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Kimberley pets: diseases to look out for, a lost “bat-eared” dog and the importance of desexing

Sarah BrettThe Kimberley Echo
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A dog brought in for treatment
Camera IconA dog brought in for treatment Credit: KANE

With the presence of the tick-spread disease Ehrlichia canis in the Kimberley, and in fact in much of Australia, we must now blood-test all our rescued dogs.

A bat-eared little girl was found wandering by herself, and no owners claimed her. When she was examined we found she had obvious jaundice (yellowing of her skin and gums) and her blood test showed indicators of tick disease.

She has started antibiotic treatment and as in foster care, but her future is somewhat uncertain.

Ehrlichia is a complicated and long-lasting disease, which in some cases, results in long-term organ damage which cannot be treated.

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All cases must have lifelong tick treatment so that they cannot pass the disease on, which can only be caught from infected ticks.

Tick treatments for dogs.
Camera IconTick treatments for dogs. Credit: KANE

We recommend Seresto tick collars and internal treatment with monthly Nexgard chews for tick treatment, which sadly is still no guarantee against disease.

It is really important to remember that Seresto collars must be replaced every four months.

KANE promotes the reduce, reuse, recycle philosophy, which can be applied to many aspects of our lives.

Also, desexing your pet, both males and females, will reduce the numbers of unwanted puppies and kittens in our region.

Cats and small-breed dogs should be desexed at six months of age, whilst medium to large-breed dogs are best desexed at 7-8 months.

To contact KANE for any information you can contact the Kimberley Vet on 9169 1229.

  • Sarah Brett is the chair of Kimberley Animals and Nature Education

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