Toxic Plants

Although there are many safe plants for birds, there are a variety of plants which are poisonous to birds.

If a bird appears to have ingested a poisonous plant, it is vital that they be taken a veterinarian as soon as possible.

 The most common signs of plant toxicity in birds are forms of gastric or intestinal upset (such as vomiting and/or diarrhoea).  The treatment for plant poisoning will generally depend on the birds symptoms.  Always contact a veterinarian for advice and treatment.

Although different species may have different reactions and sensitivity to different plants, the plants listed below are considered toxic to birds:

• avocado;
• black locust;
• blue green algae;
• call lily and lily of the valley;
• castor bean;
• Christmas cherry;
• coffee beans, tea, chocolate;
• diffenbachia;
• elephant’s ear;
• ergot;
• foxglove;
• mistletoe;
• nightshade (black, green and deadly);
• oak;
• oleander;
• philodendron;
• poinsettia;
• potatoes;
• rhubarb leaves;
• rhododendron;
• tobacco;
• Yew.

* Canine First Aid intensive industry online e-workshop will run from 1st Feb through to the 1st March.  We are offering students this term a massive discount of $100.00.  E- Workshop tution only $85.00 (normally $185.00)  Applications for enrolment is this critical e-workshop close on 28th January.

*Bird and Reptile Vision e-seminar commences on 1st April and runs through the week until 7th April.  Tuition is currently discounted at only $65.00.  A fantastic program for Vet Nurses. Applications for enrolment close 21st March.

Enquiries can be emailed to: admin@petcarecourses.com

Dictionary of Veterinary Anatomy, Physiology and Disease

Purchase directly from the publisher.  

http://www.lulu.com/content/paperback-book/dictionary-of-veterinary-anatomy-physiology-and-disease/7382828

    With the Melbourne Cup long weekend approaching, many people plan for a weekend away.  Traveling with your pet whether it be on vacation or to a dog show or vet clinic, should be hassle free and enjoyable for the entire family.  If your dog is house trained there should be no problems with accidents in the car. 

Dogs MUST be restrained in the car for their safety and the safety of the family.  The dog should be seated on a rear seat and fastened with a three point harness.  The harness restrains the dog across the chest and is buckled in as a regular seat belt.  This prevents the dog from running and/ or jumping around the car which increases the risk of an accident and injury to the car passengers.

It is important that the dog has regular rest stops where they can be taken for a short walk and allowed to go to the toilet.  This will help prevent any agitated behaviour.  Ensure you carry your pooper scooper even on holiday.  At rest stops, also ensure the dog has fresh water to drink.  A portable drinking bowl can be kept in the car for this purpose. 

It is always best to be prepared for your dog becoming sick.  Many dogs suffer travel sickness and dogs tend to vomit easier than humans.  It is a good idea to pack plenty of towels just in-case your dog develops travel sickness.   Signs that the dog may vomit will include rapid panting and increased salivation.  If this is noticed you may be able to pull safely off the road and get your dog out of the car before it vomits.  Dogs who sit on the floor of the car have a higher risk of suffer motion sickness and the car floor vibrates and rocks more.  If possible the dog should be restrained correctly on the seat.

Part 2 coming soon.

We are offering a $50.00 discount on courses for those that text ‘petcare courses’ to 0413 805552 by Thursday 7th October.  Don’t miss this great offer. 

Courses include; Animal Nursing, Pet Grooming, Canine Behavioural Training, Horse Management, Wildlife Care Plus lots more.  Visit the college website at www.petcarecourses.com to view the prospectus.

Happy Studying.

Grooming your pet’s coat is very important to maintain its health.  Regular grooming releases natural oils which aid in keeping the coat shiny and healthly.  Grooming should include the removal of excess  undercoat and any tangles or matts that begin to form.  A mattered coat pulls on the skin causing irration adn in severe causes bruising. 

The following is a basic list of tools that can be used to grrom your pet effectivly and thoroughly.

