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Queensland’s pet magazine for all animal lovers! Dog breed feature:
AUTUMN ISSUE 26: MAR - JUN12
Beagle
Special feature:
Meet ‘Smoky’ the Yorkie Doodle Dandy
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...and lots more!
TALKING SCENTS | FLYBALL | BEATING THE BULGE
RSPCA’S NEW ANIMAL CARE CAMPUS
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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 Kevin Cruickshank BVSc, BSc(Hons) Jeff Souter, Beagle Club of Queensland Scott Donald Solange Newton Susan Shoring 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) 2005-2012 Arcadia Publishing Paws & Claws. The material in Paws & Claws magazine is protected by the Commonwealth Copyright Act 1968.
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Autumn can be a very tempting time to stay in, relax, and snuggle up to your furry best friend. For most of us, with the change to the cooler weather also comes a change in motivation to get outside and exercise. Yet we often don’t consider diet changes for our pets to compensate for the decreased time spent outside exercising. In this issue we’ve called in the experts to help you manage your pet’s weight over the cooler months. Greencross Vets explain how spoiling your pets and overindulging them with food is literally killing them (page 22). Read all about the free weight management program offered at all their clinics. Then turn to page 32 as we revisit the vital topic of how to beat pet obesity! In Australia, war heroes are highly regarded and respected, and it’s great to see that now our canine war heroes are also being acknowledged. We take great pleasure in introducing you to Smoky, the Yorkshire Terrier pup that served in World War II and toured alongside his human comrade and best friend, Corporal William A. Wynne. Smoky was an invaluable soldier that had a huge impact on the morale and well-being of the men and women who fought for our freedom. (Page 46) Flyball is a great sport that’s taking Australia by storm, and we were lucky enough to catch up with Cooper, an energetic Border Collie who’s part of the team that currently holds the Australian record. If you’ve have a dog that’s fast and motivated by tennis balls, put its energy to good use and give it the time of its life. You never know, you could have the next Australian champ on your hands! See how much fun you’ll both have and just what it takes to get involved in what is fast becoming Australia’s #1 dog sport. (Page 6) Plus all our great regular features to keep you entertained this season!
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Feature Story:
Flyball Fun
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book review:
Sophie Dog Overboard Dog Breed:
15.
Beagle
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GREENCROSS VETS
Are You Spoiling Your Pet to Death?
24.
RSPCA Qld
Animal Care Campus: A New Beginning
26.
Australian Mist
31.
Furry Business
32.
Beating the Bulge
Cat Breed:
Feline Feature:
Pet Nutrition:
Forever Friends:
40.
Memories of Trixie Pet Behaviour:
43.
Talking Scents
FEATURE STORY:
46.
Smoky the Yorkie Doodle Dandy
50.
Wild News:
Alby Mangels: A Reluctant Hero
54.
Animal ER:
Hidden Danger: Medications and Your Pets
58. Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs 61. Vets & Emergency Contacts guest vet feature:
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Feature story
Flyball
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ogs of all shapes and sizes love to run, jump, and fetch, but if your pooch is particularly energetic, then the fast and furious doggie sport of Flyball is the perfect exercise for it. Flyball is a relay race for dogs in which two teams of four dogs race side by side, jump over four hurdles, trigger a Flyball box pedal, retrieve a ball, and then return over all four hurdles to where the next dog eagerly awaits its turn. Any dog can participate in Flyball, and the sport does not interfere with obedience training, but in fact reinforces the important lessons taught in obedience classes. History Flyball is a descendant of ‘scent hurdling’, which requires two teams of dogs to race over a series of 6
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hurdles, retrieve a scented dumbbell from a platform, then return over the hurdles. From these humble beginnings, Flyball was developed in North America in the 1970s by Herbert Wagner, who created the first tennis ball launcher for his ballcrazy dog. After being demonstrated on The Tonight Show, the sport gained momentum throughout America until the first formal competition was held in 1981. The North American Flyball Association was founded in 1984 and the sport has continued to grow in popularity ever since. Flyball first came to Australia in 1982, but was a demonstration activity only until 1996, when the Australian Flyball Association (AFA) was formed. Flyball Today These days, Flyball courses consist of two racing lanes on a 51-foot course, four hurdles spaced at 10 feet intervals, and Flyball boxes. The Flyball box ejects a ball after the dog triggers the pedal on the front of the box. The first team to have all four dogs complete the course, without error, wins the heat. There are between three and five heats to a race, and a team has to win a majority to win the race. Flyball enthusiast Joanne Parkes was drawn to the sport after seeing how much fun competing is for both dogs and their people. “Dogs love Flyball because it encompasses everything dogs love: running, playing with their owner and other dogs, and jumping at tennis balls!” “I love playing a sport with my dogs and the social side of a team sport. We often travel away with our team mates to competitions in Queensland or interstate.” Parkes has competed in Flyball competitions around Australia with a number of dogs, including www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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Feature story
By Kirsty-Lee Workman Photos by Joanne Parkes, Awesome Pawsome Jake, a Koolie (now sadly deceased) who achieved a Flyball Dog Champion title (FDCh), and the happily retired Georgie, a rescue Labrador who also received a FDCh. She currently races Crash, a four-yearold Australian Shepherd who has already earned himself his very own FDCh, and seven-year-old Cooper, a Border Collie veteran who holds a Flyball Dog Grand Champion title (FDGCh). “Cooper has been in three national champion teams and is part of the current Australian Record holding team, which was set in March 2009. He was also part of the teams who have held the record since June 2007, and part of the winning World Dog Games team in Sydney in 2009,” explains Parkes. The current Australian record of 17.138 seconds is held by the Norwest Thunderdogs from Sydney, with whom Parkes and Cooper competed before moving to Queensland. “Cooper has turned out to achieve far more than I ever set out to in this sport.” Parkes’s partner Jason also races a Border Collie, two-year-old Billie, who is very new to racing but has already earned herself a Flyball Dog Excellent title. According to Parkes, the best part about Flyball is that any dog can do it. “Any dog can play as long as it is fit and free of any major health problems. Hip problems and arthritis can be a problem for some dogs, so it’s always best to get a vet check first, if the owner is unsure of particular health problems.” “As with any sport for dogs or humans, there is a chance of injury, but then any dog in the backyard can succumb to similar injuries. We treat our dogs like athletes and often take them to the physio/chiro, or www.pawsandclaws.com.au
the pool for swimming and various fitness training, to help ensure they are in the best of health to compete.” Flyball has adapted over the years to be safer for all doggie contestants. In some early demonstrations dogs had to jump 16in (40.64cms); nowadays, jump heights are set at 5in (12.7cms) below the shoulder height of the smallest dog in the team. In order to ensure competition is both exciting and fair, Flyball contests are run in divisions according to seed times to ensure that teams of similar speed compete against one another. “Flyball is becoming more and more popular in Australia every year, with more and more teams and Opposite page: Arrow loves competing for Flyball championships. Above: Holly is a rescued Labrador who still loves to compete even at 11 years of age!
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clubs joining in the fun,” says Parkes. “In New South Wales and Victoria, there are competitions almost every month, if not every Above: Buddy has a natural love for the sport jus like his dad, Cooper. Opposite page: Cooper competing for the win.
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fortnight at times. Because of the warmer weather in Queensland, we only race during the cooler months or at night.” “There are plans in the future to run international competitions via the internet so we can race against our overseas colleagues.” While Flyball is definitely a serious competition sport—depending on the dog and the trainer’s experience, it can take about 8-12 months to take a new dog to racing level— training is available for beginners through to advanced, and there is plenty of room for doggies and people who may not be interested in competing to join in the fun. “We have some people or families who choose not to travel to competitions for one reason or another, and they just enter local competitions,” says Parkes. “Many people start out Flyball training with the intention of not competing and just having fun with their dog; however, Flyball is a very addictive sport,
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and they get the bug and come along to competitions.” Parkes currently races with Logan-based team Awesome Pawsome, which is the team closest to the Gold Coast area, but she is in the process of finding a venue to conduct classes on the Gold Coast, and hopes to start up a team here soon. “Playing dog sports gives you an incredible relationship with your canine friend; one that you will cherish forever.” Contact Joanne Parkes at Awesome Pawsome via www.awesomepawsome.org. au for information on Gold Coast classes, or visit the Australian Flyball Association at www. flyball.org.au for more information about this exciting dog sport.
Feature story
Read more about the history of this exciting doggie sport at http://showcase.netins.net/ web/doublejj/Hist.html.
See Cooper performing in the final at the World Dog Games at www.youtube.com/ watch?v=HZzhEaS4KF4. Cooper is the first dog in the green team ‘6 pak’.
