4 Thursday <strong>February</strong> <strong>16</strong> <strong>2023</strong> SHIFT: Urban Art Takeover runs until April 11, after which Canterbury Museum will be closed for five years to undertake a major building redevelopment. PHOTOS: STEVE MCCAUGHAN Time for a new hairstyle or maybe just a trim up Haircuts for the whole family by our trained stylists… No appoiNtmeNts Necessary, just come on in EVERY 8 TH HAIRCUT IS FREE! With your loyalty card Open 7 Days - no appointment necessary Bush Inn Cnr. Riccarton & Waimairi Rds. Ph 03 348 7008 South City 555 Colombo St. Ph 03 366 0619
Thursday <strong>February</strong> <strong>16</strong> <strong>2023</strong> 5 PLAN: The city council is seeking feedback on its proposed Avon Park redevelopment. PHOTO: NEWSLINE Feedback sought on park revamp ANOTHER CORNER of the Ōtākaro Avon River Corridor is a step closer to being transformed, with public consultation to redevelop Avon Park under way. The city council is seeking feedback on its plans to turn Avon Park’s lower terrace into a naturalised wetland, upgrade the playground facilities and allow space for the City to Sea Pathway to run through the park. It is also looking to formally stop Avonside Drive between Kerrs Rd and Wainoni Rd. Said city council head of parks Andrew Rutledge: “Our proposed changes to the Avon Park could see the lower terrace transformed to an ecologically restored wetland, and with improved Andrew Rutledge play and recreational facilities installed on the higher ground. The City to Sea Pathway will run through the heart of the park.” He also said: “We’re grateful to the Christchurch Earthquake Appeal Trust, who are funding the upper terrace portion of this proposed work.” As part of the work, the western section of Avonside Drive bordering Avon Park will be shut and become wetland. The city council is also considering formally PARKER AUTOMOTIVE All Automotive Repairs and Servicing including 4WD Suspension Brakes & Cambelts WOF, Tyres, Batteries 23B Birmingham Drive, Middleton Ph 03 982 4268 Mobile: 027 331 0382 Email: parkerauto89@outlook.com stopping Avonside Drive between Kerrs Rd and Wainoni Rd in the future, and changing the section of road between 144 Kerrs Rd and Kerrs Reach into a parks’ access road. “Stopping and eventually closing this eastern section of Avonside Drive could improve the safety of recreational users in the OARC, as well as making provisions to ecologically restore that area in the future, but we want to hear people’s thoughts on this before we proceed with the formal road-stopping process,” Rutledge said. “Staff traffic reports that were completed in 2021 showed that while Avonside Drive daily traffic flow is at the lower end of the range, the average vehicle speeds are high. This is mostly due to the fact the road looks like a rural road, but the high speeds are concerning and pose a safety risk to other users of the OARC. “Closing this section of Avonside Drive would slightly increase the daily number of vehicles using the surrounding minor arterial roads, but they will remain within the average traffic volume range.” Construction of the area is expected to start next summer, and is estimated to be completed by mid 2025. • Have your say on the proposed changes to the Avon Park area by going to www.ccc.govt.nz Consultation closes on March 10. oN sAle Now! Now only $35.80 Plus $5 P&H per copy AvAilAble from stAr mediA: Level One, 359 Lincoln Road Addington, Christchurch Phone 379 7100 Summer is not without its perils for your favourite family furries. Every summer we see a high proportion of the same cases coming in so I thought I’d mention a few. Barley grass seeds are particularly nasty, especially for dogs. They usually enter from the paws but can weave their way into any part of the dogs coat, then they penetrate the skin and just keep tracking. We have surgically removed barley grass seeds from the abdomen, bladder and one caused an abscess underneath the spine. It is common also for Dr Steve Heap to remove them from eyes ( conjunctival sac). Early detection is the key. Thoroughly check your dog all over after exercise. Most dogs will excessively lick the area of grass seed penetration, may be lame and often you can see a point of entry. A grass seed in the eye will cause intense pain, spillage of tears, and a red eye that is partially closed. This is an emergency and your pet should Summer perilS Flea and / or mosquito bite hypersensitivity. Barley grass stuck in the conjunctival sac of this cat. Spaniels “ love” getting ear infections in summer be seen by a veterinarian as soon as possible. Another cause for vet visits are ear infections ( Otitis externa). These are complex, usually involve both ears and are painful. Typically pets will present for head shaking, scratching, a foul odour and hot painful ears. Sometimes wax or a discharge is seen in the ear canals. The most common causes of otitis externa are ear mites, food or environmental allergens, Grass seed foreign bodies, bacterial or yeast infections and endocrine disease. The most important step is to be able to examine both ear canals and especially view the tympanic membrane ( ear drum) as this allows a treatment protocol to be worked out. We will then perform ear cytology to see what infectious agents we are dealing with. More often dogs need to be sedated to allow a thorough gentle clean to allow ear treatments the best shot at working. Plus assessment is crucial in removing foreign objects, checking for tumors/polyps and making sure the middle ear isn’t involved. Over represented dogs are Spaniels and Retrievers - with there large hairy drooping ears they create the right environment for nasties to grow. Many dogs need weekly ear cleaning during the summer months and used after a swim in a dirty pond to prevent issues. Flea or mosquito bite allergic facial dermatitis in cats can also be commonly seen too in summer. These cats are usually very itchy and self mutilate themselves, with the nose and the ear tips being targeted most. The lesions are often devoid of hair, ulcerated, red, infected and swelling is seen. Secondary infections then follow due to the disruption of the skin barrier, allowing water loss and the penetration of infectious organisms. We typically treat these with antibiotics, pain relief and anti inflammatories, plus effective flea control. Many older dogs suffer from Acquired Laryngeal Paralysis. It is more common in large breed dogs over 9 years of age, with the Labrador being over represented. Symptoms are worse in the summer months for these affected dogs. Clinically these dogs will present with many symptoms, depending on the severity of the disease. Commonly seen signs are changes in the bark, difficulty breathing, coughing, non stop panting, regurgitation, exercise and heat intolerance and sometimes collapse. Many of these dogs also suffer from ataxia and weakness in the hindlegs, with knuckling of the paws seen when tired. This is because dogs with Laryngeal paralysis often suffer from generalised “ Neuromuscular Disease”. This is often referred to as Geriatric Onset Laryngeal Paralysis and Polyneuropathy.( GOLPP) Conservative treatment options include walking these dogs in a harness, keeping them cool and in a well ventilated environment, not overheating them and short exercise activity when its cooler. Sometimes medications are given to help the cough and calm them down if they are anxious and restless. Surgery is an option for those dogs with severe respiratory signs that are unresponsive to conservative treatment. Our darling Lola has GOLPP but is well managed conservatively. She can still exercise for an hour a day but I avoid the hotter parts of the day. She loves swimming but Im careful where I take her as she can regurgitate up excess water swallowed. I elevate her food and am careful what I feed her. She’s not currently on medications. All in all for a 13.5 year old cancer survivor, she’s doing awesome. Dr Michele McMaster Open 7 days Cnr Hoon Hay & Coppell place ph: 338 2534 e. reception@mcmasterandheap.co.nz www.mcmasterheap.co.nz
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