Urine spraying in cats If you've ever seen a cat spraying you may have been intrigued. It's a strange looking activity where the cat stands with a vertical tail (sometimes quivering at the tip) and delivers a squirt of urine against a vertical surface. Urine spraying...
Feisty cat does all he can to avoid trip to the vet Wrangling your cat and getting them into a carrier can be a very stressful event - as demonstrated in this hilarious video. This can put you off bringing your cat to us and it means they might miss out on essential...
Common behavioural questions Here are a few of the behavioural issues we talk about with our clients on a daily basis. Dog Behaviour Barking: It's important to understand that barking is a normal way that dogs communicate with others. Dogs might bark to get attention,...
When good behaviour goes bad Has your pet always been well behaved but all of a sudden things have changed? Has toilet training gone out the window? Is your dog suddenly digging up the garden or barking non stop? Is your cat clawing at your favourite piece of...
Arthritis - what to watch out for Arthritis is a nasty disease. It sneaks up on our pets and always seems to rear its ugly head as the weather starts to cool down. Many people put the signs of arthritis down to "getting old" but have you ever thought that your pet...
March is all about pet behaviour - linking with the Australian Veterinary Association's 'Polite Pets Month' - designed to highlight common behavioural problems in pets, and ways that your vet can be involved in the management and improvement of these problems. As well...
Is your dog suffering from separation anxiety? Dogs are social creatures and they form strong bonds with humans. Most dogs cope ok with the daily separation from their owners but unfortunately some dogs will become very distressed and even destructive, a problem known...
We can highly recommend the dog trainers at the Albany All Breeds Dog Club. They follow a dog-friendly positive reinforcement program, and can help dogs of all ages and stages. For more information, have a look at their Facebook Page or take a look at their...
There's something wrong in ear! If you think your pet has smelly, dirty or red ears it is time for a check up with us. Ear infections are very common at this time of the year and it's important that we visualise the canal and make sure your pet is not in any pain. The...
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...