CVH vet Dr Penny Ovenstone continued Crookwell Veterinary Hospital’s support for AMRRIC (Animal Management in Rural and Remote Indigenous Communities) when she travelled to Central Australia in November to volunteer in one of the not-for-profit organisation’s animal health programs.

During her time in Central Desert Shire, Penny, with AMRRIC vet Dr John Skuja and 2 volunteer vet nurses, desexed over 55 dogs (and 2 cats) and worked with local Indigenous community members and other volunteers to treat hundreds of dogs against intestinal worms and sarcoptic mange.

All this was achieved in 45°C (in the shade), operating in outdoor “surgeries”, battling dust storms and broken down cars! Travelling from Alice Springs, Penny and the team worked in the desert communities of Ti-Tree, Ti-Tree Station, Willowra and Willora. Ti-Tree is 200km north of Alice Springs and over 300km south of Tennant Creek.

Penny – who became an AMRRIC member recently – says while the working environment was tough, it was an incredibly rewarding experience, knowing she was helping people and pets who are so isolated and lacking in routine veterinary services.

AMRRIC (www.amrric.org) is the only not-for-profit organisation in Australia focused on improving animal and human health in remote Indigenous communities. It is an independent group of veterinarians, health workers, academics and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people that supports and facilitates sustainable animal (primarily dog) health programs in remote Indigenous communities. Through its work, it not only improves the health and welfare of animals, it improves the overall health and wellbeing of the people living in these remote Indigenous communities.

Over the past year, during more than 165 visits to remote communities and numerous outstations, AMRRIC staff, partners and volunteers desexed over 2,710 dogs, treated 7,365 dogs for internal and external parasites and visited over 1,500 homes to consult with pet owners. This work was enhanced by AMRRIC’s education programs, delivered to over 500 school students. Local Indigenous Animal Management Workers (AMWs), trained and mentored by AMRRIC, played a vital role in all these programs. The AMWs work alongside vets and administer regular antiparasitic treatments to all dogs in the communities in which they live and visit.

Jennie and Rob Churchill have been longstanding supporters of AMRRIC. Jennie was Acting CEO in 2007 and is now the Board’s Deputy Chair. They have both volunteered on Elcho Island, 500km east of Darwin.

Barber’s Pole on the rise

CVH staff are already diagnosing high Barber’s Pole worm infestations – including in apparently healthy sheep and alpaca flocks showing no clinical signs. The intestinal worm Barber’s Pole (Haemonchus contortus) loves warmth and moisture – exactly the conditions being experienced in our current summer weather. Found in the 4th stomach (abomasum), Barber’s Pole can cause ill-thrift, poor condition, pale mucous membranes (gums, third eyelid), bottle jaw and in severe cases, death. The combination of heat and rain initiate development of infective worm larvae from eggs dormant on pasture. Once mature in the gut, a single female worm can produce 5,000 to 15,000 eggs daily.

The infestations have been diagnosed through routine faecal egg counts conducted in-house at CVH (faecal culture may be required to confirm the diagnosis). We strongly recommend scheduling faecal egg tests before mid-January – regardless of the visible health status of your flocks. Ring us on (02) 4832 1977 to book in your samples.

Pancreatitis

Summer barbeques and Christmas feasts provide great enjoyment for humans, but for their pets – dogs in particular – an overdose of the good life can lead to a painful and potentially fatal condition called pancreatitis.

The pancreas is a very important small organ that lies in the right hand side of the abdomen. It has two functions:

One part of the pancreas produces the hormone insulin and controls blood sugar. These cells are involved in diabetes.

Other pancreatic cells produce enzymes that help with food digestion. Inflammation of these cells (pancreatitis) causes autodigestion of the pancreas – in other words, the pancreas is attacked by its own digestive enzymes.

While the cause of pancreatitis is often unknown and there is no age, sex, or breed predisposition, middle to old aged and overweight dogs are more commonly affected. Genetic factors are suspected in some breeds such as Miniature Schnauzers, and some disease conditions and drugs may initiate the disease.

One of the accepted risk factors in dogs – and the one most relevant for the festive season - is ingestion of excess fat. Think table scraps, lamb chop tails, fat off the ham, cold grease scrapings from the BBQ, cheese and other snacks.

Symptoms

Pancreatitis can be acute or chronic and clinical signs vary accordingly. In acute pancreatitis, there is a sudden onset of nausea, abdominal pain, refusal to eat, vomiting, fever and, in severe cases, shock with complications in other vital organs and death. Chronic pancreatitis means the condition keeps recurring and this often happens in dogs that may have recovered from an acute episode.

Diagnosis and Treatment

Clinical signs and history help point to a diagnosis, backed up by blood tests showing specific changes to pancreatic and other organ enzyme levels.

Treatment of acute pancreatitis must be initiated as quickly as possible. Intravenous fluids are critical for maintaining normal fluid and electrolyte balance, and antibiotics, pain relief and other treatment is aimed at relieving symptoms and helping the pancreas rest and heal.

Prevention

As with so many health conditions in pets, prevention is by far the best option. Think of your pet’s diet as you do your own – once your dog has recovered, talk to our vets about a safe, low fat maintenance diet to use long term to help prevent pancreatitis recurring. Prescription diets are available to make this easier.

Snakebite

CVH vets believe this is the most active snake season seen for many years. We continue to see snakebite cases. Please remember snakebite is an emergency - pets presented as soon as possible after the bite stand the greatest chance of survival. Always ring us first on our 24 hour line (02 4832 1977) if you suspect your dog or cat has been bitten by a snake, then bring your pet in immediately.

To get more information on snakebite and other health conditions of small and large animals, visit our website www.crookwellvet.com.au and search for the relevant fact sheets in the Animal Care section.