The following are extracted from the lecture notes from a Murdoch Univ Vet for 4th year vet students and some of my comments as I do use the following drugs in my Toa Payoh Vets, www.toapayohvets.com
KETAMINE IN DOGS
1. Ketamine must NOT be given alone to horses or dogs because of CNS stimulation and seizure likelihood. Or used as only anaeshetic agent for intraabdominal surgery. Recovery from deep sedation is unsteady to violent.
2. Ketamine is painful on IM and IV injection.
MY COMMENTS: I don't use ketamine alone for dogs as I usually use xylazine IM for the past years. I find that Domitor is great for this purpose. Sometimes my associate vet uses a ketamine/xylazine combination IV is used for pre-anaeshetic induction.
ANAESTHESIA IN DOGS USING XYLAZINE AND KETAMINE with good cardiovascular system
1. xyalzine 1 mg/kg IM or medetomidine up to 20ug/kg IM
2. ketamine 10mg/kg IM about 10 minutes later
Do not give xylazine and ketamine to old dogs or dogs with myocardial weakness or arrhythmias. Never antagonise the action of xylazine in dogs given xylazine and ketamine as seizures are likely. Dogs recovering from anaethesia and suffering from seizures, give diazepam IV.
There was no mention of the use of xylazine and ketamine combination IV for anaesthesia for dogs in the lecture notes.
However there is a mention of using diapepam and ketamine mg in one syringe for pre-anaesthetic induction in dogs. Draw up equal volumes of each such that the combination of each drug per ml is: diazepam 2.5 mg and ketamine 50 mg.
ANAESTHESIA IN CATS USING XYLAZINE AND KETAMINE
3. The notes mention that ketamine is the drug of choice for sedating viscious cats. Yet the notes mention that sedaion requires doeses up to 30 mg/kg IM or SC and injections are painful. High doses cause violent recoveries. Atropine is advised to prevent salivation.
MY COMMENTS ON INJECTABLE ANAESTHESIAS IN SINGAPORE CATS IN MY PRACTICE: For viscious cats in Singapore and for spay, I will advise xylazine 2% and ketamine 10% (100mg/ml) combination in one syringe IM. For cats less than 2-3 kg, give xylazine 0.1 ml mixed with ketamine 0.4 ml IM. For cats 3-4 kg, xylazine @0.15 ml and ketamine @ 6ml in one syringe IM. For cats 4-6 kg, xylazine @ 0.2ml and ketamine @ 0.8 ml will be sufficient for a duration of 20 - 30 minutes. Less dosage for neuter. Top up with isoflurane gas mask if the dosage is under-estimated. I don't use atropine and have no deaths in cat spays or neuter.
4. The notes mention that anaesthesia is produced from a xylazine and ketamine combination as follows:
xyalzine 1.1 mg/kg IM. This is given first. Wait 10 minutes.
ketamine 10 to 22 mg/kg IM is given. Give a low dose of atropine.
Duration is 20 - 30 minutes. Occasional unexplained deaths and pulmonary oedema have been reported in cats given he aabove combination.
MY COMMENTS: The notes do not mention using xylazine and ketamine in one syringe as I have had written above.
5. PRE-ANAESTHETIC DOSE FOR CATS USING DIAZEPAM AND KETAMINE IN ONE SYRINGE.
There is a mention of using diapepam and ketamine mg in one syringe for pre-anaesthetic induction in cats. Draw up equal volumes of each such that the combination of each drug per ml is: diazepam 2.5 mg and ketamine 50 mg. The dose of the combination is up to 1 ml/10kg BW IV and give to effect. It has few cardiovascular depressant actions.
6. Tiletamine and ketamine are classified as ANAESTHETICS in the notes. Tiletamne is never used alone due to its CNS stimulation and seizure activity. It is combined with zolazepam and is available as Zoletil. I use it as a sedative in dogs (must give atropine to prevent salivation and head torticollis). I used it as an injectable anaesthetic in hamsters. Sometimes I need isoflurane gas to top up as i is very difficult to know the exact dose for surgical anaesthesia in dwarf and syrian hamsters who may be sedated since they are under-dosed.
