No one likes to think about their furry friend getting sick or being injured in an accident but being prepared can save you thousands of dollars as well as unnecessary emotional distress.

Advances in veterinary medicine mean more can be done for your pet’s health than ever before. Cats and dogs, like humans can receive ultrasound and x-rays, diagnostic and laboratory tests, arthritis treatment, major surgery, and cancer treatment.

Having pet insurance helps to alleviate the stress associated with deciding to undertake these treatments, especially in emergency situations when your pet needs them the most. 

There are increasingly more and more insurance companies offering different policies for your pet. Some offer cover for accidents and injury but there may also be an option for routine veterinary care benefits such as vaccinations. We can't tell you which policy you should choose, but we can tell you that pet insurance is extremely worthwhile and we strongly recommend it.

As with any insurance policy, it is important that you read the fine print carefully so you don't get any nasty surprises. We have a few different companies' brochures in-clinic, so drop in any time to pick up some information and have a chat with us about how it works. You won't be disappointed.

Around 80% of adult dogs and cats have dental disease, which is one of the most common preventable diseases in our pets. Dental disease often starts as plaque – a cream to brownish staining on the teeth, which is the by-product and indicator of bacterial overgrowth in the mouth. Those bacteria inflame the gums, irreversibly weaken the structures holding the teeth in the jaw and lead to infections which can spread throughout the body via the bloodstream. This leads to bad breath, loss of teeth, and even kidney and heart damage.

In the early stages, before damage to the teeth and supporting structures has occurred and the disease is still reversible, a prophylactic scale and polish of the animal’s teeth under general anaesthetic (a “dental prophy’) can remove the plaque and reduce the bacterial burden in the mouth. This can save a pet’s teeth and even save it’s life.

As part of our August Dental Awareness Month campaign, we are offering our newsletter clients the opportunity of a $99 dental prophy (normally $199). Of course, numbers are limited, and conditions apply, but ring us now on 8270 5155 to see if you can book in your beloved pet to restore those teeth to pearly white condition, today!

Zac is a 17 week old Persian. He loves playing on the furniture and chasing his toys but one afternoon he jumped off the couch and was unable to move his right fore leg.

He was examined and x-rays of his limbs were taken. Unfortunately Zac had fractured his leg but examination also revealed a more serious problem; a calcium deficiency. 

From the day Zac had arrived home from the breeder he had only wanted to eat his raw kangaroo meat and wasn't interested in his kitten dry food. Although cats are meat eaters, raw meat alone is NOT enough to provide all the necessary vitamins and minerals for a healthy cat. If you imagine a cat in the wild, when they catch their prey they eat the entire animal not just the meat!

After plenty of cage rest and pain relief, Zac's fracture has now healed. He is receiving calcium supplementation and eating a balanced veterinary approved diet.

When you are feeding your cat, ask us for a suitable diet that is 'complete and balanced' as a good diet is one of the most important things you can do for your cat's health. 

Every month we put the names of all the animals that have visited us into a hat, and we draw out a name to be Pet of the Month. That pet then has its photo taken, and given a nutritional consultation and complimentary bag of premium pet food appropriate to its health and life stage.

Last month’s winner was Oscar, an 11 year old labradoodle, who came in for his annual health check, vaccinations and proheart injection. Oscar has a few lumps and is a bit stiff getting up in the morning, but is an otherwise normal and healthy older dog.

During the nutritional consultation, our nurse Lauren identified that Oscar’s stiffness was starting to become an issue, and chose a bag of Royal Canin Neutered Large Mature Dog as best suiting his needs. The Mature Dog range is lower in calories but higher in vitamins, minerals and anti-oxidants to prevent “middle-age spread” while keeping the pet’s metabolic function humming. The Large Dog range has added chondroitin and glucosamine to loosen up those stiff hips – particularly in this cold weather!

In just a few short weeks, Oscar is already moving about more freely, showing just how much difference a premium diet can make. What more could a dog ask for?

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Royal Canin have a special promotion – buy any 4kg bag in the Mature Dog food range, and receive a free storage bucket! Get in quick while stocks last!