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Ehrlichia and your Dog

30/3/2022

 

What is Ehrlichia? 

Ehrlichia is a type of bacteria that infects the white blood cells of dogs. Ehrlichia is spread between dogs by the brown dog tick. There are several different types of Ehrlichia (named after the person who discovered it - Mr Ehrlich). The type we have in Australia is Ehrlichia canis.. 

Ehrlichia canis
infections can be very severe and make some dogs very sick or even kill them. Ehrlichia canis particularly infects the cell called platelets that are involved in clotting. Additionally the disease causes an inflammatory storm around the body. Because they hide inside the blood cell, it can make it very hard to kill the bacteria. 
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Should I be concerned for my dog? What are the Symptoms?

Ehrlicihia is a very serious illness affecting the clotting factors, immune system and the kidneys of the dog. Without treatment, many dogs will die from this disease.
There are three stages to this disease and there is some cross-over between the three stages.

Early symptoms can include:
  • Inappetence (some dogs are off food for only a few days)
  • Weight loss (despite being fed normal to increased amounts)
  • Fever (in some cases)
  • Lethargy
  • Sore eyes
  • Cloudy eyes
  • Abdominal discomfort
  • Vomiting and/or Diarrhoea
  • Slight Cough
  • Sore Joints
  • Nothing at all

Subclinical / Carrier Phase
  • ​Your dog appears fine but has some changes in its blood that remains undetectable unless a complete blood count is run. These blood changes can make surgery risky.

End Stage (a few months to many years into the disease)
  • Kidney Failure
  • Shut Down of the Immune System
  • Death

The early and subclinical stage is generally easily treated, but the end stage disease can be very hard to treat.
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How can I tell if my dog has Ehrlichia?

A simple blood test is all that is required to see if your dog has Ehrlichia. A complete blood count is performed and if there is indication of low clotting factors known as platelets, then there is a strong chance that your dog has Ehrlichia and treatment should be started. The blood sample will then be sent for confirmation at special labs. 
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Can Ehrlichia canis be Treated?

Yes. Ehrlichia can be treated in the early and subclinical stages with the antibiotic doxycycline. End stage disease can be very difficult or near impossible to treat. There however have been some new experimental treatments for the end stage disease and hopefully in the future we will have better options.

It is important that a full course of medication is given as if some bacteria is left behind, then the infection can recur

Can my dog catch it again?

Unfortunately yes. There has been cases where dogs have been re-infected. So prevention is really important

Can people catch this disease?

It is very unlikely for people to catch this disease. There have been no human cases in Australia or South East Asia of this strain. 

Is there a vaccine for Ehrlichia?

There are no vaccines for Ehrlichia. 

How do I prevent this disease?

Ehrlichia is quickly transmitted by ticks. It only takes as little as 3 hours of tick feeding for Ehrlichia to be transmitted from the tick to the dog. Additionally, recent evidence shows that Ehrlichia can be passed from the adult ticks to baby ticks, so once it is in an area, the ticks will continue to transmit this disease. Hence prevention is key to stopping this disease.

Primary preventative - It is important to use a product that repels ticks. Two products have shown to be extremely effective in preventing tick bites and Ehrlichia are SERESTO COLLARS and ADVANTIX SPOT ON. They are over 90% effective in preventing Ehrlichia
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Secondary preventative - It is recommended that a back up treatment is used that kills the ticks. Products such as Bravecto and Nexgard are excellent products that kill the tick but take 5 to 24 hours to kill them. So these are not great as a primary product, as they are only about 70% effective.  But when combined with a primary product, it reduces the risk of your dog contracting Ehrlichia even further. 

How did it get here?

This disease came from overseas. In mid 2020, Ehrlichia was discovered in Kununurra, WA for the first time. Within a week of its discovery, through the work of our vets, it was found to be in Katherine and Central Australia. And within months, a true picture emerged showing it expanding throughout northern WA and the NT. We were able to look back at cases and believe it may have been around in 2018, but likely not prior to that. We now know we have the South East Asian strain of this disease and somehow it was introduced into Australia. The strain we have is particularly severe, but so far we have seen in the early stages that it can be treated. 

Our clinics in Katherine and Alice Springs continue to investigate treatment options for this horrible disease.

Online Ordering For Your Pet Now Available

23/3/2020

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Updated 23/3/2020
With outbreaks of Coronavirus occurring at various parts of Australia, Northern Territory Veterinary Services at our two venues, Katherine Veterinary Clinic & Alice Veterinary Centre is closely monitoring the situation in regard to COVID-19 with the various strains.

During lockdowns, as essential services, we are still operating and remain open. We remain vigilant following the advice of the Australian Department of Health and the NT Department of health and will act immediately in accordance with their recommendations. One big concern is ensuring that pets that need their medications or specified diets will continue to be able to access them.
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Pet Foods and Repeat Medication

For clients needing food or repeat medications, we have created a new online ordering portal on our website to assist with filling these orders as well as to help with social distancing. This can be seen at https://www.ntvet.com.au/katherine-veterinary-clinic.html or https://www.ntvet.com.au/alice-veterinary-centre.html. We recommend using this portal, alternatively you can phone us in Katherine on 08 8972 3599 or in Alice Springs on 08 8952 4353, or email us at info@ntvet.com.au. Payment can also be made online.
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Delivery Services

Over the next few months, Northern Territory Veterinary Services will also be introducing a home delivery service for medications and food. This will be at a cost of $10 for deliveries within the town limits and $15 for deliveries to Tindal or the Ilparpa region. Pre-payment is required and goods will be delivered to your front door or gate to reduce contact between people. If you have a special drop off point, please advise staff where you would like the deliveries placed.
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Coronavirus and Your Pet

16/3/2020

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updated 16/3/2020
​Advice from the Australian Veterinary Association 16/3/2020
What is a coronavirus?
 
