Many of you know our Vet Nurse/Receptionist/Puppy Pre-School trainer Rosie and love her as much as we do, so we are delighted to share news of her wedding in late November.

In an idyllic setting, surrounded by family and friends Rosie married her special man Kurtley. They are now taking time for an adventure holiday in India. We look forward to welcoming them home in early 2019. 

Congratulations Mr & Mrs Rowse.

We'd like to make sure your pet stays happy and healthy this silly season so here's a list of twelve potential pet hazards you need to watch out for this Christmas:

1. Christmas dinner and leftovers are too rich for our pets and can cause nasty tummy upsets and even pancreatitis. Stick to 'pet approved' treats.

2. Macadamia nuts are popular at Christmas and can be toxic for dogs leading to muscle weakness, vomiting and tremors.

3. Sultanas and raisins can cause kidney failure in dogs.

4. BBQ skewers can be catastrophic for pets so take care to ensure your pet doesn't accidentally ingest a skewer (which falls on the ground for example) and never feed your pet cooked bones - both can lead to the need for emergency intestinal surgery.

5. Chocolate - dogs can't metabolise the theobromine in chocolate and ingestion can lead to an increased heart rate, tremors, seizures and even death. The darker the chocolate the more toxic and the size of the dog and amount ingested also plays a part in the severity of the symptoms.

6. Decorations such as tinsel and fairy lights are very attractive to pets but can lead to a gastric obstruction if eaten.

7. Ribbons from presents are super attractive to cats and if ingested can lead to a nasty gastric obstruction requiring emergency surgery.

8. The Christmas tree might be an attractive indoor 'pee tree' but can also be a falling hazard.

9. Lots of guests can cause your pet to become stressed and even lead to them trying to escape - make sure they have a safe and quiet place to retreat to.

10. Christmas lilies can cause kidney failure in cats. The stamen, leaves and stems are all potentially toxic as is the water they are stored in so it's best not to have them in the first place.

11. Snakes are out and about and will be all summer so take care in long grass, around water or areas where there are rodents (grain sheds and chicken pens are common places.)

12. Heatstroke - never leave your pet in the car during the warmer weather, even on a mild day the temperature inside a car can reach dangerous levels in minutes. Leaving a window down will not help either so don't risk it!

If you have any questions about the health and safety of your pet, we are always here to put your mind at ease. Please ask us if you need any advice or information.

If you are travelling with your pet these summer holidays there are a few things you need to think about to help keep your pet happy, healthy and safe.

+ A good place to start is by asking the question: Is my pet healthy? You don't want to take your pet on a road trip if they are unwell. Arrange a checkup with us before you go for peace of mind.

+ If your pet is on medication do you have enough for the trip? And if your pet is on a specific diet, do you have enough to last while you are away?

+ Are your pet's vaccinations and parasite prevention up to date? This is extremely important if you are visiting a paralysis tick area as these ticks can be fatal (particularly east coast of Australia.) And is your pet protected against heartworm, fleas and biting flies? We can advise you on the most effective parasite prevention for your pet.

+ Pets can become lost in an unfamiliar area so you should confirm your pet is microchipped and all the details (appropriate phone numbers) attached to the chip up to date. It's a good idea to put a collar on your pet with your contact details on an identification tag, this allows you to be reunited ASAP if your pet becomes lost.

+ Are you travelling to an area where there might be snakes? If your pet is usually a 'city slicker' you might not have ever had to worry about snakes. Make sure you know where the local vet is and who to call after-hours if there is an emergency, it's a good idea to put their phone number in your mobile contacts.

+ And finally, if your pet gets car sick, you should ask us about the medication we have available to help reduce motion sickness. We also have a pheromone spray available for both cats and dogs that can help reduce anxiety on car trips. Ask us for all the details.

Happy travels furry friends!

As the festive season is in full swing and New Year's Eve approaches, you can bet there will be fireworks going off somewhere. You might enjoy the show but your dog may find fireworks excruciatingly loud and absolutely terrifying.

Here are our top tips to help keep your dog safe and calm during the event:

1. Bring your dog indoors during fireworks or if you know they are scheduled

2. Try to arrange a family member or friend to stay with your dog during the fireworks if you can't be home

3. Make sure you keep all windows and doors closed and all gates secure

4. Provide a small, dark and safe place for your dog to retreat to - a blanket over a table can help

5. It's a good idea to put your dog in a room with a television or radio turned up

You should also make sure your dog is wearing an identification tag and is microchipped (and that the details are up to date), just in case there is an escape.

If your dog suffers from severe firework phobia speak to us as we may be able to prescribe a mild sedative to help your dog. This medication needs to be given well before the fireworks get going so it's always a good idea to check with your local council as to when fireworks are scheduled in your area.

Speak to one of our staff for more information or if you are concerned about your pet.