Farm visits completed in August:

This year marks our third annual farm visit! To continue to abide by the legislation regarding prescription medications in livestock, here at Clinton Street Veterinary Clinic, we have been running annual farm visits to our food-producing clients. Each Tuesday throughout the month of August we visited a total of 60 properties.  We were able to reach farmers who do not necessarily need an individual animal consult, but may require medications, such as ram sedation, throughout the year. With these visits we are also able to discuss the issues that are currently being faced in our area, and if you have had a hard few months with foot abscess, you are not the only one!  

Even though August is now over, our vets are available year round to provide advice on stock health concerns, as well as offering a range of large animal services including pregnancy diagnosis, and emergency visits, and we are more than happy to work with you in order to address any issues you might be having.

Spring and laminitis:

Through spring we see an abundance of green grass, which often contains high levels of carbohydrates in the form of sugars, increasing the risk of laminitis in your horse. Signs that your horse may have laminitis include lameness and reluctance to walk, heat in the distal limb, and increased digital pulse.

If you are concerned that your horse may have laminitis, then please call the clinic to organise a vet visit. We can also bring our portable x-ray machine to determine the

severity and prognosis of the laminitis. We can then work with you and your farrier to determine an appropriate treatment plan for the ongoing care of your horse.

We can also offer additional testing for Equine metabolic disease or Equine Cushing’s disease which is often the underlying cause of the laminitis condition.

 Itchy skin in dogs:

As we continue into spring you may have noticed that your dog is scratching more than usual, or you may even notice some red patches on their skin. If this is the case, your dog may have a skin condition! During this time as the environment changes, we see many dogs come in with atopic dermatitis (atopy), which an allergic skin disease is caused by contact with allergens that result in itching. The primary allergens that cause this irritation in dogs include pollens, dust mites, and molds.

It is important to remember that whilst we see dogs with atopic dermatitis, other common causes of allergies are food allergies, parasites/fleas, and infections. There are a variety of different treatments for skin conditions, from topical shampoos to creams/lotions, antihistamines, flea prevention, and diets. It's important to identify the primary cause of itch in our dogs to determine the best course of treatment. 

Whilst common, damaged and irritated skin can be very distressing for dogs and owners alike, so it is important to seek veterinary care to determine the right treatment course. 

First aid for snake bites:

As the weather gets warmer, we are starting to see many snakes pop up in the Goulburn area; and we have already seen a few cases come into the clinic. Snake bites can be fatal, but quick action can increase the likelihood of survival in our pets. If you think your pet has been bitten by a snake, or you see them with a snake, then please do not hesitate to contact us immediately. Snake bites are one of the many veterinary emergencies we see in Goulburn and time is critical. We have a veterinarian on call 365 days a year so that you don’t have to waste precious time driving to Canberra.

If your dog has been bitten by a snake, they may experience collapse, vomiting, and salivation, and then may very quickly get better. If this is the case, then it is likely that your dog has received a lethal dose of venom and will deteriorate quickly and they will need immediate veterinary care. In cats, we tend to see generalised weakness and incoordination, excessive vocalisation, and breathing difficulties. 

The most important treatment for snake envenomation is administering anti-venom and the sooner it is administered, the higher the chance of survival and reversing the life threatening clinical signs. At Clinton Street Veterinary Clinic we use multi-snake antivenom which is effective against Tiger, Brown and Black snakes, so there is no need to attempt to find or identify the snake.

What you can do in the event of a snake bite:

• Don’t get bitten yourself! We do not need you to identify the snake 

• Try to keep your pet calm, quiet, and still
• Call the clinic on your way so we can ensure that we have everything set up for your arrival 
• The sooner you get your pet to the clinic, the better

 Leptospirosis in Canberra:

In July 2022 leptospirosis was identified in a dog in Canberra. Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that affects the kidney, liver, and sometimes the respiratory system and brain of dogs. Leptospirosis is a very serious disease that is commonly spread through contact with soil, water, or vegetation that has been contaminated with urine from infected animals (typically rats and mice).

Treatment involves intensive supportive care; however, the condition is often fatal, including for the patient in Canberra. This is why vaccinating against leptospirosis is so important and at Clinton Street Veterinary Clinic it is included in our routine vaccinations. If you are concerned about the vaccination status of your dog, please contact our clinic.

Joke corner:

Q: Why do cows like being told jokes?

A: Because they like being a-moosed!

Q: How do bees get to school?

A: By School Buzz!