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September 10, 2004

Desexing my dog

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Question:

I have a Staffy who is a six-month-old female. What is the right age for her to be desexed?

Rose, via e-mail.

Answer:

Dear Rose,

If you’ve made the decision that you don’t want to breed your dog, then you can have her done any time now.

She will have to stay in hospital, usually just for the day. She will have a pre-medication injection when you drop her off, to calm her nerves and get pain relief on board. Then she will have a general anaesthetic for the procedure. She will have an ovario-hysterectomy, which means both the uterus and ovaries are removed, and will be left with a few stitches that will need to be removed about 10 days post-operatively. Try and keep her quiet for a few days to recover and call your vet if you have any queries, but they usually bounce back very quickly.

I recommend desexing from six months of age, because they are developed but not sexually mature yet. If you desex her before her first heat (doggy equivalent of a period), you will avoid unplanned pregnancies. Believe me, male dogs will do anything to get to a bitch in heat! You also reduce her risk of infections in the uterus, called pyometra, which is a particular danger just after a heat, and also mammary tumors (breast cancers) later in life.

Although puppies are cute — no one will deny that — breeding takes a lot of work and commitment and if she needed a caesarian, you could be hit with a hefty vet bill. And there are so many homeless animals desperately needing homes that I would urge people to be like you and be responsible and desex their pet if they don’t want to breed. Ignore tales about needing to let them have one litter ‘to calm them down’ or that the procedure will make them fat and lazy or change their personality.

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September 10, 2004

He doesn’t know my breasts are fake!

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Ten years ago, after my first marriage had broken up, my self-esteem was in tatters. Not only had my husband spent 14 years putting me down by saying I was unattractive, but after having had three young children, my breasts looked like two shriveled-up balloons.

I couldn’t imagine ever showing my body to another man. Then I had a great idea. I would have saline breast implants. All went well and my confidence was blooming. I eventually met the man of my dreams and he was very attracted to my “fantastic figure”.

We started dating and I discovered that he was a real health fanatic. He didn’t believe in inoculations or amalgam fillings. I wanted to tell him about my bust, but I realised he would be horrified by the truth. The more time we spent together the more difficult it became to tell him.

After living together for four years, we got married and I accidentally fell pregnant. The doctors told me that there was no problem with breastfeeding, so I fed the baby for three years and still my husband didn’t know about my implants.

We have been together now for over 10 years and I feel terrible pangs of guilt. I wish I could take my secret to my grave, but I know that one day he will find out — especially as one day I will need replacement surgery.

I wish I had told him the first day I met him … now it is like a time bomb that could end our relationship at any time. I have always been a super-honest person but once I withheld the truth, and now I live in fear of the consequences.

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September 7, 2004

Dalmatian

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A Dalmatian dog is instantly recognisable, thanks to its distinctive spotted coat. These handsome dogs sport spots everywhere – even inside their mouth and on the bottom of their paws!

The Dalmatian was used as a carriage dog in 19th century England because the breed had a special affinity with horses and could keep up with them on long journeys. They would guard a carriage from highwaymen by day as they trotted alongside the horses, and by night in the stables.

The Dalmatian was then the natural choice to accompany horse-drawn fire engines. Brave and intelligent, the dogs were also company for the horses. Some fire stations – especially in the United States – still have a Dalmatian as their station mascot.

In Australia, the breed is very popular as a family pet. With the stamina they developed as carriage horses, Dalmatians need a lot of exercise and suit very active households. This dog needs a big backyard and at least one good walk every day to be happy.

Their short coat is very easy to maintain but they do shed. A Dalmatian is born white and develops its spots after two to three weeks. Their noses begin to darken at three months of age, and they are susceptible to sunburn due to their light colouring.

Dalmatians are intelligent, adaptable and well mannered. They can be quite reserved and shy with strangers but very loyal and loving to their owners. As their history suggests, Dalmatians make great guard dogs and should be trained from an early age due to their energetic and strong personalities.

A Dalmatian can be from 56-60cm in height, and their weight ranges from 23-28 kg. They live an average of 12-14 years and can range in price from $400 to $700.

Deafness can be a problem with this breed so have your puppy’s hearing checked before purchasing – don’t buy puppies that are less than four weeks old for this reason. Male Dalmatians can also develop kidney problems so make sure your Dalmatian drinks a lot of water – these dogs should do this anyway because of their high level of activity.

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September 7, 2004

Cats and car trips

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Most cat owners will have had the “interesting” experience of taking their cat on a car trip. Many cats don’t like travelling at all but sometimes it has to be done, whether it be a trip to the vet or moving house.

There are few things you can do to make a car trip with your cat easier. Firstly, buy a cat carrier. Cats should never be unconfined in a car, and although that carrier might look small to you, a cat will feel more secure in a small space with a soft blanket inside.

Most pet shops sell cat carriers and it’s a good idea to let the cat sleep in the carrier for a few weeks (of their own free will, of course — with the door open) before a car trip so they can get used to it. If you’re going on a longer trip, you might want to opt for a dog-size carrier so you can fit a small litter tray in.

