed comprised the complaints made to the local authority, but not all of those complaints would be genuine. Some folk are very tolerant of dogs and their barking noise, and some are intolerant and want all dogs to be totally silent. The ‘line in the sand’ which sets what level of barking is allowable and what is unacceptable is certainly vague. That means that the complaint data reviewed will include
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the ratio of the barking complaints for each breed-type compared with the number of that breed-type owned. It’s sensible to firstly look at the top 20 dogs that rank above others for barking complaints because these dogs create the most ‘community noise’ with their barking. So, the top three breed-types that provide the most barking complaints are, yes, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier, the Maltese, and the Labrador as expected, but the percentage of Staffies that bark is almost identical to its popularity (6.9%), the Maltese is a touch less at 6.7% (yes – I am amazed!), and the Labrador is above the community average at 7.6%. But, it’s the breed-type in the fourth position that’s interesting. The German Shepherd breed-type comes in at 3.4% (10th most popular) of popularity rank, but a whopping 14.4% of them generate barking complaints. That means it is approximately four times over-represented for barking complaints.
complaints where the dogs involved are not truly barking excessively. Said another way, we did not review the bark abatement notices that were issued (because that data was not available). With that in mind, the data shows that just fewer than 7% of dogs in the study area are reported for barking nuisance. That allows us to tell if a particular breedtype is barking above the ‘average level’ or not. To do this, we determined the proportion of each breed-type which barked, by looking at
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regardless of popularity?’, then the results show that the French Bulldog is the worst. This dog is not that popular at the 75th most commonly owned. There are only 36 in the study group but 11 of them are reported for barking, giving a barking proportion for this breed-type of 30.6%. The Akita is next (77th most popular, 33 owned and 8 complaints), and the Maremma Sheepdog is the third worst (58th most popular, 92 owned and 18 complaints). The Popular Dogs that Don’t Bark The data also enabled us to show the other side of the coin—the popular dogs that are not over-reported for barking. When it comes to small dogs, the Bichon Frise is the 18th most popular dog, but only 2.8% of them bark enough to raise concerns. The Cocker Spaniel is the quietest mediumsized dog, being the 16th most popular, with 4% of them reported for barking, and the Golden Retriever is the quietest of the large dogs, being the 13th most popular dog, with 3% reported for barking. What can be done to reduce barking? Firstly, if you are planning to purchase a pooch, think about choosing a breed that does not feature in the barking list, but keep in mind that there are many other matters to consider when it comes to breed selection. If your dog’s barking is a problem, there are many strategies to reduce the barking, but they all start with determining the reason for the behaviour. It’s often helpful to ask yourself one question first: ‘Is it the barking that occurs when I am home with my dog that’s the biggest problem, or the barking that occurs when I am away that is a concern?’ Your answer to that question will steer you in the direction you need for the best solutions. Visit Pethealth.com.au and look for our Barking Dog Pet Pick for science-based solutions to barking behaviour. Otherwise you may be barking up the wrong tree!
Also highly ranked for excessive barking is the Daschund. This cute pooch is 1.4% (21st most popular) of the owned population and 13.6% of them are reported for barking (12th on the barking list), meaning it is almost 10 times over-represented in the barking complaints! On the noisy list too is the Pomeranian. This dog is 1.5% (19th most popular) of the group, but 9.5% of them are reported for barking (15th on the barking rank), and the Kelpie at 3% (11th most popular), is reported with a 9.2% barking frequency (10th on the barking rank). So the German Shepherd, Daschund, Pomeranian, and Kelpie are the most popular dogs which are over-represented for barking, and they contribute significantly to the community barking noise. If we now look at the data through a magnifying glass with a different focus, and forget the popularity ranking, but ask ‘which is the most reported in the whole study –
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The Dolphins of Tin Can Bay
The wildlife experience of a lifetime is just a road trip away...
