Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty- WAVES in Perth, Western Australia | Veterinary surgeon

Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty- WAVES

Locality: Perth, Western Australia

Phone: +61 8 9412 5700

Address: 1/640 Beeliar Drive, Success, WA 6164 Perth, WA, Australia

Website: http://wavets.com.au

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25.01.2022 Spot the fracture @walterwhitebengal . Hope you are resting up and not being too mischievous. Thanks for all the cuddles in hospital. You are too cute!

24.01.2022 BUSHFIRES and PETS With Australias worsening bushfire seasons, it is important that pet owners who live near bushland plan ahead in case they ever need to evacuate. This includes having a ready bag with non-perishable pet food in sealed containers, bowls, bottled water, essential medications and depending on the pet species- carriers, cat litter etc. Well before an emergency arises is always the best time to ask friends or family who live outside of your area if they would ...be willing to take look after your pets for a few days if you ever needed to evacuate. Have a bushfire plan written down so everyone knows what to do in an emergency. All pets should be microchipped, but also ensure they always wear a collar and tag with your phone numbers. During emergencies, pets can go missing despite the best attempts of their owners to keep them safe. It may take finders of pets a few days to arrange for microchip scanning, so giving them easy access to your phone number may save you days of worry and heartache. In the event that bushfires are close to you and you have been advised to watch and wait, then please keep your pets inside and only walk dogs outside on a lead and check that the ground, isnt too hot for their paws. An emergency evacuation is not the time to be trying to find frightened pets who are hiding outside. Finally remember that dogs, cats, and many other pets cant sweat as we can. If you cant keep your house cool, then sponging down your pets fur coat or spraying a light water mist over them and having a fan on in the room, can help them to cool down more quickly than by panting. Finally, listen to the warnings and advice of the DFES. Here is the link to their advice for people with animals https://www.dfes.wa.gov.au//Pages/petsandotheranimals.aspx Stay safe fur families!

24.01.2022 UPDATE: we can now receive calls. Thank you for your understanding and patience during this time. EDITED:... Phone Issues - we apologise if you are having troubles getting through to us. We seem to not be able to pick up incoming calls at this time but we can see your phone number (unless a private number) and are calling people back after they try to call us. Alternatively, please email us at [email protected] and we can call you back. We will try to sort a diversion option if this technical issue is not resolved quickly. Our vets and nurses are on duty in the hospital and able to treat emergencies at 1/640 Beeliar Drive Success. Thank you for your patience and understanding.

21.01.2022 #covid19vets #covid19australia

21.01.2022 To all our Amazing Veterinary Industry Colleagues, Depending on how crazy busy your life has been just recently, you may or may not know that today is R U OK? day. With all the crazy things that have been going on in 2020, this question is perhaps more valid than it has ever been before, so we are reaching out to our colleagues, vets, nurses, animal attendants, groomers, etc in the industry to ask you, Are you ok?.... Being a part of the veterinary industry can be amazingly rewarding, but it also has some pretty monumental drawbacks. The ever present burden of meeting the high expectations that Australians associate with first world health care, coupled with unfamiliarity of the true cost of medications and procedures because of Medicare, means the clich that vets are only in it for the money is something we all hear, all too often. More and more posts seem to be popping up on social media from unhappy owners complaining about the services they received and price they had to pay for the care of their pet. At the same time, posts from Vets are often seen on support groups, truly devastated at the negative feedback and criticism from clients, unhappy about the outcome for their pet. These post always reinforce that no-one, would ever enter this industry if their primary concern was to make money. We have all started down the well trodden road, littered with hopes and dreams, convinced that our love for animals and desire to improve their welfare would trump the long hours, high stress and low pay. But all too often, we go home each day wondering why we decided to trod this pathway in the first place. Today we want to say, we feel your pain and understand your frustrations. But we also want to remind everyone to take time to remember the patient that you saved, the appreciative thank you and hugs from your clients and the puppy dog that just wanted to cuddle in your arms the whole day. Remember that difficult case that you solved, the cat that just keeps wanting to jump into your lap and the smell of that beautiful bunch of flowers that you got to thank you for being awesome! These are the things which make being a vet truely an awesome and rewarding career. So take today to remember the little things that make each day special. Check on your colleagues and friends. Kick your shoes off at the end of the day and take a well earned break. And if you are having a hard time or a difficult day, and if there is anything we can do to help, know that we are just a phone call away. From your colleagues and friends.

