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07/08/2024
Eighteen years today Jo has worked at Benalla Vet Clinic. Absolutely incredible effort! It has been such a delight to work with a talented, professional, intelligent young woman. She is an absolute ripper! Thanks Jo ❤️
We are an all-animals vet clinic with a friendly, dedicated team of caring, animal-loving staff, ass
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Benalla Veterinary Clinic has been in operation for over 60 years. Our friendly, knowledgeable and caring staff aim to provide professional and compassionate quality care for your animals. We operate from a purpose built clinic, but also travel out to farms and regularly provide house visits. Services that we provide include:
- Vaccinations
- Wellness & illness consultations
- Desexing
- Microchi
pping
- Advanced Dental Care
- Orthopaedic surgery
- Soft tissue surgery
- Video Endoscopy
- Ultrasound
- Digital Radiology, including dental radiology
- In house laboratory service for rapid results
- On farm consultations
- Home visits
We service Benalla and the surrounding districts and welcome referrals from other veterinary clinics.
Eighteen years today Jo has worked at Benalla Vet Clinic. Absolutely incredible effort! It has been such a delight to work with a talented, professional, intelligent young woman. She is an absolute ripper! Thanks Jo ❤️
Meet Benni our special feathered friend. Benni came in with a very sore eye and it had to be removed. She was a super patient and recovered beautifully. Go Benni
We have been spoilt today by a couple of our amazing clients. Thank you so much for the treats. It has put big smiles on all of our faces!
It can be tempting to use leftover pet medications to treat any new or recurrent illness your pet has. However, we do not recommend this because we dose on weight and your pet’s weight might have changed since your last visit, the medication might be expired particularly after it’s already opened, and your pet’s medical issue might be different (even if it appears the same) from last time. 🚫💊🐾
Always ask us first before reaching for any medication lying around the house.
While it’s possible to buy first aid kits for pets, you can also make one yourself at home. 🚑🐶💼 Include items like a re**al thermometer, gauze swabs, soft and elastic bandages, saline and an antiseptic like chlorhexidine.
The intention of a first aid kit is to stabilise the wound or injury before seeking further veterinary care, particularly if there is the risk of infection. For some wounds, such as dog and cat bites, the risk of infection without veterinary care is high.
A**l glands are normally emptied when your pet defecates. However, in some pets, the a**l glands don’t empty properly and they become impacted. This results in symptoms like licking and scooting from pets. Impacted a**l glands, if left untreated, can become infected and lead to a**l gland abscesses. These abscesses are incredibly painful and often rupture through the skin.
If you suspect your pet has a**l gland issues, visit one of our vets sooner rather than later.
If you suspect your pet might have ingested a foreign body, which is the term used to describe any non-digestible item, you must take them to the vet immediately. 🚑 Common foreign bodies in pets include string or wool, bones, plastic toys, underwear and socks and inedible food items such as corn cobs, peach pips and mango seeds. The longer a foreign body blocks the gastrointestinal system, the sicker your pet will become and the greater the risk of long-term damage.
Don’t delay if you suspect your pet has eaten something they shouldn’t have.
Many human medications are toxic for our pets, with paracetamol being no exception. 🐱💊 While occasionally used in dogs under veterinary instruction, paracetamol must never be given to cats as it causes liver failure and can be fatal.
If you suspect your cat has ingested paracetamol (or Panadol), you must take them to the vet immediately. If caught early, vomiting can be induced to bring the medication up and limit the potential damage.
If your pet suffers a wound, it can be hard to know when you should take them to the vet and when they can probably be treated at home. A good rule of thumb is if the wound is deep, actively bleeding, large (even if shallow), looks infected, or is in a delicate area, you should take your pet to the vet for a checkup. And if in doubt, always play it safe and bring your pet to the vet. We can clean and close the wound and administer any medications that might be required. 🩺🐾❤️
When things go wrong with feline urination, they can go terribly wrong.
All cats showing signs of urinary issues, such as straining to p*e, blood in the urine, p*eing all the time or outside the litter box, should be checked by the vet. 🐱💧 However, if you have a male cat and they are straining to p*e but no urine is coming out, they must see the vet immediately. Male cats can suffer blocked bladders that, if left untreated, will rupture and result in infection and death.
Don’t delay seeking vet care for cats with urinary issues.
Should you be worried about your pet’s vomiting and diarrhoea? 😿🚨
Symptoms such as vomiting and diarrhoea are ‘non-specific’, which means that, other than originating from the gastrointestinal system, they don’t tell us what’s going on with your pet.
Gastroenteritis can be caused by many different things – bacteria, viruses, parasites, dietary indiscretion, allergies, underlying diseases and even foreign body obstructions. It’s best to get your pet checked by the vet to figure out what’s actually going on.
Doggy daycare can be a great way to meet your dog’s exercise and socialisation needs and will also prevent them from feeling lonely or bored if you work long hours. 🐕🏞️
However, if visiting areas where lots of dogs share a relatively small space, it’s important to ensure your pet is kept up to date with their vaccinations and parasite control.
Parvovirus and some intestinal worm eggs can survive for weeks to months in infected soil, whilst kennel cough can be contracted through nose-to-nose contact or water-bowl sharing. Additionally, pets with fleas may drop flea eggs that can eventually hatch and infest your pet.
