In This Issue: 

• HEAT STROKE PREVENTION
• FLEA FACTS
• TREATING YOUR PET
• TREATING YOUR HOUSE
• WHERE TO GET HELP
• QUOTE
• DIAMOND DOG - NOT JUST GOOD, GOOD FOR THEM

HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM ALL THE STAFF AT ABBA BOARDING KENNELS AND CATTERY

To all our Loyal Customers and loved Pets we hope you had a very merry Christmas and a safe and happy new year and we look forward to seeing you again in 2012.

To all our new and old customers we would like to send you a personal invitation to visit our new ABBA Boarding Kennels and Cattery located at 59- 61 Ordish Road Dandenong South. We value your custom and if you haven't seen our brand new facility we thought you may like to visit. We have the same friendly and dedicated staff that you have known in the past. We hope to see you soon. Drop in or phone anytime 9768 2214

Kind Regards Dennis and Vicki Cleghorn

HEAT STROKE PREVENTION

In rising summer temperatures, dogs will continue to play and can dangerously overheat! Heat stroke can lead to serious, even fatal, health complications such as collapse, seizures, and organ failure. Would you know what signs to watch for when hot weather leads to problems? Here are some helpful hints for your pets during summer

• Avoid dehydration by always having fresh, clean water available. Provide lots of shady places where pets can cool off. When the weather is extremely hot, keep your pets indoors.
• Limit exercise to early morning or late evening. Before your walk, give the sidewalk a test with the palm of your hand. If it's too hot to touch, it can burn your pet's footpads and should be avoided.
• Bring outdoor pets inside, and give them access to cool areas of your home. For animals that must remain outside, provide a shady, shelted place to rest and lot of fresh water in stable container. For those of us who are away at work all day fill a container up with water and freeze it, then place the freezer block into their water bowl.
• NEVER leave an animal alone in a parked vehicle. On a hot day, a parked car can become a furnace in no time even with the windows open – leading to fatal heat stroke within minutes.
• Watch out for the following symptoms of overheating excessive panting or difficulty breathing, drooling, mild weakness, seizures, bloody diarrhoea and vomiting, those breeds with short noses like bulldogs, pugs, and Pekingese, older pets with medical problems are at increased risk.

Contact your local Veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet is suffering from heat stroke as emergency treatment is needed to prevent fatal complication or even death.

FLEA FACTS

Fleas have been around for about 100 million years. At that time, fleas may have infested a Tyrannosaurus Rex or Triceratops!

Fleas can jump up to 150 times their own length. To put that into perspective, if humans has this ability they could jump 1,000feet. So they can easily jump onto your pet from the ground, or another pet.

Fleas can survive undisturbed and without a blood meal for more than 100days.

The female flea can lay 2,000 eggs in her lifetime and consumes 15 times her own body weight in blood daily.

The largest recorded flea is the North American Hystichopsylla schefferi. Found in beavers, it can measure up to 12mm in length

A flea can bite 400 times a day. That's 4,000 bites a day if your pet has just 10 fleas. If your pets have fleas, then you may need to treat the household, backyard and bedding. Fleas can live in carpets and in the ground for months at a time.

Dogs and cats are common 'reservoirs' for fleas. Your pet may be irritated by flea bites and scratch often. Check for fleas by parting the fur, particularly around the ears and rump. Look for the fleas themselves or for flea faeces (poo). Flea faeces look like miniscule dark specks. For a positive identification, place a few of the specks on a piece of lightly moistened white tissue. Flea faeces will leech a ring of blood into the tissue.

Treating your pet

Infested animals should be treated fortnightly for several weeks. Suggestions on treating your pet include:

• See your veterinarian for a range of appropriate flea-killing products.
• Treatment options include tablets to be swallowed by the animal, and solutions or powders to be applied to their fur.
• Treat your pet for tapeworm, since fleas can transmit this parasite through their bite.

Treating your house

Your local council can offer information and advice on dealing with a flea infestation. Some general suggestions on eliminating fleas yourself include:

• Clean animal bedding and the general surrounds thoroughly.
• Vacuum the carpets. Throw away the vacuum cleaner bag, since it will contain fleas and eggs, or use a surface spray into the bag.
• Use an appropriate spray or 'flea bomb' in your house, taking care to follow the label directions carefully.
• Treat outdoor areas commonly used by your pet, such as kennels, with appropriate insecticides, wearing gloves and long-sleeved protective clothing as instructed on the label.
• Repeat the procedure once or twice, since flea eggs can survive for some weeks.
• Maintain hygiene practices (regular vacuuming, keeping pets free of fleas and so on) to prevent another infestation.
• A persistent infestation may need to be treated by a qualified pest controller.

Where to get help

• The Australian Environmental Pest Managers Association Tel. (02) 9281 7699 or 1800 25 27 72
• Professional pest controllers (check the Yellow Pages)
• Your local pharmacist
• Your doctor
• Your veterinarian
• Your local council

DIAMOND DOG - NOT JUST GOOD, GOOD FOR THEM

Ever hear of the Chia seed? It's an exceptional source of Omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, antioxidants, complete protein, iron, calcium and magnesium that's great for humans and for dogs too.

Diamond Dog Food & Bakery believes they are the first in the world to use the amazing chia seed and flour as a key ingredient in their biscuits, dinners and bakery treats for dogs.

All Diamond Dog treats are made by hand on the premises locally in Brighton. Chocked with beneficial vitamins and proteins, they're good for your dog's wellbeing - and yummy too. Try kangaroo & rosemary, moroccan lamb, peanut butter - no boring flavours!

Diamond Dog Treats are available for sale at ABBA Boarding Kennels and Cattery

Bring along a copy of our voucher and receive a Free Play-time.

QUOTE:

"The gift which I am sending you is called a dog, and is in fact the most precious and valuable possession of mankind." - Theodorus Gaza