Indigo Veterinary Services

19/11/2024

Importance of Year-Round Flea & Paralysis Tick Protection

Spring has finally sprung, which means it’s peak paralysis tick season in Australia.
With the paralysis tick being one of the most dangerous parasites in Australia, cats and dogs are at risk of death from just one adult tick bite.
By conducting daily searches and using a long-lasting flea and paralysis tick treatment, such as BRAVECTO®, you can have peace of mind knowing they’re protected.
If you're planning on travelling for the holidays to high risk areas, contact us for options for protection for your pet.
Contact us today to learn more about BRAVECTO’s long-lasting treatment options for your pet on 0357 282 410.

23/10/2024

Molly has been staying with us during business hours for day boarding, following major orthopaedic surgery recently. Molly loves eating a frozen carrot and her Kong full of treats and snoozing through the day with her teddy.

22/10/2024

Yesterday we celebrated Graces upcoming wedding. Thursday will be her last day as Grace Way and we're looking forward to welcoming Grace back as Mrs Grace Newton.
Congratulations Grace and Andrew, all the best for your wedding from the team at Indigo Vets.

17/10/2024

Today Dr Chris, Nurse Ruth and Dixie the dog, visited the children at Beechworth Kindergarten.
Dr Chris talked about the important work that vets do with animals.
The children enjoyed meeting and patting Dixie and Dr Chris left them some vet supplies for the children's play vet clinic at the kinder.

17/10/2024

H5 Avian Influenza
Preparedness
Avian Influenza H5N1 could arrive in Victoria this spring.

High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza and Wildlife
Advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds

Summary
This advice has been prepared for individuals or groups who may encounter sick or dead wild birds.
High pathogenicity avian influenza (HPAI) is a type of bird flu, an infectious disease that causes severe illness and death in poultry and wild birds. HPAI can also cause disease in mammals, including rare cases in people.
Since 2021, a new strain of HPAI (H5N1 2.3.4.4b) has caused significant illness and deaths in poultry, wild birds and wild mammals in all geographical regions except Oceania (which includes Australia and New Zealand).
Mortalities have been observed in a wide range of bird species, seen as individual bird deaths and mass mortalities. The current global situation means an increased level of risk to Australia via migratory birds from the northern hemisphere and local non-migratory movements of infected wildlife

It is important that individuals and groups who encounter sick or dead wild birds are aware of HPAI, to ensure an appropriate investigation is undertaken and to ensure any risks to themselves and other animals are minimised.
Any unusual illness or death in wild birds should be reported via the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 8882

Further details of what to look for are included below.

What is avian influenza?
Avian influenza (also known as bird flu) is a viral disease caused by influenza A virus. There are different strains of avian influenza which are categorised as either low pathogenicity (LPAI) or high pathogenicity (HPAI) depending on the potential severity of disease caused in poultry. HPAI viruses are associated with severe disease and high number of deaths in poultry. The strain of HPAI currently causing the global outbreaks of disease is called H5N1 2.3.4.4b. This strain of HPAI has not been detected in Australia.
Avian influenza viruses can be transmitted between birds or to other animals via direct contact with respiratory secretions and faecal material, predation or scavenging, and indirect exposure to contaminated environments or objects (e.g. clothing, boots, equipment, etc.).
For further details about avian influenza in wild birds see the WHA Fact Sheet.

1 Wildlife Health Australia (2023) Technical Issue Update - Global High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza Events Available from:
https://wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au/Portals/0/Incidents/HPAI_Technical_Issues_Update_V3Sept23.pdf

2 The Emergency Animal Disease (EAD) Hotline is a toll-free number that connects callers to the relevant state or territory
officer. Anyone suspecting an EAD outbreak should use this number to get immediate advice and assistance.
WHA Avian influenza disease advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds
Which species are affected?
• Birds: Wild birds (native and feral species): it should be assumed that all wild bird species can be infected by HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b virus. Overseas, wild birds commonly affected by H5N1 2.3.4.4b include waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds and predatory or scavenging birds. Domestic poultry and captive birds: poultry (e.g. chickens, turkeys) are particularly susceptible to infection with HPAI virus, but it should be assumed that all bird species can be infected by HPAIH5N1 2.3.4.4b virus.
• Mammals:
HPAI infections have been reported in mammals.
Wild mammals (native and feral species): mammals, especially those that may consume or come into contact with birds (e.g. foxes, other scavenger or predatory species) and marine mammals
(e.g. seals, sea lions) are susceptible to HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b.
Domestic mammals: a range of domestic mammals (including livestock and pets) are susceptible to HPAI H5N1 2.3.4.4b.
What to look out for
• Small groups or clusters (5 or more) of sick or dead wild birds of any species.
• Individual or less than 5 sick or dead wild birds:
seabirds, waterbirds, shorebirds or birds of prey (e.g. eagles, hawks)
any other bird species with signs of avian influenza infection as outlined below.
Infected live birds may show a wide range of signs if they are sick, including:
• lack of coordination, tremors, swimming in circles
• twisted necks or other unusual posture
• inability to stand or fly
• diarrhoea
• difficulty breathing, coughing or sneezing
• swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• cloudiness or change in colour of the eyes.

