DO YOU AND YOUR DOG WANT TO GET FIT, LOSE WEIGHT AND HAVE FUN TOGETHER?

Fatburners Personal Fitness Training and Lamington Terrace Veterinary Surgery have teamed up to bring you this exciting fitness program with a barking difference.

A 6 week course of practical training sessions as well as informative seminars on nutrition and fitness for you and your dog.

- Initial assessment and weekly weigh-in

- Once weekly practical fitness session

- Once fortnightly information seminar

- 12 month PCYC membership

- Lamington Tce Vets PetFit program

- Great prizes for Pet Slimmer of the year winner.

- Unlimited email and phone support for the duration of the course

- Great prizes for the highest achievers

- Loads of fun!!

Send us a photo of you and your dog with a completed application form and tell us why you both need to get fit and healthy!

HURRY ONLY 12 PLACES AVAILABLE

Send applications to or apply online:

Dr Leisa Denaro

Lamington Terrace Veterinary Surgery

18 Lamington Tce, Nambour, Q, 4560

Ph/fax 5441 3333

info@lamingtonvet.com.au

With the arrival of Autumn and the weather hopefully starting to cool down a little, pets are less likely to need a full 'short back & sides' clip. They do, however, need continued maintenance of their coats even through the colder winter months.

Snips N Dips Pet Stylist Amanda recommends routine maintenance right through winter. She can clip the coat with a little longer length than in summer and clipping frequency may not need to be as often.

For the 'in between' times, she recommends having a 'feet-face-belly-backside' or 'ffbb' clip to keep these essential areas neat and tidy and then of course the warm hydrobath and blow dry for complete pampering!

Don't forget Amanda can also apply colour foils with pet safe hair colours, nail polish, or whatever novelty clip you can dream up - like our spotted 'Easter Egg Claude' in the photo!

For dog owners, a visit to the park is a great way to unwind, think about the day and socialise your pooch. But the benefits are now proven to reach further; with dog friendly parks becoming a hub for social networking.

A recent study undertaken at the University of Western Australia shows that dogs are a great conversation starter for 94% of people who take their dog to a park. Of these people, more than one in three have gone on to become more than just passing acquaintances and some are now organising regular social events.

These pooch park parties are bringing together people from all areas of life. In a leafy park in New South Wales, a group of dog lovers meet at the end of every working week. People bring along drinks and a snack and chat while the dogs play. For those who attend, it is a relaxing introduction to the weekend and it brings the community together.

Have you considered starting up a park party in your area? Click here to read some tips for partying with your pet.

Here's a list of the essentials to help you get a new puppy or kitten started on the right track.

1. Health check and vaccination

It is never too early for a vet check. We'll get your best friend started on a vaccination program and a thorough check over will rule out any health problems.

2. Diet

To ensure your pet gets everything needed for a growing body, we recommend a premium quality diet. These highly digestible diets are readily absorbed and the good result is less poo to pick up! Always introduce a new diet slowly to prevent an upset stomach

3. Parasite prevention

Intestinal worms can be a serious problem for our young pets so regular worming is a must. We will also recommend the most suitable products to prevent against ticks, fleas and heartworm.

4. Microchipping

A rice grain sized chip with an individual number is inserted under your pet's skin. Your phone number is kept on a central database so don't forget to update your details if they ever change.

5. Training

Dogs and cats learn from positive reinforcement and good behaviour starts from day one. Ask us about Puppy Pre School and training tips for your kitten.

There is an obvious answer to this question: desexing prevents unwanted pregnancies in female cats and dogs.

Did you know that there are also medical reasons for desexing?

Desexing around the age of six months greatly reduces the risk of cancers in both male and female pets. Non castrated male dogs are at a higher risk of suffering from testicular cancer and prostate disease and are far more likely to roam, getting themselves into trouble.

Female pets that have not been spayed can develop mammary cancer. It is also not uncommon for non desexed female dogs to develop a uterine infection. This leads to a septic uterus, also known as pyometra and your pet can become very ill and even die if the uterus is not removed promptly.

There are countless stray and abandoned animals euthanased every year so desexing your pet gives unwanted animals a far greater chance of finding a home. If you do not plan to breed from your pet, we recommend desexing. If you are considering breeding with your pet make sure you discuss this with us first and only commence breeding at a safe age for your pet (generally after the age of 18 months).

Jack the Kelpie had red eyes. He was rubbing them with his paws and woke each morning with a watery discharge. Jack was not his usual happy self.

Examination ruled out problems with his tear production, extra eyelashes that may cause irritation or the presence of a foreign body such as a grass seed. Special green dye was also applied to his eyes to check for damage to the windscreen of his eye, known as the cornea.

Thankfully there were no major problems and it was thought Jack was suffering from allergic conjunctivitis. Ointment was dispensed to help treat the problem and a revisit later revealed the conjunctivitis had cleared.

Important rules for healthy eyes:

See us if your pet:

- has one or both eyes closed or is squinting

- has swollen eyelids

- has redness noticed on the white of the eye

- has a sudden increase in discharge

- is continually rubbing the eye/s

Only ever wipe your pet's eyes with a damp cotton wool ball.

NEVER put your own eye drops in your pet's eyes as this may damage the eye.

Consider an eye problem as urgent until proven otherwise. Early treatment gives us the best chance to successfully treat the eye/s. Always call us if you are concerned.

When it comes to worming or giving medication, we are often asked, "how on earth do I give my pet a tablet?"

Here are some tips to help you out:

1. Always check the instructions and double check you are giving the correct amount of medication

2. Have your pet in the sitting position

3. Hold the tablet in one hand between your thumb and index finger

4. Place your other hand over the top of your pet's muzzle and holding the upper jaw, open your pet's mouth

5. Place the tablet at the back of the throat and close the mouth

6. Rub the neck and make sure the tablet has been swallowed

You can try hiding the tablet in your pet's favourite treat but ask us first as some medications need to be given on an empty stomach.

For pets that are good at spitting out a tablet, there are spot on worming products available. Always ask us if you need some help.