Dr Kate Your Pet's Mate

19/06/2020

It's been a great week - even during these tough times, there's a lot to be grateful for.
This week it's been lots puppies!
Great to see these babies growing - now 16 weeks old!
In perfect health thanks to their amazing pet parents! 🐾

19/06/2020

28/05/2020

Most of you know, our wonderful trainer John was hit hard during COVID-… Kate Peters needs your support for Put your paws in your pockets to help John & Crush

28/04/2020

Beautiful babies! 💕🐾 Putting their best paws forward John Borg Snr

Puppies just love seeing & enjoying time with our resident Vet Kate Peters 😊

27/03/2020

COVID-19 Update 🦠
As per the latest VSB regulations
All home visits now delayed until further notice 🌻 Vets are still remaining open for emergencies. Please phone your Vet if your pet is in need of medical treatment and they can guide you around the latest protocols to keep you and the Vet team safe.
Stay safe everyone 🌻🐾

26/03/2020

Hello my favourite pet parents 💕
If anyone is running low on prevention products or pet food, feel free to send me a PM and I can add it to my next order.
Stay safe 🐾🌻

24/03/2020

COVID-19 UPDATE
Hi lovelies!
I am following the Australian Veterinary Association (AVA) recommendations closely regarding COVID-19.
The health of my Clients and myself is paramount and appropriate measures will be taken to ensure everyone's safety.
At this point in time I will continue to provide house calls for vaccinations and microchipping. Although please notify me if there is anyone in your home that is unwell or has been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19.
Please keep in mind that like many house-call services, I may be visiting at-risk people and it is a community effort to ensure everyone's safety.
Follow the rules and please wash your hands thoroughly prior to consultation.
I ask, if possible, for treatments to be performed in a secure area outside of your home, such as your back yard, keeping puppies and kitten contained in a crate or open top pen. If this is not possible, could you please provide a set up in a well air-ed space in your home.
Warm regards
Dr Kate

24/03/2020

Breeding dogs QLD

If your dog becomes pregnant and has a litter you must meet Queensland's animal welfare standards for breeding dogs and their progeny. Within 28 days of the litter being born you must register as a dog breeder.

I require your Breeder Identification Number before implanting a microchip. Please have this ready before booking a consultation.

For more information and to register for a BIN, please follow the links below:

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/farms-fishing-forestry/agriculture/livestock/animal-welfare/dog-breeder-registration

https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/68958f69-1ec9-4f95-bed2-07cd31984559/resource/aba000a6-6c02-48d9-b7a3-1605beaacd97/fs_download/dog-breeder-standards-guidelines-fact-sheet.pdf

24/03/2020

Microchipping Laws

In Queensland all cats and dogs between 8 and 12 weeks of age must be implanted with a microchip. Responsibility for microchipping is with the person selling or giving away the animal.

The sale, implanting and tracking of microchips is regulated in Queensland. Only an authorised person may microchip a cat or dog.

All dogs and cats born after 10 April 2009 must be microchipped before they are sold or given away. All regulated dogs must be microchipped regardless of when they were born.

Microchips may be implanted only by a vet or other authorised implanter. When your animal is implanted with a microchip, the implanter must provide the microchip's unique number, the animal's information and your contact details to a licensed registry service. It is your responsibility to make sure these records are kept up to date.

When the microchip is read or scanned (harmless to animals) it shows the microchip number which is linked to information about the animal, including its owner and the owner's contact details. This information is important if your animal is lost or impounded.

https://www.qld.gov.au/families/government/pets/pet-laws

https://www.business.qld.gov.au/industries/service-industries-professionals/service-industries/veterinary-surgeons/microchipping

24/03/2020

Puppy/Dog Vaccination

Vaccination has revolutionised control of infectious disease in our pets. It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole. Responsible pet care requires puppies to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult dogs require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against disease.

Puppy Vaccination
Puppies are ‘temporarily’ protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first few months of their lives, however until they drop sufficiently they can also neutralise vaccines. This is why a series of vaccinations is necessary in a puppy.

Adult Dog Vaccination
The immunity from puppy vaccination weakens over time and your pet can again become susceptible to disease. Annual health checks and booster vaccinations, as required, will provide the best protection for the life of your pet.

After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your dog may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.

Please send me a message to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet puppy or dog.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF DOGS THAT WE VACCINATE AGAINST
Canine Parvovirus
Canine parvovirus is a disease that affects dogs of all ages but is most serious in young pups and older dogs. The virus attacks the intestines causing bloodstained diarrhoea, uncontrollable vomiting and severe abdominal pain. Dogs often die from severe dehydration despite intensive veterinary care.

