Nov2012_All in the family at Old Mill Vets
When Spring rolls around each year, there is always an increase in the number of caesarean sections we perform, and this year is no exception! We are averaging between 2 and 3 caesarean sections EACH WEEK at the moment, and it doesn’t appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
Caesareans are a stressful time for registered and ‘accidental’ breeders alike, as the surgical procedure is quite lengthy, but it is often the safest way to deliver all the puppies if there are complications in the whelping process. The Old Mill Vet Surgery are the experts in everything to do with breeding, as dog breeders from far and wide recommend us for high-risk whelpings and thorough diagnoses. Dr Annika also breeds and shows her own dogs, and has a special interest in pregnant bitch management and neonatal medicine.
A caesarean section is an operation where the puppies or kittens are surgically removed from the uterus and manually stimulated or resuscitated by humans, while the bitch is under a general anaesthetic. Registered breeders carefully plan dates and know to be on the lookout for any signs that the bitch may not be able to whelp naturally; hence a caesarean may be needed. ‘Whelping’ is the term we use for the birthing process in dogs, and the mother dog is called a ‘bitch’. We have recently performed a caesarean on a cat as well, although this is less common.
But it’s not just the local dog and cat families that Old Mill Vet Surgery is focussing on this Spring, with family members of Old Mill Vet staff being treated to clinic tours and a family outing recently. Dr Slade Walker is a second generation born-and-bred Dayboro resident and his wife, Dr Annika Oksa Walker, has even had her mother over from Finland! Their 18-month-old son, Orian, plays for the Little Kickers Soccer Club, attends the local Playgroup, and can often be seen visiting the clinic, giving the visiting dogs and cats gentle pats in the way only toddlers can! Nurses Renae, Amy and Joe got all dressed up to attend the Vet Association Race Day with their partners at Caloundra recently, and even managed to have a few wins on the day. Rumour is they spent it all on chips from Terah’s and chocolate at the IGA!
The very next day they were back in their scrubs and uniforms though, with two emergency caesareans in one day. You can follow the caesarean surgeries on our Facebook (www.facebook.com/oldmillvet) for up-to-date photos of mums and bubs as they wake up. And don’t forget to get out and enjoy the gorgeous Spring weather with your special family, and stop by to say hello to ours next time you’re around.
A caesarean section is an operation where the puppies or kittens are surgically removed from the uterus and manually stimulated or resuscitated by humans, while the bitch is under a general anaesthetic. Registered breeders carefully plan dates and know to be on the lookout for any signs that the bitch may not be able to whelp naturally; hence a caesarean may be needed. ‘Whelping’ is the term we use for the birthing process in dogs, and the mother dog is called a ‘bitch’. We have recently performed a caesarean on a cat as well, although this is less common.
But it’s not just the local dog and cat families that Old Mill Vet Surgery is focussing on this Spring, with family members of Old Mill Vet staff being treated to clinic tours and a family outing recently. Dr Slade Walker is a second generation born-and-bred Dayboro resident and his wife, Dr Annika Oksa Walker, has even had her mother over from Finland! Their 18-month-old son, Orian, plays for the Little Kickers Soccer Club, attends the local Playgroup, and can often be seen visiting the clinic, giving the visiting dogs and cats gentle pats in the way only toddlers can! Nurses Renae, Amy and Joe got all dressed up to attend the Vet Association Race Day with their partners at Caloundra recently, and even managed to have a few wins on the day. Rumour is they spent it all on chips from Terah’s and chocolate at the IGA!
The very next day they were back in their scrubs and uniforms though, with two emergency caesareans in one day. You can follow the caesarean surgeries on our Facebook (www.facebook.com/oldmillvet) for up-to-date photos of mums and bubs as they wake up. And don’t forget to get out and enjoy the gorgeous Spring weather with your special family, and stop by to say hello to ours next time you’re around.
