Pet Care

Two years ago, a couple of days after Christmas, Pepper seven-year-old female Schnauzer was acting quieter than usual. She had left half her breakfast untouched, which for Pepper was highly unusual. Over the next few hours, Pepper became increasingly lethargic and began vomiting. Pepper’s concerned owner, Bec, decided to take her to the vet for …
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Did you know that many cases of feline anxiety may sadly go unrecognised?  This is because cats, not being pack animals, won’t always seek social support as a dog would, and instead may mask feelings of stress to avoid appearing “vulnerable”. What are the potential symptoms of anxiety in a cat? In more introverted cats, …
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Has your pet been diagnosed with an underlying allergy as the cause of their recurrent ear or skin irritation?  Whilst this can be disappointing news to receive, you and your pet can take comfort in the fact that we are very familiar with the management of allergies! Types of allergies There are four main types …
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Veterinarians frequently recommend pet “dentals”, but what does this procedure actually involve? Read on as we explain more about what happens during a dental procedure, and how we can help keep your pet’s pearly whites clean and healthy! Anaesthesia For a thorough dental treatment, we recommend that animals have a general anaesthetic for their comfort …
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Signs of poor digestive health in your dog or cat can be uncomfortable for your pet and be a cause of concern for you. Some owners write these signs off as a ‘sensitive stomach’, and either tolerate the symptoms – feeling as though that’s normal for their pet, or try various different diets in the …
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Like us, our pets can unfortunately fall victim to the ‘middle-aged spread’ and put on weight. This occurs due to the natural slowing of the metabolism associated with ageing, which can predispose your pet to excessive weight gain. For this reason, depending on the lifestage of your pet, we often recommend varying their dietary and …
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It can sometimes be hard to know which injuries or illnesses are emergencies and require a veterinary consultation or more urgent veterinary care. Which symptoms suggest urgent care is required? As a general guide, your pet should be seen urgently if they are showing any of the following symptoms: Difficulty breathing Difficulty passing urine Bloody …
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There’s a lot to love about welcoming a particular breed of dog or cat into your family. Whilst there is always variation between individual animals, many owners like the predictability of knowing the likely temperament, grooming requirements, activity levels, full-grown size, and appearance of their future pet.  Additionally, given that some breeds can be predisposed …
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Vaccinations are vital Regularly vaccinating your pet is important to protect them against various potentially fatal or debilitating infectious diseases. During a consultation, we can discuss with you the most appropriate vaccination protocol for your pet to keep them healthy. Our vets will advise the type of vaccination which will be best for your pet, …
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Keeping our pets happy and healthy is a top priority, so having a good handle on routine preventative health care is a great start! Vaccination It is recommended that all dogs and cats who go for walks outdoors or otherwise come into contact with other animals (e.g. in boarding) should be kept up-to-date with their …
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Many common veterinary treatments, such as worming products and antibiotics, require owners to regularly administer oral medications to their pet. Whilst some pets will obligingly allow tablets to be popped down their throat, or at least eat them in food, other pets can prove more difficult. Here are some vet techniques for successfully medicating those …
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We all love spending time outdoors on these long summer days, and our pets are no exception! The increased activity is great for their mental and physical health. To prevent some common warm-weather hazards from raining on your pet’s parade, follow these summer safety tips! Heat stressIn hot weather, cats and dogs can be at …
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Holidaying with your pet Is your pet joining you for a Christmas holiday trip? Here are some basic pet travel guidelines to keep everyone merry! Making a list and checking it twice Pets away from home can easily get disoriented and lost. Before you travel, check that your pet’s microchip registration details are up-to-date. If …
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We are very pleased to announce our sponsorship of Templestowe Valley Preschool’s aquarium. Staff at Templestowe Valley have found that the new classroom addition provides a calming distraction, stimulating young minds and encouraging new enquiries into science and animal care. The final weeks of the school term can be very demanding on preschool-age children as …
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With increasing day length and warmer weather, most of us, including our pets, will be enjoying more time spent outdoors. It’s always important to ensure your four-legged friend is up-to-date with routine disease and parasite prevention, but especially so at a time of year when insects are more prevalent and more animals are out and …
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20% off Hill’s skin and food sensitive diets! For the months of October and November 2020, we are offering 20% off Hill’s skin and food sensitive diet range for dogs and cats. Hill’s nutritionists and veterinarians developed the Derm Defense, z/d and d/d food ranges especially to support pets with skin and food sensitivities. Offer …
