Council Registrations and Bylaws

In Darwin we have three councils that we live under (Litchfield Shire, Palmerston City Council and Darwin City Council).

A common misconception is that by having your pet micro chipped means that it is registered with your local council. This is not true, micro chipping and council registrations are different from each other. Having your pet micro chipped is an important thing to do, which means that if your pet gets lost a council, shelter or veterinary clinic can retrieve your contact information from an Australian wide database. Council registrations are generally annual and mean that if your pet is impounded the release fees are significantly lower than if your pet wasn’t registered.

Please visit our links page for council contact information and websites.

In the Litchfield Shire you are required to have your pet micro chipped and there are currently no limits on dogs per household.

In the Palmerston City Council there is a two dog limit per household, and dogs must be registered annually (June/July). There is currently no by laws for domestic cats. Dogs must be registered at 3 months of age.

In the Darwin City Council there is also a two dog limit per household, and dogs must be registered annually from the date that your pet is registered. Cats also must be registered, with a two cat limit per household also. Dogs must be registered at 3 months of age.

Micro Chipping

Micro chipping is a very inexpensive and simple procedure and is available from all veterinary hospitals in the NT as well as the Darwin City Pound and at the PAWS Darwin Animal Shelter. It involves a needle inserting a tiny chip just under the skin that can be read by scanners at any veterinary hospital, pound or animal shelter Australia wide.

This microchip carries a bar code and registered under this code is all the details of the pet owner. This means that no matter what happens you can ensure your pet has the maximum chance of being returned if it ever gets lost.

Micro chipping is compulsory for all cats and dogs living in the Darwin shire. Other animals including birds, rabbits, snakes and lizards can and should be micro chipped to ensure their safe return if they ever go missing.

To get your beloved pet micro chipped phone PAWS Darwin Shelter on 89329496 or the DCC Pound on 89472099 for an appointment today.

Ticks and Fleas

Tick and Flea Prevention/Information

A female tick can produce around 2000-3000 eggs and fleas are very similar in numbers. Whilst Territorians see an influx of ticks and fleas in the wet season, they can be year round problems. It is a common occurrence for you to find one or two ticks/fleas on your dog even after treating with an application. Even though you may treat your dog regularly, ticks and fleas can still be breeding in the grounds surrounding your home, parks and beaches – anywhere dogs frequent.

We can think ourselves quite lucky as the paralysis tick is not an issue in the Northern Territory, however our common ticks can prove to be an issue and sometimes cause sickness in our dogs. Tick Fever (Anaplasmosis) is one strain where a tick carries what is known as Babesia . Babesia damages red blood cells and causes the dog to become anaemic and quite sick rapidly. Symptoms include dehydration, drowsiness/lethargy and pale gums. Veterinary intervention is quite successful as the strain in the Northern Territory is not as strong as in other places.

There are quite a few treatments on the market for dog owners, from shampoos and rinses, spot ons, sprays, collars and even tick injections. It is recommended to keep up to date on tick and flea treatments (and areas where your dog lives) as needed and to consult a veterinarian if the problem becomes too big and if they are non responsive to treatments.

Desexing - An opportunity to save a life

Advantages of desexing

Desexing your pet will prevent uterus infections (pyometra) and decreases malignant mammary (breast) cancer in females. Desexing prevents complications associated with pregnancy such as milk fever, mastitis and birthing problems. A late night caesarean is a common occurrence and an expensive reminder to desex your pet. A caesarean is a large scale operation which can pose a huge risk to your pets’ life and no guarantee of any live babies at a cost of at least $1000.

In males desexing prevents prostate disease/cancers, reduces the incidence of fight related abscesses and other infections. Desexing prevents diseases spread by sexual contact. Desexing prevents undesired mess and smell from a bitch in heat, as well as the stress of trying to keep your bitch away from male dogs. Wandering, escaping, territory marking with urine and aggression towards both animals and people are all decreased by desexing.

Desexing reduces the number of unwanted puppies and kittens in our community and genetically passing on severe hereditary health issues such as hip dysplasia, skin conditions as well as temperament faults.

Did you know?

Your entire female cat, her mate, and all of their offspring producing 2 litters a year with 2.8 kittens per litter can end up with 12 cats in 1 year, 67 cats in 2 years and 376 cats in 3 years.

Your entire female dog, her mate, and all of their puppies and their puppies’ puppies, if none are ever desexed add up to 16 dogs in 1 year, 128 dogs in 2 years and 512 dogs in 3 years.

With a rough estimation of 40% of those dogs and cats ending up in an animal shelter before they are two years old, help us help this issue by having your pet desexed.

Unfortunately there are many people who do not desex there pets and the results are seen at animal shelters every day. The Territory has an enormous number of unwanted pets. A large number of these animals are euthanised every day because of people's inaction to give one of the best gifts to their pet – desexing.

Desexing is a simple solution to a large problem. If we all desex our pets and encourage others to do the same then we can make a difference. When purchasing your pet, consider a PAWS pet, where the cost of desexing has already been covered for you as well as all of their other veterinary requirements!

Vaccinations

By having your pet kept up to date with vaccinations, you are helping to prevent your pet and others from becoming ill from preventable and life threatening diseases.

