Christmas Opening Hours

From all of the team we would like to wish you and your pets a safe and Happy Christmas and New Year!

During the holiday period we will be open as follows:
Wednesday 23rd December - 8am-7pm
Thursday 24th December - 8am-5pm
Friday 25th December - CLOSED
Saturday 26th December - CLOSED
Sunday 27th December - CLOSED
Monday 28th December - CLOSED
Tuesday 29th December - 8am-7pm
Wednesday 30th December - 8am-7pm
Thursday 31st December - 8am-5pm
Friday 1st January - CLOSED
Saturday 2nd January - 8am-4pm

For emergencies outside these hours contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood.

An update on rabbit calicivirus in Australia

Dr Gregory Wright
DVM, BSc.

Calicivirus or Rabbit Haemorrhagic Disease Virus (RHDV1) is a highly infectious and often fatal disease that affects wild and domestic rabbits. In 1996 the virus was released in Australia to control the feral rabbit population, and was highly effective. Prior to release of the virus, and as a requirement to do so, a vaccine became available to protect our domestic rabbit population.

As some of you may be aware there is a planned release of a variant of the calicivirus called K5, which is planned for autumn 2016. The original strain released in 1996 has become less effective over time and it is hoped that the K5 variant will boost the impact of current rabbit control methods. Prior to being used in wild rabbit control the NSW Department of Primary Industries examined the current vaccine for its effectiveness against this new strain. Thankfully all the rabbits vaccinated with the current vaccination survived infection with K5.

Our recommendations are in line with that of the Australian Veterinary Association; they recommended that domestic rabbits are vaccinated at 12 weeks of age, and then given a health check and booster annually. In the face of an outbreak it is recommended that kittens be vaccinated at 4 weeks, followed by a booster at 12 weeks and yearly vaccinations.

For more information see the petsmart website

Kidney Disease is Thirsty Work

If your pet is thirstier than usual it could be a sign of kidney disease. Sometimes the increase in thirst can be subtle but if you find yourself filling up the water bowl more regularly, or notice your pet drinking from the shower or toilet, you should arrange a check up with us.

Don't Be Tempted...

It might be tempting to feed your pet human scraps as a treat but you may be doing them harm and causing excessive weight gain.

Keep this calorie translator in mind when you are having trouble saying ‘no’ to those adorable eyes!

For a 10kg dog:
> One biscuit = 1 hamburger for a human
> 30g piece of cheese = 1.5 hamburgers for a human
> One hot dog = 2.5 hamburgers for a human

For a 5kg cat:
> One potato chip = ½ a hamburger for a human
> 30g piece cheese = 2.5 hamburgers for a human
> A glass of milk = 3 hamburgers for a human!

Drop in at any time and we'll weigh your pet. We'll also advise you on treats that are suitable for your pet and are light on calories.

Is Your Pet a bit Portly?

Is your canine companion a couch potato or your feline friend a bit flabby?
Your pet is not alone as more than 50% of our pets are overweight.

Carrying a few extra kilos puts our pets at risk of heart disease, respiratory disorders, osteoarthritis and diabetes. The scary thing is that most people aren’t even aware that their pet is overweight.

Watch out for:
- When you look down from above, your pet will have lost definition of their waist. Instead of an hourglass figure they might look more like an egg, or even a barrel on  legs!
- You can no longer ‘easily’ feel their ribs when you run your hands over their sides
- A very obese pet may have neck fat, a pendulous tummy as well as fat over the hips

The very best way to determine whether your pet is overweight is to drop in for a weight check with us. This will allow us to score your pet’s body condition and, if necessary, start a weight management plan.

Getting your pet to lose weight is easier than you think! Physical exercise will help but it is crucial you are feeding your pet the correct diet and the right amount - something we can help you out with.

There are diets available that will actually help your pet lose weight - including one to increase your pet’s metabolic rate.

Remember, when it comes to fighting the flab, we are here to help.

Frequent Flying Doggies...

Angus has just returned from a well earned holiday in Europe!

He came across this dog in the Istanbul Airport and discovered he has his own EU passport!

This travelling pooch gets to fly in the cabin with his owner around Europe, although he goes in the overhead storage compartment for take off and landing!

He and his owners live in Italy and take him everywhere with them

Dental Month!

One to watch out for...

Cushing's disease is one of the most common endocrine diseases seen in dogs. It is a slow and progressive disease caused by the overproduction of the stress hormone cortisol.

Cortisol is a normal hormone that is produced by the adrenal gland, and this hormone is essential for normal body function. Unfortunately, in some animals, the adrenal gland produces too much cortisol and can have detrimental effects on your pet’s quality of life.

In some cases, Cushing's can be caused by an external source of cortisol, such as the long term administration of cortisone.

Maddie's Insatiable Appetite!