7. Xylazine, medetomidine, detomidine and ketamine are classified as SEDATIVE. The drugs listed under sedaaives can produce tranquillisation at low doses. Acepromazine, diazepam, midazolam, morphine, pethidine, mehadone, buprenorphine and butorphanol are classified as tranquilisers.
In conclusion, I hope the 4th year vet students reading this article gets some ideas for dog and cat premedication drugs. They have lots to memorise regarding dosage for bids, horses, sheep, goats and other animals!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
3. Tips: Two large blood-type tumours in an old hamster
"Why didn't you remove the below-the-neck tumour when you operated to remove the tumour behind the left ear? Did you see it?" the young man asked.
"Yes, I saw the tumour," I said. "Your hamster is old, at 1.5 years and the shorter the anaesthesia the better chances of survival. So, I just removed one tumour first." I had informed the owner of the high risk of operating this hamster as he is quite ancient. But he survived and that was what the owner wanted.
Now, the below-the-neck tumour, of similar size and colour as the first one, needed removal as the hamster kept rubbing the neck and could not eat well. There is always an apprehension on my part in operating on oldies. Therefore, I told the owner of the risk. But he was prepared for the worst.
ANAESTHESIA FOR BOTH SURGERIES
Zoletil 100 @ 0.01 ml with saline IM back muscle
The duration of anaesthesia was 5 minutes.
SURGERY
The skin was incised. The first surgery took around 15 minutes to remove the large cyst-like bloody tumour stretching from above the left ear to in front of the shoulder. I saw the empty cheek pouch as a yellow gelatinous sac and left it alone. Vet Intern Tanya was present to learn about the surgery. Stitching was 6/0 absorbable. The second surgery took less than 5 minutes. No histopathology was done as the owner wanted the lowest rate.
CONCLUSION
The hamster lives for around 2 years. Tumours grow after one year of age. These two soft jelly-like tumours looked fiercely red and dangerous. The first one was 2cm X 3 cm. The second was 1.5cm X 1.5 cm. They burst, releasing a lot of blood. I would say they are blood-type tumours. Maybe a haemangioma or haemangiosarcoma.
The important thing is that the hamster must be alive at the end of the surgery. That means that the vet must not be too heroic to attempt removing two tumours at one time. The hamster can die from stress.
I was fortunate in this case. But it is best for the owner not to wait too long for tumours to grow so large.
Tumours can never disappear with cream and ointment. It is best to get them excised by your vet when it is small in size. There is no time to waste when tumours arrive. Surgery is also 50% cheaper if tumours are small in size.
E-mail judy@toapayohvets.com pictures of your hamster's tumours when they are small if you want a free consultation.
P.S.
Vets doing dwarf hamster surgery. A high survival rate will be present if you provide sufficient anaesthesia so that the hamster does not struggle and die from fright and stress during surgery. Take <15 minutes to complete your surgery.
Pictures will be attached at www.toapayohvets.com
"Yes, I saw the tumour," I said. "Your hamster is old, at 1.5 years and the shorter the anaesthesia the better chances of survival. So, I just removed one tumour first." I had informed the owner of the high risk of operating this hamster as he is quite ancient. But he survived and that was what the owner wanted.
Now, the below-the-neck tumour, of similar size and colour as the first one, needed removal as the hamster kept rubbing the neck and could not eat well. There is always an apprehension on my part in operating on oldies. Therefore, I told the owner of the risk. But he was prepared for the worst.
ANAESTHESIA FOR BOTH SURGERIES
Zoletil 100 @ 0.01 ml with saline IM back muscle
The duration of anaesthesia was 5 minutes.
SURGERY
The skin was incised. The first surgery took around 15 minutes to remove the large cyst-like bloody tumour stretching from above the left ear to in front of the shoulder. I saw the empty cheek pouch as a yellow gelatinous sac and left it alone. Vet Intern Tanya was present to learn about the surgery. Stitching was 6/0 absorbable. The second surgery took less than 5 minutes. No histopathology was done as the owner wanted the lowest rate.
