Riverview Vets

Blackie the cat came to us after a road traffic accident.  He seemed fine until his owner noticed he was breathing rapidly and shallowly and was reluctant to stand up from his crouching position.

We suspected a diaphragmatic hernia – a hole in his diaphragm caused by trauma.  We took an x-ray and confirmed that he did have a hernia, some abdominal contents had moved through the hole into his chest, and the normal negative pressure in the chest had been lost.  Hence the breathing difficulties – poor Blackie couldn’t inflate his lungs properly because of the intestines in his chest.  The only way he could get comfortable was to crouch.

Diaphragmatic hernias are a life-threatening condition and without treatment will prove fatal.  Treatment is via surgery and is a very difficult and delicate procedure.  There are no guarantees that your cat will pull through, as patients are generally in shock and respiratory distress prior to surgery.

We immediately started Blackie on fluids and prepared him for the biggest fight of his life – a long and complicated surgery to repair his diaphragm. 

Our surgeon replaced the organs that had shifted in the accident, set about repairing Blackie’s diaphragm, placing a chest tube to drain off excess fluid and ensuring his lungs could inflate on their own. 

Any number of problems can occur during surgery – the most dire being respiratory arrest.

Luckily, Blackie came round from surgery three hours later and started breathing normally.  He was placed on strict cage rest under constant supervision.  He was on a lot of pain medication and antibiotics, as well as having a chest tube.

He was a plucky cat, and regained an appetite both for food and attention!  After 3 days in hospital, we removed his chest drain and Blackie was allowed home. 

Blackie came back for check ups to ensure his sutures were healing well, and he seemed brighter and more energetic each time.  After a month, he had made a full recovery .

We hope he has learnt not to tangle with cars any more!

Diaphragmatic Hernias – A few Facts

·         Diaphragmatic Hernias are holes in the diaphragm.

·         Abdominal Contents can move from the abdomen to the chest, impairing breathing.

·         They are fatal if not treated

·         Surgery is long, delicate and may not be successful.  Riverview has a good success rate with these cases.

·         Symptoms include rapid, shallow, noisy breathing.  Some cats crouch in an attempt to relieve pressure on their chests.

"Whoa, Rover, whoa!" Sound familiar? If that's what it's like when you

take your dog for a walk, you may want to consider getting a head halter.

Halters are not muzzles. They can be a very useful training tool.

A lot of people get frustrated with their dog because it pulls on lead, or

lunges, or barks at other dogs or people when out on walks. This can

then lead to them not taking the dog out for a walk, which can then

lead to behavioural problems at home due to lack of exercise and mental

stimulation. Maybe the use of a head halter is the answer.

It is a very humane method of restraint because it doesn't cause any

pain. A head halter is a special kind of collar designed for dogs who like

to pull their people when they walk. When wearing a head halter, the

dog can drink, eat, or carry a toy when the leash is loose.

It consists of a strap that goes around your dog's nose and another strap

that goes around his neck, just behind his ears. The leash fastens to the

halter under the dog's chin. It’s like power steering – where the dogs

head goes, the body will follow. The head halter works in the natural

manner of canine communication. The strap around the muzzle delivers

a psychological message to the dog.

In watching a group of dogs, you might see a higher ranking dog encircle

the muzzle of another dog with his or her own mouth. Head halters

use this instinctual muzzle control to make a statement of leadership.

Most dogs recognize the muzzle strap as an extension of your leadership

and will often settle into a mellower attitude with minimal training.

A range of Head Halters are available here at the clinic. We are more

than happy to give you a hand with selecting and fitting the appropriate

size halter for your dog.

Torres is an 8month old kitten.  She is White with Ginger Markings, has blue eyes, is small for her age and she was neutered a month ago, so she may be missing some fur on her side.

She had a collar and tags on when she went missing Sunday 23rd January 2011.  She lives on the Model Farm Road in Cork and her family are desperate for her return.

If you have any information, please contact our Ballincollig Branch on 021 4874879.

This lovely cat was brought to our Carrigaline Branch on Tuesday, 18th January 2011.

He is very friendly, has been neutered and wears a blue collar.

If anyone is missing him, please contact 021 437 5628.
 

It's that time of year again - we've all eaten too much at Christmas and are trying to shift the Christmas pounds.

But what about your pet?  Did they indulge too?

Cats, Dogs and even Rabbits are prone to weight gain from overfeeding.

Now is the time to do some fat-busting for our pets!

Excess weight is as bad for them as it is for us, but thankfully, it is much easier to help them lose weight than it is for us.

The secret to their success is their owner's discipline!  You are wholly responsible for what your pet gets to eat, which is good news!  It means you get to decide what food and how much your pet can eat.  How easy would it be if someone did the same for us?  And it doesn't get much easier than putting down a bowlful of healthy food and providing fresh water every day (the exercise is a bit trickier!).

Make sure you speak with a veterinary nurse or practitioner as to what is the right food for your pet - simply cutting back their current diet may leave them deficient in nutrients and feeling hungry all the time.