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Book Review
Sophie Dog Overboard:
The Incredible True Adventures of the Castaway Dog
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he Australian Cattle Dog is a breed known for its toughness, and most of all, for its loyalty. The iconic status of this quintessential Aussie dog was reinforced in 2009 by the amazing story of Sophie, a Blue Australian Cattle Dog—otherwise known as a Blue Heeler—who disappeared while out with her family on a day trip to the Whitsunday Islands. Sophie was presumed by her family to be lost forever, but miraculously she survived. Sophie Dog Overboard: The Incredible True Adventures of the Castaway Dog is the heartwarming story of how Sophie was found and returned home to her loving family, months after she was lost. 10
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By Kirsty-Lee Workman The story of Sophie’s castaway ordeal is the stuff of legends; so much so that she was nicknamed ‘Robinson Blue Dog’ by one of the locals who spotted her at various times during her wild adventure on the Whitsunday Islands. Australian author Emma Pearse reconstructs the extraordinary story of Sophie’s months as a castaway by tracing the events from that fateful day on the boat through to Sophie’s amazing journey home. As Pearse points out, Sophie’s story went viral not long after she was returned home, even reaching as far as Europe and Israel via the BBC News. But for those who haven’t yet heard the story, Sophie’s adventure began on a seemingly normal North Queensland day. Sophie had accompanied her parents, Jan and Dave Griffith, on board their boat, the Honey May, many times before and on this particular day, the family was headed to the nearby islands once again to meet up with friends. What had started out as a lovely, bright day soon turned into a wet and windy afternoon, and when Jan called upon Dave to help her drive the boat, he took his eyes off his beloved dog for only a few minutes, but long enough for her to disappear from www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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the lower deck of the boat. While nobody will ever know how Sophie went overboard that day, Pearse has painstakingly reconstructed the events of the next few months in order to share Sophie’s remarkable survival with the world. The Griffiths share an intensely strong bond with their Cattle Dog, and throughout the book Pearse shares the emotional highs and lows of their harrowing ordeal with a clear and perceptive voice: “Jan and Dave couldn’t look at each other. They’d been circling for two hours, looking and shouting for Sophie. They wanted to give her every chance. But they were also in shock and could think nothing but
Book Review
Above: Sophie enjoying the beach. Inset: The now infamous Honey May in Egremont Passage. Opposite page: Jan, Sophie and Dave reunited on their new boat, Molly B, at Mackay Marina.
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the worst: no matter how long they looked, Sophie was not going to survive out there” (102). But Sophie did survive, swimming over nine kilometres in treacherous water to reach the remote Keswick Island. Exactly how she managed to survive in the water continues to baffle many who hear her story, but this was just the beginning for Sophie. The amazingly resilient pup was spotted by a local just over a month after she first disappeared. Over the following weeks, the little Aussie battler lived a solitary existence on the island, avoiding the locals who attempted to feed and rescue her, even though the island provided little in the way of either food or water for a stranded, domesticated animal. According to Pearse, sometime around December 13, almost two months after she first went missing, Sophie braved the waters once again and swam the dangerous Egremont Passage to get across to St Bees, a more hospitable island that offered both food and water for a hungry, lonely dog. Sophie then spent a further three months living wild by herself on St Bees. Pearse tells how the locals caught glimpses of her running along the beach from time to time, but despite all their attempts to coax her with dog food, Sophie kept to herself. Finally, on the morning of Friday 27 March, park rangers arrived on St Bees with the idea of trapping the wild dog and removing it from the island—nonnative animals are a threat to the native fauna and flora of the islands.
Book Review
According to Pearse, Sophie’s castaway antics made for entertaining conversation for the local residents, and amidst this conversation, it was Opposite page: Sophie as a curious little pup in 2006. Above: Sophie loved going on boat rides.
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Book Review
revealed by chance that the wild dog might actually be a pet that was lost off the coast of Mackay some months before. Phone calls were made and on the following Monday, Jan Griffith rang the island rangers to tell them that the wild dog they were chasing was almost certainly her Sophie. The next day, the dog food trap set by the rangers finally got the better of wild Sophie and she was transported straight back to Mackay. Pearse’s description of her reunion with the Griffiths is guaranteed to move any dog lover to tears: “Dave and Jan rushed forward. The rangers were all watching in amazement. They saw the dog switch, its mouth’s transition from defensive growl to glee...Jan and Dave knew her as instantly as Sophie knew them. That wiggle of her whole behind, like a baby who has just discovered the joys of walking. This was their girl…
FREE* D Y AN PUPP CHECK N KITTE Ashmore
She bounded for the couple and leapt into Dave’s outstretched arms” (257-58). An entertaining narrative, imbued with emotion and a characteristic dose of Aussie humour, Sophie Dog Overboard is a story of survival, loyalty, love, family, and most of all, the special bond that exists between dogs and their humans, and is a must read for all dog lovers.
Sophie Dog Overboard: The Incredible True Adventures of the Castaway Dog Emma Pearse (RRP $32.99) Above: Sophie’s first day home after her big island adventure!
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Dog Breed
Beagle
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By Jeff Souter, Beagle Club of Queensland
sk most people who have had a Beagle and they will say “once a Beagle owner, always a Beagle owner”. This loveable, playful breed will work its way into your heart, and home, for life. Beagles are a small to average sized breed, and are one of the oldest breeds still in existence, with origins dating back hundreds of years to England and Europe. Originally bred to hunt in packs, their quarry were
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usually hare and rabbits. Although formal hunting packs have all but died out now, the breed is still used for its keen sense of smell—most people would have seen the cute Beagles at airports, trained by the Australian Quarantine and Inspection Service to detect illegal food substances. Nature The Beagle is often called the eternal puppy, as it is playful and fun-loving its entire life. While this can sometimes make them a little naughty, it also makes
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Dog Breed
them adorable pets for the 14 or 15 year lifespan the the tip of its tail must always be white. This is known as its ‘flag’ or stern, and is used to locate the Beagle breed averages. Beagles are excellent family pets, are very tolerant in tall grass. When a Beagle is on the move, it will of young children, and will play with kids for as long as have its nose down and the tail up, white tip waving in the wind. the kids want to play. Health Issues As the Beagle is a pack animal; it will The most Apart from overeating, Beagles basically do whatever you are doing. powerful trait of the have very few health issues and If you are out and about, exercising, are considered to be a very Beagle is its inquisitive or working, your Beagle will be sound breed. right beside you. If you are sitting mind and strong sense of back and relaxing, your Beagle The most common health smell. Beagles will want to will often be found curled up issues relate to their ears and smell anything and everything, under your chair, or on your lap. eyes. The ear canal on any and always want to know soft-eared dog is like a little Colour what’s on the other side greenhouse and can be a haven for There are many colour of the fence. bacteria and yeast infections. Regular variations of the Beagle and any hound cleaning is important to keep the ear colour is acceptable. The colour most canal dry and healthy. often related to Beagles is the ‘blanket’ tricolour: Beagles can develop a condition known as ‘dry a blending of black, tan, and white, usually with a saddle of black on the back, tan legs and head, and a eye’, which is a relatively slow production of tears that can require the application of eye drops. They white blaze in the middle of the face. More and more in Australia, people are seeing tan can also suffer a condition called ‘cherry eye’, which and white Beagles, with no black colouring. This is a occurs when a gland around the eye pops out from perfectly acceptable variation to the Beagle colouring, under the eyelid. This can be corrected with surgery, and neither condition is life-threatening. and is often a stunning and beautiful colour. There is one mandatory colouring on any Beagle: 16
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Be Aware All breeds have certain needs to ensure they will suit their home and the Beagle is no exception. Before you take on a Beagle, it’s important you are aware of its specific needs and how to meet them. The needs of a Beagle as a pet have originated from its purpose as a hunting dog. If you keep this in mind, working
Dog Breed
with the instincts and nature that have been bred into the breed over hundreds of years, you will ensure a loving and happy family pet. A Beagle is not a dog that is well suited to life on its own. Beagles were bred to hunt in a pack and, as a result, they long for companionship. Being left on its own for long periods of time will make for an
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Dog Breed
unhappy, and often bored, Beagle. Beagle owners frequently find that the problems they have with one Beagle cease with the introduction of another Beagle or dog, or if they are home longer. A happy Beagle is one that has company for much of the day. The most powerful trait of the Beagle is its inquisitive mind and strong sense of smell. Beagles will want to smell anything and everything, and always want to know what’s on the other side of the fence. They will wander if they are able to and love roaming the streets, seeking out new smells. A good secure fence–one that is secure at the base with concrete, bricks, or wire and is at least 1.5m tall–is a must for a Beagle. As a result of their hunting past, Beagles are active dogs that require exercise, preferably out of their environment, where they can exercise their nose as well as their body. Off-leash areas are ideal for Beagles, as they give them the opportunity to run and sniff as they wish. Small back yards are not the ideal environment for Beagles, particularly if they do not get regular exercise. A good-sized back-yard and a regular walk will keep your Beagle healthy and happy. In days gone by, when Beagles were in a pack hunt, they were often away from home for long periods of time without being fed. As a result, their instinct now is to try and eat anything and everything they can and obesity is common. Many owners tell stories of their Beagle eating whole roasts, working its way through a bag of dog food, or even eating wedding cakes– only to turn around half an hour later looking for its dinner. A controlled, balanced diet, along with regular exercise, is most important for a Beagle. The rule of thumb is: don’t wait for your Beagle to tell you when it is full because it will never tell you. Training The particular nature of the Beagle means that the training process may be slightly different from other breeds. The Beagle’s sense of smell is its most acute sense and it relies on this as much as humans rely on their sight or hearing. When a Beagle is in a training program, often its instinct is to put its nose on the ground, find out what smells are around, and then pay attention to its trainer. To successfully train a Beagle, it is important for the Beagle to focus on the trainer. This can take a lot of work, but must happen before www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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any form of training can take place. One big advantage is that Beagles are almost always motivated by food and will focus on their owner when they have food, so food is a great reward to use when training your Beagle. Beagles love walks where they can sniff new smells. As the nature of the Beagle is to keep the nose on the ground to sniff everything in its path, it can be frustrating when you are wanting a nice leisurely walk. Training will help to alleviate this, but keep in mind that this is what a Beagle is bred to do, and is happiest doing. To a Beagle, a walk is more like an investigation, and Beagles are never happier than with their nose down and their tail in the air.
