If your pet ever suffers a serious illness or injury, you may have to consent to veterinary resuscitation procedures being performed on them. This can understandably feel overwhelming, particularly during an already stressful and upsetting situation. We’d therefore like to discuss what pet resuscitation actually involves in the hope that, should you ever be in such a situation with your pet, you can feel more informed and comfortable to quickly make the best decisions for your pet and your family. What is resuscitation? Pet resuscitation can involve a variety of medical interventions, which ma ..read more

If applied incorrectly, bandages can actually cause harm to your pet. Here are our team’s top tips on how to apply a safe and effective dressing. When might a bandage be required for your pet? In general, it’s best to bring your pet to the clinic for a prompt veterinary assessment of any significant injuries, rather than trying to manage them yourself. This is especially necessary if your pet has any steady bleeding, appears to have a broken limb, or is showing symptoms of pain or lethargy. However, if your pet has a wound but otherwise seems OK and you can’t bring them in to see us for more t ..read more

Whilst we often consider desexing operations to be “routine” in pets, it’s important to remember that they are still a surgical procedure (and a particularly significant one in the case of female pets!), and potentially serious complications can sometimes occur. Whilst we always do our best to minimise the chances of surgical or anaesthetic issues while your pet is in the hospital, it’s just as vital that you stick to the recommended aftercare instructions to help ensure your pet has a smooth recovery. Here are two of the most common post-desexing complications, and how you can help to prevent ..read more

If your pet has just been caught “red-pawed” raiding the bin, pantry, shed, or medicine cabinet, it’s important to act quickly to help reduce potential harm. Here’s what to do and what not to do if your pet has eaten something silly. What to do: 1. Be aware of the more common household dangers Common household toxins for pets include: Food items such as chocolate, cacao, raisins, grapes, onions, garlic, and foods containing xylitol sweeteners Rotting garbage Toxic plants such as lilies or sago palm Some essential oils (particularly undiluted), such as tea tree oil Human medications such as pa ..read more

Larry the Labrador and his owner Otis had enjoyed a big autumn weekend at the family farm. As usual, Larry had the time of his life trying to keep up with the two working kelpies and then paddling happily around in the river afterwards. The next day, however, Larry wasn’t so cheery. The dog seemed subdued and reluctant to move out of his bed. When Otis offered him breakfast (which usually fixed any issue for Larry), Larry yelped and cowered down. Remembering that Labradors are prone to joint issues like hip dysplasia, Otis phoned his local veterinary hospital to ask for advice. Given Larry see ..read more

Whilst puppies are certainly adorable, they’re also hard work! Here’s how to gently guide your new pup’s behaviour to set them up for lots of “good dog” days ahead! Planning Before you bring your pup home, have a discussion with any other family members to confirm the house rules. Will the pup be allowed on the furniture? Where will they toilet? Will pups be allowed to beg for table scraps or jump up for pats? Consistency is essential between all household members, or else your new pet will receive mixed messages. It’s also sensible to puppy-proof your house in advance, ensuring pups have a co ..read more

Whilst we tend to think of cats as solitary animals, they can demonstrate more social behaviours depending on their local environment and the individual cats involved. Two cats are more likely to form a close bond if they are from the same litter, are a kitten and mother pair, or if they are introduced at an early age. The benefits of taking on two bonded cats can include: Entertainment and exercise Cats love having a friend to chase, play and wrestle with. This ready-to-go playmate means they’ll be less likely to get up to destructive mischief around the house (particularly if you work long ..read more

If you’re thinking of getting a poodle cross dog (often commonly referred to as a doodle!), it’s a good idea to be aware of their special grooming and skin care requirements. Here, we’ll answer some curly questions about doodle grooming. 1. How often should I groom my doodle? Poodle cross dogs tend to have hair that grows constantly. This means they usually require a full groom (clip) every 6-8 weeks to keep them feeling comfortable. At this time, your doodle should also have its claws checked and trimmed if required. In between grooms, it’s a good idea to brush your pet at least twice weekly ..read more

Do you want to have a strong rental application while being open about your four-legged family members? Writing a pet resume can really help your landlord consider your pet a harmless plus rather than an inconvenience or risk. Here’s our guide on how to apply with pets. 1. Ensure your pet is in peak canine/feline form Your landlord is much more likely to think positively of your application if your pet is nicely groomed, free of parasites, and well-mannered. For dogs and cats, this involves: Looking clean and well kept – ensure your pet’s fur looks and smells clean and has been recently trimm ..read more

Whilst barking is a natural means of communication for dogs, too much yappy means no one’s happy (sorry, we couldn’t help ourselves!) Here are our top tips to help reduce bothersome barking: Work out why Before we can start to work on your pet’s excessive barking, it’s important to pinpoint what triggers it. Dogs may bark in excitement or as a guarding response to obvious visual or auditory stimuli (such as people or pets walking by your property, unfamiliar sounds, or possums in the trees at night). Dogs may also bark excessively due to other behavioural issues, such as anxiety or boredom. En ..read more