Can people be infected?
• Although avian influenza viruses do not normally infect humans, some strains have been associated with disease in humans ranging from mild illness to severe disease and death (see Australian Department of Health and Aged Care).
• Avoid contact with sick or dead birds or other animals.
• Avoid contact with land or waterways in which sick or dead birds or other animals have been observed.
• Information for bird owners, including protecting yourself and your birds, is available at Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.
• It is safe to eat properly cooked eggs, meat and poultry products.
WHA Avian influenza disease advice for people who encounter sick or dead wild birds
What to do
• AVOID contact with sick or dead wildlife and their environment. Do not allow pets to touch or eat sick or dead wildlife.
• RECORD what you see, the location the animal was found, and take photos or video.
• REPORT any unusual sickness or mass mortality events in wildlife via the Emergency Animal Disease
Hotline on 1800 675 888. Reporting will alert authorities to the event so they can evaluate the need for diagnostic testing or other investigation. Even if testing is not undertaken, all reports help inform our
understanding of the disease and how to manage it.
More information and resources
More information and resources on HPAI and wildlife are available on the WHA website HPAI incident page.
Topics include:
• general HPAI advice and information from WHA (e.g. a Fact Sheet on AIV and Australian wild birds,
HPAI advice targeted for particular stakeholder groups, technical advice, videos and a communications guide)
• WHA HPAI and wild animals in Australia - risk mitigation toolboxes
• national and international HPAI guidelines from government agencies
• other relevant information (e.g. human health, communications materials).
Find out more at wildlifehealthaustralia.com.au
Email: [email protected]
Or call +61 9960 6333

09/10/2024

This week we are celebrating our Veterinary Nurse & Technologist team and the different ways they make a difference
We want to acknowledge your skills, knowledge, and the love you bring to your work and thank you for the impactful work that you all do.
Thank you to our awesome team Ruth, Grace, Renae, Kylie and Shannon.
We celebrate you all!

01/10/2024

01/10/2024

These 2 little cuties came into our clinic yesterday. Can you guess what they are?

30/09/2024

Thanks to Indigo Shire for the footpath going in along Harper Avenue. It will be much smoother and safer when it is finished. In the next few days, entry to the veterinary hospital will be via the Albert Road entry. Thank you for your cooperation.

26/09/2024

Vet Nurse Position available
Maternity leave position from November 2024 for 6-12 months, with the possibility of an ongoing position after this time.
Are you an experienced Vet Nurse?
We are hiring!!!
Indigo Veterinary Services is a mixed rural practice, mostly small animals, but with that stimulating mix of farm animals, horses and wildlife to provide you with lots of interesting cases.
Currently a team of two vets, 5 nurses, receptionist and kennel hand/ cleaner.
We are seeking an experienced veterinary nurse who can demonstrate:
• A Certificate 4 in Veterinary Nursing, or equivalent experience.
• Veterinary nursing skills including hospital and surgical care, anaesthetic preparation and monitoring.
• Competence with performing blood collection, laboratory procedures, catherisation, administration of medications, and performing nurse consultations and discharges.
• Availability to work around 30 hours per week, with some Saturday mornings and occasional afterhours emergency attendance.
• Enthusiasm and ability for teamwork, but also the initiative and confidence to work unsupervised, when necessary, with adherence to clinic protocols and attention to details.
• Excellent communication skills, written and verbal, to deliver an exceptional customer care experience.
• Experience with reception duties, answering phones, triaging appointments, product knowledge and customer service.
• Keenness to become a part of the local community, and develop positive connections with our clients and the wider community.
If you wish to apply for this position, please complete the following instructions:
1/ Please write a formal cover letter that address the above requirements of the position.
2/ Please email your cover letter and resume to [email protected] and attention to Ruth Webb.
Applications close October 24th 2024

24/09/2024

16/09/2024

We here at Indigo Veterinary Services would like to thank Dr Andrew Colson from Ovens and Kiewa Vets for coming out to help one of our clients with an emergency lambing and for allowing our very own junior vet Dr Loiterton to assist and learn the process, gaining valuable hands on experience. We were very fortunate for his assistance and lucky enough to be able to save both mum and the lamb, who the owner has decided to name Bo, meaning "to live".

04/09/2024

Pasture Laminitis
Spring is here and with spring comes an increased risk of Founder (Laminitis) in horses, ponies and donkeys.
With spring comes warmth. The sun shines and the soil warms up – in short, ideal conditions for super-charged grass growth.
Plants (including grass) use sunshine plus water plus carbon dioxide to produce sugar and starch – which they use to fuel their own growth.
During times of rapid pasture growth, when plant sugars are highest, which is during spring, some grasses will have high sugar and starch levels – literally all day – so they will be unsafe for laminitis-prone horses.
Laminitis is a painful condition affecting your horses feet. Laminitis means inflammation of the laminae, which are the tissue connections between the pedal bone and the hoof. When the laminae are inflamed there may be an interruption in blood supply which causes the pedal bone to rotate towards the sole of the hoof.
Signs of laminitis include: reluctance to walk, rocking back on hooves, weight shifting, lying down, increased digital pulses above the hooves.
Treatment includes feed management, anti inflammatory medication, corrective farrier work, housing on soft surfaces eg sand.
Prevention of laminitis includes restricting access to excessive grass. especially during times of rapid pasture growth, particularly during the middle of the day when plant sugars are highest.
Regular exercise, regular farrier visits and gradual changes in diet are all recommended to keep your horse or pony healthy and happy.
If you see any of these signs or symptoms call us for treatment or further advice on 0357 282 410

03/07/2024

Cuteness overload ❤️
Lab x cocker spaniel puppies visited us for their microchips and vaccinations with Dr Chris.
Is your pet up to date with their vaccinations?
Call and speak to one of our friendly nurses if you are unsure 🐈🐕📞