20.01.2022 HEAT STROKE- How to avoid cooking your pet this summer. As temperatures rise into the high 30s some pets here in Perth will be hospitalised for the catastrophic effects of heatstroke. Many will survive if their owners are aware of the signs and take immediate life-saving action. Sadly despite the best of veterinary care, some may die of the complications of this horrific condition. Dogs are most commonly affected but vets will also see cases in rabbits, guinea pigs,...Continue reading

20.01.2022 It was a dark and stormy night.

19.01.2022 PLEASE, WE ARE BEGGING YOU. Give the gift of vaccination to the fur child you love or consider giving this gift to a dog whose family may not be able to afford to vaccinate their dog. PLEASE DONT MAKE US HAVE TO EUTHANASE ANOTHER PUPPY, or 1 year old or 3 year old or 10 year old pet for parvovirus which is a vaccine-preventable disease! Check your dogs vaccination certificate to make sure their protection is up to date, and if you have any doubt about whether your dog is...Continue reading

18.01.2022 As part of WAVES commitment to supporting the veterinary community as a whole, we celebrated Vet Nurse Day with cupcakes at our Vet Nurse Seminar, a complimentary 2hr evening seminar for vet nurses with Dr Eben Martin (Surgical Resident) and Jenni Andrews (Registered Vet Nurse) presenting hands on approach tips n tricks for nurses to use in their everyday surgical nursing duties. Over 120 nurses came along, most after a long shift, as part of their dedication to their profes...sional development. Vet Nurse Day is a Veterinary Nurse Council of Australia (VNCA) initiative and this week marks Vet Tech Appreciation Week for our Colleagues across the Pacific. We celebrate and acknowledge the hard work, dedication, compassion, empathy and all around awesomeness of vet nurses, techs, assistants, receptionists and all veterinary support staff. Veterinary care is a team effort.

18.01.2022 Chunkie is a patient of WAVES and he recently had family photos taken with Santa, along with his younger sister and owners. Chunkie has allergies but this is well controlled, meaning he gets to sit still and look ever so handsome for the camera. Do you have photos of your pets with Santa?

17.01.2022 When is lettuce bad for your dog? When its Lucy Lettuce! Poor Oscar wasnt feeling too well and was vomiting at home. X-rays at WAVES showed distended loops of bowel present which were highly suspicious of a bowel obstruction in his case. After correcting his dehydration and medications to lessen the nausea and discomfort, surgery was performed. ... A firm green object was found firmly lodged in his intestines which was later confirmed to be a Coles Stikeez and identified as Miss Lucy Lettuce! After surgery and a few days recovering in hospital, hes now happy and well at home and back to taking the top spot on the couch! #dogforeignbody #schnauzerlife #wavesvet @ Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty- WAVES

17.01.2022 VET NURSES DAY is Friday 9th October 2020! So don’t forget to go out of your way to make the veterinary nurses you know feel special and appreciated. They are the unsung heroes and angels of our profession. We just wanted to acknowledge and thank all of the amazing nurses who work at WAVES as nurses and receptionists and also all of the nurses in other vet hospitals, shelter and wildlife organisations who love and cherish the patients in their care. As well as providing a huge amount of help, advice and support to the families of their patients and the public. Nurses, you are an absolutely essential part of the veterinary team. Thank you, thank you, thank you! Our nurses are slightly camera shy but here are some snaps which we have managed to capture of them at work.

16.01.2022 Just like health professionals, veterinarians, service station attendants and supermarket employees, blood donors are essential!! COVID may restrict our movements but doesnt stop the need for blood. Book into your local red cross donor centre and roll up your sleeve. And if you think your dog would like to help too, send us a PM! Super Dognator xoxo

15.01.2022 ANNOUNCEMENT: Clinical trial for dogs with lymphoma. The medicine department at WAVES is excited to be part of a multi-centre trial for a drug called Monepantel in the treatment of dogs with multicentric lymphoma. Lymphoma is a common cancer of white blood cells in dogs. Monepantal works by enhancing autophagy, which is a promising new approach to cancer management in human and animals. The drugs not cytotoxic or immunosuppresive and has a low toxicity profile. This trial aim...s to assess if Monepantel may be a suitable alternative treatment for dogs with lymphoma for whom chemotherapy is not an option. If you are a vet and have a dog you have recently diagnosed with lymphoma and your patient meets the following criteria, please contact us on [email protected] to get further information about the trial. If you are an owner of a dog recently diagnosed with lymphoma or suspected lymphoma and you may be interested in your dog becoming part of this clinical trial, then please speak to your regular veterinarian about the trial and they can contact us directly regarding your pets suitability and arrange referral if appropriate. Trial Criteria: The dog must have multicentric lymphoma diagnosed with fine needle aspirates or biopsy. The patient must not have received chemotherapy or prednisolone in the preceding 8 weeks. The patients needs to be clinically well and not have any major changes on routine blood work. The owner has declined conventional therapy (chemotherapy).