If your cat is really not coping with car travel and you have to go on a long trip, you might want to ask your vet about mild tranquillisers to get your cat through a journey. Make sure you take your cat’s favourite food for the trip, and bring some drinking water from home — water can taste different in various areas and your cat won’t like it.

If you’re heading to new territory with your feline friend, make sure your cat is up to date with all his or her vaccinations, and that the contact phone numbers on their ID tags are still applicable.

You might want to put your cat on a lead if you can’t keep your cat indoors when you reach your destination, or if you need to take your cat out of the carrier and the car along the way. The best cat lead consists of a body harness and a lead, rather than a collar and a lead. To get your cat used to this, put a harness on your cat at home and let them wander around until they get used to it. Then you can try attaching the lead and allowing your cat to walk around until it becomes used to a lead.

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September 7, 2004

Hungarian vizsla

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The Hungarian vizsla is an athletic dog whose sleek appearance and distinctive gold coat makes them stand out in a crowd. Definitely a dog that likes to feel part of the family, the vizsla is known for its sensitive, loving personality.

A breed originating in, you guessed it, Hungary, the vizsla was a sporting companion for early warlords and landed aristocracy. This handsome breed was used for hunting birds as well as other animals, so this very active canine was a gun dog that retrieved from both land and water.

During the two world wars, the vizsla became almost extinct in Hungary, but the breed survived from dogs that had been moved to other parts of Europe. Now the Hungarian vizsla is a breed that has loyal admirers all over the world.

The Hungarian vizsla has a short, smooth coat that comes in attractive shades of rusty gold and sandy-yellow. They weigh from 20-30kg and are known for their sensitive, aristocratic expression. These dogs have thin, silky, hanging ears and, as befitting a breed that lives for exercise, the vizsla has a powerful build and moves very gracefully.

The smooth coat of a Hungarian vizsla needs little maintenance, but its sleekness means that these dogs do feel the cold and enjoy time indoors. The vizsla is a very loving dog and needs to feel part of the family. They have a great need for affection and play and, being so sensitive, it’s easy to tell when a lack of love is making these dogs sad — their countenance is very expressive!

If you are considering the Hungarian vizsla as a pet, the most important question you need to ask yourself is if you can meet their exercise needs. At least one vigorous walk a day is needed to keep a vizsla happy, so active and attentive owners are their perfect companions.

The Hungarian vizsla is gentle, loving and even-tempered, an ideal pet for someone who can give them the active life they need. These dogs can cost upwards of $600. The breed can be susceptible to hip dysplasia, so be sure to have parents of potential pups fully checked out.

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September 6, 2004

Fake tans

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Question:

I want a fake tan for a wedding that I am involved in. I’m wondering what are the best brands to use and what do I need to do to ensure that the tan works and doesn’t make me orange?

Casey Cobcroft, via e-mail

Answer:

There are a number of great fake tans available over the counter that you can trial. I would suggest that you have a trial run with a few different fake tans to see which one is most suited to your skin tone. However, the most important thing is to prepare skin first before you apply your chosen fake tan.

In the shower exfoliate, concentrating on dry areas such as elbows, knees, and heels. Apply fake tan straight after a shower when the skin’s pores are still open. Use long, smooth movements to apply.

If you end up with a few patches, soak cotton wool in toner and gently rub the area or smooth whitening toothpaste on any blotchy areas and then wash off after a couple of minutes.

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September 3, 2004

Trimming a kitten’s claws

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Question:

To keep your kitten passive when trimming its claws, put a clothes peg on the loose skin at the back of its neck.

Answer:

This makes the kitten feel as if its mummy is gripping it.

Kerri Hudson, via e-mail.

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September 3, 2004

Cat scratching furniture

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Question:

I have a beautiful one-year-old English chinchilla who is constantly scratching, mainly on my couch (which he is ripping into threads), but also on the carpet. He does have a scratching pole and lots of toys to play with, but he prefers the furniture.

I have tried a number of different products on the market and nothing seems to work. He is an indoor cat (he does not go outside at all, as he is afraid of going outside and I prefer him inside).

Could you please help, since I have run out of ideas? Is there perhaps a certain plant which cats dislike that I could place in different areas? I was told that cats dislike the smell of lemons, but my cat seems to love the smell.

Teresa Zerafa, via e-mail.

Answer:

Dear Teresa,

Cat scratching is perfectly normal behaviour, but not very acceptable when it’s on our furniture or carpet. It’s also not the easiest problem in the world to solve, but it is possible to do so if you understand why they do it. And believe it or not, it’s really not to annoy you, as annoying as it is!

Cats need to condition their claws, but they also do it to mark their territory. And the more anxious cats are, the more they feel the need to do it. Having a scratch post is essential, but you need to ensure it is tall enough so that as an adult he can stretch right out when using it. Sometimes cats also need to be taught how to use a scratch post. Try spraying some catnip on it or putting food treats on it, so he gets a reward every time he uses it. You can even hang toys off them to make them more inviting.

