Austinmer and Helensburgh Veterinary Hospital

01/12/2025

🚫🐶 Sticks Aren’t Chew Toys!

We have had a couple of patients lately with stick injuries requiring surgery. While it might seem “natural” for dogs to chew on sticks, they can actually be really dangerous. Sticks can cause impalement, splinter and cause mouth injuries, broken teeth, choking, or even internal damage if swallowed.

If your dog loves to carry something on walks, offer a safe chew toy instead or pet shops sell rubber sticks which are much safer alternative.
Let’s keep those tails wagging safely! 💛🌿

28/11/2025

Fun Fridays should always include bunnies and bearded dragons 🐰🦎

28/11/2025

🚨 TICK ALERT 🚨

The downside to living in such a beautiful area surrounded by bush 🍃 it’s also home to lots of nasty little paralysis ticks 🍃

With the weather warming up the ticks are out in force! We have seen several cases this week alone in our Helensburgh Clinic 🍃

Tick paralysis can affect both cats and dogs, and can rapidly become life threatening 🚨

If you’re unsure if your pet is up to date on tick prevention please pop in or call our nurses to check your records so we can ensure all our furry family members are covered 🍃

23/11/2025

Congratulations to our latest puppy school graduates. 🎓

Hard work, tail wags and a shiny new certificate. 🐶

19/11/2025

On Wednesdays we wear pink 💖🎀

Skipper shows off her pink tail to pink loving Nurse, Jess

18/11/2025

Both clinics have been busy with multiple paralysis tick cases over the week, often requiring a nurse and vet to be seated with the patient keeping a close eye on their vitals. 🐶🐱🕷️

Paralysis ticks become attached to your dog or cat and release a toxin that affects their nerves.
Early signs include wobbliness, vomiting, coughing, trouble breathing or a change in their meow/bark. Symptoms can get worse fast and can be life-threatening.

✔️ Check your pets daily (especially after time outside)
✔️ Use reliable tick prevention products year round
✔️ Keep long coats trimmed in tick season
✔️ See a vet immediately if you notice any signs

Tick paralysis is common, dangerous and preventable— please keep your pets up to date with prevention and keep them safe! 💚

‼️ For those interested check the video of one of the ticks removed. It is definitely on of the biggest we have seen this season.

14/11/2025

⚠️There has been a confirmed leptospirosis case at Stanwell Park.

‼️Please make sure your pet is vaccinated against this life threatening disease that is also transmissible to humans.

Dr Sarah recently did an article for The Illawarra Flame explaining leptospirosis symptoms.

‼️To book in an urgent leptospirosis vaccine please call Helensburgh Vets on 4294 2508 or Austinmer Vets on
4268 3353.

Leptospirosis has been making the headlines as of late, so I sat down with veterinarian Dr Sarah Foo from Austinmer Veterinary Hospital, to discuss what it is and what we can do to protect our pets. Dr Sarah Foo with her dog Homer What is...

10/11/2025

Are these the the cutest lunch buddies- Sq**rt and Taco, 9 week old guinea pig babies?

Nurse Ella was surprised when one of her rescues popped out these adorable little surprises.
Their favourite hobbies are watching tv while snuggling and doing the zoomies.

Vet checks included a hug from Dr Jarrod . 🥔

05/11/2025

Bib, a one-year-old goat , was found tangled in a creek fence, cold and unable to use her front legs. She was rushed to Dr. Jarrod, who thankfully found no fractures or major injuries—just a low temperature and a poor appetite from the stress of the ordeal.

A couple of days of being pampered inside and hand fed and this little lady was back on her feet, bright, curious and full of her cheeky personality again.
What a lucky girl! 🐐

23/10/2025

Meet boston terrier puppy, Olive. She might have an upset tummy but she has all the hugs in the world ready for Dr Shayleigh. 🥰🐶

21/10/2025

Who doesn’t love puppies in hats 😍

Congratulations to our latest puppy preschool graduates. 🎓🎀

17/10/2025

Many items around the home pose a risk for our pets. Here is a great list of products and their potential side effects. Contact either clinic immediately if you think your pet has had any exposure 🚨

🚨 Potential Pet Toxins!🚨

Many everyday items around our homes can be dangerous —or even deadly— for our pets. From chocolate and onions to snail bait and ticks, it’s important to know what to keep out of reach 🐶🐾

If you think your dog has been exposed to a dangerous toxin, 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐯𝐞𝐭 𝐢𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐲 — quick action can save lives. ❤️‍🩹