Recognising heart disease in your pet With Valentine's Day in February, there's never a better time to talk about your pet's heart health. Knowing the early signs of heart disease can really make a difference to your pet's life. It means you can seek medical help from...
Preventing fly bites Flies are back in force this summer and they can be a real nuisance for your pet. Did you know that some fly species will actually bite around your pet's ears and nose causing painful and infected sores? Look out for dried, bloody scabs at the...
Attention all dog owners We are often asked: why is it necessary to vaccinate against kennel cough even though my dog isn't boarding? Here are the facts. Kennel cough's correct name is canine cough. It is commonly spread via water droplets through the air and can be...
Watch out for grass seeds! As the grass starts to dry off you need to keep your eyes peeled for the dreaded grass seed... who knew that something so small and innocent could cause so many problems!? Certain types of grass seeds are shaped like a pointy arrow with a...
Avoiding heatstroke The heat is on and as we battle our way through summer, spare a though for your pet. Our pets are super susceptible to heatstroke. They can't sweat all over like humans do and they only produce a tiny amount of sweat through their footpads. The...
Feline AIDS is caused by the Feline Immunodeficiency Virus (FIV) which affects the immune system of cats. The virus acts in the same way as the human form of HIV, destroying the immune system and leaving a cat susceptible to infections, disease and cancers. Once a cat...
The most simple way to make sure your pet is comfy this summer is to prevent itchy skin. Allergies to fleas, grasses, trees, plant pollen, dust mites and moulds as well as certain foods can all set off an itchy and scratchy show at your house! Itchy dogs will bite,...
There are already plenty of snakes about, and we have treated a number of snakebite cases so far this spring, so we are asking our clients to be extra vigilant. Different species of snakes possess different types of venom and these can cause varying symptoms that...
It's fun to involve your pet in the Christmas and New Year celebrations so here are our top tips on how to keep them safe. Paws off the following Chocolate, grapes, raisins and sultanas are poisonous to dogs. Always keep your pets away from the Christmas table...
Reconsider your retractable leash You probably haven't thought about it but did you know that a retractable leash can be a potential hazard? Not only have we heard reports of owners having their fingers severed from these leashes (when a dog suddenly pulls hard and...
The itch, lick, scratch routine Fish flavoured foods can cause skin and gastrointestinal allergies in some cats With the warm weather comes the pesky things that cause allergies. Fleas, ticks and other biting insects commonly set off an attack of the itches. Pets can...
Vaccination reminder Is your pet ready for the Christmas holidays? If your pet is boarding over the holiday period and isn't up to date with his vaccinations now is the time to get things in order. Most boarding facilities require cats to have a minimum of a F3...
The silent disease We often refer to kidney disease as the silent killer as it can sneak up on your pet and signs may be subtle and hard to notice. This type of kidney disease is referred to as chronic kidney disease and is something we may detect in an older cat. In...
Amazing flea facts Fact 1: Fleas have been around for 100 million years, and they have been found as fossils dating back to the dinosaur period! Fact 2: Fleas can live without a blood meal for 100 days Fact 3: Female fleas consume 15 X their body weight in blood daily...
How to get your cat to lose weight If your cat has snuck on some extra kilos over the winter months, here are some ideas to help get him moving and losing. The most important tip is to make sure he is eating the best weight loss diet and the correct amount. Ask us for...
Am I exercising my dog enough? When you think about it, our companion dogs have a pretty good deal. They get their food delivered in a bowl and are able to lounge on the couch or lie out on the lawn most of the day. This way of life can unfortunately lead to weight...
Pet calorie counter It's easy to overdo the treats at home and you might not be aware just how much of an impact these treats are having on your pet's weight. Keep this calorie translator in mind when you are having trouble saying 'no' to those adorable eyes! For the...
Is my pet overweight? When it comes to your pet, you might think carrying a few extra kilos isn't a big deal. Think again. Overweight pets are at an increased risk of arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders and diabetes. What is alarming is that that most...
They certainly can and this life altering disease is very similar to asthma in humans. The disease involves the small airways in the lungs over-reacting to the presence of a irritant or an allergen. This leads to an inflammatory response and an increase in mucus...
Snail bait - what you need to know After a long, wet and very cold winter we are thrilled that Spring has arrived. But Spring also brings about some hazards and one in particular is the presence of snail (and slug) bait in the garden. Be careful if you happen to visit...
Bee and wasp stings: what to do Spring has sprung and as the flowers start to bloom we will start to see more bees about. What should you do if your pet is stung by a bee or a wasp? In most cases, there will be mild swelling and tenderness at the sting site. You...
Why fleas love spring As the weather warms up and the days get longer, it won't only be us who will be celebrating! The cheeky flea will be out and about and even though they can cause problems all year round, it is during spring and summer that we see them come out...
Dental procedure FAQs 'Dentals' are common procedures performed in veterinary practices and when it comes to what's involved, people often have a few questions. Here are three common questions: 1. Why does my pet need a general anaesthetic? In order for us to properly...
There's no doubt about it, dental disease in our pets really stinks! It is one of the most common problems we seen in veterinary practice and not only is it painful for your pet, the increased bacteria in the mouth can be associated with other conditions such as...