Cats have scent glands between their toes and actually deposit scents where they scratch, so they come back to that familiar smell. You can try spraying something offensive to cats (there are commercial products around) or talk to your vet about pheromone therapy (sprays or vaporisers) to make the cat feel more comfortable and less in need of marking their territory. Other medications may be used after an assessment by your vet if the anxiety issues are severe enough.

Blocking access to the areas he’s scratching helps break the cycle. Cover the part of the lounge or carpet with some heavy plastic — they don’t like the feel of this under their feet and it’ll also protect your furniture. You can distract him if you catch him red-pawed with clapping or a squirt of water, but don’t scold him after the event. This will only confuse him or make the anxiety worse.

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September 3, 2004

My secret profit

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My sisters and I and some friends all went on a big shopping spree in Melbourne a few years ago. On the second last day of our week in Melbourne, we all decided to split up and go our separate ways to score the bargains we’d each had our eyes on. I had my heart set on some beautiful bed linen at a major department store.

The queues were abominable and I waited for almost an hour to pay for my sheets and quilt cover. When I was finally served, I took the $250 out to pay for my items and the girl said, “That’ll be $25, thanks.”

I couldn’t believe my luck! The bed linen was the last left in the range and the colour I wanted and I was being charged just 10 percent of the reduced price!

I quickly handed over the $25 cash and took off, almost before the cashier could even bag my goods.

When I arrived back at the hotel, I couldn’t wait to show the girls what I’d picked up for such a cheap price. They oohed and aahed over the quality, the colour and the lovely brand name. When I showed them the receipt, however, some were excited that I’d got away with such a bargain, while others were appalled that I’d taken advantage in such a way.

“Hey, you win some, you lose some, right?” I shrugged.

Yet they were still disgusted with me, so I begrudgingly agreed to take the set back to the store the next day. It seemed I had to do it just to save face, as everyone was beginning to agree that I was in the wrong.

Next day, I trudged into the department store and waited another eternity in the queue. When I reached the counter, the woman asked, very abruptly, “Do you have your receipt, madam?” I rummaged through my bag, my purse and even my pockets … no receipt.

The woman rolled her eyes and indicated to her junior cashier to grant me the refund, but not before giving a dismissive flick of her hand in my direction.

Here I thought I was doing the right thing, only to be abused for it. I felt angry and ashamed and my face was beet red.

Imagine my surprise when the junior cashier handed me $250 cash instead of the $25 I’d paid!

I tried to speak up, but the store was in such frenzy, with customers pushing and shoving behind me, all wanting to be served. The older cashier nudged back into the limited space behind the counter, “Is there something else I can do for you, madam?”

Speechless at her rudeness, I shook my head, turned and walked away.

At the hotel, the girls were pleased — I’d redeemed myself in their eyes. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them that I’d profited by $225 and they still don’t know to this day!

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September 2, 2004

Sounds like hope!

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By Annette Campbell

When tiny premature twins Jackson and Samantha Tait were born at only 24 weeks and four days, it was a miracle they even survived.

Then, only two days before they were allowed home from hospital — more than three months after their dramatic birth — they were both diagnosed as being profoundly deaf.

“We’d been so excited and happy they were finally coming home — then we were hit with that,” says their mum, Francine. “We were devastated. But just look at them now!”

In the last four years, this determined duo has progressed in leaps and bounds, proving that nothing is impossible.

“Samantha actually regained her hearing entirely!” Francine says. “We’re told that’s quite rare and most probably due to maturation.”

Francine and her husband, Stephen, 44, an IT manager, were hoping and praying that Jackson would follow his sister’s example. But he has remained profoundly deaf — although the cochlear implant he received in March 2001 means he can now communicate clearly and access all sounds.

Despite the substantial hurdles they’ve already overcome, Jackson and Samantha are starting school next year.

“They’re ready!” says Francine proudly. “They’ll be going to a mainstream school here in Sydney and they’re so excited already! Jackson appears to have an auditory processing disorder but should cope well with support.”

Looking back to the time when they first brought their babies home, Francine and Stephen can hardly believe how they’ve thrived.

“Our neonatalogist had warned us that the antibiotics used to control their life-threatening lung infections would probably cause deafness,” Francine explains. “Even so, we were shocked when it happened.”

But the Taits came to terms with the diagnosis, and set about learning all they could about hearing loss and the options available for their babies — such as auditory-verbal therapy, the possibility of signing, hearing aids and cochlear implants.

When they were seven months old, Jackson and Samantha were enrolled at The Shepherd Centre — a Sydney-based early intervention service for hearing-impaired children and their families.

“Hardly a day went by that we didn’t have appointments for them — either at the Shepherd Centre or with other medical specialists,” says Francine.

“Samantha’s hearing was gradual, and she was almost one when her hearing tested within normal limits. Now she can hear as well as anyone.

“We think they’re both amazing kids. We had a difficult time when they were first diagnosed, but they’ve come so far. Not a day goes by when we don’t think how lucky we are.”

You can contact The Shepherd Centre on 1800 020 030, or visit their website for more information www.shepherdcentre.usyd.edu.au

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