Newsletter Easter 2025

Larval Ticks – Are They Dangerous

Author: Dr Gretta Howard – Veterinarian

 

What are larval ticks?

Larval ticks are also known as grass ticks and are essentially baby paralysis ticks, which are endemic to our local area.

The natural hosts of paralysis ticks are our native possums and bandicoots, which live amongst our community within the Ku-Ring-Gai region. They have a year-long life cycle, consisting of eggs, larvae, nymphs and adult paralysis ticks. The eggs are laid in the grass and bush scrub and when they hatch, the larvae wait for an animal (or human!) to brush past and then jump on at the first opportunity, often in large numbers all at once! Larval ticks are usually not visible without magnification, though after a few days of feeding, they can sometimes be visible as a tiny dark speck attached to the surface of the skin.

After the larval ticks have fed for a few days, they jump off, turn into nymphs (the next stage in the paralysis tick life cycle) and wait for another unsuspecting victim to walk past to get another meal. Nymph ticks are slightly larger than the larvae and can cause clinical signs of paralysis in some animals. They are usually about 1-2mm when engorged.

Once the nymph ticks have a feed from their temporary host, they jump off and develop into adult paralysis ticks. These are prevalent from around September to March, so mainly the spring and summer months. Adult ticks can sometimes be found at other times of the year.

Adult paralysis ticks can be fatal in cats and dogs and any pet with a tick present showing even mild signs, such as vomiting, incoordination or a change in their bark or meow, should be treated by your veterinarian urgently as it does not take long before respiratory paralysis can set in.

 

Can larval or nymph ticks endanger my pet?

Read the full article on larval ticks.

 

URGENT: Save our Pet Bunnies this Easter from the Deadly Strain of Calicvirus!

 

The council released a new strain of Calicivirus (RHDV-2) in March 2025 to control the wild rabbit population. We are advising that ALL pet rabbits urgently have an annual Filovac vaccination, which covers BOTH strains of Calicivirus (RHDV-1 and RHDV-2). There is some cross protection with the previous Cylap vaccine, though rabbits who received this over 6 months ago are advised to have a booster with the upgraded vaccine as a precaution.

Contact Turramurra Veterinary Hospital via phone or email at info@turramurravet.com.au to check with our Customer Care Team to see if your rabbit is protected.

 

Beware of Mixing Chocolate and Hot Cross Buns with your Pets this Easter!

 

We all love an Easter egg hunt, but while your pets might want a piece of the action, it’s important that pets are excluded from joining in with any chocolate-eating this Easter. To find out more about chocolate toxicity in pets or to check out our chocolate toxicity calculator.

In addition to chocolate, the sultanas and raisins in hot cross buns are also toxic to pets, so keep them well out of reach from your pets, or better still, buy the sultana-free option! If your dog manages to scavenge a grape, sultana or raisin, it is important that your veterinarian induces vomiting promptly to avoid kidney failure. Learn more about the risks of sultanas, raisins and grapes here.

 

Harley Moore: A Brave and Happy Girl!

 

Harley Moore was nominated by Customer Care Team member, Vartiné, to receive March’s Pet of the Month Award for being a brave and happy girl! Precious Harley has been in and out of the clinic for a few reasons, including a knee reconstruction after rupturing her cruciate ligament, with consulting specialist Dr Eugene Buffa, as well as a bout of vomiting that required a hospital stay for intravenous fluids.

Through all these visits, she still managed to maintain her excitable, free-spirited nature, and always greets our team with her full body wiggle, tail wag, and a smile! Harley will receive a beautiful custom hamper full of goodies to enjoy at her leisure!

 

Duchess McClarty: Our Very Own Easter Bunny!

 

It felt fitting for the upcoming Easter holidays that we also nominate a rabbit for April’s Pet of the Month! It was a unanimous decision from the team to award this to Duchess McClarty, one of our cutest rabbit patients. Duchess visits us regularly with her dedicated family for ongoing joint management and support. Congratulations Duchess!

 

Ask The Vet!