Meet Maddie, a scrawny 14 year old tortoiseshell cat who is always in search of a meal.
A check up revealed Maddie had lost nearly 17% of her body weight in the past year. This was despite her ravenous appetite and regular snacks around the neighbourhood.

A blood test revealed grossly elevated levels of thyroid hormone circulating in her body. She was suffering from an endocrine disease called hyperthyroidism. This condition is not uncommon in older cats and an overproduction of thyroid hormone results in an out-of-control metabolic rate, upsetting the regulation of carbohydrates, fats, and protein as well as the function of the heart.

What is an Endocrine Disease?

An endocrine disease is a fancy way of describing a disease that is caused by a hormonal imbalance. These diseases are relatively common and can greatly affect your pet’s quality of life. Some diseases can even be life threatening if they are not diagnosed and treated correctly.

Endocrine diseases can develop because a gland is not functioning properly or the control of the gland is faulty.

When too much hormone is produced, the disease is referred to as a hyper disease. Tumours and abnormal tissue growth commonly cause an overproduction of hormone.

A hypo disease occurs when too little hormone is produced. Endocrine glands that are destroyed, removed, or just stop working cause these diseases.

Howling at the Moon

Recently the STVC Team had a group training session with Anastasia from "Howling at the Moon" regarding grief and compassion fatigue, giving us some great hints on what signs to look out for and how to deal with stress, not just for ourselves but our fellow workmates, friends, families and our clients.

Anastasia has a long history of experience in a number of different places and when she lost her cat suddenly one day she discovered there is not a lot of help out there for pet owners who are trying to deal with the loss of their beloved furry friend. This led to her to starting Howling at the Moon offering pet loss counselling...friends and family are great in these situations but they don't always know what to say or understand what you are going through...

www.howlingatthemoon.info

Vomiting and when to worry

There are many causes of vomiting including pancreatitis, an intestinal obstruction from a bone or a piece of string (especially in cats), liver or kidney disease, or endocrine diseases such as diabetes.

If your pet has had a good old technicolor yawn, what should you do?

Assuming your pet is bright and otherwise well after a one-off vomit, keep a close eye on them over the next 24 hours. It's best to withhold food for a few hours (gastric rest) and offer fluids for re-hydration. Providing a bland diet (steamed chicken and rice) for a few days may be all they need.

Safety of Anaesthetics for Pets

A new scientific study reveals that low blood pressure is the most common complication encountered during anaesthesia in small animals. If prolonged, low blood pressure can cause reduced oxygen levels in the blood, and can result in permanent damage to vital organs. The kidneys for example rely on a steady blood pressure, not only to filter blood, but also as a supply of oxygen. A recent study published in the Australian Veterinary Journal (A world renowned scientific publication) highlighted the importance of routine blood pressure monitoring during anaesthesia, even in young healthy animals. The study found that dehydration can occur from fasting and hospitalization prior to routine procedures. This may increase the animal’s anaesthetic risk. When it comes to the health of your pet it is important to be aware of what is included, and more importantly what is not included, as part of routine procedures performed with anaesthesia.

Easter & Anzac Day Weekend Opening Hours

We hope everyone has a safe and happy Easter Break and ANZAC Day Weekend

Our opening hours will be as follows:
Good Friday 3rd April - Closed
Saturday 4th April - 8am-1pm
Sunday 5th April - Closed
Easter Monday 6th April - Closed
ANZAC Day Saturday 25th April - Closed

For emergencies outside these times, contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood

Chocolate - it's no good for Dogs...

The Easter Bunny is on his way and about to make his deliveries. This is a great time to remind you to keep ALL chocolate out of paw's reach.


Our clever canines are designed to seek out any morsel of chocolate - big or small, wrapped or unwrapped!

The problem ingredient for our pooches is the derivative of caffeine in chocolate (called theobromine). Unfortunately dogs have trouble digesting theobromine and ingestion lead to:

Homemade Treats

Using Hill's Prescription Diet products:

Wet (Can) Product
Conventional Oven Method:

• Cut up some bite-sized pieces
• Bake at 350F, 180C for approximately 30 minutes, or until the desired texture is reached
• Allow to cool before feeding to your pet

First Aid for Pets...

FIRST AID APP

Download this Free "First Aid for Pets" app developed by Boehringer Ingelheim, you will be able to select our clinic as your "local vet" to have easy access to our details when 

you need. Search for "First Aid for Pets" in your app store...

Mast Cell Tumors - the great pretenders...

A small lump had appeared on Poppy the Boxer’s chest. Thankfully her owners brought her straight in for a check up.

A sample of cells was taken using a needle (a fine needle aspirate). This sample was placed on a slide, had special stains applied and was examined under a microscope. A large number of mast cells were present.

Mast cells normally respond to inflammation and allergies. Sometimes there are a cancerous proliferation of these cells and the formation of a tumour. Some of these tumours can be very aggressive and spread elsewhere in the body.