Western News: June 18, 2020

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6 Thursday June 18 2020 Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz WESTERN NEWS McMaster & Heap Veterinary practice A few SPECIALISED services you may not know about… 1. CHEMOTHERAPY The past 12 months has seen our Practice treat many cancer patients with Chemotherapy. We have an experienced, dedicated team of vets and nurses who really connect with these patients and their owners. We see referrals from other Practices and we can offer sound advice, deliverance of care and ongoing support for these patients. We often seek the advice from specialists when formulating the appropriate plans and drugs to be used. Kirsty and Mauger sharing the love, after Mauger was in for chemotherapy to treat his Mast Cell Tumour. Chemotherapy in pets is not as aggressive as in humans, therefore the side effects are less. We aim for “Quality of Life” versus squeezing every minute out of living. We do aim for “complete clinical remission” though. Most tumours are removed initially or debulked and then chemo is used to reduce the risk of spread of cancer to other sites. We do not have access to radiation therapy in Christchurch. Side effects ( nausea, vomiting, lethargy, fever, diarrhoea, anorexia) can occur, but are not as severe as in humans as doses given are lower. We manage these with medications or reducing the next chemo drug dosage. Pets can still enjoy their normal foods and exercise whilst on chemotherapy. There are a few exceptions though. If your pet’s White Blood cell count gets too low, then avoid high density dog areas so disease transmission is low. Raw food diets are not advised during chemotherapy due to an increased risk of infection if the pet’s immune system comes compromised. It is thought a premium diet, higher in protein and fat/lower in carbohydrate are preferred and fish oil has been talked about. Pets DON’T lose hair like humans. After surgical clipping, hair regrowth can be slow but it will grow back. There is no risk to the owner of a pet receiving chemotherapy, although pregnant women should not handle any chemotherapy medications that are to be given at home. Our Vet Kirsty does the lion share of Chemotherapy in the Practice. She has a dedicated, experienced nursing team and these patients are all typically scheduled on one day. Blood work is initially done to check they are fit and healthy for their chemo drugs, then they are injected slowly via an IV line or given orally. No sedation drugs are usually required. It is quick, easy and painless for your pet. Kirsty is really passionate about helping your pet seek cancer remission whilst enjoying a full, great quality of life. She is with you every step of the way, answering your questions, especially when big decisions need to be made. 2. SURGICAL REFERRALS We are now able to offer a surgical referral service thanks to Dr Helen Milner (a registered specialist in Small Animal Surgery) coming on board recently. Helen sees referral patients from all over the South Island where they are typically booked for a 1 hours consultation, with surgery then scheduled if required. We have built a dedicated sterile surgery and theatre area to cope with this Dr Helen Milner, our surgical specialist. Open 7 days Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place phone 338 2534, Fax 339 8624 e. mcmasterandheap@yahoo.co.nz www.mcmasterheap.co.nz surgical workload and have purchased the necessary specialised equipment so that spinal, orthopaedic, soft tissue, and thoracic surgery can proceed without a hitch. We also can organise patients to have CT/ MRI scans, prior to surgery, through Pacific Radiology if necessary. Spinal ( CSF) taps are also carried out if deemed necessary for spinal/intracranial patients. Your vet needs to refer your pet to Helen for her expert opinion and surgical expertise. 3. ENDOSCOPY This is a great, non invasive service which allows us vets to have a good look down airways into the lungs (can even go up nostrils) and down or up the gastrointestinal tract. We have just purchased a smaller scope to visualise the urinary system in dogs and can get into smaller airways. Catherine and Kirsty seen here manoevering the endoscope to retrieve the scrunches from Floyd’s stomach. The patient is required to be under anaesthetic but the procedure is fast and often effective at getting a diagnosis, biopsying tissue or retrieving “foreign bodies” which is most fun. Recently “Floyd”, a 4 month old Labradoodle was endoscoped late one afternoon for eating “scrunchie” hair ties, with 6 ended up being retrieved via the endoscope. Very satisfying, quick and less expensive compared to The retrieved scrunchie exploratory surgery. 