Author: Dr Amy Howe – Veterinarian

1. How can I reduce the chance of my dog developing arthritis later in life?

Arthritis is one of the most common conditions affecting our older dogs, but can have a large and varying scale of how it presents. Arthritis describes the degeneration of cartilage within the joint, which acts as a cushion and smooth ending between the bones. As the cartilage wears with time, this can cause inflammation within the joint as well as the surrounding tissues, leading to pain, changes in weight bearing and reduced mobility.

Arthritis management and prevention requires a multi-faceted approach to give our doggy patients the best long-term outcome. Our recommendations include:

 

Regular moderated exercise

• This helps to maintain muscle mass and provide strength to the joints. This is also a helpful tool in weight management.
• Research has shown that more frequent shorter walks are better than less frequent high impact exercise such as long hikes on the weekend or ball throwing/off-leash running.

Weight management

Ensuring your dog maintains a healthy and normal weight is one of the most important tools in preventing arthritis. Research has shown that lean dogs have a lower rate of arthritis and a longer life expectancy!

 

Joint health nutraceuticals

• If your dog is at a higher risk of developing arthritis, due to age, breed or previous orthopaedic injuries or surgeries, then joint health nutraceuticals can play a role in helping to slow the rate of progression and provide protection to cartilage.
• Omega 3 fatty acids, glucosamine/chondroitin and green lipped mussel are the most common active ingredients used within these products. Products available include: 4cyte and PAW PUREAPEA+ Omega, both of which we stock at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital and are available over the counter.
• If oral supplements are difficult to administer to your dog, then there are commercially prepared diets available that have these ingredients built into them, such as Hills j/d (Joint Diet) or Hills j/d Metabolic + Mobility (Joint and Weight Management Diet).
• A course of pentosan polysulfate (Synovan) injections every 6-12 months can help repair previously damaged cartilage and provide relief. These are weekly injections over the course of a month given to your dog subcutaneously.  For more information see our detailed article on Synovan.

If you are concerned about your dog’s mobility or weight, book a veterinary consultation to determine the best plan for osteoarthritis prevention and management.

 

2. My cat is a picky eater. How can I make transitioning to a new food successful?

Our feline friends are lovers of routine, thriving in a home environment where the same timeline is followed each day. This also includes what food is offered and when it is offered.

Most cat owners will be familiar with the early morning meowing and pouncing on you in bed when breakfast time has come and gone!  However, this enthusiasm for mealtimes doesn’t always translate into them eating everything on offer. Some cats can have highly particular food preferences (affectionately known as ‘picky eaters’).

If it is necessary for your cat to be fed new food, for example moving from kitten to adult food, changing to a veterinary-recommended diet to help manage a specific health problem or if you simply want to try a new one, there are some general guidelines you should follow. The steps outlined below can help to make this change a little easier.

Go slow

We recommend that cats transition over to a new diet over a minimum of 7-14 days, and in cats sometimes up to 1-month. Start by mixing in a very small amount of the new food with the old food and gradually increase this amount in increments over the next 2 weeks. If a food aversion is noted as the amount of the new food is offered, reduce the amount for a few days and then re-start the transition.

Temperature matters

Particularly with wet food diets, cats generally prefer foods at room temperature or slightly warmed to body temperature. Avoid offering foods at extremes of temperatures (cold or hot).

Texture matters

Where possible, keep the textures of your new and old food the same. If this is not possible, you may need a little extra patience and a longer transition time to help your cat accept the new diet.

Flavour enhancers

Consider the use of a ‘topper’. This is generally something irresistibly delicious to place on top of the food to increase palatability of the new food. If you are undergoing a strict diet trial or are transitioning to a food prescribed by your veterinarian, ask what may be suitable for your individual pet.

 

Q&A: Jacqueline Holden – Customer Care Co-Manager

 

What inspired you to pursue a career working as a member of Turramurra Veterinary Hospital’s Customer Care Team?

I’ve always had a deep love for animals and a strong interest in helping people, so veterinary reception felt like a perfect combination of both. I’m inspired by the opportunity to support pet owners during both routine visits and more emotional moments, providing reassurance and kindness. Being the first point of contact means I can set the tone for a positive experience, and I take pride in creating a welcoming and compassionate environment for both clients and their pets.

