We have three lovely tabby and white kittens at the clinic that would love to find a home. They were born on 7th September and there are two boys and a girl.
They have all passed a vet check and have received their first vaccination and a flea and worm treatment. Come and see how cute they are and which one/s you'd love to take home.
Purchase any flea treatment from Matamata Veterinary Services during the month of November 2011 and go into the draw to win your money back.
In order to improve our communications with you, Matamata Veterinary Services will be making two significant changes in the near future.
Firstly, our website is undergoing a revamp to make it moe user-friendly. Soon you'll be able to find and download a range of new information, including forms, industry news and photos, which we hope will be interesting and helpful!
Secondly, we'll be keeping in touch via email more frequently. We think it's important to keep you up to date with industry happenings: from new technology to the latest published literature, regluation chanmges to season tips and advice.
However if you'd prefer not to receive the information by emails simply let us know and we'll remove your email address from our database. In fact, all out communications in the future will also contain an 'unsubscribe' option at the bottom of the page, so if you try it and decide this medium is not for you, we won't send anything further.
If you have any questions or feedback, please don't hesitate to get in touch.
Nigel came across some interesting information from the Christchurch earthquake a while ago. Apparently hundreds of animals spooked and fled with the major quakes, but the SPCA reported that every microchipped animal was returned to its owner within 24 hours. Many of these were cats.
While it is now mandatory for most dogs to be microchipped, there are a growing number of cats being microchipped as well.
Cats are more likely to go missing than dogs so it is well worth considering. Contact the clinic for more information.
Anybody visiting the clinic recently will have noticed a few new faces around the place.
Kristie is currently away on maternoty leave caring for her new son Liam Michael Gulbransen. Both are doing very well. Tania has returned to Hamilton and this has necessitated two new faces in the Small Animal Nurses team.
We would like to welcome our two new nurses Nikki and Toni. Nikki is blonde and Toni brunette. Both girls have spent time at MVS getting practical experience while completing their nursing studies. They both come from rural backgrounds - Nikki from the Bay of Plenty and Toni from Cambridge and enjoy horse riding. Toni and Nikki are really enthusiastic about their roles and responsibilities caring for our small animal patients and their owners.
We would also like to welcome Helen Snook into our Tainui Street Admin team, who replaces Bron. She lives in Walton and may be familiar to you from her roles in local musical theatre.
While it is sad to lose loyal staff members we have been really lucky to be able to replace them with such great people.
Please introduce yourselves and welcome them when you come in.
Mid morning a few weeks ago we were presented with an acutely ill little Maltese terrier called Jessie. Jessie lived on a farm and appeared fine when she got out of bed. She had been out and about on the farm and the notices she had been down to the rubbish tip area.
By 9.00am she was in big trouble. At first she became disorientated and wobbly, but by the time the anxious owners got her to the clinic she was having severe muscle spasms and a severe tremor. When we turned on our clippers the noise caused poor Jessie to have a full seizure.
The history and signs were very suggestive of a poisoning, but the common poisons like slug bait, coffee and chocolate had not been available to Jessie, so we induced vomitting to rid any possible toxins in her stomach. She brought up some creamy material and bits of what looked like lichen. We placed Jessie in an induced coma to control the tremor and convulsions and intraveous fluids were given to help her metabolise the unknown poison.
When the owners searched the rubbish area they found that Jessie had been chewing on an old mouldy container of cream cheese. What we initally thought was lichen in Jessie's vomit was actually fungus. After researching through some literature we discovered that there were a few reported cases of Pennicillium fungi producing toxins that can cause severe tremors in dogs. The unusual feature was that the reported cases were also from eating mouldy cream cheese. This suggests that while all mouldy food is potentially toxic, it would pay to be very wary of disposing of cream cheese safely.
We kept Jessie anaesthetised for 24 hours then on recovery she bounced back to her old self. Jessie is now back home, out and about on the farm, but the rubbish tip is now off limits.
Sox is a somewhat portly 8 year old male cat who is a bit of a character with a very laid back disposition. He follows a strict routine which involves an early morning entrance for a bite of breakfast. His owners were very concerned when he did not turn up one morning and they found him collapsed in real pain on the doorstep. Initially they thought he had been injured or hit by a car and brought him to the clinic for attention.
Sox was in marked pain in his hind quarters and was barely able to drag his legs along behind him. His feet seemed pale and cold and he had a very rapid heart rate.
An unusual presentation of heart disease in cats is what is known as Aortic Thrombosis. We
had real concern that this was the problem that Sox was suffering from. Cats get a degenerative problem with the muscle of the heart wall that results in changes to blood flows through the heart. Cats blood also clots very readily and the flow changes mean clots can form inside the atrium of the heart. While the clot is in the heart it causes little problem but in Soxs case it passed down the aorta and resulted in obstruction of blood flow to his hind legs.