Dog Breed
The Beagle Club of QLD is dedicated to the promotion of the Beagle as a breed and holds regular events for its members, including walks on the beach and through Brisbane City, camping weekends, and lure coursing days. The club has a list of Beagle breeders who will be able to provide you with lots of guidance and advice about acquiring a Beagle puppy. The BCQ Beagle Rescue Service finds homes for older Beagles that are unable to stay in their current home. If you are interested in an older Beagle, the Rescue service is a good option. For more details on the BCQ events, or for more information about Beagles, visit www. beagleclubqld.org.
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...Famous Beagles... *Probably the most famous Beagle is Snoopy, a character created by Charles Schulz in his comic strip Peanuts. Snoopy typifies the Beagle character and actually had five brothers and sisters that often came to visit: Andy, Belle, Marbles, Spike and Ugly Olaf. *From the movie Cats and Dogs, Lou is the Beagle puppy that finds himself caught up in canine espionage and becomes the hero when he stops the evil cats from taking over the world. *Brains was the loveable doggie companion of Inspector Gadget. Inspector Gadget 2 was filmed in Queensland where they used two of the stunt dogs from Movie World to play the part of Brains. *Disney Beagles: Shoeshine is a regular Beagle who is given super powers and the ability to talk to humans. Underdog is based on the Underdog cartoon and comic book. *Him, Her, and Edgar were the Beagles owned by former US President Lyndon Baynes Johnson. President Johnson was widely criticised when, on national TV, he picked up one of his Beagles by the ears. *Barry Manilow is a big fan of Beagles and had photos of Beagles on several of his album covers. His own Beagles were Bagel and Biscuit.
Did You Know? The ship that took Darwin on his many voyages of discovery around the world was named The Beagle. That’s why you will find lots of Beagles are named Darwin. Did You Know? William Shakespeare refers to Beagles in his play Twelfth Night. Did You Know? In 2004 NASA sent a landing craft called The Beagle to the surface of Mars. Unfortunately, like many Beagles, the Mars lander decided to have a mind of its own and NASA lost control of the craft for several days. There must be some really great smells on the surface of Mars!
n Ope s y 7 Da
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Working for our future – today
Dogs are great walking companions and personal trainers. Get out and get active with your pet today and you will both reap the rewards! When
Where
Address
1st Sunday
Jack Wilson Park
Cnr Cheltenham Drive and Thorngate Drive, Robina
The Observatory
Bardon Ridge Road, Reedy Creek
2nd Sunday
Robina Parkway
(Eastern side) Corner of Boowaggan Road and Robina Parkway, Robina
3rd Sunday
Sun Valley Park
Sun Valley Drive, Ashmore
4th Sunday
Frascott Park
Frascott Drive, Varsity Lakes
Damien Leeding Memorial Park (Regatta Lakes)
Heathwood Drive, Oxenford
Robina Common
(At rear of park) Ron Penhaligon Drive, Robina
For more information on the Just Walk Me program visit goldcoast.qld.gov.au
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Are you spoiling your pet to death?
Free weight & diet assessments at Greencross Vets By Greencross Vets
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s your pet’s body shape a growing concern? The most common nutritional disorder in animals living in today’s modern society is excess body weight, which more often than not leads to pet obesity. There are many contributing factors to obesity in pets, but the main one is overfeeding. We all know that Christmas is a time for indulging, and often it’s the same for our pets throughout the festive season. If you have noticed that your pet has adopted a few extra kilos, this is the time of year to get your pet fit and healthy. A very high percentage of slightly overweight pets quickly become obese, and unfortunately there are many health risks associated with obese pets. Overweight pets are likely to: • Live a less active and shorter life • Be more prone to joint and mobility problems • Develop skin problems and a lower resistance to infection • Be at greater risk during surgery • Be disinterested in exercise and play
Risks for the overweight pet: • Heart disease • Susceptibility to infections • Diabetes mellitus • Neurological disorders • Increased surgical & anaesthetic risk • Respiratory problems • Cancer • Earlier onset of joint problems, e.g. arthritis • Skin problems • Reproductive disorders • Inactivity • Decreased quality of life • Premature ageing If your pet has a weight problem (this includes being underweight), why not start the New Year off on the right paw, by contacting your local Greencross Vet for information on our FREE weight management programs that can be tailored to suit your pet’s needs. The combination of regulated exercise and a quality veterinary diet helps promote a total health focus to benefit your pet.
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RSPCA Animal Care Campus – A new beginning By RSPCA Qld
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he fat lady has sung—after over 80 years in operation, RSPCA Qld’s Fairfield shelter finally closed its doors on December 8, making way for the new Animal Care Campus at Wacol to open its doors on December 13. In 1920, five acres of land was set aside as a ‘Reserve for Refuge of Aged and Starving Horses and Lost and Strayed Dogs’. This Reserve became the site of the Fairfield Shelter and RSPCA Qld headquarters. In 1924/5 the annual intake of dogs at the Refuge was 17, and in 1925 the Society purchased “a motor conveyance to enable the Society’s officers to attend promptly to urgent complaints at places some distance from the city, and also to remove animals to the Refuge”. The annual intake increased rapidly, and by 1928/9 the yearly figure was 947. In its last year of operation, Fairfield Shelter took in over 17,000 animals. The new Animal Care Campus, which occupies the old site of the John Oxley Youth Detention Centre, is undoubtedly the most significant animal welfare facility in the Southern Hemisphere, and was made possible by a donation of land by the Queensland Government and the generosity of the Queensland public. The emphasis at the Campus is on animal welfare education and wildlife preservation, and to this end there is a veterinary clinic dedicated to wildlife, and there will soon be an education barn that will provide a quality learning experience for school tours and 24
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excursions. The wildlife veterinary clinic also considers itself fortunate to have had the benefit of considerable input from Bob Irwin, father of the late Steve Irwin. The veterinary surgery has a 70% increase in capacity, a huge bonus that will mean a quantum leap in the care available for injured animals. The Campus will also provide a permanent home for RSPCA Qld’s mobile Education Unit, not surprisingly called EMU. Although it spends most of its year on the road, it is a very large vehicle to find parking space for when in Brisbane! The new adoption pens don’t have a wire in sight—state-of-the-art Perspex means that potential adopters can have the best possible interaction with the animals. There’s even a café on site where visitors can relax and make potentially adopting an animal a truly enjoyable experience. Already this new, relaxed atmosphere is working, with an increase in adoptions of well over 30%. The new Animal Care Campus at Wacol truly is the start of an exciting new era for the RSPCA in Queensland. To get there from the Gold Coast is easy! Simply drive north on the Pacific Motorway, then veer left onto the Ipswich Motorway and take the ‘Wacol’ exit. See you there soon! RSPCA Animal Care Campus Station Road, Wacol (07) 3426 9999 www.animalcarecampus.rspcaqld.org.au www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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Cat Breed
By Susan Shoring, Secretary of the Gold Coast Cat Club
ustralia’s first home-grown pedigree cat breed, the Australian Mist, was founded with the specific aim of creating a spotted Australian breed, from an idea born out of an accidental mating that produced beautiful spotted tabbies. The breed started out as the Spotted Mist, and retained that name for 10 years. This carefully-designed breed was developed
by ecologist Dr Truda Straede of Nintu cattery. Dr Straede had started breeding Burmese in 1975, but maintained a longing for tabbies. The Mist was created using a mixture of half Burmese, with a quarter each of Abyssinian and domestic tabby cat. The reasons for using those particular breeds were: • Burmese: temperament – laid-back nature;
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general size; conformation; colour dilution; basic regularly and other breeders joining Dr Straede in the colours of brown, blue, chocolate, lilac. breeding programme. • Abyssinian: intelligence; gold and peach The fourth generation in a new breed is extremely colours; ticked coat added the ‘mist’. important, as it heralds the stage at which approved experimental breeds are considered purebred. In • Domestic tabbies: for extra vigour, health and April 1986, Nintu Freya and Nintu Orcrist reproductive qualities; contributed spots. became proud parents to the first The resulting breed combines The Aussie fourth generation litter. Those the best qualities of each of the Mist is a very low milestone kittens subsequently three breeds. maintenance kitty, with an became the first registered Commencing in 1977 with easy-care coat that tends to Spotted Mists. The breed was a 10 year breeding programme shed little in comparison to other now fully recognised and for creating a shorthaired cat accepted for full registration, with a spotted coat, genetically cats. It can therefore be lower- which also meant it was eligible allergenic than most other for championship status. selective breeding was used to reach breed status. Using over 30 shorthaired breeds. The Mist comes in both spotted foundation cats ensured that a small and marbled coat patterns with a paler gene pool was avoided. ground colour, the marbled pattern having Initially, Dr Straede submitted an application popped up throughout the development of the breed. to the Royal Agricultural Society of NSW Cat Control Both coat patterns are misted in effect, hence the (RASCC; now known as the Cat Fanciers’ Association breed name. The marbled pattern was accepted in of NSW) to develop the vision she had for a cat breed 1977, eventually becoming eligible for championships that would be truly unique to Australia. In June at the start of 1988. 1977, the RASCC granted ‘Provisional Permission to Experiment’ for ‘Spotted Mist Foreign Shorthairs’, and Opposite page: A magnificent lilac marbled Australian Mist, January 1980 saw the birth of Nintu Horatio, the very ACF AoE Platinum Double Grand Champion Aacarmar first Spotted Mist, marking the first generation of the Galuth Ma Jaffar, is relaxing in his safe outdoor enclosure; breed. Acceptance onto the Experimental Register bred & owned by Carol Higgins & Mark Dart of Aacarmar followed in mid-1980, with progeny exhibited Australian Mists.
