Dog

What is ringworm?

Ringworm is a fungal infection of the superficial layers of the skin, hairs and nails. The fungi responsible for ringworm belong to a specialised group known as dermatophytes, and these can cause disease in both humans and animals and even in the soil. Some species of dermatophytes will only infect people, or only infect certain animals, whereas others can be spread from animals to humans.

What is a collapsed trachea?

The trachea, also known as the windpipe, is an important structure which connects the throat to the lungs. It serves the purpose of directing air into the respiratory tract.

The normal trachea is tubular. It maintains its shape because of a series of rings made of cartilage. These rings do not completely encircle the trachea. They are 'C' shaped with the gap in the 'C' at the top. The remainder of the trachea is composed of a flexible membrane that joins the ends of the cartilage rings.

What is coccidiosis?

Coccidia oocysts (eggs)

Is there medicare for pets?

Clients often state to us that they wish there was medicare for dogs. While it is true there is no medicare available, there is medical insurance available for your pets.

When your pet is discharged from hospital you may be asked to make an Elizabethan collar for your pet to wear.

Reasons for this may be:

1. to stop your pet licking or chewing at a wound, stitches or bandage.
2. to stop your pet rubbing or scratching ears and eyes.

Depending on the size of your pet the collar can be made out of an ordinary bucket, large or small flower pots or some similar object such as a margarine or ice cream tub.

What is a phobia?

A phobia occurs when a dog develops an extreme fear response to a normal stimulus (such as a thunderstorm or fireworks). A phobia can develop at any age and tends to get worse with time. Some breeds are more likely to develop phobias. The most common breed we see with any phobia or other anxiety problem is the Staffordshire bull terrier. Many dogs with thunderstorm and/or fireworks phobia also have other anxiety problems such as seperation anxiety.

Signs that my dog has a phobia

On the 11th August 2007 we saw our first dog with tick paralysis for the season. This is very early and is probably due to the fantastic warm weather we are having.

If your pet is at risk of getting ticks- living near or visiting an area close to bushland, having native animals and alot of trees around or located near the escarpment- it is time to start daily tick searches on you animals.

The Staff at Crown Street Veterinary Hospital have put together this page to help answer some common questions you may have about your new puppy.

Please do not hesitate to phone or call in and speak to one of our staff who will be happy to answer all of your questions.

Desexing removes the sexual urge from both dogs and bitches. Temporary or semi-permanent control can be effected by the use of certain drugs, however surgical desexing is permanent.