In July's issue: 

1. Does your pet need to join our Senior Pet Society?

2. Having a senior's moment

3. Daisy's dementia

4. The old dog

5. Will your pet always be looked after?

6. Big and beautiful

1. Does your pet need to join our Senior Pet Society?

At this time of year the focus switches to our senior pets who sometimes start to 'feel the cold' and 'slow down' somewhat in winter.

It is really important to health check our older pets more often - remember that 1 year is the equivalent of 7 human years of ageing.

Our recommendations for good senior pet preventative health are:

• Twice yearly general physical check up
• Once yearly full blood screen
• Appropriate adjustments to diet and exercise programs
• Adjustments as required to skin and coat care
• Continued regular prevention for heartworm, intestinal worming, fleas and ticks and regular vaccination boosters

Allow about 30 minutes for your senior pet's appointment. Think of it as the 'Over 50's Check'! Early detection of most senior pet problems allows for good management and most importantly, good quality of life.

Phone us anytime to arrange for a check up and check out the lifestage health recommendations on our website.

2. Having a senior's moment

Our pets age very quickly and as they enter their senior years it is especially important to keep up with regular health checks. You may be surprised to learn that dogs and cats are given their seniors ca

rd when they reach 7 to 8 years of age.

Some of the early ageing signs may be a few extra grey hairs around the muzzle, difficulty getting out of bed in the morning and unexpected accidents around the house. As well as the changes you can see, there can be much more going on than meets the eye, such as a slowing metabolism, and changing nutritional requirements.

Early warning signs to look out for:

· Changes in appetite or thirst

· Increasing or decreasing weight

· Loss of housetraining

· Difficulty climbing stairs or getting into the car

· A cough

· New lumps

· Bad breath

· Changes in sleeping patterns

· Excessive urination

It is easy to put any one of these signs down to 'getting old', however these symptoms may indicate an underlying age related disease.

Call us to make an appointment for your senior pet. Early detection can help your pet live longer and after the many years of loyalty and support your pet has given you, it is now time to give back to them!

3. Daisy's dementia

‘Dottery' old Daisy was waking through the night and constantly pacing, keeping the whole house awake. She was having trouble holding on between toilet breaks and leaving little surprises on the carpet, something she had never done before.

Earlier that week she had been found staring at the wall in the corner of the kitchen and barking repeatedly. This odd behaviour was very distressing to her sleep deprived owners.

Daisy was showing the common signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction, also known as Doggy Dementia. The disease can be difficult to diagnose and dogs need a full examination including a blood test to rule out other age related diseases.

The earlier the dementia is detected the better, as there is a chance of reducing some of the symptoms and delaying the progress of the disease.

These signs of Canine Cognitive Dysfunction fit into 5 categories:

D - Disorientation and confusion in usual environment

I - Interaction with other pets and family members reduced

S - Sleep pattern disturbed

H - House training lost

A - Activity levels change including aimless wandering and pacing

For dogs like Daisy, there is a now a specific diet available that can help as well as medications that may improve brain blood flow. Ask us for more information.

4. The old dog

This story was sent to one of our readers via email. No one knows if it is true but it is a lovely tale. You can read more heart warming stories at www.mypetstories.com.au

'An older, tired looking dog wandered into my yard. I could tell from his collar and his full belly that he had a home and was well taken care of.

He calmly came over to me, I gave him a few pats on his head; he then followed me into my house, slowly walked down the hall, curled up in the corner and fell asleep. An hour later, he went to the door, and I let him out.

The next day he was back, greeted me in my yard, walked inside and re

sumed his spot in the hall and again slept for about an hour. This continued off and on for several weeks.

Curious I pinned a note to his collar: 'I would like to find out who the owner of this wonderful sweet dog is and ask if you are aware that almost every afternoon your dog comes to my house for a nap?'

The next day he arrived for his nap, with a different note pinned to his collar: 'He lives in a home with six children, two of whom are under the age of three, he's trying to catch up on his sleep. Can I come with him tomorrow?'

5. Will your pet always be looked after?

Have you ever thought about what would happen to your pet if you passed away? Is there someone who could care for them? This is a tough question and it is a concern for many pet owners but there is some good news.

An initiative has been set up, called the Heart and Home Program. The program provides owners with the peace of mind that their pet will be re-homed and cared for if something should ever happen.

Three pets per household can be nominated for adoption and every pet must be microchipped and desexed. As well as cats and dogs, rabbits, guinea pigs, caged birds, rats, mice, ferrets and tortoises can also be nominated.

Click here for more information.

6. Big and beautiful

Every year between the months of April and November, the east coast of Australia is treated to an incredible acrobatic display of migrating humpback whales. After feeding on krill in the cooler Antarctic waters, these majestic creatures travel up to 10,000 kilometres north into the warmer waters to breed.

This is a great time to head to coastal towns and experience a truly spectacular event and gain an appreciation and understanding for these magnificent animals.

Whaling and the export of whale products was Australia's first primary industry and as a result, many whale species came very close to extinction. Thankfully, a changed public attitude against whaling forced the government to eventually adopt a permanent ban on whaling. Since then there has been a steady recovery in whale populations.

Whales still face a number of threats - they can become caught in fishing gear or struck by ships, affected by pollution, climate change and the inhumane slaughter of whales for scientific research.

How can you help?

• Don't litter - rubbish can be deadly to marine animals
• Stay at least 100 meters from whales, never touch or feed them if they approach you
• Report any injured or stranded whales to your local environmental agency

Visit www.givewhalesavoice.com.au to support the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA) and to help put an end to whaling.