czu9xsnldnukl7r8

Rabbits

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 04:03:37 GMT

Rabbits are ideal companions if you don’t have a big garden. They enjoy living indoors and can be toilet trained. They are social and playful and will enjoy your company and attention.

Essentials:

De-sex your rabbit to prevent unwanted breeding, prevent reproductive disease, and reduce the likelihood of aggressive territorial behaviour.

Microchip your rabbit in case he gets lost.

Rabbits should be vaccinated against calicivirus disease annually.

Give your rabbit:

a constant supply of hay
daily greens
3 tablespoons a day of treats like carrot, apple (no core or seeds), banana and peel, or pellet mix
fresh water daily in a bowl or sipper bottle
safe secure housing to prevent escapes or attacks from dogs and cats
litter trays indoors

Groom your rabbit weekly if she has short hair, and daily if she has long hair. Ask at reception about the right grooming brushes. Grooming helps stop your rabbit from getting hairballs.

Health checks:

Twice a year bring your rabbit in for a check up to make sure his teeth are growing normally, and that his eyes, skin, nails, ears and coat are in good condition. Dr. Boersma can show you how to clip your rabbit’s nails properly.

Ask how to protect your rabbit from parasites like worms and fleas, and from diseases like calicivirus and myxomatosis which are fatal.

Emergency:

If you think your rabbit is sick, call us straight away. Signs of sickness include watery eyes, a runny nose, wheezing, diarrhea, weight loss or not eating. Your rabbit will hide signs of sickness, so by the time you notice he is unwell, he may need urgent attention.

Here is some good advice on rabbit care:

http://www.rspcavic.org/health-and-behaviour/rabbits/

Guinea Pigs

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:55:44 GMT

Small animals like guinea pigs need special care because they are more vulnerable than cats and dogs. They need clean, protected areas to live and exercise in. They need shelter from heat and cold. They need company.

Guinea pigs make wonderful companions for the whole family. They are intelligent, affectionate, playful and friendly. They can live 6 to 10 years if well looked after.

Essentials:

A single guinea pig is a lonely guinea pig. Always have two or more, as guinea pigs will pine and become depressed alone.

Desex your guinea pigs, or they will breed prolifically.

Dietary Requirements:

Hay: The foundation of their diet. Guinea pigs need unlimited access to grass hay, like timothy hay or meadow hay, which helps with digestion and keeps their teeth healthy. They need hay at all times because it's high in fibre.
Fresh Vegetables: Offer a variety of fresh veggies daily, such as:
Leafy greens (like romaine lettuce, cilantro, parsley, dandelion greens, and kale).
Bell peppers (for Vitamin C) are particularly important because guinea pigs cannot produce Vitamin C on their own.
Carrots and other root vegetables in moderation.
Vitamin C: Since guinea pigs can't produce Vitamin C, they need it from their diet. Fresh veggies and fruits (like bell peppers and strawberries) are good sources, or you can use Vitamin C supplements.
Pellets: Choose high-quality pellets that are high in fibre and free from seeds, nuts, or dried fruits (which can be unhealthy). They should also be fortified with Vitamin C.
Fresh Water: Make sure they always have access to fresh, clean water.

Common Diet Mistakes to Avoid:

Too much fruit: While guinea pigs enjoy fruit, it’s high in sugar and can lead to obesity or digestive issues.
Too much pellet food: Pellets should be seen as supplementary and not the main part of their diet.
Leafy greens high in calcium: Avoid giving them too many greens like spinach or collard greens, which are high in calcium, as they can cause bladder issues over time (especially for rabbits).

Health checks:

Keep a close watch on your guinea pigs. If their behaviour or habits change it may be due to ill health. Trim nails regularly, check their eyes daily (they are vulnerable to injury), and look for scaly skin or bald patches.

Guinea pigs can develop dental problems like overgrown or misaligned teeth. It’s important to catch these early. We recommend six-monthly dental checks with Dr. Boersma.

Emergency:

If your cat is lethargic and not eating or drinking as usual, call us. Cats and kittens can become sick quickly and may need urgent attention.

Senior Pets

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:50:47 GMT

Animals age faster than humans. Some larger animals enter their senior years after the age of five. And as our furry friends age they need more looking after.

Dr. Boersma specialises in treating senior pets. He applies a range of conventional and natural treatments to help them live longer and with the best possible comfort.

Senior pet discount

Pets 10 years and older are eligible for one reduced cost health check per year with Dr. Boersma. Tell us your pet’s birthday and you’ll be sent a reminder on their special day.

Senior pet problems

Most senior pet health issues are the same as ours:

arthritic joints from previous injuries
lower back pain
sore knees and hips
dental issues
digestive problems
cancers
loss of mental function
hearing and sight loss
organ dysfunction e.g. liver and kidneys

Often senior pets have more than one health issue, which complicates treatment. For example, some pain relievers used for arthritis will be unsuitable for a pet whose kidneys aren’t working well. This is where Dr. Boersma’s knowledge of alternative treatments can be very useful.

Arthritis

Arthritis is the most common age-related condition that we see at SBHVC. It can be very painful and sometimes crippling.

We can take radiographs to see the extent of the problem, and perform blood tests to see which medicines will best suit your pet.

Treatment begins with pain relief . Herbal mixtures can work well on their own or in conjunction with conventional medicines like opiates and anti-inflammatories. A pain relieving herbal mixture will have ingredients like turmeric, rose hip, magnesium, vitamin C, black pepper extract, Devil’s claw, cat’s claw, Boswellia, Myrh, MSM. Homeopathic remedies like arnica, Rhustox, Ruagrav and Bryonia can also be effective, and other natural supplements like glucosamine sulphate. (You might recognize that many of these are used by people too!)

