It's Seniors' Month at Prahran Veterinary Hospital, so our focus is on raising awareness of the health challenges faced by our elderly pets.

Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) is a condition related to the ageing of a pet's brain, it is seen more commonly in dogs than cats but can affect both.

CDS is often termed "Doggy Dementia" since the degenerative process in the brain is very similar to that which occurs in older people who suffer senility or Alzheimer's Disease.

The syndrome is slowly progressive which means that many people may just pass their pet's symptoms off as normal old-age changes.

Alarmingly, an Australian study recently highlighted that the disease remains terribly underdiagnosed, with 12 out of 14 affected dogs remaining undiagnosed and untreated.

Sadly, there is no cure for CDS, however medication and lifestyle modifications mean that many pets live longer and happier lives when interventions are made.

To see if your older pet may be a CDS sufferer, take this quick questionnaire. Contact us if your pet scores highly or shows any concerning behavioural changes.

Prahran's Patient of the Month

People often comment that our job must be a difficult one - that we must deal with a lot of sad situations - and on occasion this is true. However, we also see many pets with illnesses that are living fantastic lives. This corner of our newsletter is to introduce and celebrate some of our brave patients and their committed owners.

This is Jethro, only four months old he has had a tough start to life. A pet rescue organisation managed to rehome this little fellow, but sadly not before he had undergone the amputation of his right hindleg (due to a badly broken pelvis).

Whilst he loved his new home, mum and dad noticed his initial enthusiasm gave way, he became lethargic and withdrawn. Thankfully they brought Jethro to see us, he had a fever, an upset stomach, and whilst his amputation stump looked healthy it was excruciatingly painful. A surgery was performed to treat what was found to be deeply infected tissue from his stump, when sent to the laboratory it was a shock for all to learn that the responsible bacteria was a superbug: methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

Multi-resistant bacteria such as MRSA are an increasing concern for veterinarians. The Australian Veterinary Association has nominated tackling the issue as a key priority over the next five years. For our perspective on the issues and some useful information on what MRSA could mean for you and your pet, take a look at our blog.

We're glad to report Jethro is now making a steady recovery. He is home, comfortable and most importantly he's proving a natural on three legs!