14.01.2022 The bushfires devastating the east coast are on everyones mind and we all want to help. Its tempting to send goods and supplies but the best thing you can do is donate money to organisations, so that they can obtain what they most need, rather than inadvertently give them something they may not use. Unneeded supplies end up costing volunteers valuable time to sort through and occupy space they may not have. If you cant afford to donate money consider if you hav...e a skill you can use that be bought by people who also want to help. So rather than knitting hand covers for koalas please consider knitting jumpers and offering then for sale in your local community with all proceeds going towards animals or people affected by the bushfires. If you are a hairdresser, electrician or plumber etc offer to do work in your community and donate the charge for your time to the bushfires. Organise a bake sale for a local kids sporting event etc. Consider joining a local volunteer group and learning the skills to help in the future. This will be a long hard recovery for wildlife, farm animals, farmers, communities and volunteers and they will need help for the many months ahead. Feed, medications and resources will be required and what is required will change over time. Many volunteer groups will need to train and support additional volunteers and this will also require resources in the future. Even if you cant donate today, you can start to work towards something that will help with in the future. Here is a small list of some of the organisations to consider helping. There are many others who you could also help. Wildlife Victoria: https://www.wildlifevictoria.org.au//donate-to-wildlife-vi Adelaide Koala and Wildlife Hospital: http://www.akawhospital.org.au/how-you-can-help.html Other wildlife rescues around Australia can be found on this link https://www.fauna.org.au/map.html South Australian Veterinary Emergency Management (SAVEM) https://www.savem.org.au/ Vets Beyond Borders (vets and vet nurses) has an Australian Veterinary Emergency Response Team https://www.vetsbeyondborders.org/donate-to-charity People: NSW Rural Fire Service https://www.facebook.com/nswrfs/ https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volun/support-your-local-brigade South Australian Country Fire Service https://cfsfoundation.org.au/donate Victoria Country Fire Association https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/about/supporting-cfa Australian Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery https://www.redcross.org.au//disaster-relief-and-recovery- Foundation for Rural & Regional Renewal (FRRR) https://www.frrr.org.au//disaster_resilience_and_recovery_

13.01.2022 In addition to helping pets feel better from their illnesses, WAVES is also passionate about teaching the next generation of veterinarians so that they can provide the best care for their patients. Last week, Dr Meng Siak, veterinary dermatologist from WAVES Dermatology, was invited to speak at an event catered for veterinarians who have recently graduated. The day event also included lectures on the importance of taking care of ones mental health working in the veterinary industry. It was a fun day of lectures, high tea and catching up with friends and colleagues. :)

13.01.2022 Christmas cheers from some of our dermatology patients We wish everyone a merry Xmas and best wishes for 2020 #waves #wavesdermatology

12.01.2022 PERTH SNAKES ARE WAKING UP. What to do, if you find your pet playing with a snake. Snake bite season is starting again in Perth and throughout our state. WAVES and other vet hospitals have treated several cases in the past few weeks. Some recent cases have been severe enough to require life-supporting ventilation. As the temperatures increase, we know from experience that the incidence of bites is going to increase. This is a reminder for all pet owners to take precautions to...Continue reading

12.01.2022 Its a Bird... Its a Plane... Its Super Dognator!

10.01.2022 Interested in a fun day out with your dog and meeting lots of other dog lovers? Tails on the Trail on Sunday 15th September morning has heaps of dog based activities including dermatology and emergency and critical care talks from WAVES vets.