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With both Spotted Mist and Marbled Mist under the one banner, it was decided that a name change Above: ACF AoE Platinum Double Grand Champion Aacarmar Galuth Ma Jaffar, lilac marbled Australian Mist, bred & owned by Carol Higgins & Mark Dart of Aacarmar Australian Mists.
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was needed because the marbled coat caused confusion with the term Spotted Mist. Hence, in June 1988, the breed title officially became Australian Mist. That same year, a desexed gold kitten named Nintu Alea became the first Mist to win a Best in Show award. June 1989 saw the Mist make its debut on TV’s Burke’s Backyard, the first of many appearances in the media, always with tremendous public response. A breeder named Mary Stuart imported Thera Linaria and Nintu Jelly Wave into the UK in 2007, starting the overseas Australian Mist population, where appreciation of the breed continues to grow steadily. It is one of the few breeds for which a meticulous breeding history, including detailed records, has been kept. Every foundation cat has been documented, and all breeding cats can be traced back to those establishing cats.
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The Aussie Mist is a very low maintenance kitty, with an easycare coat that tends to shed little in comparison to other cats. It can therefore be lower-allergenic than most other shorthaired breeds. The fine, glossy, short coat is smooth, dense, resilient and soft to the touch. Coat colour choices, ranging in order from the most to the least common, are: brown, blue, chocolate, lilac, gold and peach, with eyes in varying shades of green. A Mist weighs between 4.5-9kg, with males usually larger than females, particularly in the case of neutered boys. A medium sized cat, it is muscular and has a body that is much heavier than it appears. This all-Australian puss doesn’t have any known inherent health problems, and life expectancy is midto-late teens – but into the twenties is not uncommon, with some even reaching age 25!
The result of this finely-orchestrated breeding programme is a well-balanced cat, lacking in extremes, Above: Gold Double Grand Champion Aacarmar Dawnwil Echo, a desexed male brown spotted Australian Mist, winner of Best Australian Mist in Australia 2008, 2009, 2010, under Australian and International judges. Bred & owned by Carol Higgins & Mark Dart of Aacarmar Australian Mists.
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and with an exceptionally friendly temperament. Dr Straede developed the breed as a strictly indoor-only cat because she felt that protection of our native wildlife was crucial. Always purchase from a registered breeder only, to ensure that you are acquiring a genuine Australian Mist. An alert, active and agile breed with a confident, outgoing nature, the Mist can be trained much like a dog. It loves to play fetch, and can be taught to sit, stay, come, beg, and walk on a harness. Its love of food makes it very trainable, but can also lead to weight issues, especially in desexed males. Added to its list of desirable qualities, this delightful breed is not destructive – provide a goodquality scratching post and it will leave curtains and furnishings alone. It may not have the hunting instincts of other breeds, but it will pursue owners around the house for company and play, and retains an endearing kittenish element throughout its life. An ‘on you’ and ‘with you’ cat, the Mist is ultraaffectionate and gentle, with remarkable tolerance and a disinclination to scratch, making it the perfect pet for the elderly, disabled, and families with children of any age. As it is a breed that thrives on human contact and company, it is recommended that working Mist owners consider two cats rather than just one, and because it’s generally not territorial, it is 30
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terrific with other cats and pets. With the ‘true blue’, environmentally-friendly, people-orientated cat that is the captivating Australian Mist, Dr Straede has created a genuinely companionable pet which quickly becomes a much-loved, much-valued member of the family. Above: Coat patterns and colours in kittens from Aacarmar Australian Mists, bred by Carol Higgins & Mark Dart; left to right: brown marble female, gold spotted female, blue marble female, lilac spotted neuter, brown spotted female, chocolate spotted female, and chocolate spotted male, all aged under eight months.
GOLD COAST CAT CLUB NEXT CAT SHOW: Saturday 23rd June 2012 Albert Waterways Community Centre, Broadbeach (opposite cinema end of Pacific Fair) Public welcome from 9am to 3pm www.goldcoastcatclub.com
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Feline Feature
FURRY BUSINESS By Susan Shoring, Secretary of the Gold Coast Cat Club
ne of the most important things you can do for your pet also benefits you! In grooming your cat, you will reduce the amount of hair clinging to your clothes, furnishings and carpets. It’s an essential for your cat because felines selfgroom constantly, swallowing all loose hair. This often returns in the form of icky hairballs, deposited indiscriminately on whatever will inconvenience you most: vital paperwork, expensive rug, or designer outfit – or just where you step whilst barefoot! However, the worst aspect of a hairball is its potential to cause intestinal blockage inside your beloved cat, necessitating emergency surgery. In the worst scenario, hairballs can be fatal. Regular grooming won’t completely eliminate the nasty hairball happenings, but will reduce the frequency. Season changes bring major moults in pets, with heavy shedding evident. This is the time that grooming is especially necessary. Grooming senior cats is very important, because stiff joints may prevent the cat itself from reaching areas such as between the shoulder blades, above the tail, and around its furry butt. www.pawsandclaws.com.au
You may not think that you need to groom shorthaired cats, but you would be astonished at how much loose hair a quick brush will gather. In multi-cat households where cats with varying coat lengths co-exist and groom one another, even shorthairs can develop a hairball. Persians are at exceptional risk of hairball problems, but are also prone to painful and unsightly matting, as are some of the semi-longhaired breeds with thicker coats, such as Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats, which makes regular and thorough grooming so important. Commence grooming your cat as soon as it joins your family, so that it will become accustomed to the routine and learn to enjoy it. Make grooming a special bonding time for you and your cat, and your entire household will benefit. Above-left: A Maine Coon taking self-grooming too literally! The ideal grooming tools for longer haired cats (from left to right): undercoat rake, metal comb, slicker brush – all available from good pet shops. Above-right: For shorthaired cats, use the Kong Zoom Groom (available from all pet stores and from supermarket pet sections) or a grooming glove – they will love the massage and you will be amazed at how much loose hair is on the cat!
