We held our 15th Biggest Morning Tea last month, raising funds for cancer research. Through the generosity of our clients, friends and local businesses, we have raised well over $900 and still counting!If you donated, give yourself a BIG pat on the back! And if you missed out on donating, it is not too late! Go to our link -  http://sa.cancercouncilfundraising.org.au/hubvetmorningtea - and make an on-line donation. Because you CAN make a difference.

We are calling on all dog and puppy owners to make sure their precious pooches are up to date with their vaccinations after reports of a number of Parvovirus outbreaks. This awful disease causes profuse vomiting and bloody diarrhoea, and vaccination is an extremely safe and effective form of prevention.

Parvovirus is highly contagious and is spread by oral or nasal contact with contaminated faeces, a contaminated environment or contaminated objects. This extremely resilient virus can even survive on objects like clothing, shoes and the floor for five months or longer!

Young puppies and dogs that have never been vaccinated are susceptible to the deadly virus with death in around 80 per cent of untreated cases. All puppies from six weeks of age should be vaccinated against Parvovirus.

There have been over four thousand cases of Parvovirus across Australia over the past three years - jump on to the pet disease surveillance website www.diseasewatchdog.org for more info. 

If your dog is unvaccinated and shows signs of lethargy, vomiting or diarrhoea, call us immediately. Early treatment is essential in improving the chance of survival.

We've got a heartwarming puppy video for you this month! 

Jim the chocolate labrador loves running around and playing ball with the kids. Unfortunately one afternoon he pulled up sore and was unable to place in weight on his right hind leg. 

A veterinary examination revealed pain in his stifle (equivalent to our knee). There was suspicion Jim had damaged his cranial cruciate ligament - an injury common in footballers and many dogs!

The cruciate ligament is vital for correct function of the knee joint. Some dogs can acutely rupture the ligament while in others, the ligament's strength can deteriorate over time. 

The best way to diagnose a cranial cruciate problem is to sedate or anaesthetise a dog so they are completely relaxed and the joint can be inspected for any laxity. (If the ligament is damaged or ruptured the knee is very unstable). Radiographs of the knees and hips should also be performed to ensure everything else is in working order. 

The best treatment for a cruciate rupture is surgery to stabilise the joint. Bigger dogs, such as in Jim's case may require an operation to change the angle of the joint and provide stability in the future. 

Jim's surgery was a great success but he needed a strict recovery and rehabilitation program. He is now back playing (conservatively) with the kids and has many happy years ahead. 

We know cats are smart but did you know any of these facts?

Cats are super smellers. The cat's sense of smell is fourteen times stronger than a human’s

Cats have amazing night vision. Their eyes have the ability to reflect light as it passes through the retina, providing them with optimal night vision

Cats have rotating ears. Their ears can rotate in various degrees and their intuitive hearing make the cat a very successful hunter by pinpointing the exact location of their prey

Cats have 3D whisker technology. When triggered, the nerves in the whisker base send the brain a three - dimensional map of their surroundings!

Check out this smart kitty cat and if you've seen an intelligent feline let us know on the My Pet Stories Facebook Page.