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north east regional extra | November 3 - 9, 2021
VET CORNER
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YOUR GARDEN
Grass seeds sowing trouble in your pet THE warmer weather means it’s time for barbeques and swimming. However, for your pet it can mean a time of grass seed infections which can cause a lot of pain for your pet and frustration for you. Grass seeds most commonly imbed into pets’ ears and eyes, up the nose, between the toes, along the belly, or around the bottom. Depending on where the grass seed is located your pet will show different signs from painful ears, head tilt or head shaking due to irritated ears, snorting and sneezing from the nose, weepy eyes, lameness or small swellings that discharge pus. Grass seeds require removal as while they sit in the body, whatever the location, they stimulate infection and inflammation. Often the longer they are left, the harder they are to remove, the more extensive the procedure and treatment required. Grass seeds left in ears can rupture the ear drum leading to middle ear infections, while grass seeds left untreated in the skin or between the feet
with Dr Maddison McGill, Wangaratta Veterinary Clinic can migrate around the body making them harder to retrieve. Some things you can do to prevent grass seeds include avoiding long dry grass, clipping long haired dogs to allow for easier detection, checking their feet and brushing the pet daily. Unfortunately, it is harder to prevent grass seeds in the ears or up the nose but looking for signs can mean earlier intervention and less complications. If you believe your dog may have a grass seed anywhere on (or in) its body, it is a good idea to make an appointment with your vet. If you can’t see a grass seed but you have any of the signs above, it’s best to book your pet in to have a vet check as soon as possible. Most pets will require sedation or a general anaesthetic to allow the vet to explore, remove the grass seed safely and treat the area properly.
with Belinda McPherson NORTH EAST NATURAL HEALTH CENTRE
◆ NO WASTE: All parts of the elderflower plant can be used for food and medicinal purposes.
Elderflowers for food and medicine
PET CORNER
WHILST the Melbourne Cup long weekend might symbolise time off and a famous horse race for some, for naturopaths and herbalists it’s a reminder that it’s elderflower season. During spring we see the explosion of white creamy floral scented flowers burst into bloom on country road sides in our area. This three to four metre tall deciduous tree can also be grown easily in most gardens in the North East.
WANGARATTA RSPCA has many lovable creatures waiting for the perfect family to take them home. If you want to add a furry friend to your home, contact the RSPCA on (03) 5722 2874. Wangaratta RSPCA’s animal adoption source code is BR100934. ONCE SHE WAS A CHURCH CAT: Now she is searching for a new home - will you make it yours? Sister Milly’s microchip number is 94100002212187. PHOTO: Belinda Harrison
It prefers a sheltered position underneath larger canopies, but adapt easily to a full sun position. The stunning flowers are followed by the dark purple/black berries that are famous for fighting bugs, viruses and all things winter sniffles. Traditionally the whole plant is utilised in teas, cordials, syrups and tinctures using the flower, berries, bark and roots. The raw product can be toxic so please do your research and follow recipes correctly.
Online Campfire Chats and Masterclasses Weds Nov 10th - Health Tech Entrepreneur Georgie Drury - Founder of Springday - designed to empower employees to have harmony between the physical, emotional, social, career and financial aspects of their life. Tues Nov 23rd - NBN Digital Roadmap - for any Micro or Small Business wanting to nail their understanding of the basics of internet, connectivity and digital so that as their business grows, they know how to make changes that work. Find out more: www.startupshakeup.co
Honours scholarship to study Incubator A $2000 scholarship to study the Startup Shakeup Incubator Program, talking with participants about their experiences and is interested to know what they gained, what difference it made to their business and what they see as the next steps. Find out more: rwoolston@csu.edu.au
Understanding Small Business Succeeding in the new online world relies on digital access, and our challenge is that we only have anecdotal information about what this means to small business. Our aim is to understand more, and with this information we will build a roadmap of programs and support. Would you answer some questions for us? Contact: bree@startupshakeup.co
Charles Sturt University Wangaratta Regional Study Centre 218 Tone Rd, Wangaratta CRICOS Provider Number for Charles Sturt
Wangaratta Regional Study Centre Open Monday - Friday 8am - 5pm from Nov 3rd. COVID restrictions require you to have a double vaccination and mask. Please email if you are coming onto campus at - ilyoung@csu.edu.au.
In the domestic kitchen the flowers can be deep-fried into fritters, used as decoration on food or turned into refreshing wine, beer, or cordials. While the berries can be made into jams or chutneys to add to sweet dishes like pancakes and ice cream. So enjoy your long weekend, and please feel free to let us know how you go growing this beautiful tree and stories of your next wild forage experience via our socials.
