Exciting News From EHVH

Have you met our new smiling faces in reception on your last visit? We welcome our new nurses – Caroline, Shannon & Emma to the team – they come with loads of experience & enthusiasm to assist you with your precious family pets.

In the meantime – some of us are wondering – is there something in the water at EHVH? Yes the rumours are true – EHVH is welcoming FIVE new babies to our team in the next few months!

It is with great excitement & anticipation we wish Leah, Jade, Katrina, Jacqui & Dr Jesse’s wife – all the best in the coming months & their adjustment to motherhood. And in due course, we will welcome our wonderful nurses back on deck.

Cycad or Sago ‘Palm’ Toxicity

Three cycad species are popular ornamental plants and grow well in this area, with the Sago most common, though it is not really a palm. Toxic effects are seen in the central nervous system, liver, gut and mutation of cells to cancer formation. As little as two seeds will cause signs, but any part of the plant is toxic including the roots.

Dogs typically present with very non-specific signs like vomiting and lethargy (as with many other diseases). Signs can occur from 15 minutes to 36 hours after eating the plant. Look for vomiting, diarrhoea (sometimes bloody), jaundice, bruising of the skin, and weakness with tremors and seizures if severe.

There is no blood test to detect the toxin, and looking for seeds or plant material in the faeces or vomit will help greatly. Remember these signs are not specific for Sago toxicity and general supportive but intensive treatment for liver failure will cover most other causes; however, the prognosis for recovery from this toxin is poor. Most dogs will succumb despite treatment. Continue reading “Cycad or Sago ‘Palm’ Toxicity”→

Turtle Surgery…@ EHVH

We see many local fauna cases with vehicle injuries including turtles with shell cracks, essentially like a broken bone. The pieces need to be adjacent to each other and immobilized for healing to occur. Dr Jesse Hughes is our resident reptile doc, and he recently wired up the fractured shell of this fellow under general anaesthesia. He was induced with an intravenous agent into a neck vein (the long neck helps) and then has a feeding tube placed into his trachea to deliver oxygen and gas anaesthetic. He had his vital blood oxygen level and heart rate monitored as well. He will make a slow recovery under the ongoing care of our local wildlife care organisation, and then be returned to his local habitat as good as new!

Meet Our New Vets

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                                                                                                                                                                                                              EHVH introduces Dr Jacqueline Letondeur and Dr Holly Boyden as the new vets on staff.

You may be aware that Dr Natalie Adby has taken up a residency internship and further study at the Animal Referral Hospital at Homebush, and we wish her well in this new phase of her career.

Jacqueline hails from North Queensland gaining a Science degree and working in human radiography before graduating from Sydney University in Veterinary Science. Holly is also a Sydney Uni grad, and has worked in the U.K., and more recently at the North Shore Veterinary Specialist Hospital at Crows Nest, where she practised with specialists in their various disciplines.

Jacqueline and Holly add a new dimension to our hospital and bring an extra skill level in different areas.

New Danger to Pet Rabbits

pic8A new rabbit calicivirus strain (Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus RHDV-K5) is set to be released locally and in the Greater Sydney Basin from mid February to late March 2017. Pet domestic rabbits are susceptible and vaccination is advised but with upgraded protocols.

The K5 or Korean strain is spread by insects (flies, fleas), direct contact between rabbits, and via predator faeces (cat, dog, and fox). The virus only affects rabbits, and is not harmful to native animals and domestic pets other than rabbits.

Another calicivirus strain has been detected in wild rabbits in NSW in 2015 named RHDV2. It is not known how the virus entered Australia as it was first reported in France in 2010. This strain can cause death in young kittens and a proportion of vaccinated adults, and unlike the original strain tends to cause death over a more prolonged course of 3-5 days . The signs are more non specific, including lethargy, inappetance, fever, and gut stasis. The current vaccine is not fully protective against RHDV2. The updated vaccine used in Europe for this strain is not currently available in Australia. Continue reading “New Danger to Pet Rabbits”→

Cat Shelters Closed Due to Contagious Feline Enteritis Virus in Sydney

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Highly contagious Feline Enteritis Virus hits Sydney. Blacktown Council Shelter & RSPCA centres at Yagoona, Kemps Creek & Gunnedah have closed their doors to cats after an outbreak of this virus.