10.01.2022 Spring is here means allergy season is here! If you suffer from hay fever, then you would understand how uncomfortable pets with environmental allergies (atopic dermatitis) can get especially over Spring and Summer. Unlike humans, allergic dogs and cats more commonly develop itchy skin and ears over rhinitis (sneezing, nasal discharge) and conjunctivitis (runny eyes). As a consequence of the itching, their skin gets damaged resulting in development of secondary infections, fu...rther exacerbating the itch level. There are many effective anti-itch medications for pets with environmental allergies including oral prednisolone, Apoquel or Atopica and Cytopoint injections. They work very well to provide short to medium term control of the itch but the itch will return once these are stopped or if the body develops tolerance to the medications. For longer term control, you can consider allergy testing to identify airborne allergens so that an allergy vaccine can be formulated. This is equivalent to allergy shots in humans and it is the only treatment modality that can help reverse the allergic disease. While environmental allergies cannot be cured, they can be effectively managed. One such example is Lola, a young 3 yr old Labrador, who was referred to see Dr Meng Siak, specialist veterinary dermatologist 12mths ago for severe itching. At that time, Lola required oral prednisolone 20mg once a day to control her itch. Allergy testing was performed, which revealed Lola is allergic to grasses, weeds, tree pollens, house dust mites and storage mites. A multimodal treatment plan was formulated including allergy vaccine, reducing allergen (house dust and storage mites) exposure and prednisolone. Last week, Lola came in for a recheck (travelling 1.5hrs from from Northam!) and her itching is very stable on a significant lowered prednisolone dose of 2mg (90% reduction) once a day. Lola is showing no side effects to prednisolone nor allergy vaccine. We aim to further reduce Lolas prednisolone requirements and potentially withdraw prednisolone after Summer. If you pet has itchy skin and/or ears, it is important for them to be examined by your primary care vet. There are many causes of itch that can be cured (eg ectoparasites) or controlled (eg flea and food allergies). If you pet has been diagnosed with environmental allergies, it would be worthwhile to discuss with your vet if allergy testing and allergy vaccine would benefit your pet.

10.01.2022 ARE YOU FEEDING YOUR PET A BALANCED DIET? For many people feeding a diet which has been tested to ensure that it is complete and balanced for dogs or cats is the easiest way to ensure that their pets get all of the amino acids, fats, energy, vitamins and trace minerals they need. However over the last decade, there has been an increase in various novel and home made diets for dogs and cats some of which are not complete and balanced (ie not guaranteed to provide the minimum r...equirements of amino acids, fats, energy, vitamins and trace elements) over the long term. Over time nutrient deficiencies can develop in dogs and cats predisposing them to health problems. Compared to humans who eat multiple different types of meals on a daily and weekly basis; inadequately balanced diets are a problem for our furry loved ones who often only eat one or two different meals on a long term basis. So if you do feed a home made diet or use food that doesnt have a claim that it is complete and balanced or doesnt provide a table showing that it does provide the adequate amounts of amino acids, fats, vitamins and minerals for the species being fed, then check it out on the following website. The BALANCE IT website has been formulated by specialist veterinary nutritionists to help people work out if the home-made or novel diet they wish to feed their pet is adequately supplying their needs for the long term. If you do try this out this site, ensure you check the results of your diet with and without recommended supplements being added as the site will automatically try to balance the diet options you select. If you have any concerns that your pets diet isnt balanced, then we recommend you discuss what to do with your regular veterinarian. All veterinarians extensively studied nutrition during their 5 to 6 years at university. Specialist veterinary nutritionists do at least another 2 years of full time residency training in nutrition after they graduated. https://secure.balanceit.com/recipegenerator_ver4/index.php

09.01.2022 Wishing everyone a wonderful and safe Christmas surrounded by the love of their furry and non-furry family members. With a special thanks to our wonderful donor superheros- we couldnt save as many lives without your help. With WAVES Blood Bank

