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:
Saturday 23rd December - 8am-4pm
Sunday 24th December - CLOSED
Monday 25th December - CLOSED
Tuesday 26th December - CLOSED
Wednesday 27th December - 8am-7pm
Thursday 28th December - 8am-7pm
Friday 29th December - 8am-7pm
Saturday 30th December - 8am-4pm
Sunday 31st December - CLOSED
Monday 1st January - CLOSED
Tuesday 2nd January - 8am-7pm

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

VACCINATIONS - ASK US FOR THE RIGHT ADVICE

Vaccination is a hot topic in the media at the moment. There's plenty of information and scare tactics floating around on social media and so when it comes to vaccinating your pet, we want you to get the right advice.

The take home message is that vaccination is one of the most important tools we have available to help keep your pet healthy. Vaccinations are safe, have minimal (if any) side effects and the reason we recommend vaccinations is because they work.

These are the top reasons vaccinations are so vital:

• They protect against deadly diseases: many dangerous diseases are completely preventable with the correct vaccinations.
• Vaccinations save money: vaccinations are substantially less expensive than the cost of treatment for the diseases they prevent. 
• You can board your pet with other animals: if you ever plan to board your dog or cat he must be up to date with his vaccinations - what would happen if you had a family emergency and boarding was the only option?
• Visits to the vet hospital: if your pet has to stay in hospital he needs to be vaccinated. If your pet is sick, his immune system may be already be compromised so you want to know he is protected.

There are many diseases we are able to vaccinate against but your pet's health, lifestyle and where you live may affect which vaccinations are deemed necessary - we can help you make an informed decision and are always happy to discuss vaccinations with you.

When it comes to vaccinating your pet, we will give you the right advice.

Don't feed bread to Ducks!

Rotting bread pollutes the water and causes nasty surface algae, which kills the fish and gives ducks diseases. It also makes the water smell.

OK TO FEED:

• Cut seedless grapes
• Cooked rice
• Birdseed
• Peas & Corn
• Oats
• Chopped lettuce

Bread makes ducks ill as it does not contain the right nutrition or calories that they need to keep warm in the winter.

IT'S NEVER TOO LATE FOR DENTAL CARE

It's not uncommon for us to see an older pet with dental disease but many people are worried about their senior pet having to undergo a dental procedure.

In fact, as our pets get older, their immune system becomes less effective at fighting off bacterial and viral diseases so good dental health is more important than ever!

Senior pets may be missing or have worn down teeth and this can affect their ability to chew and digest their food. They are also very good at hiding dental pain and soldiering on, so many owners put changes down to 'getting old.'

RSPCA CUPCAKE WEEK!

We are participating in the RSPCA Cupcake Day donation drive by having a cupcake week!

Come into the clinic this week 21st-26th August to purchase some yummy treats baked by our lovely team with all proceeds going to RSPCA SA.

If you can't make it in you can still donate towards our goal by visiting Our Fundraising Page

HELP US FIGHT ANIMAL CRUELTY

A HEALTHY MOUTH = A HEALTHY PET

There's no getting around this one. If you want your pet to live a healthy life, they need to have a healthy mouth!

There is now plenty of evidence to prove that dental disease is linked to other problems such as heart disease, so it is absolutely essential we keep an eye on your pet's oral health.

Dental disease strikes when plaque and tartar accumulate on the teeth and lead to infection of the gums. Bacteria from this infection can travel in the blood stream around the body and can impact the heart as well other organs such as the lungs and kidneys.

AUGUST IS DENTAL MONTH

Come and grab yourself a bargain and do your pet a favour at the same time!
Advance Dental Food + Greenies
= $15 discount for dogs
= $10 discount for cats

HOW TO HELP AN ARTHRITIC PET AT HOME

If your pet is diagnosed with arthritis, there are plenty of things you can do at home to help them feel more comfortable.

We recommend a multi-pronged attack as this helps to reduce the need for large amounts of medication and will lessen the potential side effects of any one treatment.

