Heartworm is a disease that can affect dogs of all ages and breeds, and prevention is much easier than a cure! This parasite is transmitted by mosquitoes and is not spread from dog to dog. Heartworm is present in most parts of Australia where mosquitoes are prevalent. Heartworm is particularly dangerous because, unlike intestinal worms, the adult worms lodge in the base of the heart. This can have serious consequences, even once identified and treatment is started. Signs of heartworm infestation can include lethargy, exercise intolerance, and coughing. There are many effective options availab ..read more

Anxiety is increasingly being diagnosed in our animal friends as more pet owners become aware of the signs they display. The difficulties of the past few years have played a part in this, as our pets became accustomed to the constant company of their owners. They simply do not understand why many of us are suddenly back at work, leaving them home alone. There are many different types of anxiety, including separation anxiety, food-based anxiety, fear-based anxiety, aggression-based anxiety, and territorial anxiety. These can all be interrelated, and animals can experience a combination of thes ..read more

Just as with people, our pets can suffer from obesity. As their advocates, we must treat them like children, providing only foods that are good for them and in the correct portions. Many pet owners ask us about the correct weight for their animal. We often respond that it’s not about the number on the scale but about their body condition. There are many weight variations among dogs due to breed and sex, and even within specific breeds due to the complexities of genetics. An ideal body condition for a dog is when they have a clear waist behind their rib cage, and their ribs can be felt by ligh ..read more

It is Pet Dental Health Month! Dapto Veterinary Clinic is offering Delightful Dental Discounts for the duration of August: • FREE dental examinations • 10% off all dental scaling & polishing • 10% off all Oravet dental hygiene chews Did you know that up to 80% of pets develop dental disease by the age of three? Dental disease is painful and for the most part our pets keep this pain to themselves. Dental disease can increase the risk of infections developing elsewhere in your pet’s body. How do I know if my pet has dental disease? Some signs include: • Bad breath • Plaque and calculus bui ..read more

Anxiety is a common issue among pets and is being diagnosed more frequently as pet owners become more aware of the signs to look out for. The past few years have contributed to an increase in pet anxiety as many animals have become used to their owners being home all the time and may struggle to adjust when their owners return to work. There are several different types of anxiety that pets can experience, including separation anxiety, food-related anxiety, fear-based anxiety, aggressive anxiety, and territorial anxiety. These types of anxiety can often be interconnected and pets may experien ..read more

 Osteoarthritis is a common condition that affects cats, just as it does dogs. In fact, up to 40% of cats may suffer from osteoarthritis, particularly those over 8 years old. While cats often show very subtle or no changes in behavior when they are in pain, it is important to be aware of the signs of osteoarthritis so that you can seek treatment for your feline friend. Signs your cat could be suffering from osteoarthritis could include: *Limping *Bunny hopping when going and up and down stairs *Difficulty going up and down stairs *Hesitating when jumping up and down *Difficulty grooming ..read more

Our senior pets require just as much attention and vet care as when they are puppies as this is when they need some help when certain parts of their body aren’t functioning as well as they used to. Some simple things you can do to help them during this stage of life include: lean weight adjusting diet-specific foods aimed at senior pets, and/or with joint support controlled exercise regular 6 – 12 month check-ups at the vet to help diagnose any surfacing conditions There is a dedicated page on this website for arthritis listed under the common conditions heading menu. If your senior pet ..read more

Allergies are one of the most common conditions we see in our dogs in the Spring and Summer every year. If your dog suffers from allergies you may notice any of the following symptoms / clinical signs: Licking their feet Chewing their feet Scratching their ears, mouth/face, bottom Rubbing their face on the ground Red and warm ears Dragging their belly across the grass/ground Generally itchy Patchy hair loss Scaly skin Red or angry locking skin Black thickened skin Smelly and flakey skin Wet weeping sores Red bumpy skin Swollen face/muzzle/eyes Insect bites (amongst other things) can cause ..read more

We have recently introduced a vaccine for the prevention of canine leptospirosis and coronavirus due to the case of leptospirosis in Wollongong earlier this year (2021). Leptospirosis is a highly contagious disease that can cause a severe life-threatening illness and is transmissible to humans. It can be contracted in areas where there are rats and standing water. The disease is shed in rat urine. If your pet is displaying any of the below signs, please call us to book an appointment immediately: Vomiting Abdominal Pain Lethargy Discolouration of the eyes (white to yellow) The vaccine protoc ..read more