08.01.2022 Arlo Paul was referred to WAVES by our colleagues at Margaret River Family Vet Hospital who suspected that he had been bitten by a snake, after he collapsed and stopped breathing. Arlo Paul received 4 vials of snake antivenin and was successfully resuscitated and stabilised by the amazing team at Margaret River Family Vet Hospital and their treatment successfully reversed the paralysis which had caused him to stop breathing. However he then developed very unusual signs of br...ain dysfunction which were not common with snake bite in dogs and therefore he was transferred to WAVES. On arrival Arlo Paul was showing signs of severe brain injury likely from bleeding into his brain, as a result of a blood clotting disorder caused by the snake bite. Arlo Paul was unable to walk, or eat or drink and suffered impairment of his brain function which required 24-hour intensive care. Our team of emergency and critical care specialists, veterinarians and veterinary nurses looked after him as he spent 7 days in our ICU slowly recovering from his brain injury. The first time Arlo Paul lapped water on his own and took his first few supported steps, were heart-warming moments for his family and the team who cared for him. Arlo Paul has continued his amazing journey of recovery at home with his dedicated family who have been helping him with active physiotherapy to regain his mobility and strength. WAVES is so happy to see the wonderful progress Arlo Paul has made and wish him all the best husky days ahead! If your pet is showing signs of weakness, collapse, vomiting, difficulties breathing or you suspect they have been bitten by a snake, keep your pet calm. Limit excitement or movement as this can hasten the spread of venom. Your pet should be taken immediately to your regular veterinarian for examination as snake venom can circulate rapidly and can be fatal. Always phone to check that a vet is available for treatment before driving and to obtain first aid advice if you pet is having difficulties walking. If your pet stops breathing en route to the vet then mouth to nose breathing may keep them alive to reach veterinary care. In WA, snake bite is very commonly and successfully treated with antivenom by many local veterinarians. In severe cases such as Arlo Pauls, your veterinarian may recommend referral to a 24-hour hospital such as WAVES for continued care.

08.01.2022 So thankful that we can help Daisy from our friends at HAART with her skin issues

08.01.2022 WAVES Vets believe in sharing our expertise with veterinarians within WA and also overseas. Over the weekend, Dr Meng Siak, Veterinary Dermatologist at WAVES, was invited to lecture in Singapore on allergies and recurring skin infections. Over 150 veterinarians, technicians and nurses attended the lectures. We hope that they can now use the knowledge to help pets in Singapore with their itchy skin.

06.01.2022 We love you too Floki. #wavesdermatology #beeallergy

06.01.2022 Veterinary Dermatology Nurse position available (one more week before applications close) The family at WAVES vet hospital is expanding! WAVES is an established multidisciplinary specialist veterinary hospital located in Success, WA. The dermatology team is seeking to expand the team to better serve pets, their owners and veterinarians within WA. The position is full-time consisting of 38hrs on 4 working days per week. There are no weekend, on-call nor public holiday work. On... Mondays, we consult from 1230pm to 9pm. For the rest of the week, we consult from 8am to 6:30pm. We also consult at satellite clinics and successful applicant must be available to travel north of the river every 3-4 weeks. WAVES Dermatology is committed to finding the right team member to stay with our WAVES family long term. We are looking for an energetic, enthusiastic and dedicated nurse who is genuinely interested in only working within the specialised dermatology department. The successful applicant must have: A Certificate IV in veterinary nursing or equivalent At least 2 years of full time experience in general practice Previous experience in a referral setting with confidence in fear free handling and general anaesthesia would be an advantage Exceptional customer service skills and the confidence to independently talk to pet owners The ability and confidence to coordinate the days workload You must have the confidence to liaise with all departments In return for your hard work and dedication, WAVES Dermatology will: Give you the training you need Encourage and support your further education and personal development over the years Provide a healthy and happy workplace for you and everyone else Deal with any negative workplace behaviour to make sure you enjoy working here with us Provide you with a challenging and satisfying career Genuinely care about you as a member of the WAVES family and respect your opinion on how WAVES can be improved At WAVES Dermatology, a typical consulting day will involve consulting with the dermatologist, restraining patients, assisting with and performing nursing procedures such as blood collection and catheter placement and assisting with advanced dermatological procedures such as allergy testing, video-endoscopy and skin biopsies. We take recruitment very seriously because we know it is important to get the right people and its also important that you are going to like working with us. We want to build up a team of people who will stay for years and grow with us. So if you think that you may be the person we are looking for please email Kelley at [email protected] to find out about our recruitment process and how to apply. We are looking forward to hearing from you. Deadline: 9th March 2020 **Please note we are unable to respond to private messages regarding this advertisement. See more