4. RESTORATIVE DENTISTRY Our new vet “ Terryne Loney” is an expert in the field of dentistry, so coupled with vet Olivia who enjoys all things in the teeth and gum department, we are able to handle most dental problems and emergencies. Our state of the art dental suite is fully equipped with 2 dental stations, allowing scaling, polishing and extractions to be performed on 2 patients at the same time. Digital dental radiographs are very important Terryne, our new vet. when deciding what teeth need extracting, checking for cancers and root infections and congenital tooth abnormalities. We now have the veterinary skills and equipment to perform restorative dental care including root canal surgery and offering alternatives to extraction in teeth that are important to retain. For any further information on the above services please don’t hesitate to call or message us. Dr Michele McMaster McMaster & Heap News Funding boost sought for community organisations A FINANCIAL boost to help community organisations cope with the challenges of the Covid-19 crisis is proposed in the city council’s draft Annual Plan. The one-off $360,000 boost to the Strengthening Communities Fund would be available to community groups working to promote well-being across the sporting, arts, social, health and environmental sectors. The five per cent increase has been suggested as a way to acknowledge the difficulties that community-focused organisations could face following the recent Covid-19 level 4 lockdown, says city council head of community support and governance John Filsell. “The purpose of the Strengthening Communities Fund is to support organisations that help make Christchurch a more caring and enjoyable place to live. Last year, for example, the fund SUPPORT: The city council has proposed a $360,000 boost to the Strengthening Communities Fund. received 951 applications from community organisations, and 763 received a grant. “We recognise the importance of their role and the challenges they are likely to face in the coming months, and that’s why we’re proposing some extra funding to help ensure they’re equipped to deal with those demands.” Many of the traditional sources of funding for community groups, such as Gaming Trust grants, HOME LEISURE Horncastle Arena, 21-23 August 2020 have been affected by Covid-19. If the one-off $360,000 boost goes ahead it would have a 0.07 per cent impact on rates. Public consultation on the draft Annual Plan opens on Friday and continues until June 29. The Strengthening Communities Fund, which was set up in 2008, is a $7.2 million fund distributed by community boards and the city council each year. Exhibitors Book now Don’t miss your opportunity to showcase your business in front of 10,000+ qualified attendees New exhibitor packages available lisa.lynch@starmedia.kiwi or 021 800 809
WESTERN NEWS Latest Canterbury news at starnews.co.nz Thursday June 18 2020 7 Shopping is easy at... WIN A TRIP TO FIJI! Place your first order for a Care Pack before 30th September 2020 and be in to win a trip for two to Fiji! MENS SkiNcarE, bodycarE & grooMiNg with an aromatic blend of masculine spicy undertones FOR MEN Hassle-Free Skincare Sign up today at Health 2000 Avonhead. For full terms and conditions, visit http://www.health2000.co.nz/win-a-trip-to-fiji_1587. Now available at... AVONHEAD SHOPPING CENTRE Phone: (03) 358 1181 Email: avonhead@health2000.co.nz Avonhead Mall, Withells Rd/Merrin St, Christchurch, Phone (03) 358-5449 wonderful new books now instore Our new store Miss Bond is Now Open! Next generation clothing for women who love style and individuality Avonhead Shopping Centre Phone 358 8598 MONDAY TO SATURDAY 9am - 5pm SUNDAY 10am - 4pm facebook.com/missbondclothing Know Your Place by Golriz Ghahraman The story of a child refugee who faced her fears, found her home and accidentally made history. This is Us New Zealanders in Our Own Words by Pete Carter New Zealand Mysteries by Scott Bainbridge New Zealand’s history is peppered with mysterious tales of otherworldly beings, strange sightings, inexplicable disappearances and unusual crimes Shop 1, Avonhead Mall Corner of Merrin Street & Withells Road, Avonhead Ph: 358 4835 | www.piccadillybooks.co.nz Tooth and Veil The life and times of the New Zealand dental nurse by Noel O’Hare
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Western News: June 18, 2020

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