It is not necessary to have direct contact with other dogs for the disease to be spread. The virus is so persistent that the infected dog’s environment needs to be cleaned with a potent disinfectant to prevent spread to other dogs. Outbreaks occur regularly throughout Australia, especially in summer.

Canine Distemper
Canine distemper is a highly contagious viral disease that can affect dogs of any age with young puppies being at highest risk.

Symptoms vary but can include fever, coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge, vomiting, diarrhoea, loss of appetite and depression. Muscle tremors, fits and paralysis usually occur later in the disease. Treatment is usually ineffective and the recovery rate very low. Dogs that do recover may have permanent brain damage.

Canine Hepatitis
Canine hepatitis is a viral disease which, like distemper is extremely contagious and often fatal. Dogs of any age can become infected, however severe cases are rare in dogs over two years of age.

Symptoms include high fever, depression, loss of appetite, vomiting, diarrhoea and acute abdominal pain. In severe cases death can occur within 24 to 36 hours. Dogs that recover may develop long term liver and kidney problems and can act as carriers spreading the disease to other dogs for many months.

Canine Cough
Canine cough is a condition produced by several highly infectious diseases, which can be easily spread wherever dogs congregate, such as parks, shows, obedience schools and boarding kennels. Among the infectious agents associated with canine cough is the bacterium known as Bordetella bronchiseptica and the canine viruses parainfluenza, adenovirus type 2 and distemper.

Affected dogs have a dry hacking cough which can persist for several weeks. It is distressing for pet dogs and their owners. It is a major problem for working and sporting dogs. Pneumonia can also be a consequence of infection.

24/03/2020

Kitten/Cat Vaccination

Vaccination has revolutionised control of infectious disease in our pets. It is essential that all pets are adequately vaccinated to help protect the pet population as a whole. Responsible pet care requires kittens to be given their initial course of vaccinations, but this cannot protect them for the rest of their lives. Adult cats require regular vaccination to maintain immunity against disease.

Kitten Vaccination
Kittens are ‘temporarily’ protected against many diseases by antibodies received through their mother’s milk. These maternal antibodies decline in the first couple of months of their lives, however until they drop sufficiently they can also neutralise vaccines. This is why a series of vaccinations is necessary for a kitten.

A Guide to Vaccination
Initial vaccination programs should provide at least two vaccinations 3-4 weeks apart against some or all of the following; feline panleucopenia, calicivirus, rhinotracheitis, Chlamydia and leukaemia virus at or after 8 weeks of age.

After Vaccination Care
Following vaccination your cat may be off-colour for a day or two, or have some slight swelling or tenderness at the injection site. Access to food and water and a comfortable area to rest are usually all that is required for a quick recovery. However, if the response seems more severe, you should contact us for advice.

Please send me a message to discuss a suitable vaccination regime for your pet kitten or cat.

INFECTIOUS DISEASES OF CATS THAT WE VACCINATE AGAINST
Feline Enteritis (also known as Feline Panleucopenia)
It is very contagious and the death rate is high, especially under 12 months of age. Pregnant cats may lose their young or give birth to kittens with abnormalities, quite often with brain damage. Symptoms are depression, loss of appetite, uncontrollable vomiting and diarrhoea, often with blood and severe abdominal pain.

The virus spreads so easily that heavily contaminated areas may need cleaning with a special disinfectant. Cats that do recover may continue to carry the virus for some time and infect other cats.

Feline Respiratory Disease (Catflu)
It is caused in 90% of cases by feline herpesvirus (feline rhinotracheitis) and/or feline calicivirus.

Feline respiratory disease affects cats of all ages, especially young kittens, Siamese and Burmese cats. It is highly contagious and causes sneezing, coughing, runny eyes, nasal discharge, loss of appetite and tongue ulcers.

Fortunately, the death rate is low except in young kittens, but the disease is distressing and may persist for several weeks. Recovered cats can continue to carry and spread the infection for long periods, and can show signs of the disease again if they become stressed.

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV)
Feline AIDS is a disease caused by infection with feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) and affects the cat’s immune system. Their natural defence against attack by other diseases may be seriously affected, much in the same way as human AIDS.

This disease is not transmissible to humans.

FIV is almost always transmitted by bites from infected cats. The virus that causes the disease is present in saliva.
While some infected cats show no sign of disease, others may display initial symptoms such as fever, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, lethargy and swollen lymph nodes.

As the disease progresses, symptoms may occur such as weight loss, sores in and around the mouth, eye lesions, poor coat and chronic infections.

Eventually, the immune system becomes too weak to fight off other infections and diseases. As a result, the cat may die from one of these subsequent infections.

Unfortunately in Australia, a lot of cats are infected with this virus.

Currently I do not stock FIV vaccinations. Please contact me if you wish to have your cat vaccinated against FIV and I can provide advice.

24/03/2020