Coronaviruses are a group of viruses that infect birds and mammals, including humans. They are often associated with the common cold, bronchitis and pneumonia, and can also affect the gut. The virus that causes COVID-19 is also a coronavirus and likely originated from a wildlife reservoir.
 

Canine coronavirus, which can cause diarrhoea, and feline coronavirus, which can cause feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), have been seen by veterinarians for many years.  They do not cause infections in humans. These coronaviruses are not associated with the current COVID-19 pandemic.
 
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Can COVID-19 infect pets?
 
There have been reports from Hong Kong that a dog owned by a patient with COVID-19 has tested positive to the presence of the virus in its nose and mouth. This is may be a case of human to animal transmission, however the dog’s first blood tests have been negative.  At this stage there is no evidence that pet dogs or cats are a source of infection to other animals or humans. We are continuing to monitor this situation and will provide updated information as it becomes available.
 
Should I avoid contact with pets or other animals if I am sick with COVID-19?
 
As the outbreak continues, a number of pet owners will be placed in quarantine, either with confirmed COVID-19 infection or due to exposure. We know that your pet is part of your family and you will want them to have the same level of protection and care as any other family member. Current information suggests there is no apparent risk to you or your pet from being in quarantine with you.
 
However, we do advise all pet owners continue to practice appropriate hand hygiene before and after handling their pet, their food and washing food/water bowls. At no stage should pet owners do anything that may compromise the welfare of their pets. We suggest minimising close contact with your pet during this time, such as hugging, face to face contact or sleeping on your bed.
 
What do I do if I am in quarantine or self-isolation and my pet is unwell?

 
If you are in quarantine, do not break quarantine to take your pet to the veterinarian even if your pet is unwell. By doing this you will put your veterinarian and staff at risk of infection. Ring your veterinary surgery first and ask for advice.
 
If your pet needs to be seen, your veterinarian will be able to work with you to ensure your pet will receive the care they need, while keeping themselves and their staff safe from COVID-19 infection. If your vet provides house calls, please let them know you are under quarantine before they arrive.
 
If you have any other concerns about your pet, please ask your veterinarian.
 
Note that this is a rapidly evolving situation and advice provided here is reflective of the evidence at hand. For up to date information on the COVID-19 situation in Australia go to health.gov.au


For a printable PDF, click here
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Parvovirus Outbreak

20/6/2019

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Outbreak Warning - Alice Springs & Katherine

June 2019 - Recently at Northern Territory Veterinary Services in Katherine and Alice Springs, we have seen a large outbreak of canine parvoviral diarrhoea including deaths of some animals. We have seen several cases in the past week, and there would be many more that do not make it into the clinic. This is a tragedy, as this life threatening disease is easily prevented in most cases by simple vaccination.

Parvoviral infection must be considered as a possibility in any young dog with vomiting and/or diarrhoea, or any adult dog that is overdue for vaccination with similar symptoms. Please note the new viral strain 2c can infect dogs that have previously been vaccinated but are overdue. We urge all dog owners to get their animals vaccinated for this disease. Prevention is far better and cheaper than treatment for this horrible disease. ​Regular vaccination ensures that your dog is protected.

Additionally, it is possible for cats to contract the 2c strain, so we urge owners to ensure their cats are up to date with their vaccinations too. 

Please note: Parvovirus poses no viral risk to humans, horses and livestock
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Parvovirus can affect all puppies. Please Vaccinate

What is Parvovirus?

Canine parvovirus is a highly contagious virus that causes life threatening bloody diarrhoea. In the majority of cases, the disease is frequently fatal if treatment is not sought. Parvovirus is one of the largest causes of severe illness and death for puppies and adolescent dogs in Australia.

​Parvovirus attacks the rapidly dividing cells of the gut lining and immune system resulting in bloody diarrhoea and immunosuppression. The infected dog then becomes severely dehydrated through water loss and septic from bacterial superinfections. Parvoviral infection must be considered as a possibility in any young dog with vomiting and/or diarrhoea. It should also be noted that sometimes the dog may not show signs of vomiting or diarrhoea, and may just be inappetent and flat.​ If unsure, it is always better to have your dog checked as early treatment increases the chance of survival.

How is it spread?

The virus multiplies in the dog into the millions and is shed into the environment through the vomit and diarrhoea of the dog. Wherever the vomit and diarrhoea lies, the ground becomes contaminated. The virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 months, even after the vomit or diarrhoea has been cleaned away. Only bleach or special disinfectants can destroy the virus in the environment.

​It is then, very easy for someone to walk through these areas and pick the virus on their shoes or clothing and spread it further. Dogs walking through these contaminated areas can pick it up on their feet and when they lick or clean their feet, they then can become infected with this virus.

How long is it between exposure to the virus and signs of infection?

It takes about 4 to 7 days from the time a dog is in contact with the virus to full signs of infection. Please note that during the first 4 days of incubation, dogs can still spread the virus.

Can Parvovirus infection be treated?

Fortunately, parvovirus in dogs is a treatable disease and if caught early, can be cured, especially with the advent of a number of new treatments, but this can be expensive. In our clinic, we have a greater than 95% success rate with intensive treatment, but the dog usually has to be hospitalised for several days for intensive care and requires multiple medications.