CONCLUSION
The hamster lives for around 2 years. Tumours grow after one year of age. These two soft jelly-like tumours looked fiercely red and dangerous. The first one was 2cm X 3 cm. The second was 1.5cm X 1.5 cm. They burst, releasing a lot of blood. I would say they are blood-type tumours. Maybe a haemangioma or haemangiosarcoma.
The important thing is that the hamster must be alive at the end of the surgery. That means that the vet must not be too heroic to attempt removing two tumours at one time. The hamster can die from stress.
I was fortunate in this case. But it is best for the owner not to wait too long for tumours to grow so large.
Tumours can never disappear with cream and ointment. It is best to get them excised by your vet when it is small in size. There is no time to waste when tumours arrive. Surgery is also 50% cheaper if tumours are small in size.
E-mail judy@toapayohvets.com pictures of your hamster's tumours when they are small if you want a free consultation.
P.S.
Vets doing dwarf hamster surgery. A high survival rate will be present if you provide sufficient anaesthesia so that the hamster does not struggle and die from fright and stress during surgery. Take <15 minutes to complete your surgery.
Pictures will be attached at www.toapayohvets.com
2. Hypersensitivity to insecticides?
I was surprised to see this Miniature Schnauzer in the Surgery. He had been vomiting a few hours after the mum applied a spot-on Promeris Duo insecticide. Some weeks ago, the dog had salivated a lot after the groomer had applied "Carington Dog Wash" but he had recovered.
"Many ticks infested his body. So my mum applied the insecticide on the back between the shoulders," the young slim lady said. "How did she do it?" I asked. She shook her head. "Did the dog lick the insecticide accidentally?" I asked. It was not possible in theory. But dogs can surprise human beings. It was possible tinhat he rolled and the insecticide touched his paws. Nobody knows. The other explanation could be that this dog was hypersensitive to insecticides. In that case, no more spot-ones.
"I advise a blood test," I said to this young lady who is a first generation migrant and must be doing well in her career since she works at a central business district office.
"Do you think it is necessary?" she asked. Blood tests cost money.
"Blood test will tell us whether the kidneys or livers are affected as vomiting can be due to disorders in the two organs." I said. "It is up to the owner. I have to advise just in case the dog dies. When the dog dies, some owners begin to question the vet's competence as to why the vet did not propose a blood test."
She phoned her mother and permission was given. Blood test revealed higher than normal blood urea. My assistant, as usual for all assistants, advised the mum that the elevated blood urea was not serious. This advice from assistants sometimes can contradict the vet's advice and cause a lot of unhappiness. Unfortunately, the assistant who may be a veterinary graduate in their own country but whose degree is not recognised in Singapore needs to learn from one bad complaint before he or she shuts her mouth. So far, my assistant had not suffered such complaints and therefore he had to say something now and then. Besides the owner was from his own country. I will talk to him.
Although blood urea results were not excessively high, my assistant could not understand that the results were taken at a "point in time". The kidney disorder may be at the beginning stage. Therefore, the results were not very high. To advise that the results were not serious was to give false hope to the owner.
This is where experience and many years of living and practice comes in. The dog was given an IV drip to dilute the poison. He was active and lively when he went home later in the evening. I advised the owner that the dog cannot be given insecticide anymore in case he dies the next time from hypersensitivity (allergy). "What should I do?" she asked me. "Use the not so potent dog insecticide shampoos but they are not so effective. This may be one alternative." There did not seem to be any point in using impotent anti-tick alternatives. "Well, you could make the dog wear boots," I advised. She went home with a happy dog.
As if the God above was teaching my assistant a lesson, this Schnauzer vomited 5 times after going home. "Why the vomiting?" the owner asked him. They were more comfortable talking to him but I was OK if they wanted to ask me.
It could be that the dog had not fully recovered from his kidney damage. He could have gastritis from licking the insecticide and had not recovered. One interesting medical finding was that his hard palate had 3 ulcers of around 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter. I opened his mouth widely to examine every part of his mouth and tonsils earlier on at the beginning of consultation.