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Pet Nutrition
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By Bev Wilkinson
lump, wagging tails and sweet, expectant faces are two doggie traits that are hard to resist, especially when our pets add so much affection to our lives. So it can be hard not to sneak pets an extra special treat or two, especially around holiday celebrations. But, although yummy, tasty snacks can too easily contribute to your pet stacking on unhealthy extra kilos. Studies undertaken by the School of Veterinary Science at the University of Sydney and RSPCA Australia confirm the widely-held view that the prevalence of overweight pets in Australia is alarmingly high. Unfortunately, many pet owners don’t realise their pet is overweight until too late, and an increasing number are unknowingly killing their pets with kindness. ...continues on page 34
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Over-indulgence in unhealthy treats is increasingly related to: • Diabetes • Pancreatitis • Liver disease • Heat intolerance • Osteoarthritis • Heart and respiratory problems • Skin and general allergies • Exercise intolerance So how do I find out if my pet is overweight? When looking down at your pet from above, you should be able to see a narrowing at the waist between the end of the rib cage and the start of the hindquarters, and you should be able to feel the ribs easily. A moderate amount of fat covering the ribs is normal, but if the ribs are completely covered and it is difficult to feel them, odds are that your companion is overweight. These quick checks are easy to conduct in the comfort of your own home, and can be important as long-term monitoring tools, but it is always best to visit a vet regularly for a thorough medical examination. The causes of excess weight are many and varied, and can sometimes be due to medical conditions such as hypothyroidism, a major symptom of which can be 34
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unexplained weight gain. However, the most common reason for pet obesity is plain over-eating, or over-feeding. Just like humans, pets need a certain amount of food to function, but too much food and not enough exercise can result in left-over calories being stored in the body, rather than being used for energy. The most common causes of obesity in pets include: • Not taking into account your pet’s lifestyle, activity level, and age when purchasing pet food. • Not regulating food intake • Households with more than one pet—cases where cheeky dogs get away with stealing the cat’s food are remarkably common! • Over-pampering and indulging your pet, especially when the ‘beg for food’ act begins • Breeds such as Labradors, Golden Retrievers, Beagles, and Cocker Spaniels are most at risk of weight problems. These breeds will often find great joy in raiding the bin or picking up table scraps. Fighting pet obesity Studies show that changing diet and exercising more with your pet will result in fewer health problems, and can even increase your furry companion’s life for up to two years. Many vets recommend that small dogs enjoy 30 minutes of exercise every day, and even more for larger dogs. Additionally, it is advisable to regularly play with your cats and include some interactive play ...continues on page 36
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toys in the cats’ environment to ensure they remain active and alert. One way to make sure you keep your pets on track is to weigh them before starting an eating plan, and continue checking their progress on a weekly basis. Aim towards a target weight, and try to achieve that goal within two months. If your pet is having trouble staying within a healthy weight range, it is a good idea to seek advice from a qualified veterinarian, who will be able to determine how overweight your pet is, how long it will take to reach a healthy weight, and formulate a healthy diet for your dog or cat. Many vet clinics even run programs that specialise in weight loss and offer fortnightly checks to monitor your pet’s progress. While it is important that your pet remains within a healthy weight range, it’s equally important not
to go overboard with dieting. When choosing pet food, it’s important to know that there are many low calorie, super-premium diets available from your pet shop or vet. But if you feel like being creative every once in a while, the mince meat and cabbage recipe developed by Australian media pet vet, Dr Rob Zammit, will make your dog feel full for longer with fewer calories. This taste sensation uses 50g of mince for a small dog, 100-150g for a medium dog, and 200g for a large dog, mixed with yummy cabbage. An additional bonus of mixing cabbage with mince meat is that this combination won’t cause too much flatulence. Remember that special pet treats can be given, but only in moderation, as a healthy pet should be neither too fat or thin.
Simple tips to help you keep track of your pet’s weight:
• Serve food in a smaller feeding bowl. • Use a measuring scoop or cup. • Set a regular feeding schedule. • Feed pets in separate rooms. • Get the whole family involved and make sure everyone follows the same rules. • Replace fatty treats with healthy alternatives, such as carrot sticks and slices of apples. • Increase the frequency of meals by splitting the daily amount of food into two or three
meals; this process will help alleviate hunger and burn energy.
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The gift of music:
not just for humans By Cher Hollywood, Music Teacher, Star Kids Music City
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e have always loved music in our family, which is why I wanted to start a music school. Ever since we were children, music has always been a joyful experience in our home; a gift we would enjoy as a family—a whole family. Our family pet back then was a Maltese Terrier, Chloe, who loved to join in the singing as well. Every Friday night, we would gather around the piano and sing together. My dad would play the organ and his enthusiasm made the pictures fall off the wall! My dad’s dog is also a Maltese; Maddie is now 15 and has been singing since she was a baby. She croons and puts her neck up to the sky, and howls and sings her heart out whenever music is played 38
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around her, particularly jazz. Our Maltese, Sammy, is very clever and loves to show off tricks that my husband, Matt Hollywood, has been teaching him since he was a puppy, particularly a cute little ventriloquist trick that makes it appear as if Sammy is talking. Sammy also likes to dance, turn around full circle on his two back legs, roll over enthusiastically— whenever there is food or music involved—and especially loves to sit up at the piano! Our dove Zara also loves to sing. Every single morning as the sun is rising, she sings along. And even Gracie our Goldfish lives happily in our musical toy room, in her beautiful new fish tank complete with colourful rocks and ‘princess castle’. Music is a gift that not only brings joy to www.pawsandclaws.com.au
humans and animals, but is a way for all of us to express ourselves, a natural desire that I think is inbuilt in all of us. The idea for the Star Kids Music City school came when I wanted to teach my daughter music and I found that there was a lack of schools on the top end of the Gold Coast. I also saw that many parents wanted to be able to come along and enjoy giving their children a musical beginning. Star Kids Music City was founded to share the gift of music amongst children of all ages, to encourage in them self-confidence and personal development, to help develop memory skills, and to promote a new era of musical development. At Star Kids Music City, we teach the internationally renowned Kindermusik program, which is based on www.pawsandclaws.com.au
the latest research on music and early childhood development, and is specifically designed for children. The music classes are a unique opportunity for parents and children to interact and learn together in a comfortable, joyful environment. Music truly is the universal language, and can bring your entire family, including your loving pets, together. Cher Hollywood teaches music to children ages 0–7 right here on the Gold Coast. Contact Star Kids Music City on 0488 662 211, or email cher@starkidsmusiccity. com.au, for more information—parents and pets welcome at classes! www.starkidsmusiccity.com.au
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Forever Friends
By Susanne Seipel
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rixie was a heartfelt gift from my brother and me to our mother on Mother’s Day 2008. My brother, who works in the film industry as a camera operator, thought of the idea when he was on set filming a television commercial for a popular brand of cat food, days before the annual celebration. Trixie was one of three kittens used in making the commercial. Born a few weeks earlier on March 24, she was an adorable grey shorthaired kitten, with beautiful white markings on her chest, belly, and all four paws. Despite her good looks, Trixie was not destined for stardom, with her performance cut from the final commercial production. Prior to Mother’s Day, our household had suffered the loss of a beloved pet: a very elegant tortoiseshell cat called Kitty. Kitty had been given to us by our neighbours before they moved away, as they were 40
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concerned that the stress of moving would be a bit too much for a senior cat. But Kitty was a tough feline, and lived on for many more years. She survived skin cancer, when a growth developed on her pink-skinned nose. The tumour was removed along with the tip of her nose. After the operation, she made a full recovery and returned to her daily habit of sun-baking. During the time we had Kitty, we acquired another addition to our family in the form of a stunning longhaired grey kitten, who we named Ashie. With an unknown father, that we often speculate must have been a big cat (that perhaps terrorised the Blue Mountains a few years ago) she grew up to be very large indeed. The contrast between Kitty and Ashie was amusing at times. Kitty was such a delicate creature and moved with grace and poise, whereas Ashie was www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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a giant, and often very clumsy due to her size. She attempted to jump up on narrow objects, only to find she was too large to fit and would have to abort the landing, awkwardly returning to the ground with a loud thud. Trixie was the personality-opposite of Ashie. Fiercely independent, Ashie only showed human affection at meal times. She was most often found snoozing in the shade, while nearby birds fed off the ground. Ashie was just too lazy to offer more than a little chirp in their direction, her eyes remaining half-closed. The moment Trixie arrived at our home, she burst out of the box, ready to play with anyone and anything that moved. She was a little bundle of energy and not one bit shy. She loved to chase Ashie and play-fight with her, but the two never actually hurt each other and were occasionally spotted sleeping together as friends. Trixie’s enjoyment for life was infectious. Her favourite pastime was chasing lizards in the garden, and she loved to investigate any unsupervised box, usually claiming it as her new favourite napping place. We had the pleasure of her company for two and a half years. On April 6, 2010, we took Trixie to the vet. She had gone off her food, was lethargic, and felt warm to touch. She had lost all her energy and had spent the last day sleeping in one spot. We had no idea what
Forever Friends
was wrong. The vet took her temperature, which was a little high, and then took blood. We discovered her red blood count was life threateningly low; she was on the verge of death. She was started on antibiotics and steroids, but the vet was prepared to admit chances of survival were low, very low. With no diagnosis evident, we were sent home with Trixie and her drugs, hoping for the best, but expecting the worst. Amazingly, Trixie made a slow recovery from her sudden illness. The kitchen table was the hospital bed of her choosing, something that we let her get away with, given the circumstances. After 10 weeks of treatment, Trixie’s medicine was running low, so, on June 15, we returned to the vet, who was pleasantly surprised to see Trixie again, admitting she’d had very grave concerns after our last visit. Waiting for the results of the blood test was nerve racking! Finally, after 15 minutes (that felt like an hour), the vet informed us there was a marked improvement in Trixie’s blood levels. We were overjoyed by the news, and thought she had a real chance of recovery. We continued the course of drug treatment and had some of Trixie’s samples sent to a cat specialist, hoping for a diagnosis, but nothing was ever confirmed. It was devastating to see her decline, and uplifting to see her return to better health. After 11 weeks, she was experiencing a second chance at life, so we were advised to start taking her off the
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drugs, which were becoming increasingly difficult to administer due to her returned strength. Then suddenly, while she was drug free, Trixie took a turn for the worse. As quickly as the first illness had occurred, she relapsed and this time had a small seizure. Blood tests at the vet showed she was again very sick, and it was terminal. Her quality of life was deteriorating rapidly, so we had to make the difficult
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decision to let Trixie go. Trixie passed away in my mother’s arms on Sept 11, 2010. It was absolutely heartbreaking to say goodbye to this precious little life. Despite her short time us, Trixie brought a lot of happiness into our lives; she had such a wonderful nature. She will always be remembered in our hearts.
