Diarrhoea Management for your Pet

When can Direa Tablets be Used?

Direa Tablets can be used in the management of diarrhoea brought about by a variety of causes, including:

· Dietary change – for example a recently re-homed puppy
· Infectious agents
· Imbalance of gastro intestinal flora
· Food poisoning

Direa Tablets – How do they Work?

· Direa tablets contain a complexing or bulking agent called crospovidone that absorbs toxins and water from the gut to form a protective gel, thereby slowing and reducing the severity of the diarrhoea.
· Crospovidone is not absorbed through the gut wall and is chemically and biologically inert.

Dose Rates

· A twice-daily administration of the tablets for 2-4 days is recommended.
· Dogs – 1 tablet per 10-20 kg, cats ¼ tablet per 2.5-5kg bodyweight.

Remember

Veterinary advice should be sought for pets that exhibit signs of illness other than diarrhoea, including blood stained faeces, or if diarrhoea persists after 3 days treatment with this product.

Australian Made

A product of Australian research and development. Made in Australia. Registered with the APVMA (Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority)

Rabbit Care and Grooming

How to Make Rabbit Care More Enjoyable

Rabbits can be enjoyable companion animals because of their innate inquisitiveness and intelligence. They are sociable, affectionate and trainable. However, rabbit care can be a challenge to first time owners. Although they seem like hardy animals they are, in fact, physically delicate creatures.

One very important tip in rabbit care: they are very particular about grooming. Whether they are short or long-haired rabbits, they are fastidious in being clean. Hence, they tend to lick themselves like cats do. Keeping your rabbit healthy and happy therefore requires proper grooming. Long haired rabbit breeds in particular need regular brushing to remove loose hair before it is swallowed.

Fido’s® Bunny Bath Shampoo, a moisturizing shampoo that will leave your pet’s fur looking, smelling and feeling good, without drying the skin, provides the perfect way for you to care for your rabbit. This soap-free formulation by Mavlab™ enables you to cater to the delicate needs of your pet rabbit. What’s more, Fido’s® Bunny Bath Shampoo suitable for guinea pigs as well.

In summary – your rabbit needs a healthy diet, ample exercise, a clean and interesting environment and regular grooming, ideally including washing with Fido’s Bunny Bath Shampoo.

Dental Care for your pet

Introduction to Dental Disease

A pet with healthy teeth and gums will have:

  • Clean white teeth
  • Breath odour which is not objectionable
  • Pink gums which encircle the teeth

Unfortunately by about three years of age most pets’ gums and teeth are starting to become unhealthy if appropriate preventative maintenance measures are not being used.

Causes of Dental Disease

Just like people, dogs and cats accumulate plaque in the mouth from everyday activities such as eating. Plaque is a soft, sticky film that forms when food debris, bacteria and proteins in the saliva combine and accumulate on the teeth if they are not kept clean. Dental problems are caused when plaque is left to build up and combines with bacteria and calcium salts found in the mouth. This causes the plaque to harden and to form tartar, a yellow – brown substance that sticks strongly to the teeth requiring mechanical abrasion to remove. The presence of plaque and tartar can cause painful reddening and inflammation of the gums (known as gingivitis) and if left untreated over time inflammation of the connective tissue surrounding the teeth can occur (periodontitis).

Signs of gingivitis:

  • Yellowing of teeth
  • Unpleasant smelling breath
  • Gum margins appear quite red
  • Possible change in eating or chewing habits

Signs of periodontitis:

  • Soreness in the mouth
  • Separation of the teeth and gums
  • Loosening of the teeth
  • Ulceration of the gums
  • Possibly other health problems resulting from the infection and inflammation of the gums

Proper Dental Care Begins With Your Veterinarian

Your veterinarian and vet nurses are best placed to advise you on prevention and maintenance measures. If you suspect a dental problem take your pet to your veterinarian for a check up. Dental check ups should be part of your pet’s annual veterinary visit. Scalings may be required from time to time to mechanically remove plaque and tartar build up. Appropriate preventative measures can be applied at home to help reduce the need for these.

Prevention and Maintenance

Preventative measures include brushing your pet’s teeth, use of topical products such as Dental Spray Gel, dietary management (eg dental chews or dental diets), or the use of products in your pet’s water. It is best to start early in your pet’s life and younger pets will generally learn to accept dental care as part of their daily routine. However older animals can also learn and benefit from the same processes.

Mechanical removal of plaque by teeth brushing is one of the most effective preventative measures if your pet will allow you to do this safely and you can fit it into your daily routine. Dental Spray Gel can be used as a “tooth paste” in this situation. However, in many circumstances teeth brushing may just not be feasible and dental spray gel sprayed onto the gums provides an easy and effective alternative way of reducing plaque and tartar build up.

Dental Spray Gel

The active ingredient in Dental Spray Gel is called chlorhexidine. Chlorhexidine has been proven to be the most effective topical antimicrobial in reducing plaque formation and maintaining oral health. Chlorhexidine is retained on the teeth and gums for longer periods than other antimicrobials and this sustained release prolongs its effectiveness.

Dental Spray Gel is safe, effective and well proven. It is pleasant tasting and easily applied. Daily use is advised, or as directed by your veterinarian.

Not all worms are good for your bird

Birds can be as affectionate and sociable as any pet you can have; and they’re intelligent too. They’re also generally low-maintenance pets that require little space.

Just like mammals and reptiles, birds can be susceptible to internal parasites, some more than others. They can get them outdoors, eating insects or from flocks they interact with. An infestation of worms can lead to malnutrition, weight loss and, at times, even death. If you notice a bird doing a lot of sleeping but still eating when food is offered normally you may find worms to be the cause. A stained or dirty vent or worms or worm segments around the vent are also possible signs of infestation.

Avitrol Plus Bird Wormer Syrup and Tablets are effective in controlling parasitic worms in ornamental caged birds and pigeons.

Caring for your feathered friend

Keeping birds as pets can be as rewarding as having furry friends, though at times more challenging. The brilliance of their colours provide no end of satisfaction. But they’re not just for watching, as many pet bird owners will attest to. Pet birds can be sociable, sometimes even cuddly pets. Some just want to sing to you but some parrots have been known to enjoy sharing meals with their owners, even showering with them.

But unknown to many, birds can be hosts to feather mites and lice; and because these creatures are so tiny they can very easily be overlooked. When your pet bird appears restless and preening more than usual, there’s a good chance that it is infested with feather mites or lice which can lead to a host of other complications including damage to its plumage. Young birds that get infected with mites are especially prone to succumb from mite infection’s ill effects.

For these problems Mavlab™ offers its easy to use Avitrol Bird Mite and Lice Spray to help control feather mites and lice on caged birds and their environment so you get to enjoy your feathered friend even more.