Dr Celia Gaches, Veterinarian

23/05/2022

The vast majority of clinically significant (disease-causing or contributing) tapeworms in our domestic animal species come from eating other creatures, even unintentionally! Creatures such as fleas, rodents, various bugs/insects, fish, reptiles, and frogs, can all carry tapeworms. These "in between" hosts are called either intermediate hosts or paratenic hosts (depending on the parasite behaviour in the host). Your pet is infected when they consume these intermediate hosts raw and uncooked, and the parasite then reproduces i side your pet.

Certain tapeworms can infest humans and cause deadly disease (eg Hydatid tapeworms), so if your pet is showing risky behaviours the humans around them may be at risk too!

This exceptional "faecal float"--a type of microscope testing--was performed to assess a feral cat for worms before moving in with a forever family. Its OVERFLOWING with a type of tapeworm in the Spirometra genus! Cat usually acquire these from eating uncooked frogs, lizards, or sometimes fish! Yet another reason to prevent your cat from consuming wildlife, and keep even an indoor cat occassionally wormed (as some of these critters can come inside, just ask Vet Assistant Piper!)

If you are concerned about tapeworms in your pet, speak with your local veterinarian. Faeces can be simplg tested for many types of parasites, then uour vet can treat correctly if needed!!

24/11/2021

Securing your dog with a harness in the car isn't just a law, it's safety!!

Assistant Lily attempted to exit the Ute today, despite a closed door and being secured to the seat. She did succeed, including slipping her harness and running around the horse farm. Because she had a harness on, and she was secured in the ute to this and not her collar, the worse injuries were my Ute's top coat and a couple bumps for her. This could have been much worse. She would not have been able to slip her martingale collar and this story may have ended much more tragically.

(We shall be making several adjustments to Lily's travelling arrangements moving forward. The ute injuries may be left for a while as a reminder not to trust Lily to be sensible, nor our plans to be stupid-proof!!)

09/10/2021

It's still a work in progress, but the BigAddition is complete! The Ute now has a hard canopy, courtesy of , to create the framework for a work and transportation space for assisting injured wildlife. Next up, storage system!!

Assistant Lily is modelling how wildlife and dogs should remain separated, even when the new space looks SUPER compfy!!!

22/09/2021

Fitting into mum's pouch can be a tight fit...but this little girl takes her yoga to the next level!!

Remember, joeys are cute, but need special care beyond a domestic pet. Only licensed, educated, and experienced caretakers should attempt to rear Australian Wildlife. Besides, as cute as she looks now, she'll be biting ankles and trying to dig through floorboards in no time!! Our wild neighbors are the most delight where they belong: Wild!!

20/04/2021

Your vet's pets have ruff days too! Ms Lily had a dental today, as she discovered that the metal cylinders in the kitchen contained...FOOD.

Yes, Ms Lily learned that--with the appropriate force!--she could chew these metal tins open and acquire said food. Mmm tasty!!

Alas, this discovery resulted in 2 fractured teeth, several gum sores, and more teeth that have been worn excessively (2 of which required removal). It also resulted in the loss of 2 cat food tins and minestrone soup being squelched all over the pale grey carpet...

She is doing well now, although very sorry for herself. I'm sure her special recovery meals of meat and dog-food-balls will go a long way to mending her heart!!

01/04/2021

Easter is an enjoyable time for family and friends, human, furry, scaly and feathered!

Unfortunately, many of our favourite Easter "Things" are dangerous for our pets.

While the cocoa in chocolate has the fortune of being dose-related and often diluted in milk and sugar, other dangers such as Sultanas and Lilies can severe kidney failure at very low doses.

If your pet ingests chocolate, make note of *how much* and *what kind*. Your veterinarian or Animal Poisions Centre can help you determine whether your pet's health is at risk and what action you should take. They can also guide you through symptoms and when to act (no matter what Maths say!).

Sultanas (Grapes) affect Dogs unpredictably, although new research is providing new understanding. Risk of kidney failure seems to vary on both the form of the grape (dried=dangerous) and the individual dog. Safest course is always to urgently contact your veterinarian or local emergency centre. Your dog may require urgent treatment or diagnostics, depending on when they had their forbidden fruit!