Feeling hungry leads to begging behaviours, which in turn leads to you feeling guilty, giving in and feeding your pet something inappropriate.

Exercise is fairly straightforward for dogs - take them for a walk, somewhere they can go rambling without a leash is ideal, but remember to bring a bag for the doggy doo.  Don't over exercise very overweight, old or dogs with heart conditions.  Dogs are pretty good at letting you know when they've had enough.  Just like people, it's best to build up slowly so a 20 minute stroll on flat ground is a good starting point.  It'll be good for you too!

Cats are harder to exercise, since they spend most of their day sleeping.  It also requires a bit more imagination and interaction on your part.  Try a toy on a string and wave it around near your cat.  Or, make a sturdy mobile from cord and cat toys - tie three cat toys at different levels on a wire coathanger and voila!  A Cat Exercise Machine!    Cats also enjoy moving around different levels, so for the really dedicated cat lover there are specially designed 'cat playgrounds' comprised of posts set at different heights and with little hidey-holes built in.

If your cat is indoors set up a bird feeder outside a window your cat has access too - all that desperate clawing at birds through the glass is frustrating, but good for their weight loss (and the birds don't come to any harm either!).

Rabbits are harder still, especially if their pen is small.  Indoor rabbits should be allowed a large portion of the day to roam around the house, but owners should be careful their pet doesn't chew through electric cables!  Outdoor rabbits should have their diet carefully checked - many commercial foods use fat to help the palatabiltiy of foods.  Plenty of foods that are high in fibre and tough to chew will help keep your rabbit occupied, and use some calories in just eating the food.  If you have a safe backyard and very tame rabbit, allowing them free rein over the garden for a few hours a day is a great way to burn the fat!  Make sure they are supervised at all times though, and that your bunny has no access to poisonous plants.

All Riverview Veterinary Hospitals supply high quality pet foods at a reasonable cost.  If you are worried that your pet has a weight problem, please contact any of our branches.

Are you thinking of getting a pet for Christmas?

You might want to think about the costs involved.  Much like getting a car, there are ongoing costs involved in getting a pet.

In the same way you would budget services, tax, insurance and running costs for a car, you can build a ‘Pet Budget’ to manage the costs of pet care.

This article aims to outline the main costs a normal, healthy pet could incur.

Vaccinations – 2 vaccinations are needed in the first year, and 1 every year from thereon. 

Costs at the time of writing range from €40.00-€55.00 per vaccination and include a full clinical examination.

Worming – Animals up to the age of 6 months need worming monthly, then every 3 months for life.

Costs are based on your pet’s weight and start from just €3.00.

Parasite Control (Fleas, lice)– It is advisable to do this monthly, but it can be performed over the summer months only; you will notice less effect though.

Costs are based on your pet’s weight and start at €6.00

Neutering – We would advise pet owners to neuter their pets at about 6 months unless they intend to breed them. 

Costs are based on weight, sex and species and start at €45.00 for male cats, up to €190.00 for giant breed female dogs.

Food – we recommend a complete, high quality pet food.  This way, you feed less and your pet uses more of the food.

Costs do depend on the weight of your pet, but feeding can cost as little as 20c per day.

Insurance – we recommend getting insurance for your pet; as it means you can give your pet the absolute best care, and give you peace of mind should any accident or illness befall them.

Costs depend on species, age and breed but on average are about €10per month with a €75 excess.

 Make sure you read the small print on the policy before you buy though!

‘Accident Fund’– If you aren’t too keen on insurance, why not start your own ‘Pet Saver’ account?  Put in a small amount monthly to keep in case of emergencies or routine health care, and earn interest on the amount too!

Be aware that over the course of their lifetime, your pet may need dental work (most pets do need at least one or two) and that these involve a general anaesthetic. 

A straightforward scale and polish costs between €70.00 and €80.00.

Other common procedures include x-rays, blood tests and blood pressure monitoring.

 We do have a discount scheme in place for holders of a Seniors Card. Ask any of our staff for more information.

 For more information on caring for your pet, contact any of our veterinary team in any of our 4 clinics, or visit our website www.riverviewvets.ie

Have you ever wondered what all of those abbreviations regarding your pets vaccinations mean? Here are the vaccination’s that your pet should be receiving, their abbreviations, and a brief explanation for why these vaccines are important to your pet.

Feline Vaccines

FVRCP: Commonly referred to as the feline distemper vaccine. The abbreviation stands for Feline Viral Rhinotracheitis, Calicivirus, and Panleukopenia. Rhinotracheitis and calicivirus cause upper respiratory infections (sneezing, runny eyes and nose) while the panleukopenia virus may cause death in young kittens and severe diarrhea in older cats.

Rabies: This vaccination protects your pet from a serious viral infection that is spread through the saliva of infected animals. It is only necessary when your cat is travelling outside Ireland.

