It's been a busy start to June with our vet Nickala attending the AVA Conference in Melbourne last week and Genevieve completing her training in Rehabilitation Therapy in late May.

Nickala has returned inspired by a week of new learning and sharing ideas with colleagues.

Genevieve is enjoying a well earned break and will be back to work next week with many tales to share of her fascinating holiday.

Watch this space for more information on the additional services we are providing for pet rehabilitation. 

We place great value on continuing education for all our staff to keep up to date with new and evolving technology ensuring we provide the best possible care for your best friend. 

Is your pet starting to age a little?

Did you know that cats and dogs are considered senior citizens after the age of 8 years? As they reach their golden years there are a few things you need to watch out for.

Obvious changes might include:

• forgetting toilet training
• hearing loss
• stiff legs
• weight loss or gain

It's crucial to arrange more regular check ups with us during these senior years.

We will monitor your pet closely for:

• sore joints
• new lumps
• dental disease
• vision changes
• heart changes

We may also suggest blood tests, urine tests and blood pressure measurements to make sure your pet's organs are all healthy. Diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and arthritis can be successfully managed if detected early.

Ask us for more information about keeping your senior pet happy and healthy. 

With flu season in full swing, now's a good time for us to answer the common question, can my pet get the flu?

The answer is yes - but unlike in humans, there isn't really a flu season for dogs and cats and infection can occur at any time of the year.

Dogs might contract canine cough (often referred to incorrectly as kennel cough) and cats can suffer from cat flu (commonly caused by a herpes virus).

Canine cough

Is a highly contagious disease that's passed from dog to dog by moisture droplets. Your dog might be infected at the local park or at a boarding kennel due to the large number of dogs in one area. Vaccination is given annually and is very effective at protecting your pet against the worst strains of this disease.
Your dog may still contract a milder form of canine cough, even if he is vaccinated, but this usually resolves by itself or requires only a short course of antibiotics.

Cat flu

Is also highly contagious and can cause severe illness, especially in elderly cats or kittens. Vaccination is highly effective and while it won't always prevent cats from developing flu, it helps reduce the severity of the condition. Flu vaccinations are given annually and are an important way to help keep your cat stay happy and healthy.

To check if your pet is protected against these diseases, please call us and we can easily look up your pet's vaccination history and give you the best advice.