All True Lilies (Lilium spp and Hemerocallis spp) are *HIGHLY* toxic to cats. While the entire plant is toxic, many times the cat hasn't decided to take a munch on the plant itself. Lilies drop large quantities of pollen, and when a cat walks through or brushes against the pollen, it will stick to their paws or fur. Ingestion then occurrs when they lick the pollen off while grooming. Ingestion almost inevitably leads to fatal kidney failure, despite even exceptional measures. The safest prevention is to simply forbid them from any spaces where cats coexist. Cats get into the damnedest places, and being seemingly inaccessible is a guaranteed method to discover how creative your cat can be!

In the event your cat contacts a Lily, **immediately** call your veterinarian or leave for your local veterinary emergency centre. If your cat has pollen on their fur, consider pausing to wash the pollen off so your cat cannot ingest more on the way to the vet!! You'll have to make a judgment call here; if your vet is 60min away and your cat tolerant for a quick local bathing, wash your cat! If your vet is 10min away and your cat a demon where water is involved? Go straight to your vet! (Sedation will help them achieve a safer and more thorough wash). All you can do is your best. Either way, your cat will likely require immediate treatment, as well as several weeks of vet visits even if they are deemed safe in the short term. Lilies are beautiful flowers, but this is one to KEEP AWAY!!

When you are uncertain if your pet has ingested something toxic, or if they are at risk from a known toxin, your local veterinarian or Animal Posion Centre (or similar public entity) are the best contact points for you. As always, when in doubt, CHUCK IT OUT!!
(exception: identifying photos and/orr packaging should be kept for ID purposes!!)

13/03/2021

Outdoor playtime is excellent enrichment for cats!! To preserve our unique native ecosystems, I recommend enclosing play-spaces or using a harness/lead. Piper loves to explore the garden forest, and her harness and 2m lead keeps the birds and lizards safe!!

04/01/2021

It's about more than deaths. Prevention measures are STUPID EASY, guys. Just do it.

((If you are part of the small group of people experiencing sensory or respiratory issues with your masks, there are a LOT of forms and shapes of masks these days to protect your loved ones, your community, and yourself. If none of them work, consider improving your social distancing. Certainly, support mask wearing anyway, since other people's masks help protect you))

https://imgur.com/gallery/yIu2cdm

63432 views and 1720 votes on Imgur

24/12/2020

Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday season to everyone! If you do not celebrate Christmas, we hope you are able to take advantage of the public holidays and cheap seasonal tasties. Lily doesn't know anything about Christmas, but she LOVES the treats!!

24/12/2020

One of my favourite patients, a little Sacred Kingfisher!! He is very spunky and bitey, as wild animals should be. No major injuries were found on his xrays or exam, so we're hoping some time in the capable hands of a WIRES caretaker gets him back out there again

21/12/2020

Content Warning: discussion of animal suffering, household hazards

There are many ways we affect our environment, intentional and accidental. Bats are a vital component to several ecosystems including our own, and they are vulnerable to several pest management devices that do not target them.

This poor insect-eating bat was a victim of fly paper/strips. Fly paper harms (often kills) these little bats with a double-whammy of nerve-system toxicity from the insecticide, and the adhesive sticking to them all over. This sticky adhesive keeps them from flying and causes them extreme distress, leading to dehydration and starvation.

If a flying bug problem requires fixing, consider discussing non-toxic and less harmful management methods with a community pest control service. Sometimes, it's as simple as reducing standing water and refuse! Insect-eating bats themselves will reduce ambient flying bug levels. They are a 100% natural and organic form of pest control!

20/12/2020

Whenever possible, baby birds should stay with their families. This may mean some creativity on your part!

Baby birds that are injured or cannot safely remain (eg construction, local cats) can be seen to by local wildlife caretakers, and sometimes your local vet (like me!).

But whenever possible, relocate them to a safe location NEARBY and let nature do its thing. The parents will not neglect their young due to your handling!!

If you find a baby bird that needs to be reunited with its parents, you can construct a "bird bucket" to keep the baby safe until its parents return. See the poster below for a step-by-step guide.

Thank you for the helpful poster RSPCA Queensland. 🐦🦜

19/12/2020

It is amazing what a difference a small accomodation can make! For those who did not know, my own dog, Lily, has been recovering from a back injury. She's nearly back to normal, but has not been able to get on the bed by herself. We bought an up-sized "Dachshund ramp" from Dashie Dog Ramps and she took to it like a fish to water! Immediate quality of life improvement!!

Our pets will struggle and may suffer injuries and other mobility issues. There are ways to help them, if we but look!