FeLV: Feline Leukemia is commonly found in outdoor cat populations but indoor kittens are not completely safe as the disease can be passed from the kitten’s mother. Outdoor kittens contract the virus through coming in contact with infected oral/nasal secretions or urine from a contagious cat. The virus actually causes cancer of the bone marrow and lymph nodes. It’s very important to have your kitten tested for FeLV and then vaccinated if your kitten is considered at risk. Be aware that an outdoor cat vaccinated with the FeLV vaccine can still be a “carrier” and infect an indoor only cat that is not vaccinated.

Canine Vaccines

DA2PP: This vaccine protects against several, fatal diseases in dogs.Canine Distemper (neurological or brain disease), Adenovirus (liver disease), Parvovirus (severe intestinal damage), Parainfluenza (respiratory disease) and Leptospirosis (severe organ damage)

Bordetella: This is also mistakenly known as the “kennel cough” vaccine. It spreads much like human ‘flu virus’ and can be contracted by dogs coming in contact with infected dogs. The vaccine protects your dog against certain strains of contagious respiratory infections. The vaccine is typically required 10 days prior to boarding, grooming, starting day care or obedience classes.

Rabies: This vaccination protects your pet from a serious viral infection that is spread through the saliva of infected animals. It is only necessary when your dog is travelling outside Ireland.

Pets don’t see Halloween in quite the same light as us.  In fact, it is a time during which veterinary clinics see an increase in injured, lost and sick pets.

The major causes of injury are:

• Scared pets trying to escape the noise of fireworks (or even noisy people if they are very timid!)
• Lit candles – kittens love the waving flame, and wagging tails can get caught in them!
• Fireworks themselves – be sure your pet is securely confined so they can’t get near them.

Lost Pets

Many pets are terrified by the noise of fireworks and run far from home, only to find themselves in unfamiliar territory.  Make sure your pets are in secure rooms or runs on fireworks night.  Ideally, wherever they are, it should be as noise free as possible.  Lots of warm blankets to snuggle in, a few favourite toys and of course, food and water should be provided.

Sick Pets

An excess of sweets often makes our children sick, but even small amounts can make pets violently ill or even cause their death. Xylitol is a sweetener used in chewing gum and drops dogs’ blood sugar levels to dangerously low levels.  It can also cause liver problems.

Chocolate, the pets’ worst enemy, is also a big issue at Halloween.  To be on the safe side, keep all chocolate in inaccessible cupboards.

Cats love glowsticks, but when they bite into them, the gooey substance inside causes severe irritation to their mouths.

Toys such as jewellery, Kinder Surprise toys and others with small parts and sweet wrappers pose two dangers – one from choking, and they can also lodge in your pet’s stomach or intestines and cause a blockage.  These blockages can be fatal, and often the symptoms are only seen very near death.  Keep your pet safe; make sure all small items are out of their reach.

And finally – costumes.  They look fun, and the forlorn look on your dog’s face is just hilarious, but if they don’t enjoy it, maybe they could skip this holiday. 

On Wednesday, 15th September, the staff from all the Riverview Veterinary Clinics made their way to the Oysterhaven Activity Centre for an afternoon of Team Building Activities.

Vets, Accounts Staff, Nurses, Agricultural advisors, Laboratory Technicians and Testing Assistants alike took part in an afternoon in the great outdoors.  There was kayaking, swimming and numerous team events.

This was followed by a BBQ and evening at the Carlton Hotel in Kinsale.

A great day was had by all, thank you to the main organisers, our Vet Fiona and Laboratory Manager Nicola, and thanks also to all the staff for being such good sports!

 SMALL ANIMAL NEWS

The nights are getting colder, and with the changeable weather some pets, especially the very young and very old, are more susceptible to illness.

Protect your pet by ensuring they are warm at night, and have a good diet to boost their immune  system.

Why not come in and talk with our veterinary nurses about the right care for your pet during this time, and all through the cold winter months too? 

POSH PETS NEWS           

Posh Pets groomers are getting busier and busier, thanks to the hard work of Susan and Flower.  To make their furry customers more comfortable, we are in the process of giving them a new premises!  Susan, Flower and dogs will be moving to their new Pet Grooming Centre in early October.

Don’t worry – it’s more convenient!  It’s just behind the main clinic building, and the street access is much closer.  Call in to the clinic if you’re not sure where to go; we’d be happy to show you! 

 STAFF NEWS

2010 at Riverview Veterinary Clinic is baby year! 

This year we have welcomed no less than FIVE new arrivals – congratulations to our nurse Emer, who had a baby girl Robin, and to one of our head nurses Janet on Ella who was born in April.

One of our accounting staff, and Bandon local, Deirdre, had a bouncing baby girl Julie in July.  Nicola, our lab manager, is now the proud mother of another baby boy, Finn and our Practice Co-ordinator Trish had a baby boy, Ormond, in February.

Riverview Vet Group are delighted to announce the launch of our new websites.

Aswell as our new online store we have also launched website for the following:

Posh Pets, Animal Health Labs, Premier Embryos, Veterinary Management,