Home treatment for parvo infection is a bad idea when compared to hospitalisation and intensive care. The death rate rises substantially, and the profuse diarrhoea and vomiting will lead to heavy viral contamination in the home. ​Without proper treatment, a dog can become weak, septic and eventually will die. ​

What is special about the Parvovirus 2c infection?

This is a new strain of parvovirus that has been seen in Australia and is particularly nasty. Reports have indicated that adult dogs that have previously been vaccinated but are overdue have been infected. The vaccine companies have advised that each of their parvovirus vaccines do cover for this new strain. Regular vaccination will ensure that your dog is protected.

What can I do to disinfect the floors in my house?

Not many disinfectants will kill the virus, except for bleach and special disinfectants. If using bleach, mix 1 part bleach to 30 parts water and mop the floors. Allow 30 minutes contact time to ensure the virus has been destroyed.

Once better, will my dog be a carrier of parvovirus for life?

Once better, your dog will no longer be infected with the virus, but they should be considered contagious for approximately a month as they may have virus particles still on their fur and skin. They will no longer shed the virus. It should be noted that they will be protected for life against future infections with parvovirus, but it is still important to vaccinate your dog for other life threatening diseases.

I am worried about my house, is it safe to bring a new dog into my house or yard?

The virus can survive in the environment for up to 7 months. So if you are getting a new dog, and there has been no parvovirus in your yard for more than 7 months, it can be considered safe. However, you should still vaccinate your dog to ensure that they are protected, as virus can still be carried on your shoes and clothing if you were in contact with the virus elsewhere.

Dr Alex Burleigh BSc(Vet) BVSc
Dr Alex Burleigh is based in Katherine, NT at Katherine Veterinary Clinic, part of Northern Territory Veterinary Services. He is a part owner and one of the senior veterinarians at both Katherine Veterinary Clinic and Alice Veterinary Centre. Dr Alex Burleigh is a published author with works appearing in veterinary texts, scientific journals and online websites. He consults regularly at both practices.
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Cruciate Rupture & TPLO - Everything you need to know

19/3/2019

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The knee is a fairly complex joint. It consists of the femur (thigh bone), the tibia (calf bone), the patella (kneecap), and the bean-like fabellae behind. There are chunks of cartilage in between the femur and tibia called the medial and lateral menisci. They act like cushions, and an assortment of ligaments holds everything together, allowing the knee to bend the way it should and keep it from bending the way it shouldn't.

There are two cruciate ligaments that cross inside the knee joint: the cranial (in people the anterior) cruciate and the caudal  (in people, the posterior) cruciate. People may be familiar with the term ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and sporting injuries. They connect from one side of the femur on top to the opposite side of the tibia on the bottom, the two ligaments forming a cross or an X (hence the name cruciate) inside the knee joint.  The anterior/cranial cruciate ligament prevents the tibia from slipping forward out from under the femur. When the cranial cruciate ligament ruptures, the knee starts to slip - see video below

A normal knee

How can I tell if my dog's knee is injured?

The ruptured cruciate ligament is the most common knee injury of dogs. In fact, there is a strong chance that any dog with sudden hind leg lameness has a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament rather than something else. Often owners find that in some instances the hind leg suddenly gets so sore that the dog can hardly bear weight on it. If left alone, it will appear to improve over the course of a week or two but the knee will be notably swollen and arthritis will set in quickly. 

The key to the diagnosis of the ruptured cruciate ligament is the demonstration of an abnormal knee motion called a drawer sign. It is not possible for a normal knee to show this sign. This is shown on the 2nd video clip. 

A knee with a complete rupture of the cranial cruciate ligament

What Happens if the Cruciate Rupture is Not Surgically Repaired

Without a fully intact cruciate ligament, the knee is unstable. Wear between the bones and meniscal cartilage becomes abnormal and the joint begins to develop degenerative changes. Bone spurs called osteophytes develop resulting in chronic pain and loss of joint motion. This process can be arrested or slowed by surgery but cannot be reversed.
  • Osteophytes are evident as soon as 1 to 3 weeks after the rupture in some patients. This kind of joint disease is substantially more difficult for a large breed dog to bear, though all dogs will ultimately show degenerative changes. Typically, after several weeks from the time of the acute injury, the dog may appear to get better but is not likely to become permanently normal.

  • In one study, a group of dogs was studied for 6 months after cruciate rupture. At the end of 6 months, 85% of dogs less than 15 kg of body weight had regained near normal or improved function while only 19% of dogs over 15 kg had regained near normal function. Both groups of dogs required at least 4 months to show maximum improvement.
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What Happens in Surgical Repair?

There are three different surgical repair techniques commonly used today.

Extracapsular Repair

This procedure represents the traditional surgical repair for the cruciate rupture. This surgery creates an artificial ligament on the outside. This used to be the main repair performed, but it is now known that no matter what material is used, the ligament loosens within 2 months.

For this procedure first, the knee joint is opened and inspected. This is essential for every knee surgery. The torn or partly torn cruciate ligament is removed. Any bone spurs of significant size are bitten away with an instrument called a rongeur. If the meniscus is torn, the damaged portion is removed. A large, strong suture is passed around the fabella behind the knee and through a hole drilled in the front of the tibia. This tightens the joint to prevent the drawer motion, effectively taking over the job of the cruciate ligament.

  • Typically, the dog may carry the leg up for a good two weeks after surgery but will increase knee use over the next 2 months eventually returning to normal.