 

What aspect of working at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital do you enjoy the most?

What I enjoy most about working at Turramurra Veterinary Hospital is being part of a team that genuinely cares about each other, our clients and of course pets and wildlife. Every day brings a new opportunity to support not just our patients, but their humans as well. I love the collaborative environment where everyone is working towards the same goal, which is to provide the highest standard of care with compassion and professionalism. Being in a role where I can lead and support a team that has such a positive impact on the community is incredibly fulfilling and what I enjoy the most.

 

Do you have any hobbies or interests outside of work?

My family is my priority, and I enjoy my time with them. We are still settling back into an Australian way of life from our move back from the USA – it has been tougher than I anticipated, but we are getting there! I also love curling up with a good book, a glass of wine and my cats!

Our pets have travelled around the world with us. Our Burmese, Mr Jenkins, has travelled from Sydney to Singapore to USA over his 22 years. In the USA I fostered many cats and orphaned kittens through Rocky Mountain Feline Rescue in Colorado. Oscar and Hamish were my foster fails as I couldn’t resist adopting them!

 

Microchipping your Pets – Why it is Important and Compulsory!

Author: Freya Britt-Lewis – Customer Care Team

 

 

What is a microchip?

A microchip is a device used to identify companion cats and dogs. Microchips are the size of a grain of rice and inserted subcutaneously (under the skin) between the pet’s shoulder blades by a veterinarian or other accredited individual. This procedure is quick, safe, and causes minimal discomfort.

All cats and dogs must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age, and before they are sold, adopted or given away (whichever comes first). This is a legal requirement outlined in the NSW Companion Animals Act 1998.

 

How does a microchip work?

Each microchip contains a unique 15-digit number that can be scanned with a microchip scanner. Microchips are used to identify the owner of stray pets that are found roaming, lost or injured. To reunite pets with their owners our team uses a microchip scanner to look up the 15-digit number, which is linked to the owner’s contact details in the NSW Pet Registry (run by the NSW state government). To ensure owner details are kept secure, only authorised personnel, like council rangers, pounds and vets, have access to this database.

On the registry, we can access owner details such as their phone number, email, and a home address. It is vital that your contact details are kept up to date if you move house or change your phone number.

At Turramurra Veterinary Hospital, we will do everything possible to reunite pet owners with their beloved dog or cat. However, if your pet is lost and we cannot contact you, the council ranger is contacted and they may need to be collected and taken to a holding facility, such as a council pound. This is why ensuring your details are up to date is so important.

 

How can I check if my pet’s microchip details are correct?

Read the full article of the importance of microchippiong your pet here.

 

Competition! Win a Bag of Hills Derm Complete for your Dog!

 

Is your dog itchy from allergic skin disease?

Turramurra Veterinary Hospital is running a competition for two of our lucky clients to win a 10.8kg bag of Hills Science Diet Canine Derm Complete!

For a chance to win, simply email a photo of your beloved pet to info@turramurravet.com.au with the Subject: Hills Derm Complete Entry and tell us why you’d like to try out this new veterinary-recommended diet for your dog.

Sometimes it’s difficult to tell whether food or environmental allergens are the cause of the itch. This newly formulated diet has egg-based protein, so is suitable for those dogs that may have an adverse food reaction as well as improving the skin barrier for those dogs who suffer from allergies to their environment.

 

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We wish you and your pets a safe and peaceful holiday period this upcoming Easter break. We hope you have enjoyed our e-news and would love to hear from you! We really appreciate hearing feedback from our clients, so we encourage you to send through a message by emailing manager@turramurravet.com.au as we always strive to improve our service.

Best wishes, from your local, family-owned and independent Turramurra Veterinary Hospital team.

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Contact Us:
Turramurra Veterinary Hospital
2 Princes St (cnr Bannockburn Rd)
Turramurra 2074
www.turramurravet.com.au
Ph (02) 9988-0198