Protect your pets this winter
Press release
23 June 2008
If you’re feeling the effects of the cold as winter closes in, you’re not alone – your pets could be suffering too.
Just like their human owners, animals can struggle as the mercury drops, especially those with problems like arthritis, a condition which, if ignored, can be a killer for pets.
According to Dr Leonie Richards, veterinarian at the Veterinary Clinic and Hospital based in Werribee, animals with these conditions can enjoy a long and healthy life if given proper care and treatment.
Take golden retriever George, who was diagnosed with arthritis in his hips during a routine annual check up at the clinic two years ago.
Without regular injections, anti-inflammatory drugs and a weight loss program, owners Brian Hickey and Steve Olsen freely admit their “great companion” would no longer be with them.
Instead, at 15 ½-years old – well beyond the average lifespan for his breed – he still enjoys two walks a day and remains a central part of his owners’ lives.
“We didn’t think he would make last Christmas, let alone winter, but now he looks like he’ll make this Christmas too,” said Brian, 58.
He and Steve, 48, run a London taxi wedding car service and a vending machine business from their Wyndham Vale home and say George always took an interest in everything they did.
They have had him since he was nine and grew so fond of him that when he developed sores on his front legs Steve devised a padded support to alleviate the problem.
So when they discovered George had arthritis they feared the worst, but, with the support of Leonie and the clinic, he is enjoying an extended lease of life.
Dr Richards said: “Winter is the time when a lot of aches and pains become more noticeable.
“A lot of people just think, ‘Oh, my pet’s getting old’ and don’t realise there is help available, or are too scared to see a vet.
“But it’s better to have a check up with a vet sooner rather than later.”
She also suggested some simple tips for keeping pets safe in the cold:
- Make sure they have good, padded bedding
- Ensure their shelter is solid and draught free
- Don’t get lazy in the cold – still take your animals for regular exercise
That way, like George, even the oldest pets could have a new lease of life.
“For the sake of your animal, don’t be scared of taking them to see a vet,” said Steve. “The treatment for George has been fabulous and he’s had two more years of fun.”
For further information please contact Andrea Jones, Marketing Manager, Faculty of Veterinary Science, University of Melbourne, Tel: 8344 7844 or email: ajone@unimelb.edu.au