  • Typically, the dog will require 8 to 12 weeks of exercise restriction after surgery (no running, outside on a leash only including the backyard.

  • The suture placed will loosen and break 2 to 12 months after surgery and the dog's own healed tissue will hold the knee.

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Tibial Plateau Leveling Osteotomy (TPLO)

This procedure uses a fresh approach to the biomechanics of the knee joint and was developed with larger breed dogs in mind. Now we know this is the preferred surgery for both large and small breed dogs. This is the only procedure to significantly reduce the progression of arthritis in the majority of dogs when compared to extracapsular and TTA.

The procedure changes the angle at which the femur bears weight on the flat "plateau" of the tibia. The tibia is cut and rotated in such a way that the natural weight-bearing of the dog actually stabilizes the knee joint. As before the knee joint still must be opened and damaged meniscus removed. The cruciate ligament remnants may or may not be removed depending on the degree of damage.

This surgery is complex and involves special training in this specific technique. Many radiographs are necessary to calculate the angle of the osteotomy (the cut in the tibia). This procedure typically costs more than the extracapsular repair as it is more invasive to the joint but it is far superior.
  • Typically, most dogs are touching their toes to the ground by 10 days after surgery although it can take up to 3 weeks.
  • As with other techniques, 8-12 weeks of exercise restriction are needed.
  • Full function is generally achieved 3 to 4 months after surgery and the dog may return to normal activity.
  • Athletic dogs will have the greatest outcomes achieved with this surgery

Tibial Tuberosity Advancement (TTA)

The TTA similarly uses the biomechanics of the knee to create stability though this procedure changes the angle of the patellar ligament. This is done by cutting and repositioning the tibial crest where the patellar ligament attaches and implanting a titanium or steel "cage," "fork," and plate as well as bone grafts to stabilize the new angle. Like the TPLO, bone is cut, special equipment is needed including metal implant plates. Similar recoveries are seen relative to the TPLO but it does not slow down the progression of arthritis as well as the TPLOs.

Which Procedure is Better?

​The TTA and TPLO are much more invasive, more expensive, and require special equipment and specially trained personnel. They also have greater potential for complication. Are they worth it? For all the theory behind extracapsular, TPLO and TTA, results one year post-operative seem to be the same regardless of which of the three procedures the dog had performed. However, the progression of arthritis in the extracapsular technique and the TTA is rapid compared to the TPLO. The health of the joint with a TPLO  will be far better than the other techniques. There is some evidence that recovery to normal function may be faster with the TPLO.

How is the TPLO performed?
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Before surgery, an x-ray of the stifle is taken to measure the angle at the top of the shin bone, called the tibial plateau angle.  The goal of the surgery is to reduce this angle so that dynamic joint instability (cranial tibial thrust) is eliminated.  This is usually accomplished by creating a post-surgical angle of between 4 and 10 degrees, an angle not much different than is found in the human knee.  In most cases the surgical procedure starts with an exploration of the inside of the stifle joint.  This can be done arthroscopically or with open joint surgery.  The purpose is to assess the meniscal cartilages for any possible damage.  Damaged cartilage must be removed if the dog is to regain normal pain-free function.  The TPLO procedure itself involves the use of a curved saw blade to make a curved cut on the inside, or medial, surface of the top of the tibia.  The cut top portion is then rotated to create the desired tibial plateau angle.  A stainless steel bone plate is then placed on the bone to hold the two pieces in their new alignment.

Now that you know a bit about TPLO, let’s review some questions about the procedure.
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Q: Does My Dog Really Need Surgery?  I Read That They’ll Do Just Fine Without Surgery.

A: Published data suggest that approximately 15% of dogs will recover reasonably good clinical function without surgery.  Most of those dogs will be small breeds, under 7 to 10kg of body weight.  Those that recover normal function tend to do so within 4-6 weeks after they first become lame.  For the majority of dogs, surgery is the only way to return them to good function, period…..not braces or medications or herbs or physical therapy or wishing or hoping!

Q: Which Patients Will Benefit From TPLO?

A: While the procedure can be performed on just about any patient, including small dogs and cats, TPLO seems to be most applicable to larger breed, active dogs.  Although some surgeons have differing opinions, most feel that smaller dogs will do equally well regardless of what procedure is performed.  In general, dogs weighing over 45 pounds (20 kg), especially if they are very active, will benefit the most from TPLO.

Q: Why Is TPLO So Costly, Especially When Compared To Other Cruciate Repair Surgeries?

A: TPLO requires specialized equipment including a motorized bone saw with a specially-designed curved blade, a surgical stainless steel bone plate and 6-9 bone screws, between 4-6 x-rays, a significant investment in training on the part of the surgeon, and up to 2-4 hours of preparation, surgical and recovery time for each patient.

Q: What Aftercare Is Required?

A: Individual surgeons approach this differently and there is no hard evidence to suggest what is best.  Some restrict post-operative patients from climbing stairs and encourage kenneling when the owners are not home to supervise their pet.  Others encourage leash walks and moderate exercise under the owner’s control.  Still others advocate active physical rehabilitation beginning immediately after surgery.  All will require follow-up x-rays at various stages to gauge healing of the cut in the bone.  Once bone healing is complete, then exercise can be gradually increased to normal.

Q: What About Possible Complications?

