Jackson is thirsty Jackson the cat came in for a check up. He had been drinking copious amounts of water over the past month and even though he usually had an excellent appetite, he was looking 'a bit skinny.' Examination revealed that Jackson was dehydrated and had...
Why is my cat doing that? Cats are unique creatures and they will occasionally display certain behaviours that you need to watch out for as it can be an indication that something else is going on. Here are a couple of behaviours to be aware of: Spraying urine The act...
Chocolate toxicity - what to do Most dogs love chocolate and with their strong sense of smell they are very good at finding it! The problem is, dogs are not able to metabolise theobromine, a derivative of caffeine found in chocolate. Ingestion can lead to an increased...
Easter health hazards you might not know about It's not only chocolate that can be an issue at Easter! There are a few other potential dangers - here's what you should watch out for: Hot Cross Buns Many people are not aware that sultanas and raisins (and grapes) may...
A new study links raw chicken to paralysis in dogs There has recently been a study that has linked the consumption of raw chicken with an increased risk of paralysis in dogs. The study, conducted by the University of Melbourne’s U-Vet Werribee Animal Hospital, found...
With Valentine's Day on February 14th, it's a good time to talk about love. Have you ever wondered if your cat loves you? Here's a cute 'Simon's Cat' video that perfectly highlights six signs your cat really loves you! Check it out on YouTube here.
What's your pet's SRR? SRR is an acronym for your pet's sleeping respiratory rate. The SRR is a very powerful tool that you, the pet owner can undertake in your own home. It can help detect the onset of/or improve the monitoring of left sided congestive heart failure...
High blood pressure For some pets, measuring their blood pressure is essential for a more thorough veterinary examination. An elevation in blood pressure (or hypertension) can indicate an underlying disease and if left undetected, can cause damage to organs and in...
Heart health 101 Heart disease sneaks up on our pets and most of the time it isn't until your cat or dog is in heart failure that physical changes are visible. Signs of heart disease are generally related to a reduced function of the heart. The heart has to work...
A healthy mouth for a happy heart Did you know that improving the condition of your pet's teeth could lead to a healthier heart? This is because there is plenty of evidence that dental disease is linked to heart disease. Here's how it works... Plaque and tartar that...
Jake's odd looking ear Jake the boisterous cocker spaniel presented with a strange swelling on one of his ear lobes. It was 'soft and squishy' and painful to touch. He had been shaking his head over the previous week and his ear smelt canal smelt like old footy socks!...
We 'ear you've got a problem! Ear problems are common at this time of the year so if you've noticed anything out of the ordinary with your pet's ears, it's important we take a look. The ear canal is its own mini environment and this can be disturbed by heat, moisture,...
Summer hazards Long summer days and balmy nights mean we are often out and about with our pets more than other times of the year. Here are a few summer hazards we always like to remind you to watch out for: Heat exhaustion: It can be easy to over do it in the heat and...
Keeping cool The summer heat can really affect our pets so how do you best keep your pet cool this summer? Air flow is key to keeping cool While shade is a non negotiable essential, there may be some extreme days where you need to bring your pet inside and place them...
Snake bite - what to watch out for With changing weather patterns as well as a wet start to summer for many parts of Australia, snakes are being seen in urban areas previously thought to be 'snake free'. It's a good idea to be remind yourself of what to watch out for...
Leo and the Christmas ham Leo the ten year old schnauzer usually loves Christmas. And it isn't because of all the new toys he finds in his stocking, it's because he usually gets some leftover ham! That was until last Christmas. On Boxing Day last year, Leo developed a...
Travelling with your pet Are you travelling with your pet these summer holidays? It can be lots of fun and your pet will love being included in the adventure but you should consider the following before hitting the road: How healthy is your pet? You don't want to take...
When to take your pet to the vet ASAP The Christmas period can be a busy time for everyone. It can be easy to get swept up in the festivities and not realise your pet is unwell. Here are ten situations when you should seek veterinary attention immediately: Trouble...
Why does my pet lick his feet? Licking and chewing of the paws is a common problem for our pets but it definitely shouldn't be considered normal! Cats tend to pull at their toes nails and dogs like to lick in between their toes. There can be many causes: Allergies:...
Here are some pretty cool cats! Check out their crazy fur markings - from cinnamon rolls to the cat burglar, which one is your favourite? Click here to view them at Bored Panda.
Vaccination is a hot topic in the media at the moment. There's plenty of information and scare tactics floating around on social media and so when it comes to vaccinating your pet, we want you to get the right advice. The take home message is that vaccination is one...
One of the greatest threats to human and animal health is antibiotic resistance and the emergence of 'superbugs'. The World Health Organisation (WHO) warns that 'unless urgent action is taken on the use of antibiotics in humans and animals, the world is heading for a...
Don't let your pet get stressed in the heat The warmer weather is here and it's time for days at the beach and ice cream in the sun. With the warmer weather comes an increased risk of heat stress for your pets. Heat stress or heat exhaustion is a common condition seen...
Can my cat be a vegan? Embarking on a vegan diet might be suitable for some people but what about our feline friends? The truth is that a cat cannot survive on a vegan diet. These diets simply do not provide all of the nutrients that your cat requires for a healthy...