Feline Enteritis Virus (feline panleukopenia) is similar to parvovirus in dogs & wipes out bone marrow cells (which produce immune white cells) & intestinal lining cells.

Vaccination with the core “Feline 3” includes protection against this virus and vaccination every three years as an adult is sufficient to protect against this disease. (Remember, however, that the flu vaccine compound of the F3 is often repeated annually based on individual risk profile).

Internal Fixation of the Radius

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“Mithras” is a large 8 years old crossbreed rescue dog, who recently fractured his left front leg (radius and ulna) after escaping from the yard and getting hit by a car.

He presented with some facial and leg lacerations as well; and the fracture repair required internal fixation with a plate and seven screws to the main radius bone to allow healing over the following 8-12 weeks. The ulna should heal without surgery, and a splint was applied postop to aid in the repair.

Complicating the repair was a skin wound on the forearm which may have introduced infection to the bone causing non-union. Mithras required intravenous antibiotics before, during, and after surgery to reduce this possibility. The splint was removed three weeks post surgery, and Mithras’ owner has begun a range of movement exercises to regain normal movement in the wrist and elbow.

Celebrating ‘Vet Nurses Day”

nurses1Friday October 14th was Vet Nurses Day, celebrated at EHVH with lots of chocolates & flowers in recognition our nurses contribution to animal health care.

We can underestimate sometimes their value in the end result….for example with an orthopaedic patient – preop management of the patient includes administering the premed sedation, setting up the intravenous catheters, sterile skin preparation (the clip and antisepsis of the skin) – monitoring general anaesthesia and charting the vital signs – setting up a continuous rate infusion (CRI) of narcotics and lignocaine intravenously during and after the surgery – fluid administration, and giving drugs under the GA – blood taking, and processing of samples in our pathology machines – frequent application of ice packs and monitoring of analgesia & the monitoring of body temperature, and active warming of the patient during and after surgery. Post surgery the dressing changes & monitoring urine output……..

And then…………….you add in receptionist, telephonist, cleaner, social worker, animal behaviourist, rehab instructor, social worker and bereavement counsellor to their job description, and you get some idea of the skills our committed nurses carry out in a regular day at EHVH.

Here are a couple of beautiful comments on our FB page….choc

“Yes, I must say that we have been patrons of EHVH for 20 years! Have nursed my fur babies in and out of the world so perfectly! The culture of this practice is awesome! The vet nurses have always been the best. (Sally) 

Best vet nurses around! Shadow, Phoenix, Zoe and I can’t thank you guys enough for all your amazing work. We tell everyone to come & see you all! (Simone) 

ORAVET – Artificial Bones!

Is there an alternative to natural bones as an aid to dental care for your family dog?

oravetwebOravet is a tasty chew available in four different size packs for all dogs with a permanent set of teeth (six months of age or older).

Most of our clients are now aware of our advice to consider the “long cut sheep neck”  to minimise dental calculus and periodontal disease. We recognise however, that some dogs (and their owners) are not suited to them.

In general, artificial bones have not proven as useful as a bone replacement. Now, a novel product – Oravet, has come to the market which on chewing releases the ingredient delmopinol, which coats the gums, teeth and tongue to form a protective barrier that prevents the attachment of bacteria that leads to calculus formation and bad breath.

We recommend that if your dog has any periodontal disease (calculus and gingivitis or worse!) that this be corrected first with a dental scale and polish under general anaesthesia before embarking on a preventive campaign with natural bone, Oravet, toothbrushing, dietary change or a combination of these.

Dettol Causes Blistered Tongue

dettolPicasso is a three years old cat presented to us a day after being seen to lick diluted “Dettol” from the floor. She was slobbering and off her food. Examination of her mouth was difficult due to the severe pain. After heavy sedation, the degree of damage was obvious, with severe tongue and palate ulceration. The tongue and mucous membranes of the oral cavity are usually rapid healing, but the oesophagus was also likely to be ulcerated.

Continue reading “Dettol Causes Blistered Tongue”→