It is important that the vet examines the mouth of a vomiting dog. I was so surprised to see hard palate ulcers as they are rare. Very rare. What was the cause of these ulcers? Were they incidental findings? Were they erosions from licking the insecticide or were they the results of hypersensitivity to the insecticide? Nobody really knows. Only the dog knows whether he had been licking the insecticide and vomited as his stomach got ulcerated by the poison.
It is important that the dog owner be shown the hard palate ulcers. I asked the young lady to hold and shine the torchlight onto the hard palate to see the 3 ulcers, a rare finding. She saw them. The dog resisted as he was wiser the second time I tried to open his mouth again for my assistant to see the ulcers. I pushed his tongue outwards to see the tonsils. They were slightly inflamed. The Schnauzer did not bite and so it was all right. However he was not going to permit his mouth to be opened the 4th time and I did not persevere.
My assistant must also be taught as part of his job to perform a thoroguh oral examination of the dog in cases of vomiting. He is a vet in his own country and should learn as much as he could. One day he might open his practice and he should be well trained in Singapore. I have to teach him the tricks of the trade as his professors could only give theoretical knowledge due to lack of real dogs during lectures.
This case study showed that blood tests are important aids to diagnosis of a vomiting dog. Also that vet assistants ought to keep their mouths shut by not advising on blood test results and other examinations in order not to confuse the dog owner who is already highly stressed out by the vomiting. This tendency of assistants to advise owners is common and not peculiar to my assistant and the only lesson they can learn to keep their mouths shut is when they get into trouble. Human beings learn from mistakes made. I did talk to my assistant about giving advices to dog clients but this time, he had forgotten.
CONCLUSION
Is this a case of hypersensitivity to insecticide? It is hard to say definitely. There was the hard palate ulcers which might indicate that the dog had had licked the Promerus Duo insecticide. For example, the owner might have applied the spot-on from between the shoulder blades to the tail as is commonly done. The dog might have rolled onto the floor and got the wet insecticide onto its body. The strong smell ensured that he licked it vigorously, causing hard palate ulcerations and possibly stomach ulcerations. So he vomited before and after seeing me. If that is the case, this dog is not hypersensitive to insecticides and there should be salivation (if the owner had seen it). In the first incident, the owner saw the salivation.
What should be done when the owner applies spot-on?
1. Put the spot-on between the shoulder blades and forward to the base of the skull, instead of backwards to the tail. This will be the recommended method to prevent any spillage onto the dog's body.
2. Bring the dog out for a long walk after application so that the insecticide dries up. Most owners in apartments probably applies the spot-on and leave the dog alone at home.
If the application was not done correctly, the vomiting in this case was not due to hypersensitivity to insecticides and adopting the above 2 procedures will ensure no vomiting or salivation in this well beloved and gentle Miniature Schnauzer.
"Many ticks infested his body. So my mum applied the insecticide on the back between the shoulders," the young slim lady said. "How did she do it?" I asked. She shook her head. "Did the dog lick the insecticide accidentally?" I asked. It was not possible in theory. But dogs can surprise human beings. It was possible tinhat he rolled and the insecticide touched his paws. Nobody knows. The other explanation could be that this dog was hypersensitive to insecticides. In that case, no more spot-ones.
"I advise a blood test," I said to this young lady who is a first generation migrant and must be doing well in her career since she works at a central business district office.
"Do you think it is necessary?" she asked. Blood tests cost money.
"Blood test will tell us whether the kidneys or livers are affected as vomiting can be due to disorders in the two organs." I said. "It is up to the owner. I have to advise just in case the dog dies. When the dog dies, some owners begin to question the vet's competence as to why the vet did not propose a blood test."
She phoned her mother and permission was given. Blood test revealed higher than normal blood urea. My assistant, as usual for all assistants, advised the mum that the elevated blood urea was not serious. This advice from assistants sometimes can contradict the vet's advice and cause a lot of unhappiness. Unfortunately, the assistant who may be a veterinary graduate in their own country but whose degree is not recognised in Singapore needs to learn from one bad complaint before he or she shuts her mouth. So far, my assistant had not suffered such complaints and therefore he had to say something now and then. Besides the owner was from his own country. I will talk to him.