06.01.2022 ANAPHYLAXIS from near death to zooming! Jack is a much loved 7-year-old greyhound rescue who was stung by a bee, vomited and collapsed on his walk. He was immediately taken to his regular vets for emergency treatment but despite an initial improvement he ended up deteriorating and was rushed to WAVES. Jack was diagnosed with severe anaphylactic shock and was in a critically unstable condition when he was first transferred to us. As a consequence of the severe reduct...ion in blood pressure that occurs with anaphylaxis in dogs, Jack developed a vicious cycle of worsening shock which affected his heart and also caused internal bleeding into his abdomen, severe liver and muscle damage in addition to other complications. Jack required round the clock intensive care and was hospitalised at WAVES for 7 days where our dedicated team of experienced Emergency and Critical Care specialists, vets and nurses looked after him. His owners were determined to give Jack every chance to survive and return to his previous good health. Initially Jack was too weak and sore to stand on his own due to the massive muscle injuries he had suffered, he was completely disinterested in food and needed intensive care to help him get back on his feet. His intensive therapy extended to support for his damaged heart, his liver damage, his muscle damage and the pneumonia that developed as a result of aspirating fluid into his lungs when he initially collapsed. Due the combination of his committed owners and his intensive therapy, Jack made an amazing recovery and was given a clean bill of good health when he returned for his final check up with our Internal Medicine Specialists, 7 weeks after his initial sting. Seeing him bright, happy and healthy fills us with pride and happiness as it was a long and difficult road for him, the WAVES staff and his family when he was critically ill for so long. We wish Jack all the best as he lives out his happy greyhound days doing zoomies and being a well-loved member of his family! If you are concerned that your pet may be having an anaphylactic or allergic reaction (collapse, pale gums, vomiting, diarrhoea, hives, facial swelling, difficulty breathing) please seek veterinary attention immediately. If your regular vet is open we always recommend that you seek help with them immediately. In severe cases such as occurred with Jack they may recommend referral to a 24 hour intensive care facility such as WAVES. In severe cases such as Jacks, we also recommend that after you pet has fully recovered, they have a consultation with a specialist dermatologist for testing for bee and wasp allergy and desensitization to help minimise the risk of anaphylaxis occurring again in the future, a potentially life saving procedure. See more

06.01.2022 When is lettuce bad for your dog? When it's Lucy Lettuce! Poor Oscar wasn't feeling too well and was vomiting at home. X-rays at WAVES showed distended loops of bowel present which were highly suspicious of a bowel obstruction in his case. After correcting his dehydration and medications to lessen the nausea and discomfort, surgery was performed. ... A firm green object was found firmly lodged in his intestines which was later confirmed to be a Coles Stikeez and identified as Miss Lucy Lettuce! After surgery and a few days recovering in hospital, he's now happy and well at home and back to taking the top spot on the couch! #dogforeignbody #schnauzerlife #wavesvet @ Western Australian Veterinary Emergency and Specialty- WAVES

05.01.2022 Cats can get skin and ear diseases too. Luna the beautiful ragdoll was presented to WAVES Dermatology for refractory ear irritation and infections. After initial diagnostics, a specific treatment plan was implemented. Today, she came in to see Dr Meng Siak, veterinary dermatologist, for a recheck and her owners report she is much more relaxed and comfortable in her ears. If you have a cat with skin or ear condition, it is important to have them examined by your primary care vet. If required, they can refer you to a veterinary dermatologist for further diagnostics and testing

04.01.2022 When your pet attracts bees like honey Bees and wasp are most active in Spring and Summer. Like in humans, bee and wasp stings in cats and dogs can result in localised swelling to potentially life threatening severe allergic reactions called anaphylaxis. Organs that can be affected include the skin (e.g. hives, angioedema or swollen skin), respiratory system (e.g. shortness of breath, coughing), gastrointestional tract (e.g. diarrhea, vomiting) and cardiovascular system (e.g.... collapse, pale coloured gums). Anaphylaxis is more likely when two or more organs are affected. If your pet gets stung by a bee or wasp and develops an allergic reaction, immediate examination by your primary care vet is important to ensure they are not having an anaphylactic reaction. Mild allergic reactions can be managed symptomatically with antihistamine and cortisone injections to treat the skin lesions and reduce swelling of the throat respectively. If your pet develops an anaphylactic reaction, adrenaline would be given by your vet. Oral antihistamines are ineffective due to slow onset of action and that most pets would vomit during an allergic reaction. Even if your pet appears to recover rapidly, close monitoring at your primary care vet is important because some pets can develop biphasic reactions, which is when another allergic reaction reoccurs, usually within 8-10hrs but up to 3 days. At WAVES Dermatology, Dr Meng offers bee and wasp allergy testing to your pet to confirm sensitivity to the venom before starting a desensitisation program. In humans, the desensitisation program can significantly reduce the severity of subsequent allergic reactions. The testing is done under strict monitoring with our specialist anaesthetist for your pets safety. The desensitisation program includes an induction phase followed by monthly injections for 3-5 years with lifelong treatment recommended in highly allergic pets. Dr Meng will also make recommendations to make your pet less attractive to bees including use of insect repellents and physical barriers (e.g. light colour clothing and doggy boots). This week, we have Daisy and Floki in the clinic to receive their induction injections and they are progressing through their desensitisation program very well. The aim is to provide protection against future bee or wasp stings so that they can continue to enjoy their daily walks. If you have a pet with a history of anaphylaxis to bee or wasp stings, please discuss with your primary care vet so that they can advise if your pet will benefit from a desensitisation program.