An ultrasound examination of his heart showed severe dilation of the atria and other changes that were consistent with a diagnosis of Restrictive Cardiomyopathy. We also did Electrocardiograph which showed only minor arrhythmia. While the heart disease had caused the nasty clot the heart itself was still functuioning reasonably well.
Many of these cases have a sad ending but Sox was very fortunate and his leg function rapidly improved. We are unable to fix his heart but we can use medication to try and stop a recurrence of the thrombosis. Hopefully he will cope with his dicky ticker” and go on for many more years on the lifestyle block he calls home.
Clients and children enjoyed a BBQ and bouncy castle recently at the MVS annual Client Xmas BBQ. See pictures below.
Could your cat or dog be living with Diabetes?
We are supporting a nationwide screening program as part of a worldwide initiative to raise awareness of diabetes. We are of course focussing on pets!
Diabetes is not only "under diagnosed" in people, but it is also a common and under diagnosed problem in cats and dogs as well. Budgerigars and horses can also get diabetes.
As part of this campaign, we are providing free Urine Test Strips (while stocks last) to check your pet at home.
The signs of diabetes
For further information or for a free Urine Test Strip please contact the clinic on 07 888 8197
Zeb is a 9 ½ year old cat brought to Matamata Veterinary Services by a very concerned owner due to him just not being himself. He was drinking a lot, had been sleeping a lot, and over the last 2 days had only eaten a very small amount. He was usually a very well covered boy and looked to have lost weight as well.
On examination Zeb was found to have very pale gums that also looked yellow tinged, he had a slight heart murmur, a temperature, was dehydrated and seemed very depressed. This suggested to us that there was a significant problem going on and he was hospitilised to find out the problem and treat him accordingly.
A blood and urine sample was taken and immediately sent away to a external laboratory. The urine sample was extremely dark red tinged which showed us that red blood cells were being broken down and excreted in the urine. While the bloods were being processed externally we used our in house facilities to determine the degree of anaemia, and looked at the blood under the microscope.
Zeb had a PCV of 14 (normal 24 –45) which made him very close to being a candidate for a blood transfusion. His blood was also clumping together and we could see small parasites call Haemobartenella felis attached to his remaining red blood cells. When the external blood results came in they confirmed our suspicions of Haemobartenella felis, and also showed marked changes to enzymes relating to his kidneys and liver.
Haemobartonella felis is a parasite carried by fleas and once in the cats blood stream attaches to the outside of the red blood cell. The body reacts by destroying the red blood cell causing anaemia. As the anaemia gets worse the cat progressively gets sicker and more depressed.
Lucky for Zeb there are medications we can use to kill the Haemobartonella parasites and stop the body from destroying its own red blood cells. Zeb was started immediately on medication. As he was stable and responded to the fluids given under the skin we held off giving a blood transfusion ( as there are risks associated with a transfusion as well). Over the next 12 hours Zeb improved dramatically and started eating again. He stayed with us for 3 nights and continued to improve. His PCV (red blood cell level) was taken again in 48 hours and had increased to 19.
2 weeks later Zeb has again had blood tests and it is very encouraging to see his PCV has increased to 27, and his enzymes relating to liver and kidneys have returned to normal. He has also put on 1.5kg in 2 weeks.
Zeb will continue to be monitored by blood tests until he is completely back to normal and we have every faith he will make a full recovery.
"Charlie" spent the day with the small animal team for routine desexing and microchipping. He was very cute and received lots of cuddles from staff throughout the day. Charlie was a model patient and we enjoyed having him with us!!
We look forward to seeing you again soon "Charlie" !!
With Beau in desperate need of a bath as he was due to visit Pohlen Hospital, and his usual groomer out of action, MVS came to the rescue. Vet nurse Kristie went and picked Beau up and bought him back to the clinic where he was bathed and blow dried!
Beau (always being spoilt at MVS) was allowed to hang out in the office for a while waiting for his owner to pick him up!
Like all small puppies Murphy the 3 1/2 month Schnauzer is very curious and inquisitive. Like most puppies, he explores his environment with his mouth. So when Murphy started vomiting and wasn’t interested in eating his owners quickly put two and two together. They were missing one of the metal knucklebones the children play with and Murphy wasn’t feeling well. A trip to the vet and an x-ray confirmed their suspicion!
Murphy had swallowed the knucklebone! Dogs will swallow many things we wouldn’t think they’d be interested in: stones, rubber toys, and tennis or golf balls. You name it, some dog has swallowed it!
Murphy was admitted to the hospital to have the knucklebone removed surgically. Sometimes when dogs swallow things they shouldn’t they will pass through without any problem. In Murphy’s case with the size of the knucklebone and the fact he had started vomiting made us believe this was highly unlikely for him.