Although blood urea results were not excessively high, my assistant could not understand that the results were taken at a "point in time". The kidney disorder may be at the beginning stage. Therefore, the results were not very high. To advise that the results were not serious was to give false hope to the owner.
This is where experience and many years of living and practice comes in. The dog was given an IV drip to dilute the poison. He was active and lively when he went home later in the evening. I advised the owner that the dog cannot be given insecticide anymore in case he dies the next time from hypersensitivity (allergy). "What should I do?" she asked me. "Use the not so potent dog insecticide shampoos but they are not so effective. This may be one alternative." There did not seem to be any point in using impotent anti-tick alternatives. "Well, you could make the dog wear boots," I advised. She went home with a happy dog.
As if the God above was teaching my assistant a lesson, this Schnauzer vomited 5 times after going home. "Why the vomiting?" the owner asked him. They were more comfortable talking to him but I was OK if they wanted to ask me.
It could be that the dog had not fully recovered from his kidney damage. He could have gastritis from licking the insecticide and had not recovered. One interesting medical finding was that his hard palate had 3 ulcers of around 0.5 to 1 cm in diameter. I opened his mouth widely to examine every part of his mouth and tonsils earlier on at the beginning of consultation.
It is important that the vet examines the mouth of a vomiting dog. I was so surprised to see hard palate ulcers as they are rare. Very rare. What was the cause of these ulcers? Were they incidental findings? Were they erosions from licking the insecticide or were they the results of hypersensitivity to the insecticide? Nobody really knows. Only the dog knows whether he had been licking the insecticide and vomited as his stomach got ulcerated by the poison.
It is important that the dog owner be shown the hard palate ulcers. I asked the young lady to hold and shine the torchlight onto the hard palate to see the 3 ulcers, a rare finding. She saw them. The dog resisted as he was wiser the second time I tried to open his mouth again for my assistant to see the ulcers. I pushed his tongue outwards to see the tonsils. They were slightly inflamed. The Schnauzer did not bite and so it was all right. However he was not going to permit his mouth to be opened the 4th time and I did not persevere.
My assistant must also be taught as part of his job to perform a thoroguh oral examination of the dog in cases of vomiting. He is a vet in his own country and should learn as much as he could. One day he might open his practice and he should be well trained in Singapore. I have to teach him the tricks of the trade as his professors could only give theoretical knowledge due to lack of real dogs during lectures.
This case study showed that blood tests are important aids to diagnosis of a vomiting dog. Also that vet assistants ought to keep their mouths shut by not advising on blood test results and other examinations in order not to confuse the dog owner who is already highly stressed out by the vomiting. This tendency of assistants to advise owners is common and not peculiar to my assistant and the only lesson they can learn to keep their mouths shut is when they get into trouble. Human beings learn from mistakes made. I did talk to my assistant about giving advices to dog clients but this time, he had forgotten.
CONCLUSION
Is this a case of hypersensitivity to insecticide? It is hard to say definitely. There was the hard palate ulcers which might indicate that the dog had had licked the Promerus Duo insecticide. For example, the owner might have applied the spot-on from between the shoulder blades to the tail as is commonly done. The dog might have rolled onto the floor and got the wet insecticide onto its body. The strong smell ensured that he licked it vigorously, causing hard palate ulcerations and possibly stomach ulcerations. So he vomited before and after seeing me. If that is the case, this dog is not hypersensitive to insecticides and there should be salivation (if the owner had seen it). In the first incident, the owner saw the salivation.
What should be done when the owner applies spot-on?
1. Put the spot-on between the shoulder blades and forward to the base of the skull, instead of backwards to the tail. This will be the recommended method to prevent any spillage onto the dog's body.
2. Bring the dog out for a long walk after application so that the insecticide dries up. Most owners in apartments probably applies the spot-on and leave the dog alone at home.