6 tips for an arthritis-friendly home:

• Keep your pet lean to help reduce the load on their joints
• Consider feeding a diet specifically formulated for arthritis (ask us for the best recommendation)
• Continue to exercise your pet in moderation; gentle daily walks for dogs help keep the joints moving and muscles toned
• Provide a warm and comfortable bed with plenty of padding
• Use a portable ramp to help your dog in and out of the car
• Provide an additional piece of furniture (like an ottoman) so your cat doesn't have to jump so high to reach his favourite spot

Ask us for more information on how to make your home arthritis-friendly.

WHY MICROCHIPPING IS ESSENTIAL...

AND ensuring your details are up to date at the registry is crucial...

The recent floods in Queensland and New South Wales have sadly resulted in hundreds of displaced pets.

Natural disasters are an important reminder as to why it is essential ALL of your pets are microchipped.

When a lost pet has a microchip, they can be scanned at any vet clinic or animal shelter and the details attached to the chip found on a central database.

BE REWARDED

There is a new rewards system for heartworm and flea prevention products.
If your dog/cat is on Revolution and/or your dog on Proheart, you qualify...

Step 1 - Download the PAW CLUB CARE App on your Smart Phone today
Step 2 - Register your and your pet's details on the App
Step 3 - Allow us to verify your purchases when you are next in the clinic

SIMPLE!

Simparica is the latest and greatest in Flea Prevention and comes in a tasty chewable monthly tablet, it is the perfect accompaniment to Proheart - the yearly injectable Heartworm Prevention

IS YOUR PET A SENIOR CITIZEN?

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

Long Weekend Opening Hours

Please be advised we will be open as follows this weekend:

Saturday 10th June - 8am-4pm
Sunday 11th June - CLOSED
Monday 12th June - CLOSED
(Queen's Birthday Public Holiday)

For emergencies or information when we are closed, contact the Animal Emergency Centre on 8362 1722, 102 Magill Road, Norwood

HELP YOUR SENIOR PET STAY HAPPY AND HEALTHY

Caring for a senior pet is an important job and your furry friends are relying on you to guide them through their twilight years.

Here are our top three tips for senior care:

1. Keep your eyes open for changes in behaviour, weight, appetite, thirst and urination. The presence of a cough, a change in sleeping habits, stiff joints, a new lump and accidents around the house can all be a sign of underlying illness. Instead of putting these changes down to 'getting old' arrange a check up with us.

ANXIETY - THE LEADING BEHAVIOUR PROBLEM IN DOGS

Anxiety disorders are probably the most common type of behaviour problem we see in dogs.

For most dogs, stress plays a key role in the development of an anxiety problem but there may also be a breed predisposition in some cases.

It is important to understand that anxiety in dogs is a medical condition and requires veterinary attention and careful management.
Some signs of canine anxiety to watch out for include:

RISK TO PET RABBITS

IMPORTANT UPDATE...

Ensure your Rabbit is protected by vaccinating them now and following recommendations below.

A new strain of Calicivirus is being released this Month to reduce the feral rabbit population, but also increases the risk to pet rabbits.

The Department of Primary Industries recommend that rabbit owners take the following extra precautions:

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 ear contains its own 'mini environment' and this can be easily disrupted by heat, moisture and self trauma (for example from itching due to allergies). Bacteria and yeast love the change in environment and begin to increase in numbers, resulting in a very unhappy ear canal and an uncomfortable pet.

Watch out for:

HOW TO RECOGNISE 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 us, we can start treatment early, your pet will feel better and in most cases live a longer life.

As a general rule, heart failure affects the pumping mechanism of the heart and oxygenated blood does not travel around your pet's body effectively. This can have an impact on your pet's overall health as blood ends up pooling in their lungs and/or abdomen leading to detrimental changes in other organs.

FELINE AIDS - CAN WE PREVENT IT? YES!

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 has been infected, FIV can then progress to feline acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, also known as Feline AIDS.

The virus is spread from cat to cat through saliva, often via a cat bite wound. A mother cat can also pass the virus to her kittens across the placenta or through her milk. FIV cannot be transferred to humans.

ITCHY & SCRATCHY

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, lick or scratch with their legs however a cat will constantly lick at particular areas, causing hair loss. This quickly leads to self-trauma of the skin which causes secondary infections that require medication.