Animals with arthritis may not be able to exercise much but will still often have a good appetite, so weight control is important. Dr. Boersma will advise on diet and exercise options. For example, raw pureed vegies can be added to food to bulk it out and reduce the amount of your pet’s usual food. Exercising in the hydrotherapy unit will increase mobility, muscle tone and strength.

Dr. Boersma may also offer your pet:

PEMF treatment to improve blood flow to arthritic joints and help tissue repair.
Acupuncture with needles or electrical stimulation to encourage healing.
Chiropractic manipulation of spine and joints.
Myofascial release, muscle stretching and massage.
Laser treatment of joints affected by arthritis.

Cats

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:44:26 GMT

Are you a cat slave? The independent nature of cats is something we all joke about, but a cat is still a big commitment in terms of time, care and money. They may be part of your family for 15 to 20 years!

We see lots of cats and can answer your questions about health checks, vaccinations, diet and behaviour.

Cats over 10 years old qualify for a free annual check-up with Dr. Boersma and may qualify for a free dental checkup if we have not seen them for some time.

Essentials:

We recommend that you:

de-sex your cat
feed a good quality complete balanced diet suitable for the cat’s life stage and health condition
microchip your cat
fit your cat with a bell to prevent killing of wildlife
ask us about worming, flea and tick control , and dental care

Keep your cat happy with:

a scratching post
an upholstered resting perch for snoozing
a safe exercise area, like an outdoor run or cat-proofed back yard
clean, unscented litter trays (one for each cat, plus one extra)
use ceramic water and food bowls and place them away from the litter trays

Health checks:

Kittens should be vaccinated early against diseases like feline enteritis and cat flu from 9 weeks of age. Booster vaccinations are required in 3 to 4 weeks then annualy. Ask our staff for an information brochure or book an appointment.

fleas, worms and ticks
healthy weight management
sunburn and skin allergies
teeth, gums and bad breath

Senior dogs (age 7 and up) qualify for a special rate health check with us each year.

Emergency:

If your cat is lethargic and not eating or drinking as usual, call us. Cats and kittens can become sick quickly and may need urgent attention.

More about cat care:

Ask for our Feline Information Handout, The Kitty Dental Health Handbook, and brochures on other topics, like how to make your home cat-friendly. This RSPCA website also has great advice.

Dogs

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 03:37:55 GMT

Thinking of getting a dog? Have a new puppy? Or perhaps your beloved hound has entered the senior years and is needing extra care?

At SBHVC we treat dogs of all kinds and ages with a special focus on maintaining good health into the senior years.

Essentials:

Being a dog owner means that:

when your dog is six months old, you must register it with your local municipality
you must renew your dog registrations each year (reduced rates apply for desexed dogs)
you must microchip your dog at six months of age
if you have more than two dogs on your property, you will need a kennel licence
feed your dog a good quality complete and balanced diet suitable for the dog’s life stage and health condition

Our delightful canine companions come with some big responsibilities, and one of these is looking after their health.

We can advise you on appropriate vaccinations for your dog – some vaccinations are strongly advised such as distemper, parvovirus and kennel cough, in Australia and some are optional such as leptospirosis and corona virus. Puppies should be vaccinated at 8 or 9 weeks with boosters given in 2 to 4 weeks then annually.

Ask us about the pros and cons of having your dog neutered to prevent unwanted breeding and health issues in later life.

Daily exercise helps your dog maintain good physical and mental health. Half an hour to an hour a day is recommended.

Brush your dog weekly to keep the coat shiny and get rid of loose hairs. We offer specialist grooming for all dogs.

Health checks:

Bring your dog in annually for advice on common problems with

fleas, worms and ticks
healthy weight management
sunburn and skin allergies
teeth, gums and bad breath

Senior dogs (age 7 and up) qualify for a special rate health check with us each year.

Emergency:

If you notice something unusual about your pet’s appearance or behaviour, call us. Signs of illness can be subtle and it’s best to catch any problem early.

More about dog care:

Ask for our Canine Information Handout at reception.

Behavioural Advice

Fri, 22 Dec 2023 02:17:46 GMT

At Sandy bay Holistic Vet Centre we strive to provide fear and stress free vet visits for your pets.

Dr Boersma and all the nursing staff are trained in animal handling & husbandry techniques, & are always ready to give that little extra for your pet to be at ease.

We offer a number of services and products to assist with behavioural issues which may negatively affect the wellbeing of your pet and you, the owner. (separation anxiety, barking, anxiety, aggression, reactivity etc)

Consults to provide holistic solutions for behavioural issues using positive reward training techniques, herbal & homeopathic formulations & specialised diets.
Information booklets on cat and dog care which include training & behavioural advice
Handouts: Reward Based Training , Re-training your dog after he/she has trained you, Training Dogs to love their crates , etc
Thundershirts for sale to help dogs and cats with anxiety
Pheromone* sprays for consults for cats and dogs. We also have sprays and diffusers for sale.

* Dog & Cat Appeasing Pheromones. Mother dogs and cats communicate with their puppies/kittens via chemical signals or pheromones to provide comfort and security. They are odorless and only perceived by dog or cats, helping them to feel calm and relaxed.

PROFESSIONAL DOG TRAINERS

Professional dog trainers can help you manage all manner of problematic behavioral issues with your pet. They can assist you to identify the origin or triggers of the behavior and teach you strategies to avoid those triggers and change your dog’s emotional state to enable the dog to relax when they encounter what would have been a stressful situation.

These trainers are experienced in helping you manage and deal with behavioral issues in dogs and will support you through the process towards a much happier relationship with your family pet.

Hobart Dog Training

Wendy Meek

2850 South Arm Rd, South Arm 7022

Wendy.meek@bigpond.com

Clever Pawz