Preventing parvovirus Our team wants to ensure that all pets are up-to-date with vaccinations appropriate for their age, lifestyle and environment. However, we are particularly concerned about keeping all our canine patients protected against parvovirus. It’s...
Does my dog have worms? Unfortunately, intestinal worms are pretty common in pets - and even the best-kept canine citizens can be susceptible. Young pups can become infected with worms through their mother’s milk or from contact with the faeces of other infected...
Giants among us Despite their intimidating size, giant breeds such as bernese mountain dogs, dogue de bordeaux and mastiffs are often devoted, gentle and sensitive family members. It’s important to be aware that these “Big Friendly Giants” will naturally cost more to...
Lapping up the attention The companionship and comfort of a little dog curled up on your lap can be a real positive for mental health. Whilst many dogs love a good cuddle, breeds such as chihuahuas, poodles, shih tzus and maltese have a particular reputation for being...
Climate damage on the Great Barrier Reef: can we hit “reef-resh”? Image sources: the ABC, the Guardian Hope is in the air - or better yet, in the sea - after a recent coral spawning event took place in November last year. This annual spectacle in the Great Barrier...
Them rolls: dog breeds with excess skin Shar-peis, basset hounds, neapolitan mastiffs, bulldogs and dogue de bordeaux. What do they all have in common? Lots of skin folds and wrinkles! Whilst dogs with rolls can look appealing, their excess skin can, unfortunately,...
Snootiful sighthounds Whether you’re thinking of adopting an adult greyhound or welcoming a whippet pup into the household, you’re in for a treat! As well as looking like the perfect cross between a dog and a reindeer, sighthounds are generally gentle, sweet dogs who...
The dangers of bones! Whilst it is really tempting to share tasty Christmas roast leftovers with your pet, it’s safest to immediately dispose of any cooked turkey or ham bone remnants into a large, secure outdoor bin, where your pet can’t access them. Why? Firstly,...
The skinny on fatty foods and dogs Unfortunately, whilst most dogs would really love a hearty meal of Christmas ham and crackling, or a bowl filled with turkey meat, it’s best to be really careful about feeding these types of foods to our pets. How can fatty foods be...
What might Santa bring your dog? For a very happy canine this Christmas, consider organising one of these dog-friendly gifts for your four-legged friend! Toys If your pet loves playing fetch, you could consider a mouth-friendly toy made from tough, chew-resistant...
Toxic Christmas foods During the holiday season, many of us want to be able to treat our pets a little too! So, our team would like to provide an official “naughty or nice” Christmas food list, outlining which foods are potentially harmful to your pet, and which ones...
Shedding those excess canine kg’s! It’s estimated that up to 50% of dogs are overweight, and in many cases, their well-meaning owners may not actually realise! Body condition scoring is a useful way of objectively assessing your pet’s weight through comparing them to...
Not just a “lazy bones”! If your dog seems to be tiring quickly on walks, don’t just chalk it up to “laziness” or old age. Certain medical issues can also reduce exercise tolerance – here are a few common ones that are worth bearing in mind for any older pet who’s...
Keeping up with high-energy dog breeds High-energy dog breeds make for fun exercise and play buddies - and can also be great “workers” if their energy is channelled into a productive task. Within any breed, there is some variability in temperament. However,...
“Healthy pets don’t need to go to the vet, do they?” Yes. Healthy pets DO benefit from a regular vet check! We don’t want you to wait until your pet is unwell to book an appointment – we love to see them on a regular basis! This isn’t just because we love seeing your...
“Are flea and tick prevention products important for pets?” Yes! Flea and tick prevention products help keep your pet healthy by protecting them from parasites. With so many combination flea and tick prevention products now available, we frequently field questions...
“How do I know which vaccination is best for my pet?” That’s easy! We will discuss with you the appropriate vaccination protocol for your pet. Regularly vaccinating your pet is important to protect them against various potentially fatal or debilitating...
Could my dog be incontinent? Did you know that some female dogs can become incontinent as they age? The condition is known as urethral sphincter mechanism incompetence (USMI), and this is just a fancy medical term used to describe a weak control of the muscles that...
It's time to look out for chocolate toxicity With a large number of chocolate Easter eggs on the loose at this time of year, it is our job to remind you about the risk of chocolate toxicity. Unfortunately, chocolate is not good for dogs! It contains a derivative of...
Why does my dog bark? A barking dog can be helpful and comforting especially when it comes to alerting you about possible intruders. Unfortunately, barking can also be frustrating and disruptive and excessive barking can even be considered a behavioural problem. Dogs...
Why puppy school is so important When it comes to good behaviour, did you know that the most critical time in your dog's life is during their first four months of life? Socialisation with other dogs and experiences in the big wide world at this time are extremely...
Flat-faced dogs can't stand the heat It's time to crank the air-conditioning for flat-faced dogs such as the Pug, French Bulldog and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. These dogs (known as Brachycephalic breeds) are not very well designed for our hot summer months and are...
Myth busters: kennel cough It's not uncommon for us to be asked, "if my dog doesn't go to boarding kennels, why is it necessary to vaccinate against kennel cough?" It's time to bust some myths surrounding this and here are the facts ... Kennel cough's correct name is...
Grain-free diets - are they better? Many people assume that grain-free diets are 'more natural' and carbohydrate-free. They also have the conception that grain-free diets are less likely to cause allergies. But none of this is true! There has been no scientific...