Welcome to our Autumn edition of Vets Loves Pets!

After being all ‘loved up’ in February with Valentine’s Day we thought now is the perfect time to talk about hearts.
  • Have you ever considered a rabbit as a pet? We look at how to take care of ‘Easter bunnies’.
  • Did you know pets can suffer heart conditions just like humans?
  • Easter is coming and sadly all those yummy chocolate eggs make it a peak time for pet poisonings to occur. We will help you keep your pets safe from treats that may be toxic.
  • We also have some fabulous offers at the bottom!
From your caring team at
Karrinyup Small Animal Hospital
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Rabbits and other 'pocket pets' can bring lots of fun into your life! While dogs and cats are still the most common, pocket pets such as rabbits, guinea pigs, ferrets and rats can make great pets if you are a bit tight for space at home and long for a furry critter to share your life.

If an 'Easter Bunny' is for you, should you opt to have more than one it is important to have them desexed, as they quickly increase in numbers. Rabbits, like dogs and cats, love receiving affection from you and can be trained to use a litter tray indoors. Rabbits can however, 'hide' an illness so prompt veterinary care should be sought if you have any concerns.
Our top tips for a healthy bunny this Easter:
  1. Have our vets give your rabbit an annual health check to keep them happy and healthy.
  2. Have your bunny vaccinated to protect against a disease carried by mosquitoes (calicivirus).
  3. Desex your bunny to prevent unplanned parenthood.
  4. Allow safe 'roaming' and play with toys like cat tunnels.
  5. Protect from heat and cold - temperature over 25°C can be fatal.
  6. Talk to us about what to feed your rabbit - high fibre diets are essential for healthy bunnies. Rabbit teeth need special food as their back teeth never stop growing!
  7. Protect from flies - talk to us about safe options to protect your rabbit from 'fly strike'. 8. Provide a mosquito proof enclosure to protect from mosquito borne myxomatosis.
​​Please book in to see us straightaway if your bunny:
  • is slow to eat - rabbits cannot vomit so all tummy problems need our attention quickly
  • is soiled around their rear
  • has difficulty breathing
  • has any lumps especially around their face
  • has swollen or runny eyes
  • if you suspect is a bit 'off colour' in any way​​

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How can you tell that your pet loves you?

Is it by their waggy tail or loud purr? We love to receive our pet’s affection but love might not be the only thing residing in their hearts

In Australia mosquitoes can transmit lots of nasty diseases and parasites - just one
bite could put your pet at risk of deadly heartworm. Foxes are on the rise in urban
areas and carry the disease, putting pets at risk. 

​Dogs in particular are at risk as they can often carry the disease without showing symptoms until damage to the heart and blood vessels has occurred. Thankfully as vets we can help keep your furry loved ones safe. Prevention is definitely better than the cure when it comes to heartworm. Give us a call to see what the best option is for your pet​
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Heartworm symptoms
Dogs
  • A mild cough that won’t go away
  • Less interest in play or exercise
  • Tiring more easily
  • Less interested in food
  • Weight loss
  • As heartworm progresses, heart failure can develop and fluid builds up in the abdomen and you may notice a swollen belly

Cats
  • Coughing or asthma like attacks
  • Vomiting
  • Lack of appetite
  • Weight loss
  • As heartworm progress, cats may have problems walking, may faint, have epilepsy like seizures or have flid accumulate in their
  • abdomen causing a swollen belly as it does with dogs

Take the healthy heart test today

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Pets just like humans can suffer heart conditions. Thankfully as vets we can diagnose these at early stages and although cures are not always possible we do have a range of medications and treatment options to help give your pet the best quality of life possible.

One way we keep track of how a heart is performing is by measuring a pet's breathing rate. If the heart is struggling to pump properly, fluid can start to build up in the lungs which causes the breathing rate to increase.
Pet heart check

  • Is your pet’s breathing rapid or laboured
  • Is your pet coughing
  • Becoming tired more quickly than usual
  • Not eating or gaining weight
  • A bloated abdomen or any swelling
  • Fainting or loss of consciousness no matter how long
  • Muscle weakness
  • Distancing him or herself from you or other pets and not wanting to play as usual
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Ticked any boxes?
Call us now

Sharing isn't caring when it comes to chocolate

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As vets we all too often see well-meaning owners or children share their treats with
pets with dire consequences. Chocolate even in small amounts can be fatal as pets can’t process the theobromine in chocolate like us humans can and toxic levels build up quickly.

Just as you would keep garden chemicals and medications out of reach of children you must also do the same for pets. Please ask us about safe treats for your pets and keepall chocolate including chocolate cake out of
harm’s way.

Avoid feeding any of the following which are potentially toxic to pets:
• Chocolate (e.g. bars, cakes, choc milk)
• Onions and garlic
• Yeast dough, mouldy or spoiled foods
• Alcohol, cigarettes, tobacco
• Any human medications
• Macadamia nuts

‘Bone’ voyage! Travel with pets 

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It’s great to share holidays with pets and we have so many great pet friendly destinations to choose from. For a safe and happy holiday
for all the family we recommend you give us a call to check for any parasites specific to the area you are travelling to, e.g. paralysis
ticks. If you aren’t travelling soon keep our checklist on hand for when you plan your next trip.

If you need to use a kennel or cattery please don’t forget to book well in advance. Make sure you have up-to-date vaccinations with current certificates to avoid disappointment.  Not sure? Give us a call.
Your safe travel checklist
  • Parasite protection – paralysis ticks can be found in NSW, QLD and in parts of Victoria and heartworm prevention is a must. Call us to discuss.
  • Regular medications for your pets e.g. arthritis or anti-seizure.
  • Car seat covers and a car harness for dogs or carriers for cats.
  • Collars and leads.
  • Food and bowls (keep water on hand for drink breaks on long car journeys).
  • Bedding, if not supplied.
  • Toys and treats.
  • Poo bags.
  • Shampoo and towel.
  • Download our free emergency app for iphone or android.
Happy memory making!

Autumn Special Offers