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Pet Behaviour
Talking Scents
By Dr. Cam Day, www.pethealth.com.au
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ou’ve all seen it. The local mutt wanders down the street, king of all he surveys, and at each post he lifts his leg to leave a small quantity of urine. This practice is the normal way that dogs mark their territory, but dogs are certainly not the only animals that use their scent to mark territory. Cats, rhinos, bees, and even humans mark their territory in many different ways. Animals don’t need email, Facebook, and Twitter. Such base forms of communication are for primitive
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species like humans. After all, humans don’t know how to communicate using the refined messages contained in bodily scents—that is, all except the members of a special tribe in New Guinea, who won’t shake hands until they have rubbed their hands under their armpits to exchange smells with their friends. I’m glad I have a primitive email address. How Powerful is an Animal’s Sense of Smell? A dog’s ability to detect scents is legendary. Humans are olfactory dunces compared to dogs. The difference is in the anatomy of a dog’s nose. We have two sheets of membranes in our noses that contain
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roughly five million olfactory—smell—receptors, whereas dogs have intricately folded sheets of membranes with a surface area 50 times larger than that of humans and with more than 220 million sensory cells. Thus, a dog’s sense of smell is at least one hundred times, and possibly even one hundred thousand times, more sensitive than a human’s. For instance, your pooch can detect the odour of your fingerprint six weeks after you place it onto a piece of glass. Furthermore, dogs used to detect chemical residues, such as chlordane and dieldrin in soil, can detect these chemicals in parts of less than one per million—better than most scientific measuring equipment! Doesn’t that make you feel like a bit of a dunce? Territorial Marking Behaviour A wolf will urine-mark the boundaries of its territory twice as much as it marks the centre. It will also mark its territory with its faeces, with the scent
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from its anal glands, and by scratching vertical objects. The ‘last post’ routine of a male dog descends from its wolf ancestry. Even the practice of smearing vertical surfaces with faeces is seen in high ranking dogs. You are likely to see leg-lifting behaviour in your back yard more commonly along your boundary fence line, and much more commonly when another dog is going past. Some very territorial dogs will also scent-mark their territories by smearing their faeces onto vertical surfaces. This is more often seen when a dog is walking along the street or in a local park. In hot climates such as ours, faecal marking scents last longer than urine scents, whereas, interestingly, the opposite is true in colder climates. I have noticed that dogs that mark their territories with their faeces are usually very independent and are often quite aggressive to other dogs. A cat marks its territory by spraying urine in much the same way as dogs, but also by scratching its claws on various trees around its territory. The visible scratch marks and the scent from its feet are strong messages to other cats. The ability to scent mark is very important to an animal’s survival. It is the only way an animal can leave a message for others without having to stay around to deliver it. The Lure of Pheromones Many of the scents that are important to animals contain pheromones—powerful molecules that, when released from one animal, have a big effect on the behaviour of other animals, just like the hormones www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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within an animal’s own body have a big effect on its own behaviour. In the world of science we have even reached the stage where we can manufacture pheromones and place it in bottles. For cats, the pheromone Feliway is used to stop cats spraying, as well as to assist cats to become comfortable in a new residence. For dogs, the Dog Appeasing Pheromone is used for the treatment of separation anxiety, noise fears and other anxieties, and also helps to assimilate a puppy or even an adult dog into a new home. Solutions for Scent Marking Behaviour If scent marking is a problem with your pets, try the following: 1. Desexing male dogs and cats greatly reduces the need to urine mark. 2. For cats that scratch furniture, try covering the furniture with plastic—the black plastic used in landscaping works well. Then place a scratching post near to the scratched furniture. Scent the scratching post with the pheromone spray Feliway to create interest in the post. 3. Change the perception of your cat’s favourite spraying area by feeding it in that spot or by gluing dry cat biscuits to an old dish and leaving them in the
Pet Behaviour
sprayed area. 4. Keep other dogs and cats away from your pet’s territory, so your pets won’t feel the need to mark their own territory to keep these interlopers away. For interesting reading on animals and how they communicate, look for the Reader’s Digest book Intelligence in Animals.
Did You Know? Many species scent mark. European rabbits deposit hundreds of faecal pellets daily to mark their territory. Hippos distribute their dung in rivers by using their tails as eggbeaters in the water. Rhinos place dung pats in strategic locations along their trails and will also trample in their dung to carry the smell with them on their feet as they travel. Some monkeys and other primates urinate on their feet, so that they leave their scent on trees as they travel, and the Dwarf Mongoose stands on its head to rub essential scents from its anal glands up as high as it can manage on bushes and rocks.
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Feature story
orkie Doodle Dandy: A Memoir is the story of Smoky, a four pound (1.8kg) Yorkshire Terrier, and her guardian Bill Wynne. Born in Brisbane in 1943, Smoky first met Corporal William A. Wynne of Cleveland, Ohio, when he purchased her in 1944 from a fellow American soldier, while posted in the New Guinea jungle. Smoky had been found in an abandoned foxhole and when no owner came forward, she was 46
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sold to Bill for two Australian pounds—the equivalent of $6.44 today. She was no taller than the top of his GI boots. From that day on, Smoky and Bill were fast friends. While not a formally trained war dog, Smoky lived under the adverse conditions of war as she travelled the world with Bill, from the jungle to coral rock islands, surviving typhoons, kamikaze attacks, equatorial heat and humidity, and poor quality WWII food. www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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Most Yorkies are lap dogs that stay at home as family pets, but Smoky smashed the lap dog tradition and became a working war dog. Most of the dog breeds involved in warfare have been specifically bred for that purpose: they possess naturally inherited talents and are highly trained animals. ‘Official’ WWII war dogs would have had the best medical care and balanced diets specially formulated for dogs, but even though Smoky had none of these provisions, she never fell ill. She even ran on coral for four months without suffering any paw ailments—a problem that affected many war dogs. Smoky survived 18 months in combat with her war buddies, and while fighting alongside her guardian Bill, she learnt some truly amazing tricks. Having only had six lessons in obedience training back in Cleveland, when Bill found Smoky his dog training experience was limited. Together, they went through
Feature story
basic obedience training in just two days, and by trial and error Smoky was soon playing dead, running between Bill’s legs as he walked along, walking on a rolling drum, and peddling a scooter made out of an orange crate and control cable pulleys from a P-38. Using aeroplane scrap control wires mounted on a wood frame, Smoky even learnt how to walk on a tight-wire blindfolded! Her ultimate trick was spelling her name with letters cut from empty 16 inch by 20 inch (40.6cm x 50.8cm) cardboard boxes by recognition, no matter how the letters were placed. The makeshift scooter and letters fit into a cut-down photo chemical drum
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and were carried in Bill’s barracks bag as he and Smoky advanced with their squadron toward Japan, Smoky in his knapsack all the way. But Smoky’s skills extended far beyond tricks. While involved in a campaign on Luzon, an island in the Philippines, Smoky pulled a string attached to vital phone wires through a 70 inch (177.8cm) long, eight inch (20.3cm) wide pipe, avoiding the need to place 40 US fighter and reconnaissance planes in danger from enemy bombings. What would have been a dangerous three day digging task to place the wires was completed by little Smoky in just two minutes—she had never done anything like it before, but the tiny war hero walked through the pipe simply because she was asked to. During 1944, Smoky found her true calling when she visited Bill, recovering from dengue fever, in the US 233rd Station hospital in Nadzab, New Guinea. “My buddies of the 26th Photo Recon Squadron came to visit and brought Smoky, and my mail, with them. In the mail was a large envelope from Yank Down Under Magazine containing a July 14 copy of the magazine, and a letter congratulating me for Smoky being chosen by Yank as the 1st Prize Best
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Mascot of the South West Pacific Area.” While visiting Bill in hospital, Smoky was noticed by two Army nurses who asked if they could get permission from their Commanding Officer to take Smoky on rounds to visit the wounded coming in from the Biak Island Invasion. “She was one of them so I knew they would love her. They got permission for Smoky to sleep with me, and they picked her up at seven in the morning and brought her back at seven at night, and so it went for five days and nights, until I was released to return to my Squadron.” From this humble beginning, Smoky became the first recorded therapy dog, and continued to visit hospitals, nursing homes, and orphanages with Bill for a further 12 years, even stopping in at the American Red Cross Riverside in Brisbane, where American Red Cross worker Barbara Wood Smith asked Bill to take Smoky to the US 109th Fleet Hospital and the US 42nd General Hospital. “We did about 12 wards in each hospital and Smoky performed her tricks. The men followed us around to other wards and many wanted to carry her on their wheelchairs.” Barbara Wood Smith later wrote to Bill to ask if he would take Smoky to the 120th General Hospital in Manila. “It was an 80 mile trip, but well worth it. We served the wounded as the battle raged until the war’s end, and the Red Cross took photos that ran worldwide.” Those photos brought international fame, and www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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after the war Smoky and Bill spent 10 years in show business, performing the tricks Smoky had learned while in combat on live television for 42 weeks, without ever repeating a trick. Sadly, on the 21st February, 1957, ‘Corporal’ Smoky died unexpectedly. She was approximately 14 years old and had already become one of the most famous war dogs in history. Sixty-seven years later, Smoky’s legend lives on through war memorials dedicated to her heroic service, and through the memories that Bill still holds so dear. “The July 14 issue [of Yank Down Under] had a photo of Smoky sitting in a GI Helmet. That photo was
Feature story
the first I ever took of her and it became the model for the bronze memorial of Smoky done by Susan Bahary.” That beautiful sculpture takes pride of place in a 22,000 acre (8,903 hectares) park in Cleveland, Ohio, and marks the very place the world’s tiniest war hero was finally laid to rest all those years ago.