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Then a wonderful thing happened: Old Scarry began returning to the bay regularly to visit the locals and enjoy free meals. The second dolphin to visit Tin Can Bay was a female known as Scarry. Scarry also visited the bay regularly, and in 1991 she arrived with a newborn calf by her side, who local school children christened Mystique. Scarry has not been seen in the bay since early 2003, but Mystique continues to visit on a daily basis, occasionally bringing along his girlfriend Patch and her friend Valentine. Mystique is the alpha male of his pod and, like his mum before him, he sports many battle
ust three hours drive north of Brisbane is the beautiful town of Tin Can Bay. This quaint seaside township is surrounded by national park and pristine wilderness, and also happens to be one of the few places where visitors can experience rare Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins first-hand. The Indo-Pacific Humpback dolphins of Tin Can Bay have been interacting with locals and visitors since the 1950s when, according to local legend, an injured dolphin beached himself on the sand in front of the Barnacles CafĂŠ. The dolphin was nicknamed Old Scarry for his numerous battle scars, and the locals fed him until he was well enough to return to the wild.
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scars. In December 2007, after a particularly nasty stoush with a bull shark, Mystique sought refuge in the bay and his human friends didn’t let him down, caring for him around-the-clock for 10 days. Most recently, Mystique and Patch have been accompanied on their visits by a young dolphin known as Harmony, thought to be Mystique’s daughter. Harmony is about three years old, and she represents the fourth generation of Indo-Pacific Humpbacks to visit the boat ramp at Tin Can Bay to be hand-fed and observe the equally curious human visitors. Indo-Pacific Humpbacks (Sousa chinensis) are named for their distinctive elongated dorsal fin and humped-back appearance, caused by the accumulation of fatty tissue on their backs as they age. They are a rare and elusive species of dolphin, found throughout the Indian Ocean coasts of Africa, Asia, and north-western Australia, and from southern China through to north-eastern Australia. Like other dolphin species they live in social groups, and are known for their spectacular displays of acrobatics, including surfing,
Wild News
breaching, jumping—sometimes more than 2m above the surface—somersault jumps, fluke slaps, and head slaps. They tend to be more shy than other dolphin species, however, and generally remain underwater unless surfacing to breathe. The natural shyness of the Indo-Pacific Humpbacks makes the phenomenon of the Tin
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overfishing of habitat, pollution, and most significantly, coastal development. Despite strong protest from locals and visitors alike, the Gympie Regional Council approved its part of a proposal to develop a marina at Norman Point in February of last year. The proposal had already been approved by various government departments, and was then referred to the Federal Environment Minister (Peter Garrett) for a final decision under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (EPBC). There is also a second development application for the same small waterway, subject to the identical process. The Southern Sandy Straits Marine Environment Group Inc (SSSMeg) is a not-forprofit group committed to the protection and conservation of the southern Great Sandy Strait region, which stretches between Rainbow Beach and Hervey Bay. This area is recognised by the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, and was declared a Ramsar site in 1999. The pending World Heritage Listing of the greater Cooloola region may be compromised if the proposed developments are allowed to go ahead. SSSMeg is working closely with well-known environment champion Bob Irwin to prevent the proposed developments. They urge people
Can Bay dolphins even more extraordinary. The Public Boat Ramp at Norman Point in Tin Can Bay is located in front of Barnacles Café, and is the only place visitors can join this beautiful family of dolphins in their natural environment for an early morning snack. The Tin Can Bay dolphins generally arrive in the bay between 7am and 10am, with supervised feeding sessions usually beginning around 8am. Sadly, there is a very real possibility that this unique experience may not be available to future generations. The Tin Can Bay dolphins, along with other distinctive wildlife found in the area such as dugongs, turtles, and migratory shorebirds, are under threat from two marina development projects proposed for the region. All of these species live on or near to the coastline and have nowhere to go when their environment is damaged. Indo-Pacific Humpbacks are listed as a rare species in Queensland and as ‘near threatened, population decreasing’ by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Although they should technically be protected under various international and national regulations, a number of issues threaten the future health of the local population, including habitat destruction and degradation, noise pollution and harassment, incidental capture in nets or illegal killing, Paws & Claws Issue 25
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from all areas of Australia to let the Australian government know that the protection of this magnificent natural environment is paramount by taking just a few seconds out of their day to Click and Save Tin Can Bay. Through the power of social media, SSSMeg and Bob Irwin are working hard to show every Australian the beauty and importance of the Tin Can Bay region, with Bob Irwin arguing that the development proposal is not just a local issue: “Tin Can Bay is unique and unspoilt; a perfect habitat and breeding ground for species that are threatened all over the world, and we need to make a stand and save some critical habitat for them.� (Available at www.facebook.com/pages/ Save-our-dolphins-dugong-and-turtles/1168362 28331627?sk=info). To find out more about the Click and Save Tin Can Bay campaign visit www. marina.tincanbaydolphins.com.au or join the Click and Save Campaign on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/Click-and-SaveCampaign/176151379073654.