To learn more about pet grooming and clipping stlyes visit the  Australian School Of Petcare Studies website and online prospectus.  www.petcarecourses.com

A basic grooming kit should include the following tools:

Pre-Bath tools:

• Slicker Brush
• Wide Toothed Comb
• Scissors
• Detangling Spray

Eye Tools:

• Gauzes
• Saline
• Tear Stain Remover

 Ear Tools:

• Artery Forceps
• Ear Cleaner
• Cotton Wool balls

Hydrobath:

• Cotton Wool balls
• Shampoo
• Conditioner
• Wide Toothed Comb
• Flea Products
• Towels

 Drying:

•  Towels
• Dryer
• Pin Brush
• Comb

Clipping & Presentation:

• Clippers
• #10, #7f, #5f blades
• Nail Clippers
• Ball Point scissors, 6 inch scissors, Thinning scissors
• Kool-Lube spray
• Slicker and comb

 ASPCS TEAM

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Many pets can develop Flea Allergy Dermatitis, a very common allergy that can leave the suffering dog very uncomfortable, itchy and in pain. The allergy occurs when the flea bites the dog and the immune system becomes exposed to the flea saliva.  It does not take hundreds of fleas for a reaction to occur; just one single flea on a flea allergic dog can trigger FAD.

The problem can be difficult to treat, as to break the cycle, the dog and his or her entire environment need to be treated and all fleas eradicated.  Although the fleas will be poisoned after biting the dog and ingesting the toxic blood, the biting flea will set off the allergic reaction once again.  

A thorough treatment plan needs to be followed with the help of your pet’s vet to ensure long term success in the treatment.

Fleas can harbour the eggs and immature stages of the tapeworm, and a successful and thorough treatment should always include worming the dog.

See your Vet for specific treatments to suit your pet.

Spider bite – Redback spider

 The redback spider (a close relative of the black widow spider) is found all over the world, and is one of the main spiders that cause potential health problems in pets as a result of their venom.

 The bite of a redback is not often life-threatening (unless the dog receives multiple bites); however, it can cause problems in smaller dogs and other pets.

 Symptoms of a redback spider bite may include: 

• severe pain around the bite area;
• vomiting and/or diarrhoea;
• muscle weakness;
• coma (in severe cases).

 In the first instance, apply a cold compress or ice to the bite, and seek veterinary assistance and advice.

The college facebook address is:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Melbourne-Australia/Pet-Education/48006233601

Our facebook page is also linked to Twitter, so you can keep informed by which ever virtual means that best suits you.

 Christmas time is a time of gift-giving and receiving. However, there are some things that should never be purchased as presents at Christmas or any other time of the year. These ‘things’ are living breathing pets (dogs, cats, rabbits, mice and so on). Pets require quality nutrition, life-long commitment, training, veterinary attention, vaccinations, grooming; the list goes on. Unfortunately, these things are often not considered when purchasing a pet from a pet shop. Pet shops place beautiful puppies or kittens in their windows in the hope that they will draw children to them, urging their parents to buy them ‘that puppy’ or ‘that kitten’. The role of pet shop attendants is not to consider whether a person is capable of looking after these animals, but to make money. It is so easy for parents to give in and buy a new puppy, kitten or other animal as a present to their children at Christmas time. However, once the excitement of Christmas is over and the ramifications of what looking after a pet means, it all seems much too hard for some families. Children who promised that they would look after their new best friend become bored with him or her, and the family companion is soon neglected and pushed to the side. Parents then decide that purchasing this pet was not a good idea and decide to give it up. This is where shelters such as the RSPCA and Animal Welfare League come in … These shelters are busy all-year-round taking caring of many homeless puppies, dogs, kittens and cats. However, it is during the January months following the Christmas and New Year periods, that their kennels become full to capacity as a result of all of the now unwanted Christmas ‘presents’. The people working in these shelters do everything they can to ensure that all of animals are well taken care of, fed and stimulated as much as possible, with the hope of finding a suitable life-long home for them. Unfortunately, it is much easier to re-home puppies or kittens, as people feel that older animals may be more difficult to handle. Therefore, some older animals may be sitting in kennels for months before they finally find loving homes.

ASPCS Team