Christmas and New Year Open Hours

December 2019

24th            8.00am - 5.00pm

25th, 26th, 27th, 28th, 29th  CLOSED

30th            8.00am - 5.00pm

31st            8.00am - 4.00pm

January 2020

​1st, 2nd    CLOSED

​January 3rd onward we are open normal hours

Phone 5211457

Cattery

Our cattery is closed from 4pm on 24th of December until the 3rd of January.

Our cattery hours are between 10am to 2pm Monday to Friday and 10am-1pm on Saturdays.

Important Things To Remember In December

• Check your pets vaccination status.
  
• Check with the cattery or boarding kennel for their vaccination requirements.
• If your pet is on prescription medication order it well in advance.
• Order your pets prescription food well in advance.
• If your dog is indoors don't put chocolate under the Christmas tree.
• Travel safely and have a great holiday!

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease of dogs and other mammals, including humans, which mainly affects the kidneys and liver. It is caused by Leptospira, a spiral-shaped bacterium that multiplies in the kidneys of animals and is shed in the urine. It has many species and serovars (strains), some of which cause disease in dogs but very rarely in cats.
The most important aspect is that it can be transmitted to humans, which constitutes it as a ZOONOSIS, hence its importance.
Leptospira is a bacterium that thrives in water and can be carried mainly by rats and other rodents. Infected or recovered dogs may act as a source of infection.
Ingestion of infected urine or rodent-contaminated garbage is the most important means of transmission, but some forms of the bacteria can penetrate damaged or thin skin. For instance, when dogs swim in contaminated water, they may become infected through their skin.
In New Zealand urban areas, water-logged recreational fields and reserves and waterways, are a particular risk.
Many Leptospira infections go undetected, but other cases can be life-threatening.
The most effective way of preventing this disease in dogs is through an annual vaccination. The new viral vaccines such as Distemper, Hepatitis and parvovirus are effective for 3 years, whereas bacterial vaccines such as leptospirosis and kennel Cough are only effective for 12 months.
It is important to prevent the spread of this disease by yearly vaccinations.

This is a part of the vaccination program that we have at Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic.

Bone Diseases in Growing Dogs

There are many causes of limping and lameness in young dogs. Most of these are relatively minor, however, there are some causes that are more serious, and if not treated promptly, may result in permanent lameness or lead to debilitating arthritis.
The larger breeds of dogs have several bone diseases that can occur during the period of rapid growth that happens up to two years of age.

One of the most common, Osteochondritis dissecans or osteochondrosis, is a defect of the smooth cartilage surface within one or more joints. It most commonly affects the shoulder, but the elbow, hip or knee may also be involved. In some cases, the defect is either a flap of cartilage or a crack in the cartilage on the end of the bone. In other cases, a piece of cartilage breaks off and floats freely in the joint (sometimes called a "joint mouse"). This causes pain, which varies from mild intermittent limping, to intense constant pain.

This disease is most frequently seen in the larger breeds such as Labradors, Retrievers, Rottweilers and German Shepherds but is not just confined to these breeds. It is often first seen between 7 and 12 months of age and factors like genetics and inappropriate nutrition seem to be the most influential ones. It is more frequently found in dogs receiving too much energy and calcium in the diet.
There is no substitute for a well-balanced commercial puppy or kitten diet.

You are welcome to discuss your puppy’s or kitten’s diet with any of our staff.

Regular Blood Testing. Why it is so important to your Pet’s Health.

At Kohimarama Veterinary Clinic, we offer blood tests as part of the Annual Health Check and Vaccinations. It is a good idea to consider blood testing every 2 to 3 years. Sophie’s story below, written by her owner, is a good reminder of why it is so important.

“Over the years I've had many Vets ask if we wanted bloods taken from our dogs, including Sophie. Often described as a useful thing to do because changes over time can be seen and tracked. The importance of that never really registered until our experience with Sophie's liver failure. My assumption was that illness would be evident. My takeout from her Liver illness was, that is not always the case. Liver disease and then failure progressed slowly and gradually and was not apparent until she had a vastly reduced liver size, function, and cirrhosis. Too late sadly. So now, I think of blood tests as an early detection system. For $140 or there about it's a whole lot less expensive than a $3500 liver biopsy, not to mention emergency care and an ultrasound before all that.

So I'd advise owners to have bloods taken as part of the annual health check on their pet (especially owners of pedigree dogs who may be pre-disposed to certain illnesses).

We did everything we could for Sophie once we knew something was badly wrong. My only lasting regret is that we did not discover her illness earlier. A blood test is pretty much the only way it would have come to light.

Sophie was only six and a half years old when we had to put her to sleep.

I hope the story helps some of your clients and saves them the heartache we felt.”

New !  Hills Gastrointestinal Biome

Digestive/Fiber Care

Your pet's digestive health can be negatively affected by many things and when your pet has digestive upset, it’s a thoroughly unpleasant experience for everyone involved. The good news is that you can help your pet feel better with a food that revolutionises the way to approach fiber-responsive Gastro-intestinal (GI) issues by putting microbiome health – the unique gut ecosystem of your pet - at the forefront of GI care.

Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians formulated Prescription Diet® Gastrointestinal Biome nutrition with ActivBiome+TM, a new ingredient technology, to actively promote regular healthy stool and help reduce risk of future episodes.

How It Works:

    With breakthrough ActivBiome+TM ingredient technology
    High levels of Omega-3 fatty acids (DHA & EPA)
    Optimally balanced soluble and insoluble fibers

ActivBiome+ ingredient technology is a proprietary blend of active fibers shown to nourish gut microbiome to support digestive health and well-being

How It Helps:

Hill's® Prescription Diet® Gastrointestinal Biome actively promotes regular healthy stool and helps reduce risk of future episodes.

Quick response - clinically tested to help firm loose stool in 24   hours
Helps soothe digestive tract
Promotes growth of beneficial gut bacteria to maintain digestive health
S+OX SHIELDTM: Formulated to promote a urinary environment that reduces the risk of developing struvite & calcium oxalate crystals

Vaping and Pets Don’t Mix

As vaping continues to skyrocket, so do concerns about adverse health effects.
Initially seen as a healthy substitute for smoking cigarettes, e-cigarettes are coming under increasing scrutiny for potential health hazards that may exceed the dangers of traditional cigarettes. E-cigarettes can contain harmful and potentially harmful ingredients that include:
• Ultrafine particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Falvorants such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to serious lung disease
• Heavy metals, such as nickel, tin and lead

Regular e-cigarette cartridges contain high levels of liquid nicotine.
If dogs get into these cartridges, they can develop signs of nicotine poisoning.
These include; vomiting, agitation and high heart rates.

So please keep vaping supplies away from pets.

Reference: Tony Reynolds, American Animal Hospital Association publications, 24/10/2019