A: TPLO is a major surgery and complications are possible.  Published reports suggest the complication rates may be somewhat higher than with less invasive surgeries, but other factors may be involved including patient factors and surgeon experience with the procedure.  Most complications are minor in nature in that they can be resolved without additional surgery and have an ultimately successful outcome.  Included in this category would be things like infections and inflammation of the patellar tendon.  More major complications, including failure of plates or screws and fracture of the tibia or fibula, are uncommon.  The development of bone cancer many months or years later in the area of the surgery has been noted in a small number of TPLO dogs.  The possible connection of this cancer with the procedure is highly controversial as the top portion of the tibia is a common location for bone cancer in the dog even when no surgery or cruciate problem is a factor.  Whether the rate of such cancers in TPLO dogs is higher than normal is not clear.  One of the most common post-operative complications is not directly related to the TPLO procedure.  Tears of the meniscal cartilage in the stifle are a common consequence of an unstable joint.  Such tears may exist at the time of surgery and they can develop in up to 11% of patients after surgery.  That’s true in dogs and humans regardless of what kind of surgery they undergo.  Typically, these patients do well for weeks or months after surgery before suddenly becoming lame again.
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Q: Is TPLO Really Better Than Other Surgical Options?
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A: If your dog is larger, younger and active the answer is yes.  The data has not always been conclusive about this, however.  For a good part of the first 20-25 years after the development of TPLO, surgeons were faced with a paradox:  they were seeing significantly better results with TPLO than with other procedures they had used in large dogs….but the research data wasn’t backing up these observations.  Why?  Undoubtedly, Dr. Barclay Slocum’s decision to restrict availability of the procedure through patenting of the technique and equipment had a major effect on the amount of research that was done. 
In addition, one must realize that veterinary research is always more restricted in scope and numbers than is seen in human medicine.  The New England Journal of Medicine will commonly publish studies involving tens or hundreds of thousands of human test subjects.  In veterinary medicine a study of 50 animals is a big study!  Why?  Money.  The difference in available research funds between human and veterinary medicine is astronomical, which probably isn’t surprising.  In the last few years, the research data is starting to confirm what surgeons have known all along:  TPLO dogs return to function faster, they develop less joint arthritis, and they tend to return to better functional levels than is seen with other techniques.  Evidence is now showing that the long term outcomes are better than the TTA technique and Extracapsular repair.  Although we can’t say for certain, it appears that these positive results also apply to other similar techniques such as CWO, CBLO and TTO.         
Updated 27/12/2019
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Cane Toad Poisoning in Dogs

7/9/2018

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The "Build-Up" is coming to the top end, and soon the tropical storms and cane toads will be upon us.
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Cane toads pose a serious threat to our pets with poisonings amongst dogs now very common. Over the past two decades in Katherine, we have seen the establishment of a strong cane toad population, and new pets to the Northern Territory may not be familiar with this pest.
So what makes them so toxic? 

Cane toads (Bufo marinarus) carry several toxins in their parotid and verrucous glands including bufotoxins, bufogenins and amines – some really nasty stuff. When a dog bites down on a toad, these toxins are released from these glands and they pass very quickly through the surface of the mouth. The toxins can affect the heart and nerves. One full grown toad has enough toxin to kill at least 100 medium sized dogs.
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What are the Signs of Cane Toad Poisoning?

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Signs of cane toad poisoning in your dog will initially appear as profuse salivation (frothing), head shaking and pawing at the mouth. If it is not treated or your dog receives a large enough dose, it can progress to vomiting, weakness, seizures, and eventually death. This all can happen within an hour.


What Can I do?

It is not all bad news. If your dog is exhibiting only mild signs such as frothing at the mouth, the most important thing you can do is to wash their mouth out for several minutes with water and rub it with a cloth. Make sure you don’t point the hose to the back of their throat or you can drown your dog, so hold their head down. IF, however, your dog starts to have seizures, seek veterinary help immediately!!! Generally the outcome is good with early intervention.

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Be careful, there are a few dodgy urban myths about toad poisonings. The most concerning one is that giving the dog activated charcoal can help. This is not true because the toxin is absorbed through the roof of the mouth. The charcoal will have no effect on the absorbed toxin. If the dog is shaking or having seizures and is fed charcoal, the dog may accidentally inhale the charcoal and this will cause dangerous breathing problems.

​It is recommended that once treated, your dog be checked over to ensure there are no after effects. If you are a long way from a vet, you should still call one as soon as possible to get any further advice.
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What if my dog swallows a cane toad?

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The good news is that stomach acid deactivates the cane toad toxin. So if your dog has swallowed a cane toad whether it is fresh or dried, unless the toxin touched the inside surface of his/her mouth, they will be fine (unless the toad is off - then there could be a case of food poisoning.)
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Last but not least..
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One last bit of advice… if you are unfortunate enough for your dog to go through a poisoning episode, after your dog recovers, please get rid of the toad. Preventing contact with toads is often difficult. Some animals will learn to avoid them as the poison doesn’t taste very nice, others will keep going back. One colleague in North Queensland had the same dog come in four times in the one night for toad poisoning.  So, if you see your pet playing with a toad you should remove the toad immediately, and observe your pet closely for at least the next hour. Drinking bowls should be placed up off the ground and checked and changed regularly or a safer alternative is small automatic waterers mounted off the ground.

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Lets just hope they find a way to get rid of these toads soon.

Dr Alex Burleigh BSc(Vet) BVSc
Dr Alex Burleigh is based in Katherine, NT at Katherine Veterinary Clinic, part of Northern Territory Veterinary Services. He is a part owner and one of the senior veterinarians at both Katherine Veterinary Clinic and Alice Veterinary Centre. Dr Alex Burleigh is a published author with works appearing in veterinary texts, scientific journals and online websites. He consults regularly at both practices.
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Colic in Horses

26/7/2018

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by Dr Megan Thomas
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What is Colic?