Wild News
For more information on the Tin Can Bay dolphins visit www.barnaclesdolphins.com. au/dolphins.html. Feeding sessions are strictly regulated by Queensland Government EPA requirements to ensure the safety of the dolphin family. For information on current feeding times and regulations contact the Barnacles Dolphin Centre on (07) 5486 4899.
Experience the Tin Can Bay Dolphins! Where: Public Boat Ramp, Norman Point, Tin Can Bay When: Between 7am and 10am Contact: Barnacles Dolphin Centre
(07) 5486 4899
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Animal ER
Written by Dr Robert Webster & Solange Newton, Animal Emergency Service Photography by Solange Newton
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cute little Maltese Terrier named Bella came in to Animal Emergency Service in early spring. Bella was in a bad way. She was unable to stand up and had difficulty catching her breath. Dr Patrice Callaghan found a paralysis tick attached above her left eye. Bella’s owner had suspected a tick was causing the problem and knew what to look for, but did not find the tick despite several searches. Ticks can be very hard to find, even in dogs with short hair, let alone a Maltese Terrier with a beautiful coat! Paralysis ticks are parasites which live on native animals. Most Australian wildlife is immune to the toxin secreted by the tick, but cats and dogs are very susceptible and will develop paralysis, breathing difficulty, and in extreme cases die, if they are exposed to a tick. Cats and dogs are exposed to ticks if they go anywhere that is frequented by wild animals, including bandicoots and possums.
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Bella was admitted to hospital, and we gave her the life-saving tick anti-serum. This is essential even if the tick has been removed. Ticks can inject a lethal dose of toxin into a pet by the time of the first signs of wobbliness in the legs. Without treatment a pet can die despite removing the tick. Bella also had a very short haircut and a tick bath in hospital to make sure there were no other ticks hiding on her body. We could not feed her in hospital because her swallowing reflex was paralysed and she was therefore at risk of inhaling her food or water. We kept Bella on an intravenous drip to keep her well hydrated.
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Animal ER
The Gold Coast Animal Emergency Service looks after pets that become ill on weekends and at night. When Bella did not improve overnight, she was transferred to her regular veterinarian, Dr Justin Ward of Coomera Springs Veterinary Surgery, to continue her convalescence the next morning. Pets with tick paralysis often take several days to recover; severely affected dogs and cats may take a week or more. We are happy to report that Bella has fully recovered from tick paralysis, although she Opp. page: Bella receiving her life-saving tick anti-venom while being closely monitored and cared for by Animal Emergency Service. Top-left: A paralysis tick engorged above Bella’s left eye.Top-right: Step 1 of removing a tick: Separate the hair around the tick to minimize discomfort during the removal. Bottom-right: Step 2 of removing a tick: Get a firm grip on the tick as close to the base as possible.