04.01.2022 Glad to know the state government is supporting us in this very difficult time!

03.01.2022 When we were children, the majority of vets and vet nurses were fascinated by nature. We picked up snails, insects and lizards in the garden, watched nests of baby birds grow up, found injured birds and wildlife and took them for help, became excited when we saw kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, possums and other native animals and the majority of us grew up surrounded by and caring for animals. Once we finished our studies we dedicated our lives to helping all creatures great ...and small. We are a science based profession and respect the work of scientists in all fields. Climate change, caused by human activity, doesnt just affect people. There are already reports within the veterinary community of unprecedented adverse effects on animals. The increased incidence of severe weather conditions associated with our rapidly changing climate such as floods, droughts, heat waves and bushfires also cause severe life-threatening impacts on the non-human members of our wonderful world. Unlike humans, animals cannot move away from environmental catastrophes as they occur. Therefore we support the people who are trying to stand up for the future of all of our amazing world on the 20th September. If you wish to read more about the effects on nature: https://www.un.org//05/nature-decline-unprecedented-report/

03.01.2022 Dogs and cats can develop immune mediated diseases too! Like humans, our pets can be affected by immune mediated skin and ear diseases. Thankfully, they usually respond much better to treatment and will stay in remission on very low doses of medications, sometimes allowing withdrawal with no flares. The most important aspect if you suspect your pet could have an immune mediated skin or ear disease is the prompt diagnosis to allow specific treatments to be started. Ollie is a... 4mth old puppy that was referred to WAVES Dermatology to see Dr Meng Siak, specialist veterinary dermatologist, when he was only 8 weeks old for lumps and crusting affecting his muzzle and ears. Queen Louise is a 8 year old cat, who was referred for loss of pigment to her footpads, crusty nose and pus from her clawfolds. In both cases, Dr Meng took a thorough history and suspected both Ollie and Queen Louise have immune mediated skin diseases. Careful selection of lesions for tissue biopsies were performed and samples sent to a dermatophistopathologist (pathologist specialising in skin diseases). Both results confirmed that Ollie and Queen Louise both had immune mediated skin diseases. Ollie and Queen Louise were started on different combinations of immunosuppressive medications to treat their respective diseases. They responded very well to the treatment and regular rechecks were organised to ensure continued improvement and careful monitoring for potential side effects to medications. Dr Meng will aim to gradually reduce the immunosuppressive medications and recommended ways to avoid a flare including avoiding extensive UV exposure, a common trigger/exacerbating cause for immune mediated skin diseases in humans and pets. If your pet develops any skin or ear lesions, it is important they be examined by your primary care vet. If these lesions are unusual or complicated, they can refer your pet to a veterinary dermatologist. A list of differential diagnoses can then be formulated to allow careful planning of diagnostic tests. When a definite diagnosis has been made, immediate specific treatments can be started to treat the skin disease and provide the best outcome for your pet.

03.01.2022 Happy 14th birthday Toby! Toby has been a regular and much loved patient since starting chemotherapy in March. Just a quick picture with his favourite nurses Sam, Denise, Kylie & Elle

02.01.2022 PERTH SNAKES ARE WAKING UP. What to do, if you find your pet playing with a snake. Snakebite season is starting again in Perth and throughout our state. WAVES and other vet hospitals have treated several cases in the past few weeks. Some recent cases have been severe enough to require life-supporting ventilation. As the temperatures increase, we know from experience that the incidence of bites is going to increase. This is a reminder for all pet owners to take precautions to ...Continue reading

