Leafield German Shepherd Dogs

18/11/2024

At least they blow it in one hit 😜

11/11/2024

You may have noticed a recent media alert regarding cases of Parvovirus being treated in the SEQ area, close to Ipswich.
Thankfully here on the Sunshine Coast we rarely see Parvovirus outbreaks, however we treat many pets via telehealth medicine and potentially some of our patients are in higher-risk regions.
What is Parvovirus?
Parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes acute lethargy, loss of appetite, vomiting, and profuse bloody dysentery in dogs. It can be fatal, especially in puppies under 6 months of age or dogs who don’t receive urgent veterinary care. I have seen whole litters of puppies die from this virus in rural areas who didn’t receive the care they needed in time. One litter was on Christmas Day in my first year as a graduate vet. It was devastating.
How does it spread?
Dogs become infected by exposure to the virus that has been shed in the faeces of an infected dog. The virus is very resistant and can last in the environment under the right conditions for years. So even if your dog doesn’t socialise with other dogs, if they walk through areas where other dogs visit, they could be at risk.
Is your pet at risk?
Pups under 6 months of age are most at risk, and until 2 years of age dogs are still considered to be high risk. It is rare in dogs >2 years of age, but can still occur, especially in unprotected adult dogs.

How can you be sure your pet is protected?
Puppies should receive two vaccines by 12 weeks of age, then have their immunity checked with an antibody titre test. Throughout their life, these antibody tests can be repeated to be sure your pet remains protected.

What about a booster vaccine?
Simply administering a booster vaccine provides no assurance your pet is protected. The only way to check your pet’s immunity is with an antibody test. This provides assurance there are adequate antibodies circulating to protect your pet should they be exposed to the virus.

How can you have your pet tested?
All vets have the ability to send a blood sample to a lab that tests for Parvovirus antibody titres, however some tests are more expensive than others. At The Natural Vets we use modern in-house testing equipment that provides us with a measurable result. This test is affordable, accurate and requires only a small blood sample. This test can be done by a nurse if your pet has had a health check with a vet in the last 6 months. Just be sure to fast your pet for 12 hours prior to visiting us for their blood test! If your pet’s titre is not adequate for protection we will call you to book in a short telehealth consult with one of our vets to discuss next steps.

28/10/2024

Credit: Black Kraken K9!

16/10/2024

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15/10/2024

Here's one of my ironclad rules. When a new drug/medication hits the market, I avoid it like the plague for at least 1-3 years.

Why?

So I can see if it is likely to cause harm, adverse reactions, etc. You must understand that all of the initial research for new medications is done with small numbers of animals, and often misses side effects that only pop up when larger numbers of animals are exposed to the treatment.

This new arthritis medication blocks Nerve Growth factor (NGF) which has a reasonable efficacy in reducing arthritic pain.

The big problem is that NGF is found in lots of tissues and organs throughout the body, AND it's super important for the healthy functioning of the immune system, the nervous system, gut, - and really, the whole body!

So it's not surprising to me that so many dogs are experiencing serious adverse reactions. With two doses, the chances of an adverse reaction are about 1 in 550. The more doses (and it's a monthly injection), the higher the chances of harm/injury become.

I think there is a place for this medication as a 'drug of last resort' to extend life when we have done everything else. No way would I give it to my dogs unless this were the case.

However - the company that makes it is aggressively marketing this as a 'wonder drug, totally safe, side effect free'. This is what they are telling vets.

Also, the product insert in some countries list more side effects/adverse reactions than in other countries. This means vets are not being told the possible risks, and they might then recommend this medication for your dogs on the basis of what they know, which is not the full picture.

I'm personally amazed that this drug has been approved. The exact same thing for humans was not, because of the high risk of adverse reactions compared to other readily available arthritis treatments.

My advice? Avoid unless you're out of options!

I help animals all over the world heal and be well + happy with holistic veterinary care, kind training, and energy healing. If you want me to help your pets, message me! Zoom and in person appts available.

02/10/2024

24/09/2024

Human grade raw is the only kind, safe food for healthy, happy dogs in my opinion.