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has been kept inside for the past two weeks on restricted exercise. Bella was lucky because her owner noticed the problem early and brought Bella straight to a veterinary hospital. Unfortunately, not all pets are as lucky as Bella. Some pets with tick paralysis develop severe breathing problems and can die of respiratory failure. These patients can still survive the paralysis in most cases if they are put on full life support, and an artificial ventilator takes over their breathing to allow them time to recover. The best way of treating tick paralysis is to get in early, before these complications, because life support is very difficult, expensive, and there is no guarantee of success. There are epidemic numbers of paralysis tick patients at this time of year. Every pet on the Gold Coast that goes outside is at risk from this dreadful parasite, and needs a tick control program. Search your pets for ticks daily, especially during the highest risk months of August through to February each year. If you find a tick on your pet, or they show any signs of walking difficulty or breathing difficulty, please call your veterinarian straight away. If this happens outside normal hours, call the Animal Emergency Service.
Above: Step 3 of removing a tick: Remove in one quick motion. Bottom: The horrible paralysis tick after it has been removed from Bella.
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Working for our future – today
Happy holidays for pets too! Christmas and new year celebrations are happy occasions for people. But, they can be stressful for our pets. Fireworks and thunderstorms can frighten dogs. They may escape and become lost. Some end up at the city pound. It is easier to reunite lost dogs with their owners if they are registered and microchipped.
Remember all cats and dogs kept in the city are required to be registered annually and microchipped.
A registered pet is never lost for long.
GCCC7771
The best way to keep your pets safe during the festively noisy and stormy season is to make sure they have a safe area at home away from the noise.
For more information visit goldcoastcity.qld.gov.au/animals
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Feature story
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uring the warmer months most Queenslanders enjoy a dip in a pool or the ocean. Many dogs also love to swim, but some breeds are better suited to it than others. Labradors are usually excellent swimmers, but not all Staffies are comfortable in the water. Introduce a dog to water slowly to avoid them becoming fearful. Start with still, clear water, with easy entry and exits. Swimming is fantastic exercise for dogs. Muscles are being worked without bearing weight through the joints. Dogs with osteoarthritis or hip dysplasia can exercise with less joint pain. It can be particularly beneficial after surgery for cruciate ligament repair. Be advised by the Vet who cares for your dog as to how soon swimming can be started. Brachycephalic dogs include Boxers, Bulldogs, and Pugs. They have short noses and narrow airways and can easily overheat when exercising in hot weather. Swimming and splashing in water can keep them cool. www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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After a dip in salt water it is important to bathe your dog, as salt and sand can cause itching. For dogs prone to ear infections, an ear flush with a reputable ear cleaner is also advised. Dogs who dive under the water will allow moisture into the external ear canal. There is a group of dogs for whom this excess moisture can lead to ear infections, whereas other dogs will be fine. Those dogs who suffer from allergies and skin disease will have inflamed ear canals;
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moisture can be the trigger to exacerbate the inflammation, and can lead to a more serious ear infection. For these dogs, regular cleaning to remove ear wax build-up and excessive hair can help avoid infection. After swimming, always flush the ears with a cleaner and monitor them for several days to help avoid a serious ear infection. Follow these easy tips and you and your pooch will be set to splash and swim to your heart’s content this summer.
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Greencross Veterinary Clinics P: 1300 GREENX www.greencrossvet.com.au Parrot Rescue Centre P O Box 797 Mudgeeraba QLD 4213 P:(07) 5569 2840 zarita@parrotrescuecentre.com www.parrotrescuecentre.com
Australia Zoo Wildlife Emergency P: 1300 369 652 Phone all hours Bat Rescue Inc. Gold Coast Branch P: 0447 222 889 Phone all hours www.batrescue.org.au
RSPCA Animal Ambulance P: 1300 ANIMAL (264 625) Vetcall Ashmore Hospital & Cat Clinic Cnr Heeb Street & Ashmore Road, Ashmore P: (07) 5539 4133 www.vetcall.com.au
Brian Stewart Veterinary Clinic Tell someone who cares about your pet… A caring, compassionate vet clinic offering the highest level of care for your beloved family pet. Individual care provided. Crystal Waters Shopping Centre, Thornlands P: (07) 3821 6001 Open 6 days
Vetcall Robina Q- Superstore Mermaid Waters P: (07) 5572 4331 Vetcall Burleigh Executive Drive Burleigh Waters P: (07) 5593 5557
Gold Coast Animal Referral & Emergency (GCARE) GCARE consists of trained, experienced and professional Vets and Nurses who will take care of your beloved pet and help to ease your stress and worry in a difficult time when dealing with your pet’s emergency. 24 HRS.
