Does your dog or cat like to hunt wildlife, such as reptiles and amphibians? Frogs, geckos and snakes may carry the Spirometra tapeworm, also known as the zipper tapeworm. This tapeworm infects dogs and cats when they eat these hosts.
Did you know that the Windaroo Veterinary Surgery Animal Hospital has its own Facebook page?
Over the past few weeks we have seen a number of dogs who have been bitten by Eastern Brown Snakes and required extensive treatment to save their lives.
The transfer process of heartworm begins when a mosquito bites and feeds off an infected dog or cat. This mosquito picks up the juvenile stage of the heartworm in the blood, which are then transmitted to a new host when that mosquito bites an uninfected animal. It then takes approximately 6 months for the heartworm to mature in the blood vessels in the heart, where they can then reproduce and contribute to the environmental problem.
Most people are aware of paralysis ticks and the danger they pose to our pets. The life cycle has multiple stages, including the eggs, larvae, nymphs and adult forms. When a tick attaches to their host, they inject a toxin as they feed which causes paralysis in the host. It generally takes about 4 days of attachment before clinical signs start to show- these signs include difficulty eating and drinking as their ability to swallow is affected, difficulty walking or standing, and changes to their normal breathing rate and pattern.
Most pet owners know that fleas can irritate their pets skin, causing them to scratch, and some pets may even be allergic to flea bites. But do you know the lifecycle of fleas, and how it is important in their control?
Don’t delay this Winter 2017
Do you have a cat or dog that is not yet desexed?
Did you know that some pets, especially cats, can reach sexual maturity and reproduce from just 4 to 6 months of age?
Written by Dr Laura Coughran, BVSc
Does your pet scratch their ears or shake their head more often than normal?
Written by Dr Jesse S-Wardle (BVSc (Hons))
At Windaroo Animal Hospital, our patient’s health and well-being is of paramount importance. Our patients are unable to tell us if they are unwell, and illness can be masked even if they appear happy and healthy.
Have you noticed any lumps or bumps on your pet? If so, it is always wise to get them checked. Lumps and bumps can arise from many different causes including infections, inflammation or tumours.
Windaroo Veterinary Surgery Animal Hospital is a family owned business. Providing personalised vet care to the Logan region since 2008. Our hospital was founded by Dr Lisa Roberts and is now owned and managed by Dr Shibly Mustapha.
Our qualified nursing and reception staff have been hand selected to lead our team for their sincere compassion, and animal handling skills, especially under pressure.
