How pets can improve your mental health during COVID-19 Some say that all clouds have a silver lining and perhaps one major silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis is being able to spend more time with our pets. It is a stressful and challenging time for so many people...
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...
Did you know that Easter lilies can be lethal? Lilies are popular flowers and commonly used in arrangements due to their appealing fragrance. Many pet owners are, however, unaware of the danger they pose to cats. It can be extremely dangerous if a cat eats any part of...
Coronavirus and pets - what you need to know The Coronavirus outbreak is currently affecting many people throughout the world and in some places, changing the way we go about life. There are many questions and myths floating about so we thought we’d help answer, and...
What happens when we run a blood test? When it comes to finding out more about the health of your pet, blood tests are a powerful tool. They provide us with an insight into the health of many organs and can also confirm if your pet is safe to undergo anaesthesia. They...
Could my dog have cataracts? It’s not uncommon for a client to ask us if their dog has cataracts.They notice that their dog’s eyes have become ‘cloudy’ and they are worried about what might be going on. A cataract is a cloudy lens and if dense, is seen as a white...
Keeping chickens as pets Keeping backyard chickens as pets has become more and more popular in both urban and suburban areas. There are plenty of benefits when it comes to keeping chickens: They are relatively easy and inexpensive to maintain (when compared to most...
Spray away! Urine spraying is a unique activity where a cat stands with their tail in the air and delivers a squirt of urine against a vertical surface. Most of the time, you won’t even notice your cat spraying but this behaviour can become a ‘behavioural issue’ when...
Separated and sad Dogs are social creatures and they form strong bonds with people. While most dogs cope well with daily separation from their owners, unfortunately, some dogs become very distressed and even destructive, a problem known as separation anxiety....
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...
Case study: mitral valve disease Jack the cheeky eight year old Cavalier King Charles Spaniel came in for his yearly vaccination and routine health check. During the examination, a heart murmur was detected. After questioning his owners, there was some concern that he...
Grain free diets and broken hearts Grain free diets have become more popular over the last few years, as people inaccurately assume these boutique diets are better for their pets. But there’s more to the story... The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the USA is...
Does my dog need heartworm prevention? Albany is in a very unique part of Australia, and is one of the few places where the heartworm parasite has not been diagnosed. Generally, we do not consider heartworm preventative necessary if your pet remains in this area. In...
Bushfire crisis - how you can help We continue to feel devastated for all involved in the bushfire crisis. The effects of this disaster have rocked us all, and we are deeply saddened to see the impact it has had on our wildlife and livestock, as well as the...
Do pets get heart disease? Absolutely! Heart disease is not uncommon in dogs and cats, and knowing what to look out for is important as it can really make a difference to your pet’s life. Our feline friends are particularly good at hiding signs of heart disease, but...
The truth about Toxoplasmosis Toxoplasmosis is one of the most well known zoonotic diseases - meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans. The problem is, there’s heaps of misinformation out there and some of it leads to unnecessary concern and anxiety for...
Keep your pet safe this Christmas Christmas is a risky time for your pet. There is lots of food around, people, parties and changes in routine - so you may not be able to keep an eye on your pet as much as usual. To help keep your pet safe this festive season, here...
Top tips for traveling with your pet this Summer As we all gear up for the summer holidays it’s important to take a moment to think about your pet. If you are traveling with your furry friend, there are a few questions you need to ask yourself to help keep your pet...
Keeping an eye on the eyes When it comes to your pet’s eyes, if you think you can see a problem, chances are, there probably is one. Eye issues can be serious and that's why it is always best to have your pet assessed as soon as possible if you notice anything out of...
Lenno's diabetes You may remember Lenno the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel cross from our previous newsletters. Over a weekend in August, Lenno suddenly started drinking copious amounts of water and urinating far more than what would be considered normal. He had also...
Inflatable veterinary hospital set to save lives An amazing new inflatable veterinary hospital has been launched in South Australia ahead of the bushfire season. It is intended to help provide a place for SA Veterinary Emergency Management staff to work out of in the...
Don't wait 'til it's too late - vaccinate! Vaccination is one of the most important tools we have available to help keep your pet healthy. Vaccinations are safe, have minimal (if any) side effects, and we recommend them because they work. With the summer holidays fast...
How to care for pet mice Mice make great pets! They are social, intelligent, don’t take up a lot of space - and are very entertaining to watch at play! They are well suited to people with limited time and budget, and are especially good for school-aged children and...
Wee makes us happy! You might laugh at us but we love wee! Just a small amount of your pet’s urine provides us with valuable information about their internal health and can also help rule out diseases such as diabetes and kidney insufficiency. After we have collected...