If the application was not done correctly, the vomiting in this case was not due to hypersensitivity to insecticides and adopting the above 2 procedures will ensure no vomiting or salivation in this well beloved and gentle Miniature Schnauzer.
1. Visiting other veterinary premises
April 2 to 10, 2010
I took time off to refresh my mind. To see what best practices the other vets in Perth are doing and to visit the Murdoch University Veterinary School and to update myself on veterinary medicine and surgery issues in Perth.
Apr 2, 2010
HEARTWORM VACCINATION PROTECTS THE DOG FOR 10 YEARS?
During an exercise walk with Daniel, a vet student and his Bichon, he told me he opted for the heartworm vaccination because the vet told him that the protection lasts 10 years. "I have not heard of this vaccine," I said. "Are you sure? The Proheart vaccination I use in Singapore lasts one year. This is an alternative to heartworm tablets which must be taken monthly." Daniel said, "Maybe 5 years."
I need to check this out. Convenience and less vaccination are what the dog owner wants. This incident shows that many dog owners are not too keen on the technical details but want convenience. Daniel had not heard of the oral heartworm medication which must be given monthly. I don't blame this young man. There are other priorities for this young man.
ANNUAL VACCINATION ISSUES IN PERTH
In Australia, some owners are unhappy with vets who propose annual vaccinations when they read from the internet that there are vaccines which protect the dog for 3 years. Unfortunately, such owners don't know the technical details and assume that the vaccine used is a combined vaccine. For example, 8-in-one vaccine protects against 8 diseases. This type of vaccine does not give 3-yearly protection for all 8 diseases.
The 3-yearly vaccine is a different type and presently is not available in Singapore. If it is available, it will protect against one disease as it is meant for that disease. So, an average owner reads in the internet that there is a vaccine that offers "protection for 3 years" but does not read further. He becomes unhappy when his vet is still advising annual vaccination, trying to make money out of him and has no interest in his dog's health.
Communication is important in this respect, possibly by a newsletter. Many owners in Singapore are not too keen on technical details. In Singapore, the vaccine protects against 8 or 9 dog diseases and therefore, I still advise yearly vaccination as the best way. It will be expensive to check antibody levels for the dog to see how long the protection is before vaccination. In any case, Singapore does not have the laboratory facilities to do such testing.
REFERRAL FROM PET SHOP PUPPY SELLERS IN PERTH
I asked Daniel how he chose the vet for his puppy vaccination. "Is it because the vet is nearest to your house?". He said, "The pet shop recommends him." He had his Bichon neutered by the same vet. No further interaction with this vet for the past 2years. Pet shop and breeders are great referrals for the first-time puppy owne if the vet does puppies business with them. I used to have this advantage when I was doing vaccination for 80% of the dog breeders and many pet shops in Singapore some 3 years ago. In Singapore, proximity to the vet is much more important as car ownership is expensive. In Perth, one can buy a 5-year-old car for A$3,000 unlike over A$30,000 in Singapore. Very few dog owners from outside my neighbourhood of Toa Payoh will be my clients, one reason being proximity. There may be other reasons like the lack of a USP (unique selling proposition) and pricing. However I do get at least one hamster case a week when in previous years, I don't get one a month. This may be due to referrals as many vets in Singapore are said to be not too keen on hamster surgeries and I do them. See www.toapayohvets.com, goto "hamsters". Referrals are important in veterinary medicine as all vets are deemed to be equally competent by the average dog owner in Singapore and the convenience of proximity and pricing are more important.
ECTO-PARASITES IN DANIEL'S BICHON FRISE IN PERTH
The dog is exercised in a dog park and has no tick infestation for the past 3 years. "He had a flea infestation once when boarded with a friend," Daniel said. The dog lives in a house with a garden. "He is given Frontline Plus spot on," Daniel said. "But not all the time."
I strolled with Daniel and his Bichon n the dog exercise park one evening on April 2, 2010. Trees and branches were scattered everywhere. One or two trees were uprooted. "There was a freak storm two weeks ago," Daniel said. "A mudslide too at King's. Some houses had their windows smashed and hail stones dented many cars." I thought Perth was a safe place to live. Life is unpredictable. One could be killed in a freak storm.