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A urine test is a simple and effective method for us to check the health of your pet’s urinary system. A urine test provides a large amount of information on the health of your pet and can be helpful in identifying conditions such as bladder stones and obstructions, kidney disease, diabetes, urinary tract infections, and …
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The development of dental disease in pets can be affected by the animal’s breed, oral anatomy, diet and age. Dental disease is one of the most common problems we see in veterinary practice and it needs to be managed with a multi-targeted approach. Regular check-ups with the vet will help to identify any dental issues …
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Following yesterday’s announcement by the Victorian Government, we can now say with certainty that we will remain open during the Stage 4 restrictions. We are pleased that the government has recognised the important role our pets play in our lives and community. By remaining open during these Stage 4 restrictions, Vets on Parker is here …
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Thanks to better nutrition, disease prevention and proper home care, cats are now living longer than ever before. Senior cats have recently been redefined as cats over the age of 11 years, but it’s not uncommon for us to see a ‘super-senior’ feline over the age of 18 years. We have even had the pleasure …
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At some point in your pet’s life, they will probably experience a gastrointestinal upset. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhoea and nausea. It can be distressing for you and your pet, and it’s sometimes hard to know what you should do. We have simplified the facts, so you know how best to care for your pet.  …
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“Oh no! My dog isn’t a footballer but could he have just ‘done his knee?”  One of the most common orthopedic conditions we see in dogs is cranial cruciate ligament disease, which is actually very similar to the injury seen in humans on the sporting field – rupture of the “ACL”. Cranial cruciate ligament disease …
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COVID-19 has changed the way we go about our lives and will continue to for many months. When it comes to the virus, there are plenty of questions to be asked, so here are a few answers: How is COVID-19 spread? Although it has been theorised that the new coronavirus emerged from an animal source, …
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During this constantly evolving situation regarding COVID-19, the safety of our clients, patients and team members is our highest priority. We are in this together.  Contactless Consults: We have decided to implement the below guidelines and we ask for your understanding, patience and your cooperation so we can all do our best to protect each …
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As February features its heart-focussed Valentine’s Day, we thought that this month would be the perfect time to talk about the heart that matters most: your pet’s. When it comes to diseases of the heart, knowing what to watch out for really makes a difference. Early detection of heart disease means that medical treatment is …
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In recent weeks we’ve noticed an increase in the number of Giardia cases in dogs and cats in our community, so we thought we would put up some information outlining what Giardia is, what it does, and what we can do to prevent it. Giardia is a parasite which inhabits the intestines of dogs and …
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As we reach the peak of summer we welcome long hot days and balmy nights. It’s the best time of the year to get out and about with your pet but there are a few hazards you need to watch out for.  Heat stroke: It can be easy to overdo it in the summer and …
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We’d like to help make sure your pet stays happy and healthy this silly season so here’s a list we’ve compiled of the ‘Twelve Pet Hazards of Christmas’: Christmas can be a risky time for your pet. There is usually lots of food around as well as plenty of people, parties and changes in routine. …
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Vaccination is one of the most powerful tools we utilise to help keep your pet healthy. Vaccinations are safe. They have minimal (if any) side effects and we recommend you vaccinate your pet because, above all, they work. Quick Vaccination Facts: Vaccinations protect against potentially fatal diseases.Many dangerous or life-threatening animal diseases are preventable with the right …
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It’s Spring, the season of adorable baby animals, and that means kittens are going to be out in abundance! Already, we have been inundated with requests from kind members of the public to help with small kittens that have been found in sheds and under houses. If you find yourself with a surprise family in …
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Pardon the pun, but you don’t have to be blind to see that your pet’s eyes are very important! Eye issues can be serious. That’s why, if you notice anything unusual about your pet’s eyes, it’s best to have them checked out ASAP. Conditions like conjunctivitis, corneal ulcers, uveitis and glaucoma can be very painful …
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If your pet is thirstier than usual it could be a sign of kidney disease. The increase in thirst may only be subtle but if you find yourself filling up the water bowl more regularly or even notice your pet drinking from the shower recess, you should arrange a check-up with us. When it comes …
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You don’t need us to tell you that an episode of itchy and scratchy can be extremely frustrating for your pet. If the cycle of itch, scratch, rub and lick it continues, it can leave your pet feeling uncomfortable, frustrated and downright miserable. Not to mention the need for ongoing veterinary visits and medication! A …
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When it comes to your pet, you might think that carrying a few extra kilos isn't a big deal. Unfortunately, even slightly overweight pets are at an increased risk of developing a host of diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders and diabetes.
