The cruciate ligaments are two fibrous bands that connect the femur and tibia in the stifle (knee) joint. These two ligaments form a cross and are called the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) and caudal cruciate ligament - both are crucial for stabilising the stifle. A rupture or tear of the CrCL is the most common stifle injury occurring in dogs. This is equivalent to an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tear in humans. This injury causes instability of the stifle and can be extremely painful, resulting in lameness and often refusal to weight bear (holding the injured leg up). What Causes a CrC ..read more

A tibial plateau levelling osteotomy (TPLO) is a common procedure that involves realigning the angle of the tibia by cutting the bone and rotating the tibial plateau (or the flattened top to the tibia). In a normal stifle, the cranial cruciate ligament (CrCL) prevents the tibia from sliding too far forward or excessively rotating inward. This technique achieves joint stability by providing sufficient support and eliminating the need for the now-injured CrCL, improving your pet’s mobility and overall quality of life. Benefits of TPLO surgery: Stabilisation of stifle joint Suitable for medium t ..read more

An Extracapsular Repair (ECR) is a common procedure that involves using a suture material to compensate for a cranial cruciate ligament (CCL) tear or rupture. This technique achieves joint stability by providing sufficient support and eliminating the need for the now-injured CCL, improving your pet’s mobility and overall quality of life. Benefits of ECR surgery: Stabilisation of stifle joint Less invasive in comparison to a TPLO Suitable for smaller dogs Reduced risk of complications Improved long-term prognosis Better quality of life All of our extracapsular repairs are performed by our pri ..read more

While us vets and nurses are used to looking after our surgical patients each day, we understand that leaving your fur baby with us can be a nerve-wracking experience for both owner and patient. We have put together a quick FAQ to help answer any questions you may have about what goes on once you say “Goodbye” and “See you soon!” to your beloved pet. I’ve just signed an admission form and left my pet with the surgery nurse – where are they now? All surgical patients are placed in cages (with fluffy beds of course!) once admitted. We have separate wards for dogs and cats to minimise stress leve ..read more

Think Outside the Food Bowl   There are other options available to make mealtime a little more interesting. Slow feeders are created with extra physical barriers so pets can only access small amounts of food at a time, which not only prevents pets from gulping down their dinner but also provides a mental workout as they use their tongue and paws to extract their food. These feeders come in a range of designs, and even switching between two or three different feeders can keep your pet guessing!  Make Them Work for Their Treats  Treat dispensing toys and treat mats work well for ..read more

We're all aware of the blood sucking parasites that make our pets itch and scratch, those horrible pests known as fleas, but what about those wriggling writhing parasites that take residence amongst our pets internal organs? There are a few different species of worms and intestinal parasites that like to reside in specific areas of our pets bodies, each affecting their health in different ways. It's important to know the different kinds and how to treat, but better yet prevent them from ever living in your pet. Heartworm It's all in the name, Heartworms like to take up residence in your pet's ..read more

  Our pets generally have impeccable hearing, the car door, the food container, that pesky mouse! Nothing gets by them, but with great power, comes great responsibility. For them to continue being our mousers, doorbells and alarm systems we need to ensure we take great care of their ears. A healthy ear will be clean, odour-free, pale pink in colour and with a minimal accumulation of wax. Regular checks at home and a clean thrown in here or there will help to keep your pet's ears in tip top condition. It's also a good idea to regularly fondle or pat your pet's ears so they get used to th ..read more

We talk about obesity in relation to humans and the dangerous effect it has on our lives, but our pets "winter weight" can be just as detrimental to their lives as it can to ours. Unfortunately, obesity is becoming more and more prevalent in our pets, which sparks genuine concern. It's important to know what obesity is, the effect it has on your pet's life and how to avoid your pet being diagnosed as obese. What is obesity? Obesity is the term used to describe pets that have a body weight that is 30% above their ideal body weight. It is also a term that is commonly used to describe pets that a ..read more

Dental pathology is one of the most common conditions we see in Veterinary practice, but usually unnoticed by pet owners. We all understand the importance of good oral hygiene in ourselves, but sometimes forget that it is just as important in our furry friends. The most common dental diseases we see in our clinic are tartar and gingivitis, fractured teeth, periodontal disease, and feline odontoclastic resorptive lesions (FORL). These conditions can not only cause chronic and often unnoticed pain and discomfort, but can also lead to severe diseases of the heart, kidneys, liver and lungs. Pet d ..read more

Our home and gardens can be very enjoyable places for us, however, they can pose hidden threats to our pets. Common household items can be very toxic to our pets if ingested so taking regular inventory and supervising our pets is definitely a good idea! We have previously covered the toxic foods that our pets may delve into and then regret their splurge, and most people know pesticides are a nasty idea for dinner. However, what about the other household products that could play a feature role in what ails your pet? From that beautiful floral arrangement to the unattended medicine cabinet, thin ..read more