02.01.2022 Deep tissue infections in cats. Due to the adventurous nature of cats, they can be exposed to a variety of opportunistic organisms in the environment. These include many bacteria and fungi. There are many factors that can allow these organisms to invade the skin and establish an infection. One of the most important factors is the immune status of the cat, including if they are infected with FIV (feline AIDS) and FeLV (feline leukemia virus). The infectious organisms invade ...the deeper layers of the skin resulting in formation of multiple draining tracts that opens to the surface of the skin. Prompt diagnosis is important to allow treatment to be started immediately. This includes tests to identify the causative organisms because they can all result in identical skin lesions. Many of these organisms will not grow in routine culture media and special tests are required including PCR to screen for DNA detection. If the infections are not treated early, the inflammation can result in formation of scar tissue to envelope the organisms and as a consequence reduce the ability of antimicrobials to penetrate and kill the organisms. Prognosis is good with early treatment. Striker was presented to WAVES Dermatology for skin wounds that were not responding to routine antibiotics. After a thorough history and physical examination, it was suspected that Striker has a deep tissue infection. Diagnostics include skin biopsies for histopathology and cultures, and PCR for Mycobacteria. The results confirmed that Striker has a mycobacterial infection and was started on combination antibiotics targeting the specific mycobacterial species. Striker responded well with closure of all draining tracts, but deep scarring remains. After most of the infections have been treated, surgery was performed to remove the deep-seated scars. Striker made a full recovery and following up screening revealed that Striker has FIV and he will now enjoy the comforts of living indoors. Deep tissue infections affecting cats are uncommon but can result in severe skin lesions. If you suspect your cat may be infected, it is important they be examined by your primary care vet. If required, they can refer you to a veterinary dermatologist for further testing to obtain a definite diagnosis so that specific medical treatment can be started.

01.01.2022 French bulldogs are a popular breed due to their loving temperament. WAVES dermatology commonly sees French bulldogs for allergies and middle ear disease. Nikita is a young French bulldog who developed very unusual head shaking (video 1). After consulting with her primary care vet, she was referred to Dr Meng at the dermatology department. We suspect Nikita have middle ear disease and a CT was immediately scheduled. The CT confirmed presence of fluid in both middle ears (phot...o 1). Video otoscopy was used to perform a precise incision through the ear drum to enable careful and thorough flushing of the the middle ears, avoiding delicate structures (video 2). After the procedures, Nikita stopped her head shaking and we will continue to manage her medically. If you have a French bulldog and your vet has diagnosed allergies or ear disease. WAVES can help make them feel better in their skin and ears! #wavesdermatology #wavesvets #frenchbulldogs #vetdermatology #veterinarydermatology #vetdermatologist #veterinarydermatologist

01.01.2022 Pondering about POO? Diarrhoea (runny poo/stools/faeces) in dogs is a common problem and can arise for many different reasons. If stool consistency is persistently loose it may suggest an underlying medical problem and it may or may not be the gut itself that is abnormal. Serati is a lovely young Kelpie who was presented to one of our Internal Medicine Specialists, due to ongoing episodes of diarrhoea and significant weight loss. Serati seemed constantly hungry and was ene...rgetic at home, but could not gain weight. Initial blood tests and ultrasound ruled out many of the common causes, and faecal (poo) testing samples did not show any signs of infection that could cause Seratis symptoms. The combination of weight loss despite a good appetite and ongoing diarrhoea raised suspicion for a reduced ability of the gut to absorb food. Absorption of nutrition from the gut relies on digestive enzymes being released from the pancreas to act on the food in the gut, and without these enzymes the amount of nutrition and vitamins being absorbed is inadequate. The pancreas is commonly thought of as an organ which produces hormones such as insulin for the regulation of blood sugar, however its other major job is to produce digestive enzymes and excrete these enzymes into the gut to digest food. A blood test was performed to assess the ability of the pancreas to produce digestive enzymes. This confirmed insufficient function, and another test confirmed very low Vitamin B12 levels in circulation (which is a common side effect in this condition). Serati was therefore diagnosed with Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency (EPI), which is actually a very rare condition in her breed. Exocrine pancreatic insufficiency has a good prognosis with treatment, and after Vitamin supplementation and replacement of the enzymes via a capsule in each meal Serati has happily shown significant improvement. She has regained 2kg in weight and as you can now see, is producing beautifully normal stools, with no further diarrhoea. Diarrhoea and weight loss can occur from many different causes, and sometimes require detailed investigations to reach a diagnosis. It is important that dogs and cats are examined by your primary care vet and for chronic conditions additional testing is often required. For unusual cases your veterinarian may refer your pet to a medicine specialist. With appropriate treatment the majority of dogs with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency will return to a good quality of life.