Murphy was given a sedative to make him sleepy and then was anaesthetised and taken to surgery. When we opened up Murphy’s abdomen we found the knucklebone still in the stomach, it was too big to go any further. A small cut was made into the stomach, the knucklebone removed and the cut was stitched closed.
Whenever an animal swallows something they shouldn’t and we have to remove it surgically we always check to make sure that there aren’t any extras hiding in the rest of the intestine. Luckily Murphy had only swallowed the one knucklebone so after checking the rest of his intestine we were able to stitch him up and then wake him up from his surgery. Murphy spent the rest of the day with us recovering and went home the same night to recover at home with his family.
Whenever an animal has surgery on their stomach or intestines we don’t give them food again straight away. This allows the tissues to start healing.
Murphy spent the night after the surgery at home with only water. After this he was given small meals of a very bland diet for a couple of days before slowly being changed back to his normal diet.
Murphy recovered well from the surgery and although he was a little bit quiet for the next two days by Sunday he was back to his normal bouncy self. Lets hope Murphy doesn’t become a repeat offender!
Pinky is a Brindle 3 year old female Staffy cross who was brought to Matamata Veterinary Services one evening after being involved in a road traffic accident.
Pinky was in a very serious condition, with multiple lacerations to her head and limbs. She had no response to pain in her legs and couldn’t stand up. Pinky had sustained a massive knock to her head and was in serious shock from the degree of pain from all her injuries.
Despite Pinkys serious condition owner Curtis wanted us to proceed and do everything possible to save her. Initial therapy to stabilize Pinky included intravenous fluid therapy, blood volume replacement therapy, drugs to reduce the brain swelling, antibiotics and pain relief.
The first night was crucial but Pinky managed to beat the odds and come the morning she could lift her head and managed to eat, although she was still non weight bearing and unable to stand. Xrays confirmed she had escaped with out any broken bones or internal injuries. By that afternoon she could push up with her back legs and had pain responses back in 3 of her legs. Pinky continued to improve especially when Curtis came to visit before and after school.
3
6hours after the initial incident she could stand on 3 legs although she was still weak, by 48hours she could take some steps forward when coaxed. Pinky’s front left leg unfortunately had brachial plexus avulsion. This meant her leg had been pulled away from her body and was paralysed.
On day 4 Pinky was ready to leave the clinic for hospitilisation and physiotherapy at home by the family. Pinky showed us she was ready to go home by leaping out of the cage and tentatively walking outside to toilet, and then eating a large breakfast.
Pinky is now at home with her family where she is improving steadily. Fingers are crossed for the feeling to return to the front left leg in the next few months.
Photo: Veterinary Nurse Lynne Gillies with "Pinky" and Curtis after a check up at Matamata Veterinary Services
Cats tend to be seasonal breeders with the increasing daylight hours following the shortest day triggering activity. This is now the time of the year you need to get cats desexed to prevent the birth of so many unwanted kittens over the spring and summer.
Along with unwanted pregnancies in females, the breeding season is also associated with an increase in fighting and territorial behaviour. The disease Feline Acquired Immunodeficiency (AIDS) is common in New Zealand with 15% of cats carrying the virus. It is primarily spread by bites. Neutering male cats significantly reduces fighting and so reduces the risk of cats getting AIDS.
A vaccine for Feline AIDS is available, so if you think your cat is fighting and at particular risk please give us a call to discuss immunisations.
We have upgraded our small animal department and have also invested in significant new technology including, radiography, ultrasound and monitoring equipment.
We are very proud of our new purpose-built 'state-of-the-art' facilities and gave the Matamata community the opportunity to come and have a look 'behind the scenes' on Saturday the 3rd July 2010.
During the Open Day we had Goody bags, free sausage sizzle, free hydro bathing, dog agility demonstrations, special deals, competitions balloons and much more.
The day exceeded all expectations with an estimated 500 people coming through the clinic over 3 hours.
As the weather cools, rats and mice come out of the fields to shelter in buildings. This results in more rat poison being laid and a higher incidence of accidental posoning in dogs.
While some dogs need regular claw trimming, we generally recommend that cats’ claws are left alone, as they need them to climb up fences and trees “as cats do”.
However recently we seem to have seen a mini-outbreak of overgrown claws in cats. This problem occurs in older cats that are less active so the claws are not worn down and grow back into the footpad. This mainly happens in the front feet.
It is a good idea to occasionally check the claws of older cats to make sure they are wearing normally.
Topics: World Autism Awareness Day, Fanconi Syndrome, Pippin Guide Group visit MVS, Tips for Childrens Safety around Dogs, New Ultrasound Scanner, Perineal Hernias in Dogs
Topics: Fiona Went to Austria, Feed Raw Bones not Cooked Bones, Pet Food, Microchipping, Desexing, Travelling with Pets, Itchy Scratchy Dog, Care of Sick and Injured Birds