​Colic is very common in horses and includes a number of conditions. Basically colic is pain in the belly. This normally refers to pain in the intestines and/or stomach, but can occasionally include the kidney, liver, bladder or reproductive organs. Sometimes horses with a muscle condition called recurrent exertional rhabdomyolysis can present like colic.

Fortunately 80% of these are ‘simple colics’ referring to the gut and can be treated medically rather than surgically.

What are the signs of colic?

Signs of colic are associated with abdominal pain. This may include kicking or biting at the abdomen, flank watching, laying down and getting up repeatedly, pawing, decreased faecal output, inappetance, rolling frequently and generally looking uncomfortable.

Which horses are at risk?

A number of things can put a horse at risk of experiencing intestinal colic:
- Previous Colic: If a horse has previously had colic, it is at increased risk of experiencing it again.
- Breed: Even though all breeds of horses are at risk, Arabians and Thoroughbreds seem to be at increased risk.
- Diet: This is another component which can play a role in colic. Coarse roughage with low digestibility can lead to impaction colic, while high grain diets or a sudden change in feed can also lead to colic. Feeding horses on the ground or stabling on sand can put them at risk of experiencing sand colic.
- Parasites: Worms can also cause colic, particularly in young horses. It is possible for a horse who is regularly wormed to have a parasite issue if there is resistance. Chat to one of our vets about which product is best and how frequently it should be used. Generally in the more tropical regions, it is more important to worm during wet periods

My horse has signs of colic. What can my vet do?

A vet is essential to start treatment for your horse. The vet will examine your horse and using measurements such as heart rate, gum colour, gut sounds and level of pain, to help them determine the severity of the colic and what treatment is needed. The vet may also check a blood marker known as ‘lactate’ which is useful to determine the severity of the condition, chance of survival and response to treatment.

What treatment is given for colic?

Depending on the severity of the colic, the vet will give pain relief and assess the horse's response. Often a stomach tube is passed via the nose to the stomach, this assists in releasing pressure in the stomach, assessing reflux (whether there is vomit) and also allows us to administer fluids into the gut, as well as other treatments such as paraffin oil or magnesium sulfate if needed. This is a specialised treatment that only vets should perform. If the treatments go into the lungs instead of the gut, it can be fatal.

Often this is all that is needed. In some cases treatments will need to be repeated every few hours. In some cases, surgery is required. In some cases, intestinal colic is fatal.



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What causes colic?

There are a few different types of colic, the following summarises the commonly seen or talked about colics.

Sand colic

Many horses that are fed on the ground or are kept on sandy soils are at risk of picking up small amounts of sand as they eat. This accumulates overtime in the large intestines and cause inflammation, decreased function and impaction.
A vet is able to administer a combination of products via stomach tube which have been shown to remove sand from the intestinal tract.

Impaction colic

This is one of the most common causes of colic, it is possible to present with severe pain, however many can be treated in the field by administering fluids. Occasionally, larger and more severe impactions may require surgery to correct.  
It is essential colic is treated early because many are related to dehydration, whereby an mass of food becomes dry in the intestines and blocks movement. Therefore it is paramount that impaction colics are treated early to try and prevent dehydration and therefore the impaction worsening.
   
Displacement, strangulations and torsion colics

These forms of colic are very serious and can be fatal without some form of intervention.
- Displacement colic occurs when a section of bowel moves to an abnormal location in the abdomen.
- Strangulation Colics occur when the blood supply to a piece of gut gets cut off. This can be due to fatty lumps known as lipomas.
- Torsions are another form of colic, this occurs when the bowel twists and cuts off blood supply.

These forms of colic are uncommon but are very serious, milder displacements may be corrected by medical management however more serious forms require surgery. The early stages of these forms of colic can initially appear like the simpler less life threatening impaction and sand colics.

Colic Myths –
Stopping your horse from rolling will stop the bowel from twisting.
The idea of walking a colicking horse is to distract the horse from the pain. You must remember however to not walk the horse to exhaustion and stop for a few minutes every so often to monitor for colic behaviour.

Things your vet might want to know
·         Has the horse colicked before?
·         Horses age?
·         How long has it been colicky for?
·         What signs is it showing?

·         How frequent are the pain signs?
·         Has the horse passed faeces?
·         When did the horse last drink and eat?
·         Any changes in the environment, feeding or management recently?
·         Has the horse been worked recently?
·         If a mare, is she pregnant? Or has she recently foaled?
·         The horses worming history. 

If you have any further questions, please contact one of our vets at either Ketherine Veterinary Clinic on 08 8972 3599 or at Alice Veterinary Centre on 08 89524353.
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Post Anaesthesia & Surgery FAQ

20/2/2018

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By Dr Fiona Pearson
​Today is the day and your pet has come to us for their procedure, what now I hear you ask. Is it as simple as picking them up tonight? Not quite but luckily it isn’t too complicated. The answers to our frequently asked questions below should help you help your pet have the smoothest recovery. 

I dropped my pet off for their procedure this morning, when will I pick them up?

​We usually ask that you give us a call between 2-4pm to check how everything has gone and organise a time to come back in and pick up your pet. 

What should I have ready before I pick my pet up?