Parvovirus

Once infected, the Parvovirus can incubate from 7-10 days before symptoms show. Parvo attacks the lining of the intestinal tract causing it to die and slough off. This is why blood often appears in the Diarrhoea. Vomiting accompanies the diarrhoea often.

Severe dehydration and electrolyte imbalance ensue often leading to death. Reduced numbers of immune cells predispose the pet to viral and bacterial infection. Bacterial invasion of the blood stream, a condition termed 'sepsis' can occur. 80-90% of Parvo cases die without treatment. Even with intensive treatment, 15-20% of cases are lost.

Even vaccinated dogs can contract this virus, however are less prone to it due to the vaccination coverage. Puppies should wait well after their 3 initial vaccinations before venturing out to high risk areas such as dog parks, beaches and other places that are frequented by dogs.

Canine Distemper

This is another highly contagious, systemic viral disease often ending tragically. While distemper is pretty unstable outside its host, it is contagious via air-born droplet secretions. Infected pets can shed the virus for up to several months after contact. The lymph system, the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal system and the central nervous system are all affected.

Symptoms include, but are not limited to eye and nasal discharge, fever, and anorexia. Neurological signs are often observed as the disease spreads. Twitching muscles, hind limb paralysis, and convulsions are trademarks of neurological trauma. The course of the disease varies from 10 days to several, successive months.

Canine Hepatitis

Hepatitis is an infection of the liver, kidneys, spleen and/or lungs. The surfaces of these major organ systems are attacked and killed leading to spontaneous, incontrollable, internal bleeding. Ingestion of urine, faeces, or saliva is the primary path of contamination. The disease can vary in severity from a mild fever to a fatal illness. The incubation period is 4-9 days and a recovered pet can shed the pathogen in its urine for more than 6 months afterwards.

Many symptoms coincide with hepatitis: Lethargy, thirst, excessive discharge from the eyes and nose, and occasional abdominal pain. Vomiting and enlarged lymph nodes are also often present as well. It is foolish not to prevent against such a destructive condition when preventative measures are available.

Bordetella (Canine Cough)

This is the most common bacterial agent associated with tracheobronchitis in dogs and can cause pneumonia. It inhabits the upper respiratory tract and is extremely contagious via airborne secretions.

Parainfluenza

Parainfluenza is the viral aspect of Canine Cough. Prevention is C4 vaccination. This disease can lead to pneumonia, so inoculation should be seriously considered.

Leptospirosis

Similar symptoms as those mentioned for the above illnesses are noticeable with Leptospirosis: Vomiting, weakness and a fever. The incubation time is generally 5-15 days after exposure. Eventually, breathing becomes laboured, the abdomen becomes painful and the pet is reluctant to rise from a sitting position.

Abrasions are observable in the mouth and thirst is increased. Swallowing becomes difficult and in advanced stages of the disease, bloody vomit and faeces indicate internal hemorrhagic problems. Renal disease follows closely and usually the pet dies from renal failure if not treated.

FIP

Feline Infectious Peritonitis has no known cure. It is characterised by lesions of the nervous tissue. Hind limb paresis, general difficulty in controlling muscles, and seizures are common symptoms as well. Unfortunately, most affected cats die within a few weeks or months.

FIV

Feline Immunodeficiency Virus is yet another affliction with a poor prognosis. Mainly transmitted through bites and saliva, this heartbreaking disease attacks the immune system. Initially, the infected cat runs a fever and usually overcomes it. The cat then typically acts normally for months or even years before immunodeficiency occurs.

Once immunodeficiency sets in, the cat is very vulnerable to chronic secondary and opportunistic infections of the respiratory, gastrointestinal tract, urinary tract and the skin.

Feline Calicivirus

Calicivirus refers to several different strains of related viruses. Some are more severe than others. Protection from the calicivirus is usually included in the typical feline combination vaccination. These viral strains seem to be mostly focused on the surface of the mouth and also within the deep tissues of the lungs- making the virus potentially very dangerous.

Feline Rhinotracheitis

This is a condition whereby excessive secretion from the eyes and nose inhibit normal obligatory nasal breathing for felines. Excessive salivation and oral ulceration are also typical symptoms. Onset is marked by fever and sneezing. When eye and nose discharge become thicker, the cat generally becomes depressed.

Stomach ulceration is not uncommon at this point. Usually, most cats can overcome this condition. However, if the suffering is prolonged and untreated, weight loss and susceptibility to disease ensue and death is a possible result.

Feline Panleukopenia

If ever there was a Parvovirus in cats, this is it. Panleukopenia is characterised by the sudden onset of depression, dehydration, vomiting and diarrhoea, leukopenia, hypothermia late in the disease and high mortality.

Feline Chlamydia

Feline Chlamydia psittaci is a bacteria rather than a virus and is principally a conjunctival pathogen, attacking the eyes. The condition is contracted via nasal and ocular secretions and is especially contagious about 7-10 days after exposure.

Conjunctivitis appears 5-10 days after contraction and is characterised by congestion and increased tear production. Although chlamydia is generally treatable with antibiotics, it has been documented that vaccination significantly reduces the duration and severity of conjunctivitis, rhinitis and fever that correspond with the disease.