Dosing tablets to your pet
Dogs
Make three small balls of mince. Hide the tablet in one of the balls, taking care not to transfer the smell of the tablet onto the decoy balls. Feed the first ball as a dry run, the second with the tablet, and the third as a reward.
Cats
Hold the head firmly with the nose facing the ceiling. Holding the tablet between thumb and index finger of the other hand, use the middle finger to prise the teeth apart and pop the tablet into the back of the throat and hold the mouth closed. A licking action will tell you that your efforts have been successful.
Dogs dragging their bums
Dogs that scoot along the ground are very often considered, erroneously, to have worms. Such behaviour is almost always due to blocked anal sacs (which produce territory-marking scent). This can be a very painful condition which often leads to constipation or infection. Simply blocked anal sacs can be cleared by your vet. Badly blocked sacs may required flushing or even surgical removal.
House training your new puppy
The name of the game is 'being in the right place at the right time'. By anticipating when you pup may be due to go you can increase the chances of having them on the lawn when it matters. Take them out after waking up, after meals, after drinking and play. By praising them every time they get it right they will associate their toilet activities on the lawn with positive feedback from you. Before long they'll have it!
What do I do if I have an emergency after hours?
Their is a vet on call to help you with an after hours emergency at any time between our normal opening hours. Dr Hensburg will cover most of the after-hours emergencies, but occasionally our telephone line will be diverted to an alternate vet, to allow our team some time off. Simply call our office number and you will be diverted to the vet on call.
My dog or cat eats grass. Should I be concerned?
While many carnivores occasionally eat grass without any ill effects it is usually a clear indication that they can feel that something is amiss in their digestive system. This is their means of showing you that all is not well. Some of the causes of this behaviour will subside on their own, but many may persist to cause further discomfort. Some examples of this are blocked anal sacs, intestinal worms, indigestion from inappropriate food, constipation and intestinal infections. Therefore it is best to have your pet examined timeously to prevent something serious happening.
My animals have a flea problem. What do I do?
Controlling fleas, particularly at the coast, can be a real challenge. Breaking the flea life cycle is the only way to prevent a resurgence of these very prolific and capable insects. Regular application of a reputable product to your pet's skin will ensure that any newly acquired fleas will come into contact with the product and will therefore die. Sterilization of surviving fleas once your product concentration diminishes is also a critical factor and so the product you choose should be able to perform both functions. With so many inadequate products available it is no wonder we still have fleas! Speak to us about the products you should be using, and how to get the best results for your efforts.