Yorkie Doodle Dandy: A Memoir by William A. Wynne is available to purchase at www.smokywardog.com. Find out more about Smoky and Bill’s war time adventures at www.smokywardog.com/blog.
According to Animal Planet, Smoky is the very first therapy dog on record. Australia’s Sydney Sun featured Smoky’s photo in 1944, when she was chosen as Yank Down Under’s Best Mascot in the SWPA. Susan Bahary’s Smoky — Yorkie Doodle Dandy, And Dogs Of All Wars sculpture featured in a special Animals of War exhibit at the US WWII Museum in New Orleans. Smoky’s special soldier blanket (pictured) was made in Townsville in 1944 by volunteer Australian Red Cross workers from a piece of wool felt from a card table cover purchased at a hobby shop. Smoky and Bill had come down from New Giunea and were cold; the US Army had issued wool blankets to keep the men warm, but Smoky was shivering. Smoky wore the blanket during combat missions from September through to December 1944.
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Wild News
Alby Mangels: A Reluctant Hero By Kirsty-Lee Workman
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he legend that precedes this wildlife warrior is intimidating, to say the least. But as I sit across from Alby Mangels, I am struck most by his gentle nature and apparent shyness. Alby admits he has always been much more at home travelling through the wilderness than hanging out on the Gold Coast talking to journalists. “I like to get as far away from the TV, radio, and newspapers as possible. I think it’s important,” he says. Alby is visiting the Gold Coast to celebrate the long overdue release of the complete catalogue of his life’s adventures—Alby Mangels Adventure Bound. From sailing the Torres Strait Islands, to exploring 50
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the remotest parts of New Guinea and the wilds of Africa, to living with Aborigines in Arnham Land with his nephew Rick. The digitally remastered collection includes 72 DVDs, 50 of which have never been seen in Australia before. “I have a lot of fans in Australia who would like to see the unreleased movies. This allows them to finally see all of the trips,” Alby explains. Alby has indeed experienced a lifetime of adventures, but through it all, there has been a www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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strong connection to the natural world and, on many occasions, an explicit emphasis on conservation. Throughout the interview, Alby constantly downplays his role as a wildlife warrior, but the DVDs themselves attest to the fact that his trips around the world have always been about much more than just mere escapades. “I wanted to bring something out that people could enjoy. So much of what we watch on television and in movies these days is violent, and I don’t think it’s good to feed your mind with too much of that stuff, so I wanted to bring out something that’s good by Mother Earth, and that’s a little humorous too.” “I think the collection is good for young people too, to let them know that it doesn’t have to cost too much to travel; hopefully they’ll be inspired to go on their own adventures.” When I press for more information about his conservationist message, Alby just tells me that he likes to help out wherever he can. These days, he spends most of his time helping out in Micronesia, where he is currently filming his latest adventure— and enjoying the waves—while he helps locals overcome poverty and build a community. Back on the Gold Coast, I ask Alby if any of the adventures stand out as more memorable than the others, and he tells me about a particular trip to Africa to see Mountain Gorillas, which still stands out as one of his favourites. In Journey to the Vanishing Gorillas (DVD 31), Alby adventured deep inland to the highlands of Central Africa to film and expose the disturbing plight of the near extinct Mountain Gorillas. He tells me of his memories of spending time deep in the rainforest, sitting across from a male silverback, and explains that helping these magnificent creatures is still a passion of his to this day. Since experiencing the desperate plight of Africa’s Mountain Gorillas, Alby has maintained
a relationship with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International, the only organisation on the ground working to protect the fewer than 800 Mountain Gorillas remaining in the world, and with every purchase of Journey to the Vanishing Gorillas, Alby is donating a percentage of proceeds directly to the organisation.
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The DVD will also bear the Dian Fossey Seal, and have current footage of conservation efforts edited into the film in order to share the progress of the project and garner support from a whole new audience. Alby will also lend his celebrity status to the cause by featuring on the Fossey Fund’s website. The Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund International was originally established by Fossey in 1978 as the Digit Fund, named for Digit the silverback gorilla—the movie Gorillas in the Mist tells the tragic story of how both Digit and Fossey were killed by gorilla poachers. But the Fossey Fund lives on, thanks to the hard work of its supporters who continue to fight against gorilla poaching, as well as for protection of important gorilla habitat. The fund also undertakes research into the spread of deadly diseases that threaten the survival of remaining gorilla populations, document important information about gorilla society, and promote education and awareness of this still critically endangered primate. Today, two species of gorillas are directly protected by the Fossey Fund: Eastern gorillas— including the iconic Mountain Gorilla species and the larger Grauer’s Gorillas—and Western gorillas— including the Western Lowland Gorilla and the Cross River Gorilla species, which number fewer than 300 individuals. Thanks to the work of the Fossey Fund, Mountain Gorillas are now the most protected of any ape, and the only ape population that has experienced an increase in numbers. The remaining Mountain Gorillas are divided into two separate populations that live in the mountain forest of the Virunga volcanoes that cross Rwanda, Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Bwindi Impenetrable Forest found in
Uganda. In 2010 the Fossey Fund opened the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education centre in the Congo, the first facility of its kind in East Africa, where up to 30 gorillas can learn to live as a group in a natural setting until they can be released back into the wild. As I say goodbye to Alby, I’m struck by the notion that he too is waiting to be released back into the
Take action by adopting a gorilla through the Fossey Fund’s Adopt to Protect Gorillas program. Visit gorillafund.org/take-action/adopt for information on adoption packages. The Alby Mangels Adventure Bound series is available from www.albymangels.com—keep an eye out for news of Alby’s complete makeover as he becomes ‘Principal for a Day’ in early 2012!
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wild. For all his innate charm—take it from me, the years have done little to erode the natural charisma that has made him an international celebrity, revered by men and adored by women the world over—Alby is still very much a man who longs for the freedom of the wild. Alby Mangels Adventure Bound may be the story of one man’s incredible adventures, but it is also the story of that man’s lifelong dedication to protecting a natural world that is too often neglected, or even directly threatened, by the human species. Alby Mangels gives voice to the natural environment and countless creatures that share this amazing world with us, and the timely release of his adventures to conserve that world will ensure that the legacy, and the example, of this genuinely caring man will live on for a whole new generation and into the future.
Wild News
Mountain Gorilla Facts:
MGs live in groups containing one or more adult males called silverbacks—named for the gleaming silver saddle of hair on their back—and several younger males called blackbacks, adult females, juveniles, and infants, and they generally live between 30–40 years. The largest group recorded by the Fossey Fund is Pablo’s group, which reached 65 members. Male MGs are known for their classic chest beating, which is used to show stature, scare off opponents, or even to prevent a fight. Most of the time MGs travel on the ground on all fours, distributing their weight on their knuckles as opposed to their palms, a practice called ‘knuckle walking’. Gorillas are identified by their ‘nose prints’—patterns of wrinkles on their noses that are unique to each gorilla. All gorilla species are at risk from poaching, disease, and most of all, from habitat loss.
