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| Katrina and her man Riley. |
What are you up to this weekend? It’s getting a bit nippy, but it’s a long weekend (at least in some States downunder) and a lot of people I know are still committed to that one more beach holiday with their dogs. One of my favourite things in life is to go on a roadie with Phil. Turns out celebrity vet Katrina Warren has the same passion (thankfully she has her own dog, otherwise it could be awkward). I had a chat with her about her favourite beach and bush holidays, and a few holiday hazards to look out for.
Can you tell us a bit about your canine family?
I have an adopted golden retriever named Riley who was rescued by Golden Retriever Rescue after he was found dumped in a crate outside Griffith pound. He was in very poor condition at the time - riddled with fleas and horrible wounds on his legs. I fostered him in 2010 and nursed him back to health - and he has never moved out! He fits in well with my family and my daughter Charlotte and I adore him. Riley also shares a special bond with our maine coon cat Mr Fox and they rarely leave each other’s side. Although Mr Fox is definitely the boss!
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| This is my favourite beach holiday pic of Bosca. |
What is it about a beach or bush holiday with
your dog that is so much fun?
More and more people are choosing to travel with
their pets and so we are seeing this trend of pet-friendly holiday destinations
right across the country. Dogs really do make the perfect holiday companion.
They are part of the family so there is no need to leave them at home when
embarking on an adventure.
Anywhere near the beach or bush is the perfect
destination to enjoy with your pets. Many areas now have an abundance of
dog-friendly areas such as off-leash beaches and parks where owner and pet can
stretch their legs and enjoy some special bonding time.
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| Some dogs love a swim. Just make sure you pick a dog-friendly beach. |
What sorts of activities
do you enjoy with your dogs at the beach?
Dogs love exploring new
environments. My dog Riley and I love a long beach walk – although Riley often
gets side-tracked with digging holes in the sand and rolling around on the
shore. He is the perfect holiday companion.
Any favourite beach or
bush holiday spots for you?
I love
the Shoalhaven region on the South Coast NSW. Culbura is a favourite pet-friendly holiday
destination with a great mix of
pet-friendly accommodation and activities. The
Shoalhaven’s off-leash areas include beaches, parks, rivers and trails, all of
which are perfect for running or relaxing. Riley and I had such a wonderful
time there and are already planning our next visit.
Why do
people need to be tick aware when holidaying with their pets?
A family holiday can be
great fun when your pets are invited too, but careful preparation is
important to ensure the whole family has a safe and healthy time. One of
the biggest mistakes people make when travelling with their dog is not
researching whether or not paralysis ticks are prevalent in the area they
are going to. This often happens when people live in a tick-free area and
travel to a coastal destinations for their holiday.
I recommend you phone the
local vet at your holiday destination and ask if paralysis ticks are prevalent
in the area. Paralysis ticks are deadly and you need to start long-lasting
preventative treatment at least two weeks prior to departing for your holiday.
Think about the activities your pet may be involved in while you are away, as
that will help you work out the best treatment option with help from your vet.
You should also make sure that you
check your pet for ticks thoroughly every day while you are away [Ed -
a short "tick" crew cut definitely makes this process easier].
Nothing ruins a holiday quicker than a sick member of the family or worse
still, the need to head home early!
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| Phil models the ubiquitous summer "tick" cut, designed to make daily tick searching more effective. |
In terms of a health
threat to dogs, how serious can tick paralysis be?
Paralysis ticks are the
single most dangerous parasite for dogs on the eastern coast of Australia, with just one tick capable of
causing paralysis and even death. They
usually live in bushy coastal areas and are
most prevalent from spring to autumn, but worryingly for pet owners, in some
areas they may occur at any time of year.
The paralysis tick causes
paralysis in a variety of forms, but typically starts with weakness of the rear
legs and a wobbly walk, progressing to total paralysis of all four legs, and
death due to paralysis of the muscles that allow breathing. Other early symptoms
include the appearance that the dog has something stuck in its throat
(gurgling), vomiting or heavy, loud breathing and not being able to bark
properly.
What do you do to protect
your dogs against ticks?
Prevention is essential
and you must take precautions if you live in a tick area or are
travelling to the east coast on holidays. It is also important to search your
dog thoroughly every day. Ticks commonly attach around
the head so be sure to check in and around ears and also under any collars.
I have seen first-hand the
reality of not protecting dogs against paralysis ticks. In addition to regularly checking your
pet for ticks, I also recommend using a preventative product to help protect
your pet from these harmful parasites.
You cannot be too careful
when it comes to paralysis ticks. They cause much distress to your dog and
treatment is difficult and expensive. Talk to your vet and be prepared this
tick season with the best protection and the right plan for prevention.
I’m
proud to be associated with a revolutionary new treatment called Bravecto® as brand ambassador.
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| Watch out for stingers too. |
Any other holiday hazards
that pet owners should watch for?
It is important to be
aware of your surroundings while holidaying with pets. On a particularly hot
day make sure to give your dog plenty of water to prevent them from becoming
dehydrated which can lead to heat stress. Try to keep them indoors whenever possible
or stick to a shady area when outside. If you plan to spend a day at the beach
be sure to bring a nice big shady umbrella!
For humans, trying new
foods we don’t eat at home can be a highlight of the holiday experience, but,
for our four-legged friends, a sudden change of diet can cause tummy upset – so
don’t let them overindulge at the beach BBQ. I would recommend packing your
pet’s regular food as you can
never rely on being able to buy it at your holiday destination.
Pets also often run away
when they are taken to a new environment, so be careful! Make sure you have an
ID tag with a contact number of where you are staying. Your home phone number
is no good when you are not there and mobile reception can be poor in remote
areas. When you arrive at your destination keep your pet confined indoors.
With dogs, be sure to keep them on a leash for the first few days whenever
outdoors.
Do you have a favourite
beach or bush holiday memory with your dogs?
I travelled extensively with my previous
dog, Toby and there are so many wonderful pet friendly destinations- we had a
ball exploring the Great Ocean
Road, Victoria and checked out some great wineries together in Margaret
River, WA. [Ed - if you are checking out a winery with your dog,
remember grapes are potentially toxic to dogs].
Thanks Katrina.
Declaration: Dr Warren is a brand
ambassador for Bravecto. Talk to your vet about the best strategies to prevent
ticks on your dog. Cats are also susceptible. Do NOT use dog tick products for cats. This can be harmful and potentially fatal.