As to why Gatsby the Bichon is free from ticks for the past 3 years, I can say that it is probable that all dog owners who bring their dogs for walks in the Canning Park studiously use spot-on insecticide like Frontline Plus and so, all dogs don't carry their ticks to the park. Daniel does use insecticide regularly as I spy one Frontline Plus box in his kitchen shelf. I saw at least 20 dogs being exercised in this park today. In Perth, from Spring to Autumn, the ticks may be prevalent but not in the cold of winter. In Singapore, it is summer all year and ticks are present every day. Many dog owners do not bother with tick prevention and so, ticks multiply fast. In Perth, the carpeted houses and apartments have been homes to fleas. But fleas are not a problem in dogs in Singapore as the floors are tiled.
Dogs are much loved in Perth as in Singapore but there are also pet owners who can't afford veterinary surgeries. Apparently there is a "Desperate Pet" Service provided by final year vet students for such owners. How the scheme works, I don't know. However, they raise funds for their operations. Singapore may be a developed country but there are no organisations for the average unfortunate owners who need vet services. There are one or two voluntary organisations who do finance them but they are not well publicised.
April 2 was a public holiday, being Good Friday. One hair dresser in Northbridge was open and Daniel had his haircut for A$20.00. I noted that the hairdresser gave him an attractive black name card with her name "Julianne" written on it. This is the same practice in Singapore too. I took the card from him but he reminded me to give it back to him and so I presumed he had great service. Shops that open on public holidays are rare in Perth. Even the biggest supermarket like Coles closes. So, I was surprised to see this hair salon open. "The owner must be an immigrant of the first generation," I said to Daniel. "No Australian citizen will open for business on a public holiday." Daniel said, "The hair dressers speak Korean." I said, "If the business is first generation, it works very hard by opening long hours. The second generation builds it up. So, it could also be 2nd generation migrants. However, the third generation will run it down by adopting the Australian life style." I hope to teach this young man some business acumen.
Perth's suburbs near Murdoch University look like paradise with no high rise apartments. Manicured lawns, low houses with pools. Laid back.
I took time off to refresh my mind. To see what best practices the other vets in Perth are doing and to visit the Murdoch University Veterinary School and to update myself on veterinary medicine and surgery issues in Perth.
Apr 2, 2010
HEARTWORM VACCINATION PROTECTS THE DOG FOR 10 YEARS?
During an exercise walk with Daniel, a vet student and his Bichon, he told me he opted for the heartworm vaccination because the vet told him that the protection lasts 10 years. "I have not heard of this vaccine," I said. "Are you sure? The Proheart vaccination I use in Singapore lasts one year. This is an alternative to heartworm tablets which must be taken monthly." Daniel said, "Maybe 5 years."
I need to check this out. Convenience and less vaccination are what the dog owner wants. This incident shows that many dog owners are not too keen on the technical details but want convenience. Daniel had not heard of the oral heartworm medication which must be given monthly. I don't blame this young man. There are other priorities for this young man.
ANNUAL VACCINATION ISSUES IN PERTH
In Australia, some owners are unhappy with vets who propose annual vaccinations when they read from the internet that there are vaccines which protect the dog for 3 years. Unfortunately, such owners don't know the technical details and assume that the vaccine used is a combined vaccine. For example, 8-in-one vaccine protects against 8 diseases. This type of vaccine does not give 3-yearly protection for all 8 diseases.
The 3-yearly vaccine is a different type and presently is not available in Singapore. If it is available, it will protect against one disease as it is meant for that disease. So, an average owner reads in the internet that there is a vaccine that offers "protection for 3 years" but does not read further. He becomes unhappy when his vet is still advising annual vaccination, trying to make money out of him and has no interest in his dog's health.
Communication is important in this respect, possibly by a newsletter. Many owners in Singapore are not too keen on technical details. In Singapore, the vaccine protects against 8 or 9 dog diseases and therefore, I still advise yearly vaccination as the best way. It will be expensive to check antibody levels for the dog to see how long the protection is before vaccination. In any case, Singapore does not have the laboratory facilities to do such testing.