Vetcall Mudgeeraba Cnr Robert & Railway St, Mudgeeraba P: (07) 5530 2204
P: (07) 5593 4544 A/H: (07) 5593 4544
Wildlife Preservation Society Protects fauna and habitat; advocates in the legal arena. P: (07) 5549 1444
Gold Coast Vet Surgery “Where Pets Are Family” Proudly independent and family operated. Cnr Gold Coast Hwy & Monte Carlo Ave, Surfers Paradise / Broadbeach. Free Undercover Parking. P: (07) 5538 5909 (All Hours)
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Vets & Emergency Contacts
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Send us your pet pics! E-mail photos@pawsandclaws.com.au
I’ve always been a fan of dogs. I grew up in the country with working dogs, so I love cattle dogs. I have a few dogs around the home: a chocolate Labrador, English Mastiff, German Shepherd, and an old Cattle Dog who gets around blind. I’ve learnt a lot from that old dog. I started training dogs at 16, and I’ve worked with all kinds of breeds for over 30 years now. Over the years I’ve trained thousands of dogs. I was formally trained as a police dog trainer in the Royal Australian Air Force. After leaving the RAAF I started my dog training business, providing professional dog training services specifically for pet owners. Because of my background I have a very clear understanding of obedience training. As dogs like the the bullterrier type breeds became more popular, I knew that education was needed to teach people about responsible pet ownership and the importance of training. I believe you need to think more like a dog to train properly. You really need to come down to their level and understand their pack system. I have put a lot of effort into developing my obedience training system,
K9 Master Class Training Basics, so that people can continue to train their dogs themselves. I wanted everybody to be able to access comprehensive dog training in a cost-effective manner. Throughout the years a few special dogs have really stood out. I remember one in particular, a little Pekingese. By the time I finished training him, he was eight months old and he was fully off-leash obedience trained. Another dog was brought to me mostly blind and deaf; he only had three legs and was 13. I asked his owners why they were worried about training him, and they said they had seen how happy a friend’s dog was after training with me, and so they had brought their dog along because they thought it would be something fun to do. I see myself as linking the relationship between the dog and the owner. By using my methods and leading the way, people can continue to train their own dogs. For more information on Scott Donald’s professional dog training services you can contact him on 0412 755 805, or visit his website www.k9masterclass.com.au.
Insure your pet and save up to $500 off your next holiday! When you take out or renew a Bow Wow Meow Pet Health Insurance Policy, you won’t just get to save up to 80% on eligible vet bills from less than $4 per week*. We’ll also give you $500 in travel dollars to use off already discounted prices from one of the world’s leading travel sites#. This could potentially offset your entire pet insurance premium for the year... and give you a fantastic holiday at the same time! For more info visit: bowwowinsurance.com.au/traveldollars
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Visit www.bowwowinsurance.com.au or call 1800 668 502 or for more information and an instant quote. * From less than $4 a week premium for a dog or a cat, depending on the breed and age, insured under our Major Medical Plan which provides Accidental Injury or Illness cover up to a maximum of $8,000 per year. This is general advice only, please read the Product Disclosure Statement on our website www.bowwowinsurance.com.au and consider if this product is appropriate for you. Bow Wow Meow Pet Health Insurance is issued by The Hollard Insurance Company Pty Ltd AFSL 241436. #
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