Rocky can't go By now you know Rocky the cat. Rocky is a very clean cat and always uses his litter tray perfectly. Recently Rocky was leaving little patches of bloody urine in strange places. One evening, Rocky’s owner came home from work to find Rocky scratching at...
Study: pet health in Australia How likely is my dog’s breed to go to the vet? At what age is my cat prone to hyperthyroidism? Has anyone ever named their pet ‘Prince Harry’? The answers to all of these questions and more can be found in the newly published Pet Health...
Snail bait toxicity: what you need to know Spring brings about a myriad of hazards and one in particular is the use of snail (and slug) bait in the garden. Would you know what to watch out for? Signs of snail bait poisoning: - Excessive drooling - Anxiety and panting...
Spring skin Spring is in the air, but with the warmer weather comes the inconvenient things that cause itchy skin! Fleas commonly set off an attack of the itches, but pets can also be allergic to grasses, trees, plant pollen, dust mites and moulds, as well as certain...
Are you bee sting ready? Have you ever wondered what you should you do if your furry friend is stung by a bee or a wasp? In most cases, there will be some swelling and tenderness at the sting site. It’s best to try to remove the tiny stinger as quickly as possible...
Why cats need to see the vet Cats are special creatures. They are bold and brave, but they are also experts at hiding pain and keeping to themselves if they feel unwell. This is an innate way of helping them survive in the wild - if they appear weak or sick they are...
Three signs your pet may have dental disease Dental disease is one of the most common conditions we see in veterinary practice. The problem is, it’s an insidious disease and pet owners often don’t even realise their pet has an issue until we point it out. The earlier...
Anaesthesia free dentistry hurts More and more we are hearing of people advertising ‘anaesthesia-free dentistry’ for pets and we would like to fill you in on why this is doing more harm than good to your beloved fur baby. If your pet is suffering from dental disease,...
Tummy troubles There’s no getting around it, at some point in your pet’s life you may have to clean up some vomit or diarrhoea. No one likes this job and talking about it can make some people turn green. Thankfully we have simplified the facts so you don't have to...
What on earth should I be feeding my pet? We know that when you go to buy food for your pet it can be very confusing. There are many choices available and lots of people that will give you their advice. Pet food companies also complicate things with claims that their...
How do I know if my pet is overweight? Pets come in all shapes and sizes and there’s not an ideal weight for every breed of dog or cat. The fact is, many pets are overweight and alarmingly, most people aren’t even aware of what to look for. Here are our top tips for...
If you've been thinking about getting a new pet, have you considered adopting an older animal? There are plenty of positives when it comes to giving an older pet a home and a great companion is just one of them! Here are three good reasons why an older pet can be a...
Why are cats so good at hiding arthritis? Cats are even better than dogs at hiding or covering up pain caused by arthritis. This is because cats spend much of their time sleeping and given that we generally don't take cats for a walk, it is harder to see a change in...
Could your pet have arthritis? If you’re finding it a bit harder to get out of bed on these colder mornings, spare a thought for your pet. Arthritis loves to rear its ugly head around this time of the year and the reason your pet might be sleeping in more than usual...
Max has 'done his knee' Max the 8-year-old border collie was enjoying his morning run at the park but landed awkwardly when he went to catch the ball. That afternoon he wouldn’t place any weight on his left hind leg so a visit to us was scheduled ASAP. An examination...
Pet profile: Guinea Pigs Guinea pigs make great pets. They are very friendly and are a little easier to handle than rabbits. They make ideal pets for kids in preschool or above and it’s important to remember that they require a good diet and careful husbandry to help...
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...
Calm cats Many people put off bringing their cat to the vet as they feel it is just too stressful. As a result, we don't get to see your feline friend as often as we should and unfortunately, this means many health problems may go undetected. Dental disease, heart...
Starting out on the right paw You may not have ever thought about it but good behaviour really starts before you decide to get a new pet. It can be easy to rush the process meaning you are not prepared or properly equipped for the new arrival. Here are some tips to...
When good behaviour goes bad When it comes to pet behaviour, there's a saying we use in the veterinary world: "There's no such thing as bad behaviour, it's just normal behaviour in an inappropriate setting." Put simply, this means what you may perceive as "bad...
If you travel with your pet, heartworm prevention is important PLEASE NOTE: Heartworm has never, to our knowledge, been diagnosed in a pet from the Great Southern. We are relieved to consider Albany 'heartworm-free', and as such do not usually recommend heartworm...
Recognising a broken heart We're not talking about a broken heart from lost love here but instead heart disease. Most of the signs of heart disease are related to a decrease in the function of the heart. The signs can be subtle and sometimes hard to detect. Being able...
This study was EPIC! Recent groundbreaking research into canine heart disease is changing the way we treat one of the most common heart conditions. It is estimated that one dog in ten may suffer from some type of heart disease and there it's a particular type of heart...
A healthy mouth equals a healthy heart Did you know that if your pet is suffering from dental disease they may be at risk of heart disease too? When dental disease strikes, plaque and tartar that accumulate on the teeth lead to infection of the gums. Bacteria from...