FAQs

My pet is pretty healthy, why do I need a vet?

Just like people, pets need health checks and preventative care such as vaccinations to prevent disease and detect any illness or injury as early as possible. Early intervention is often key to successful treatment or management of medical and surgical conditions, so an early diagnosis is really important.

Dogs and cats also require regular maintenance in the way of nail trims, dental checks, worming and flea/tick treatments, gland checks, grooming and more.

I’ve just brought home a new kitten or puppy, what do I need to know?

Getting a new puppy or kitten is super exciting. You would already know they need a bed, food, sleep, training and plenty of cuddles … but what else?

The breeder probably gave you some paperwork and maybe some preventative care to start with, but what comes next?

It is important to speak to your veterinarian about what is required for your little one, and ensure you have all of the correct information you need to give your puppy and kitten the best start. Choosing your vet is a big decision, and can be the start of a very special relationship. Although we don’t see them everyday, as vets and nurses we form strong bonds with pets that we see, and love watching them grow and thrive (and we love getting a cuddle from time to time as well!)

Things most puppies or kittens need:

  • Vaccinations
  • General Health check (looking for any congenital/birth defects, and also to check for any health issues that may be a problem now or in the future)
  • Microchipping
  • Preventative treatments including flea, tick, heartworm and intestinal worm treatments
  • Puppy preschool
  • Diet and nutritional advice
  • Desexing surgery
  • Advice on toilet training, general training and behaviour, appropriate handling techniques, exercise regimes
  • Pet insurance

We can help you navigate all these things to make what can be a tad overwhelming so much easier!

What are the most common problems you see in cats and dogs?

This is a great question, but the answer is a long one! We see a huge variety of patients and cases, and different pets can be prone to different illnesses and injuries.

The most common problems are heavily influenced by species, age, breed, gender and geographical location.

On the Northern Beaches for example we see a large number of tick paralysis cases due to our coastal location. We also see a lot of skin conditions including allergies and itching. Dogs ears can also become infected due to the beautiful hot summer weather, especially when it’s humid, or when dogs go swimming often.

Dental disease is probably one of the most common conditions across the board, with 70% of adult cats and 90% of adult dogs affected. We see dental problems every single day.

Gastrointestinal diseases are very common in ages and breeds of dogs and cats. Signs such as vomiting, diarrhea and abdominal pain are quite frequent. It can be hard to tell the difference between a serious life threatening condition (such as a gastrointestinal foreign body or tumour) and a simple tummy upset.

Behavioural issues in dogs and cats are much more common than you’d think! Dealing with anxiety in particular is a common complaint which can often be helped with behavioral modification therapy and sometimes with physical aids or medications. Cats can be heavily affected by stress and change, and even develop urinary (bladder) problems and other illnesses as a result.

Young active dogs and outdoor cats are more likely to suffer from injuries and trauma. Things like being hit by a car, cat fight abscesses, dog fight wounds, fractures and traumatic cruciate ligament (knee) injuries are the kinds of things we would expect to encounter if pets spend a lot of time outside.

Older and aging pets very commonly develop osteoarthritis (arthritis) in their joints, and there are a range of treatments available to alleviate as much discomfort as possible. In older cats we see lots of cases of pancreatitis, kidney disease, thyroid disease, diabetes and sadly cancers. In older dogs we also see pancreatitis, liver diseases, Cushing’s disease and sadly more cancers. Older dogs are another group prone to tearing their cruciate ligaments, which is usually associated with aging.

How do I choose the right diet and preventative care for my pet?

Our vets and nursing staff are very experienced with products (such as fleas, tick and worming care) and diets. We are able to help you choose the preventatives most appropriate for your pet and their lifestyle. We can also administer the treatments for you and help remind you of when the treatments are due. Please feel free to come in and introduce yourself (and your pet!) so we can help.

Pet insurance is something that is now extremely common to have, and is highly recommended. We can help you by way of discussing your pet’s age and breed and what may be the most helpful things to ensure are covered when taking out a policy.

Do you perform surgeries and dental procedures here at your clinic?

Yes, almost all procedures are performed in our brand new hospital and surgical facility on-site.

Everything in our hospital and clinic is brand new, including our surgical suite, diagnostic radiology and laboratory, our hospital ICU and dental equipment. We can perform a wide range of soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures including but not limited to desexing, abdominal and intestinal surgery, lump removals, biopsies, minor and major dental surgery,  airway surgery, knee operations (patella luxations, cruciate ligament surgery).

We have developed strong relationships with several specialists who we are able to call upon, and often they can come to help your pet at our clinic, so you don’t need to go elsewhere to have access to top specialist care.

There are some more complex procedures such as spinal surgery which are legally required to be performed at a specialist hospital. We may also refer your pet to a specialist hospital if they require something beyond our scope of care such as an MRI scan or radiation therapy.

If my pet needs to be hospitalised what does that involve?

If your pet is unwell or injured, they may be admitted to hospital. Pets can also need hospitalisation pre and post surgery, or if they need medicating or diagnostic testing. A lot of animals who are in hospital will be on intravenous fluids (an IV drip), medication and pain relief as well.

Being hospitalised means that your pet is able to be given appropriate and effective care to help them as best we can with their ailments. We have a brand new fully equipped hospital on-site for this very reason. Our emphasis is on quality patient care, whilst minimising patient stress and maximising comfort. We want your pet to recover and be back on their feet and living their best life at home as soon as possible.

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