Pets Australia Issue 70 August 2017

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http://www.facebook.com/petsmagazine August

News | PETS

23

WINTER BLUES

Winter is very much still out in force, so

it’s important to take extra-good care of

your pets during the cooler months. Nadia

Crighton, spokesperson from Pet Insurance

Australia, says, “Moving kennels into the sun

and cat beds into light-drenched windows

can help keep your pet warm when you are

not at home. For older dogs, consider using

coats at night and if your pet predominantly

lives outside, consider bringing them into a

laundry or protected area.”

Some pets can also show signs

of arthritis when the weather cools.

Symptoms include:

^ Licking joints

^ Pacing, particularly at night

^ Groaning when lying down or

getting up

^ Joint stiff ness

^ Yelping when jumping or running

^ A reluctance to get up

^ Unusual walking

“If you notice any of these symptoms or

you are concerned about your pet’s mobility,

please chat with your vet,” Nadia advises. “The

medication now available for arthritis is giving

a new lease on life to many arthritic-bound

animals.”

Pet Insurance Australia has noticed a steady

increase in arthritis claims over the past six

years. “In 2010, we saw just over 2000 claims

for arthritis. This number is now well over

15,000 claims per year.”

For more information on protecting your

pet, visit petinsuranceaustralia.com.au

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VETS TO PROTECT

PUPPY BUYERS

The World Small Animal Veterinary

Association (WSAVA) is urging all vets to

take a proactive role when it comes to

battling hereditary diseases in small animals

by recommending DNA tests. These tests

can help reduce the number of dogs bred

with problems, resulting in fewer puppies

born with serious health conditions.

Dr Cathryn Mellersh, head of canine

genetics at the Animal Health Trust and a

member of the WSAVA Hereditary Disease

Committee, says, “We ask vets to advise

breeders to use DNA test results to avoid

breeding clinically aff ected dogs and to reduce

the frequency of mutation within a breed, over

time, without damaging genetic diversity.”

As a potential pet parent, it’s important

to research what diseases, if any, the breed

you are interested in is prone to, and to

ask the breeder if they have undertaken

any testing for these particular conditions.

Always acquiring your pets from a registered

breeder will help reduce the risk of ending

up with a dog with serious health problems.

For more information, visit wsava.org

ROTECT

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