​It is a great idea to have a nice warm cosy indoor area at home set up for your pet before you come pick them up. Ideally you’ll also be able to keep them relatively confined here to stop them being too active during their recovery. Somewhere warm and quiet is great for them to come home to as they’re likely going to be tired from their big day at the vets!
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What should I expect when my pet gets home?

​Your pet will likely be quite sleepy, this is very normal after an anaesthetic as some of the drugs can take hours to completely wear off. They’ll also probably be missing some fur! If they’ve had surgery this area will be shaved and they may have a shaved forearm too. Their forearm is where we give some of the injections and place catheters into their veins. They might have a little bandage over it; this is fine to come off that night or the next day. 

Can I feed them dinner?

Sure can. Unless your vet has told you otherwise your pet 
is fine to have ​​some dinner a few hours after they get home. It’s a good idea to just give a small bland meal such as boiled chicken breast and cooked white rice or a small amount of their normal food. We don’t want them eating too much too quickly as there’s a chance they can make themselves sick. They should have access to water as soon as they get home. 

​Do they have to stay inside?

​Yes. Your pet should be kept inside at least overnight and depending on the procedure longer may be needed.  

My pet has a bit of a cough, should I be worried?

​Not necessarily. Your pet may have had a tube placed in their windpipe so we could give them a gaseous anaesthesia. Sometimes this causes a little bit of irritation, if this is the case the cough should only last a few days. If your pet’s cough lasts longer than this or they are otherwise unwell, such as they have lost their appetite, then you should contact your vet. 

My pet keeps licking at the wound and chewing their stitches?

Unfortunately our pets don’t realise that licking at their wound isn’t going to help! In fact they risk pulling out their stitches or infecting the wound if they are licking or biting at it too much. If you see your pet repeatedly bothering their wound then they may need the dreaded cone around their head to stop this. Despite its reputation most pets actually quickly get used to this cone around their head and aren’t too bothered by it after a short period of adjusting. It’s a great way to protect their wound and protect you from an emergency trip to the vet because they’ve pulled their stitches out. Once it is on its better to leave it on rather  
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than take it on and off again as that can be annoying for your pet and it also only takes a moment for them to go back to chewing. If you weren’t given an Elizabethan Collar (cone) at the time of discharge but your pet is chewing the wound call the clinic and organise to pick one up. ​

What should the wound look like?

The wound should be clean and pink to reddish pink in colour. Seeing a small amount of blood seep from the wound in the first 24 hours is no reason to panic, especially if your pet isn’t obeying the rest and recuperation order and is being quite active. Some bruising may develop over the first few days, this is also normal. Things that would make 
you worry and call your vet are: continuous bleeding or bleeding in a large volume, bleeding after 24hours post surgery, any large swelling, if the skin becomes very red and hot or any discharge especially if this looks like pus. ​

Do these stiches need to be taken out?

Usually yes. Most of the time they are removed in 10-14 days, check with your vet when is the most appropriate time for your pet as this will depend on the particular surgery they’ve had. 

How long do I need to keep my pet quiet for?

​It depends. This will be dictated by the procedure your pet has had. At least keep your pet quiet overnight to recover from the anaesthesia. If your pet has had surgery the extent of the operation will determine how long they should be quiet. 

I’m confused by the medications

That’s okay. All your pets medications will have labels detailing how often they should be given and if they need to be given with food or not. Sometimes it helps to write them on the calendar if the frequency is going to change as it is important to get this right. If you’re still confused don’t hesitate to call your vet and confirm what you should be giving. This is better than giving the wrong thing!
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Pre Anaesthesia & Surgery FAQ

20/2/2018

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By Dr Fiona Pearson

​So your pet is booked in for a general anaesthetic, I’m sure you now have a few questions about what that means and what you need to do. There’s no need to be too worried, hopefully you can find all your answers below but if not don’t hesitate to give the clinic a call to ask any questions that you need.
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Is it the same as when I have an anaesthetic?

​Similar yes! Many of the anaesthetics we use in animals are very similar if not the same to those used in people. There are differences in the protocols used but the concept is the same. 

What does an anaesthetic involve?

​An anaesthetic is when drugs are used to make your pet unconscious and unaware of what is happening. First we give your pet some drugs to make them relaxed and provide some pain relief in preparation for the procedure. The particular drugs 
and protocol used will then depend on what procedure your pet is getting. For longer procedures, your pet then gets a drug straight into the vein that makes them fall asleep so we can place a tube down their wind pipe to give them a gaseous anaesthetic. Shorter procedures just involve an injection into the muscle. ​

​Does my pet need to be fasted?

​Yes. Your pet can have dinner as normal the night before but after they’ve eaten take their food away so they don’t
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have access to any food over night. Adult dogs should have no breakfast in the morning, but cats and young animals should have a small feed (unless your vet advises otherwise). And yes this includes treats too; we need them to have an empty stomach for the procedure to decrease the risk of regurgitation. They should still have access to water until 1 hour before they come in. This doesn’t however apply to rabbits or other small mammals which should not be fasted. 

Should I bath them before?

​Ideally your dog should have a bath sometime in the few days before surgery especially if they love rolling around in the mud. We want your pet as clean and dry as possible when they come to us to decrease the bacteria around that can potentially cause infection. Cats are usually great at keeping themselves clean so they don’t normally need a bath, phew!

What if they’re on long term medication, do I give this as normal?

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​Your vet may or may not want you to give your pet its usual medication just before the procedure depending on what it’s on. Therefore if your pet is on long term medication make sure you check with your vet before if they want you to give it or not. 
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I’ve been asked about pre-anaesthetic tests, why does my pet need these?