REFERRAL FROM PET SHOP PUPPY SELLERS IN PERTH
I asked Daniel how he chose the vet for his puppy vaccination. "Is it because the vet is nearest to your house?". He said, "The pet shop recommends him." He had his Bichon neutered by the same vet. No further interaction with this vet for the past 2years. Pet shop and breeders are great referrals for the first-time puppy owne if the vet does puppies business with them. I used to have this advantage when I was doing vaccination for 80% of the dog breeders and many pet shops in Singapore some 3 years ago. In Singapore, proximity to the vet is much more important as car ownership is expensive. In Perth, one can buy a 5-year-old car for A$3,000 unlike over A$30,000 in Singapore. Very few dog owners from outside my neighbourhood of Toa Payoh will be my clients, one reason being proximity. There may be other reasons like the lack of a USP (unique selling proposition) and pricing. However I do get at least one hamster case a week when in previous years, I don't get one a month. This may be due to referrals as many vets in Singapore are said to be not too keen on hamster surgeries and I do them. See www.toapayohvets.com, goto "hamsters". Referrals are important in veterinary medicine as all vets are deemed to be equally competent by the average dog owner in Singapore and the convenience of proximity and pricing are more important.
ECTO-PARASITES IN DANIEL'S BICHON FRISE IN PERTH
The dog is exercised in a dog park and has no tick infestation for the past 3 years. "He had a flea infestation once when boarded with a friend," Daniel said. The dog lives in a house with a garden. "He is given Frontline Plus spot on," Daniel said. "But not all the time."
I strolled with Daniel and his Bichon n the dog exercise park one evening on April 2, 2010. Trees and branches were scattered everywhere. One or two trees were uprooted. "There was a freak storm two weeks ago," Daniel said. "A mudslide too at King's. Some houses had their windows smashed and hail stones dented many cars." I thought Perth was a safe place to live. Life is unpredictable. One could be killed in a freak storm.
As to why Gatsby the Bichon is free from ticks for the past 3 years, I can say that it is probable that all dog owners who bring their dogs for walks in the Canning Park studiously use spot-on insecticide like Frontline Plus and so, all dogs don't carry their ticks to the park. Daniel does use insecticide regularly as I spy one Frontline Plus box in his kitchen shelf. I saw at least 20 dogs being exercised in this park today. In Perth, from Spring to Autumn, the ticks may be prevalent but not in the cold of winter. In Singapore, it is summer all year and ticks are present every day. Many dog owners do not bother with tick prevention and so, ticks multiply fast. In Perth, the carpeted houses and apartments have been homes to fleas. But fleas are not a problem in dogs in Singapore as the floors are tiled.
Dogs are much loved in Perth as in Singapore but there are also pet owners who can't afford veterinary surgeries. Apparently there is a "Desperate Pet" Service provided by final year vet students for such owners. How the scheme works, I don't know. However, they raise funds for their operations. Singapore may be a developed country but there are no organisations for the average unfortunate owners who need vet services. There are one or two voluntary organisations who do finance them but they are not well publicised.
April 2 was a public holiday, being Good Friday. One hair dresser in Northbridge was open and Daniel had his haircut for A$20.00. I noted that the hairdresser gave him an attractive black name card with her name "Julianne" written on it. This is the same practice in Singapore too. I took the card from him but he reminded me to give it back to him and so I presumed he had great service. Shops that open on public holidays are rare in Perth. Even the biggest supermarket like Coles closes. So, I was surprised to see this hair salon open. "The owner must be an immigrant of the first generation," I said to Daniel. "No Australian citizen will open for business on a public holiday." Daniel said, "The hair dressers speak Korean." I said, "If the business is first generation, it works very hard by opening long hours. The second generation builds it up. So, it could also be 2nd generation migrants. However, the third generation will run it down by adopting the Australian life style." I hope to teach this young man some business acumen.
Perth's suburbs near Murdoch University look like paradise with no high rise apartments. Manicured lawns, low houses with pools. Laid back.
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