Pegasus Post: August 21, 2018

4 Tuesday August 21 2018
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PEGASUS POST
McMaster & Heap
Veterinary practice
Huntly’S exciting
day out…
Desexing is classified as a routine, fairly fast
procedure by most veterinarians but for the
owner and their pet it is a big deal. It is usually
the first time the client has had to leave their
little baby in our trusted hands for a whole
day bearing in mind its going to have an
anaesthetic which if not explained properly
can be very scary for the client. Many clients
are reluctant to part with their pet so its our
job to reassure clients, their special pet will be
ready and waiting for them at the end of the
day, job done.
At McMaster & Heap we
consider routine surgery
to be a big deal and
we are very careful to
explain the whole days
procedure and follow up
care very carefully to our
clients. We don’t want
our patients scared off
by the days’ events so
we are very gentle with
them. Lets face it, they
may be patients of ours
for the next 20 years so
we need to start off on
the right paw!!
Often the puppies have
visited the clinic before
for vaccinations and
puppy playschool so
have “good feelings”
about the practice.
Running around with
other puppies playing
chase, getting hugs from
us all and liver treats
helps portray our clinic
as a fun place. With the
kittens we place them
in a quiet space and
have feliway diffusers
running which naturally
calm them down. If they
are particularly stressed
out they are often given
their sedative early and
cuddled by our hospital
nurse.
Recently our nurse
Jaimee had her puppy
neutered.
Huntly has been here
before so bounded
through the doors.
We give our clients
the options of pre
anaesthetic blood testing
and intravenous fluids. The blood testing
can help us detect early subclinical disease
like diabetes, renal or liver disease. The fluids
help maintain a healthy blood pressure, help
remove the anaesthetic from the body, and
provide an intravenous route should we
require it.
On arrival they are thoroughly checked over
( temperature, heart rate, breathing rate) by
Michele anaesthetising Huntly.
Huntly waking up from his surgery.
Huntly enjoying some Sunday
fun at the park.
Open 7 days
Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place
phone 338 2534, Fax 339 8624
e. mcmasterandheap@yahoo.co.nz
www.mcmasterheap.co.nz
a theatre nurse, bloods taken if required and
a catheter placed for an IV line. 30 minutes
before their operation they are sedated. Once
anaesthetized they are connected to an
anaesthetic monitoring device so the nurse
can easily and accurately track how things
are going.
A castration procedure takes about 30
minutes from start to finish. Basically both
testicles are removed, the scrotal sac is left
and there will be a small line of stitches that
will require removal in 10-14
days.
We provide 2 free check ups
if required. WE often send
puppies home with a large
lampshade (Elizabethan
collar) to prevent them
ripping at their stitches. We
do recommend leash exercise
only until the sutures are
removed.
Needless to say Huntly was
the “star” patient, going to
sleep when told and waking
up quietly and quickly. Some
of our boisterous patients can
be quite vocal once coming
around from their anaesthetic.
Lola finds it quite amusing
and is often seen checking up
on them.
Nearly all of the puppies we
see through McMaster & Heap
will be desexed as young
dogs. We do recommend
this procedure unless the
client is keen on breeding/
showing. Many serious health
concerns are eliminated
by desexing early on, for
example mammary and
testicular cancers, pyometras
and prostate disease. Plus it
stops unwanted pregnancies,
roaming dogs and it can
lessen aggressive behavior
before bad habits have
formed.
Early aggression in puppies
though requires the help of a
trained animal behaviouralist
very early on and possibly
medications from your vet.
This sort of issue will not
simply just right itself. Your
puppies personality though is
not affected by the operation.
Definitely best to have the
discussion with your vet as we all have
varying opinions on “the best time”. I give my
clients the option of waiting until their male
dog is cocking their leg before castration –
this usually occurs at 8-10 months of age.
For any more information and advice on why
or when to desex, please give anyone of us a
quick call at the clinic. We’d be happy to help.
Dr Michele McMaster
McMaster & Heap
START: Some of the potholes in the Hawke St car park have been filled with
gravel as a temporary measure.
Potholed car park finally
looks set to be sealed
•From page 1
Concerns have been raised about
the state of the car park on the Peoples
Independent Republic of New Brighton
Facebook page.
One commenter said she had driven
into a large pothole which “destroyed”
her tyre and damaged paint under the
bumper.
Paper Plus New Brighton owner Blair
Hughes said he would like Development
Bursting
The new and improved Smiths City
Outlet Store, located at 99 Ferry Road,
Christchurch Central, is brimming with
below cost bargains! Formerly the ‘Smiths
City Clearance Centre’ located at 367
Blenheim Road, Smiths City Outlet Store
is your home for end of line, exchanged,
ex display and ‘dings and dents’ products
– all priced to clear!
We no longer deal in the purchase
of second hand goods direct from
the public; this enables us to hold a
far greater range of quality product
across the furniture and appliance
categories. Whether you are looking for
lounge and dining furniture, kitchen
and laundry appliances, UHD TVs or
anything in between you are sure to find
something at our new Outlet Store. We
have products across all the big brands
Christchurch Ltd to help pay for pothole
repairs. A DCL spokeswoman said it has
no authority to take action or force landowners
to address the issues.
“There is also a question over whether
public money should be used to upgrade
private property,” she said.
•HAVE YOUR SAY: What do you
think should be done about the
Hawke St potholes? Email your views
to georgia.oconnor@starmedia.kiwi
ADVERTORIAL
with bargains
you know and love. Within our 1400m 2
storeroom much of our product is near
new, all at highly competitive market
pricing and in many instances even below
cost!
If you’re looking to get quality for less
head over to 99 Ferry Road where you
will find ample parking, friendly staff and
a showroom filled with products. Don’t
forget your trailer – our deals are so good
we reckon you’ll be leaving with too
much to fit in the car! Or if you prefer to
have products delivered straight to your
door why not take advantage of the same
great delivery service that Smiths City has
to offer.
We’re happy to take queries over the
phone on 03 3798249 or email us at
chchoutlet@smithscity.co.nz