​We always recommend pre-anaesthetic blood tests to screen for some potential diseases that could make your pets procedure more risky. A really common disease up here is tick fever (Babesia and Anaplasma). Tick fever can 
decrease your pet’s red blood cells and or platelets and often they haven’t shown you any signs that they are sick! If your pet has tick fever, we can detect this with our pre-anaesthetic blood test and we would then recommend 
delaying the procedure if possible to treat this first so that your pet is a safer candidate for surgery. Depending on the age and health of your pet more extensive blood tests may be recommended as well as urine tests to evaluate your pet’s organ function prior to administering the anaesthetic drugs. Different drugs have different effects on your pets organs, particularly their liver and kidneys so knowing of any pre-existing disease allows us to design the safest possible protocol. ​​

It is the morning of their procedure, what do I do?

​We admit patients for procedures between 8am and 9am so bring your pet down between these times. Make sure you dog has been for a toilet walk before hand and be prepared to stay for a little while when you drop your pet as the nurses will have a couple of questions for you. It’s really important that if your pet has been unwell at all in the days leading up to the procedure that you let us know. Sometimes we might feel it is safest to delay the procedure if your pet has been unwell. 

Is it safe?

​There is a very small inherent risk associated with any anaesthesia, just as there is with people. The more details we have about your pet’s health on the day of the procedure the safer we can make it for your pet. Having said that the vast majority of procedures go really well and you shouldn’t be spending the whole day worrying. Monitoring your pet during the anaesthesia allows us to adjust what we’re doing to your pet’s individual needs.

When will I hear how the procedure has gone?

​We usually ask that you give us a call between 2-4pm to check how everything has gone and organise a time to come back in and pick up your pet. 
6 Comments

Hookworms - A Hidden Killer

27/3/2017

2 Comments

 

Warning - Hookworm outbreak

At Northern Territory Veterinary Services, we are seeing many dogs in the NT getting sick from a relatively easily preventable illness. Pups are in particular danger of dying from this disease. What’s an even more concerning development is that we recently are seeing adult dogs succumbing to this horrible illness.  What is it? Hookworms. Yes! Hookworms. There are several worms that can cause health problems but recently hookworms have been rearing their ugly heads. We have seen an unusual number of worm infested dogs, especially puppies. Regular worming is easy to forget but it is so important to keep your pets healthy, both in the young and old.
​
So what’s so unusual about this wet season? Well, we see a lot of these infections in the wet as the worms require water droplets to hatch out. So this wet season being particularly big and particularly long, we are seeing heavier burdens and greater number of animals affected.
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​What is hookworm?
The hookworm is a particularly nasty parasite (about 3mm long) that hooks onto the inside of the intestinal wall and sucks out a large amount of blood to feed.  Puppies can become infected before birth, through the milk when feeding from their mum, or through the skin from the environment. This worm causes blood loss, weight loss, pain, failure to thrive and in severe cases, death.  Unfortunately, hookworm infestation is usually first noticed when the pup is already very sick with very pale gums, lethargy or bloody diarrhoea. Adult dogs are more resistant but we do diagnose infections in them too, particularly when the environmental conditions are right. They can cause a more slow lingering illness in adult dogs.
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Can I catch it?
Hookworm is transmissible to humans. Personal hygiene is always important;- wash your hands after handling your dog and definitely before eating, Hookworm larvae can also hatch out in the yard and then burrow through the skin and cause itching. Children are particularly at risk. 
So how do we do we stop the cycle of infection?
Prevention is the best cure, and regular worming of all your dogs throughout their lives will help stop the vicious cycle of re-infection.
Puppies must be wormed from 2 weeks of age and every 2 weeks until they are 12 weeks old then every month until 6 months of age.  From then on, worming every 3 months is adequate, unless otherwise advised. Talk to one of our veterinarians for further advice. Over time, with regular worming, your dogs can act as vacuum cleaners for the yard and clean up the environment.
Cats don’t get hookworm but they are at risk of other intestinal worms, and so they should have a regular worming routine as well. Luckily for those slightly less sociable puddytats, there are effective top spot all wormers available now from vets. Phew!
​Treatment? Pop a pill – it’s that easy!
Always use a good quality broad spectrum wormer, and make certain the animal is weighed before dosing.  Under-dosing is common. It not only increases the risk of worm resistance but can be a complete waste of money as the product won’t be effective. We recommend Drontal as the most effective intestinal wormer. You are more than welcome to bring your pet to our clinic for a weight check.
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​New dog? What to do…
When you pick up a new puppy make sure the breeder gives you information on when the puppy was wormed and what was used. If they cannot do this, it is best to assume the pup hasn’t been wormed. Any new dogs or pups should be wormed as soon as possible to avoid infecting your own yard with worms.
 
If in doubt, just ask
If you have a new puppy or are planning to breed, call into your local veterinary clinic and speak to the staff who can give you the correct advice on prevention and treatment of worms in your dog.
For further information, call us on 08 89723599 in Katherine or 08 89524353 in Alice Springs at Northern Territory Veterinary Services.

Dr Lauren Walter

Dr Lauren Walter is based in Katherine, NT at Katherine Veterinary Clinic, part of Northern Territory Veterinary Services. She is a senior veterinarian at Katherine Veterinary Clinic with over 20 years experience with a keen passion for medicine of Dogs, Cats and Rabbits. Dr Lauren Walter consults regularly at Katherine Veterinary Clinic.
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