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Animal ER
Hidden danger:
medications and your pets ARTICLE & PHOTO BY SOLANGE NEWTON animal emergency service
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e may be small in size, but this cheeky ‘gun metal grey’ Chihuahua has a big personality. Sammy has a loving home, with a nutritious diet and veterinarians as parents. Everything was on the up for Sammy — until the moment an error in judgement almost cost him his life. Full of Christmas spirit, Sammy went on a miniexpedition through his house in search of mischief. He was overjoyed when he discovered a new toy. Many hours were spent rolling around and playing with the ‘toy’. He enjoyed chewing on the bottle, instinctively pulling away at the coating to the treat hidden within.
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Hearing his parents approach, he abandoned his toy and resumed the ‘good boy position’ on his bed, tail wagging with vigour. The distraction of cuteness was always effective to avoid getting caught. Sammy’s victory was short-lived. His owner noticed the damaged ‘toy’ lying on the floor and was horrified at the discovery. As experienced veterinarians, Sammy’s owners were well aware of the situation at hand and immediately became concerned. Sammy could sense this, but he was confused at the over-reaction. He felt fine! What Sammy didn’t realise was that the toy
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he had been chewing was actually a bottle of Meloxicam and he had ingested about 10 times his normal dose. Meloxicam is part of a class of drugs known as NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including popular medications Ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen, Advil) and Aspirin. Most NSAIDs cannot be used on pets due to serious side effects such as stomach ulcers or perforation of the stomach, kidney failure, and bleeding. Meloxicam is safe and effective when the correct dosage is administered under strict veterinary advice. Overdoses can be very dangerous! On December 30, Sammy was presented to Animal Emergency Service after close monitoring by his parents recognised the early signs of toxicity. Sammy’s personality had become dull, he vomited (including traces of blood), his mucus membranes were pale, and he was dehydrated. Sammy also had mild abdominal pain. Investigations by Dr SumnerArmstrong confirmed that Sammy was suffering a
Animal ER
NSAID overdose, necessitating treatment and 24hour monitoring in hospital. Sammy was admitted and immediately placed on fluid therapy, providing a transfusion of plasma to increase his blood protein levels. Supportive care of medications and pain relief was provided, with regular blood tests, as well as monitoring of the stomach via ultrasound. By New Year’s Eve, Sammy started to feel better and began to eat well. There was no more vomiting and the stomach pain appeared to have ceased. However, a quiet night relaxing in a
Far-left: He may be small, but Sammy has a whole lot of luck to go with his big personality.
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Animal ER
comfy hospital bed was about as exciting as Sammy’s New Year’s Celebrations were going to get. Sammy was destined to remain in hospital until Friday 6 January, when he was finally able to return home on strict bed-rest and close monitoring by his parents. Sammy is lucky to be alive, and we can all learn from his experience. Our homes are full of an assortment of medications – both over-the-counter and prescribed. While they are beneficial when used correctly, they can be very dangerous if they are not out of reach of Chihuahuas (or children) who don’t read labels! Labels should be clear to read and followed precisely. Any questions or concerns should be discussed with your veterinarian, and your pet should be monitored for any reactions or changes in behaviour. Of course, pets are curious creatures and, as Sammy’s veterinarian parents discovered, accidents do happen. In instances such as this, information that will aid the treatment of your pet includes: • The name of the medication. • The approximate amount consumed. • The time of consumption. Seek veterinary assistance immediately. If your regular vet isn’t open, Animal Emergency Service is always available to help out.
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Guest Vet Feature
Cruciate Ligament Rupture in Dogs By Dr Kevin Cruickshank, Gold Coast Vet Surgery
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error was having a whale of a time, running and playing in the surf at the dog beach. Then as she caught the tennis ball and turned to return it to her owner, Terror let out a yelp and stopped for a moment, but seconds later she was bounding back down the beach, with only a mild limp in her left back leg. Three days later, I met Terror when she came in to the vet, still limping, barely touching her toe to the ground. Under deep sedation, so that her pain was entirely removed, it was confirmed that Terror had completely torn her cruciate ligament. Fortunately, the x-rays revealed that, apart from severe joint swelling, there were no other complicating factors such as advanced arthritis or bone cancer. The x-rays also enabled us to measure a special angle, called the Tibial Plateau Angle (TPA), to help decide which type of corrective surgery would suit Terror best. As a general rule, an advanced operation (a TTO, TWO or TTA) that corrects the abnormal TPA is the best option, especially for dogs over 20kg. Unfortunately, though, because this operation requires specialised plates and screws and needs to be performed by an orthopaedic specialist, it costs several thousand dollars. The alternative is an operation where an artificial ligament is created that performs the role of the cruciate ligament and stabilises the joint. This operation is sometimes referred to as the De Angelis Technique, or the Lateral Suture Method. While mostly successful, it is associated with a higher complication rate such as the artificial ligament stretching or snapping over time, or the knots or connections coming undone. With their greater weight and forces, this is more likely in larger dogs. The more advanced operation (TTO) also results in less arthritis in the joint in years to come, and it is therefore the preferred technique. Fortunately for Terror, we have an excellent specialist surgeon who visits our practice and performs the operation in our theatre, while we look after the rest of her care such as pain relief, general anaesthetic, antibiotics, post-op x-rays, bandaging, 58
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and her hospital care after the surgery. This means that whilst she is operated on by a specialist surgeon, there is a significant cost saving for her owners compared to being referred to a specialist hospital, and they and Terror are still dealing with the same familiar team and hospital environment, resulting in less stress all around! Terror’s surgery went very well. An important part of the operation is to check if she has also damaged the shock absorber in the knee, called the meniscus. Fortunately Terror hadn’t. After sawing through her bone, removing a small wedge and putting it all back together with a specially-shaped plate and screws, we were ready to start waking Terror up. A post-op x-ray confirmed that the bone was plated back together in the correct position, with all the screws in correctly, and we then put a large bandage on her leg to keep it absolutely still, as well as to help control pain and swelling. www.pawsandclaws.com.au
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Terror stayed the night in hospital, kept comfortable by a Morphine drip! The next afternoon she was discharged to start her rehabilitation. A critical component of the operation’s success is that dogs need to be strictly confined to an area no bigger than a single garage, for at least six weeks after surgery. It is important that the floor is non-slip and that there are no stairs to negotiate. All trips out to the toilet need to be at a slow walking pace, on a lead, and sometimes supported with a towel under the abdomen for the first few days. We saw Terror back for weekly checks, and after two weeks we taught her owners some gentle physiotherapy to help her with. This was gradually increased, and after the six week x-ray showed that the bone was healing well, more vigorous physiotherapy such as swimming and sit-stand exercises were started. Specialist canine physiotherapists are available, and formal physiotherapy is highly recommended after such an operation, although it is an additional cost to consider. During the post-op period we also started treatments to reduce arthritis in the future–the most crucial being weight loss. It cannot be over-emphasised how important it is for dogs to shed any excess weight that they are carrying. Additionally, Terror also started taking Glucosamine, Chondroitin, and Green Lipped Mussel extract supplements, as well as receiving a course of Pentosan-polysulphate injections. Terror went on to make a complete recovery and is back to running at the beach, although now her owners avoid games that cause her to make sudden sharp turns and try to only exercise her on flat, even ground. Terror was a classic case, and if you have a dog who fulfils the ‘Three Fs’: Fat, Over Five, and Female—the risk factors for Cruciate Rupture— be on the lookout for a cruciate injury. But really, cruciate injuries can happen to any dog. Although small dogs under 10kg may not always need surgery, it is advisable to get a limp that may be a cruciate injury in larger dogs attended to ASAP. The longer it is left, the more arthritis sets in and the muscles waste from disuse, and the operation is less likely to be a success. Most concerning is that many dogs who tear
Guest Vet Feature
one cruciate will go on to have it happen in the other knee too! The longer a dog is limping on one leg, the more weight it is carrying on the ‘good’ leg, and the greater the chance of that cruciate tearing as well. But with prompt treatment and proper care, we have a high success rate of getting dogs with a ruptured cruciate back on their feet again, living a normal happy life–just ask Terror! By Dr Kevin Cruickshank BVSc, BSc(Hons) of Gold Coast Vet Surgery, an independent family operated vet clinic that focuses on personalised care. Kevin mainly treats dogs, cats and small pets and has a special interest in oncology (cancer) and geriatric pet care, as well as skin and ear complaints. www. goldcoastvet.com.au
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Vets & Emergency Contacts
Gold Coast Animal Emergency Services Provides excellence in caring for your pet through dedicated and specially trained staff, as well as state of the art emergency and critical care equipment. P: (07) 3423 1888 P: (07) 5559 1599 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 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 Animal Emergency Centre Gold Coast AECGC 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. P: (07) 5593 4544 A/H: 1300 232838 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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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 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 Vetcall Robina Q- Superstore Mermaid Waters P: (07) 5572 4331 Vetcall Burleigh Executive Drive Burleigh Waters P: (07) 5593 5557 Vetcall Mudgeeraba Cnr Robert & Railway St, Mudgeeraba P: (07) 5530 2204 Wildlife Preservation Society Protects fauna and habitat; advocates in the legal arena. P: (07) 5549 1444
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