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When it comes to your pet, you might think that carrying a few extra kilos isn't a big deal. Unfortunately, even slightly overweight pets are at an increased risk of developing a host of diseases such as arthritis, heart disease, respiratory disorders and diabetes.
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Registering your cat or dog helps in ensuring they can be located quickly if they ever go missing. When your pet reaches 12 weeks old, they must be registered. This process involves a microchip being implanted into your pet, as well as a tag that is sent to you after registration, to be put onto …
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What is your New Year’s resolution? For many of us, it’s weight loss. While our personal health is incredibly important, it is not every day that we take our dog’s weight into consideration too. In fact, approximately 40% of dogs in Australia are overweight or obese, and many pet owners don’t even know it! Therefore, …
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In December, our Bulleen vet sees a lot of patients with tummy upsets which can often be traced back to too many rich festive foods. Ideally, pets should not ever be fed processed foods as their stomachs have not evolved to digest them and so eating them often leads to diarrhoea and/or vomiting.   However, there …
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During summer, most of our pet patients visit our Templestowe veterinary clinic because they have been overexposed to the harsh sun. In this blog, we are explaining the different health consequences that this exposure can have on your pet. We’ve also put together a quick 5-step grooming guide for owners to care for their pets …
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As we head into summer, it’s important to know the risks that the hot weather will present to your cat, dog or pocket pet. The main risk is heatstroke – a life-threatening condition that can escalate in a matter of minutes. In today’s blog, our trusted vet in Templestowe has put together a guide for …
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Spring season is allergy season for pets so keep an eye out for skin irritations and inflammation, excessive scratching and respiratory issues. In particular, we want to highlight three types of allergies which land pets in our clinic around this time of year: Grass allergies The pollen from grass can cause an allergic reaction in …
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Good dental health is important for dogs at every age. Unfortunately, around 80% of dogs over the age of three years old suffer from tooth and gum disease. If your dog has untreated tartar build-up from such a young age, by the time they reach their senior years (dogs aged 7 and over are considered …
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Many children love animals and can develop close bonds with their pets. This, in turn, can help the child learn important social skills such as empathy, respect for others and patience. However, if an animal feels trapped, frightened or threatened, even the most docile pets will do everything they can to make a perceived threat …
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Pet surgery can understandably be a stressful time for owners. If your pet is due for surgery, you might be feeling nervous or worried, but don’t stress: at our Narre Warren North veterinary hospital, we often get surgery-related questions from nervous pet-owners. In this blog, we are taking you through some of the most commonly …
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By now, most dog owners are aware that their pet can’t eat chocolate or drink alcohol or caffeine. However, there are plenty of other seemingly innocuous natural foods that are often fed as treats to dogs that can cause health issues. In this blog, we take a look at 4 natural foods which can be …
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As your dog gets older, its body will begin to change. In particular, your dog will become more susceptible to a range of health problems. This is why senior dogs require attentive care, extending all the way to their diets, which we are exploring today in this blog.   When is a dog considered ‘senior’? …
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When it comes to deciding between wet or canned food for your pet, there are a number of pros and cons on each side. However, the vets at our Bulleen veterinary clinic usually recommend dry food over wet food for both cats and dogs. Today we are explaining exactly why dry food is better for …
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Taking your dog to the dog park can be rewarding for both of you. Interaction with other dogs is necessary for your pet’s social skills, while meeting other owners can be fun for you, too. But for the safety of your dog and others, there are some dog park etiquette tips you should keep in …
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Winter is here! Here are some handy tips on preparing your pets for another chilly Melbourne winter: • Remember that even though your pet has a fur coat, they still feel the cold. • Ensure your pet has a thick, insulated bed for chilly nights. If you’re unsure whether their bed is warm enough why …
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With all the recent rain, we have seen an increase in the number of dogs coming into the clinic suffering from ear infections. Dogs and cats have L shaped ear canals that easily trap moisture. This then creates a warm, moist environment that yeast and bacteria thrive in. These ear infections can become very painful …
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