For advice on keeping your dog protected against infectious nasties, contact our helpful team.
So, you’ve just gotten a new pup – what should you do (other than snuggle their little socks off!)?
Officially, the first step is to book your pup for a veterinary health check. Unless you have any early concerns, this appointment usually coincides with their second puppy vaccination at 10-12 weeks old, which helps protect them against parvovirus, distemper, adenovirus, and kennel cough. We may also recommend additional, non-core vaccines depending on your pup’s future lifestyle.
For more recommendations on puppy care, consult our canine-competent team. Bonus: we are also expert puppy-snugglers! 👩⚕️👨⚕️
Multi-cat households can work well, provided that certain adjustments are made so that feline family members can seek solitude when required. 😸🏠
It’s best to provide a food and water bowl for each cat, and the same number (plus one extra) of litter trays and resting spots. 🍽️ These should be spread around to reduce competition.
Signs of inter-cat stress in multi-cat households don’t always involve overt fighting. If your cats ever have “stare-offs”, block each other’s access to resources, or toilet inappropriately around the house, we’d advise contacting our feline-friendly team for assistance.
Let’s keep everyone feline fine!
Does your pet have an underbite?
Underbites (otherwise known as an undershot jaw or Class III malocclusion) occur when the lower jaw is relatively long compared to the upper jaw.
Underbites are considered “normal” for some breeds, but they can still cause dental problems and pain if the teeth of the upper jaw dig into the lower gums or teeth when the pet closes their mouth. 🦷
If you think that your pet may have a “dental difference”, bring them in for a check-up. We love to keep everyone smiling! 😊
Are you expecting the pitter-patter of kitten paws? 🐱🎁
As well as the usual bed, bowls, kitten food and toys, we’d also advise purchasing scratching poles and climbing platforms, nail clippers, brushes, and parasite prevention products. We’d recommend that every kitten is treated with regular worming and flea prevention (and tick prevention if appropriate for their future lifestyle).
Please contact our team for more personalised healthcare advice for your fluffy new family member, and don’t forget to post some adorable photos of them on our clinic page!
Whilst cavalier king charles spaniels possess great temperaments and adorable looks, they unfortunately don’t tick the box for long-term heart health, with up to 90% developing signs of heart valve disease by 10 years of age. ❤️🐕
If your dog has cavalier genes, we’d recommend twice yearly health checks from eight years of age onwards, so we can assess them for the development of a heart murmur (which is usually one of the earliest signs of disease). 🐾
If we do notice a murmur in your pet, we can make diagnostic and treatment recommendations to maximise their lifespan and quality of life.
We heart cavaliers, so if you have a cavalier or cavalier cross, please post a picture below!
Do you have a brachycephalic (snub-nosed) pet? Here’s how to ensure you keep that squashy little face healthy and comfortable for kisses! 😚🐶
For general maintenance, we’d recommend wiping facial skin folds out daily with hypoallergenic baby wipes, and then patting them dry and applying a suitable barrier cream. You can apply a thin smear of Sudocrem baby cream into the folds, provided other pets won’t try to lick the area (as zinc-based creams can be toxic to pets if consumed in significant amounts).
If there’s any redness or smelliness in your pet’s wrinkles, it’s best to have them assessed by our fold-friendly team.
If your pet helps themselves to chocolate this Easter, it’s best to hop to it and contact our team ASAP for advice. 🐣🐇
Symptoms of chocolate toxicity in pets depend on the amount and type of chocolate consumed, with dark chocolate being the most dangerous type (followed by milk chocolate and then white chocolate). 🍫 Therefore, if you can let us know roughly how much your pet has eaten, we can determine whether there is cause for concern.
If your pet has eaten a potentially toxic quantity, we’ll advise bringing them down for prompt treatment, which will help to minimise any unwellness. Egg-cellent!
In addition to standard medical and nursing protocols for gastroenteritis, there are increasing moves towards including nutraceuticals like probiotics in treatment plans.
Probiotics are live bacteria that are given to pets with the aim of repopulating the intestines with ‘good’ bacteria after a bout of illness. Some veterinary probiotics also have anti-diarrhoeal agents in them to help firm up bowel motions and evidence suggests they may help with gastro recovery. 💊🐾
If your pet has vomiting or diarrhoea, when should you take them to the vet? Generally, we recommend making an appointment for your pet as soon as possible if they have gastroenteritis signs and:
- there is blood in the poo
- there is frequent vomiting including non-productive (bile) vomits
- there is a history of ingesting a foreign object (e.g. ball, sock, string)
- they are very young, very old or have a pre-existing health condition
- they are not keeping any fluids down
Don’t delay in seeking veterinary care if your pet is showing these signs.
With cooler nights around the corner, our pets will begin feeling the cold. While cats are usually pretty good at seeking out warmth, young cats, older cats or those with medical conditions might need extra care. 🌜🐱
We recommend keeping cats inside at night if possible, and always providing them with a safe, warm and comfortable spot where they can rest. This doesn’t have to be a cat bed; it can be the couch, or your bed, or on top of the bookcase – wherever they feel cosy. 🏡💤Give your cat a warm, comfortable place to rest in the cooler months.
Not many people like sharing their dinner plates with others, and dogs are no different. However, some dogs take guarding their dinner to the extreme and display what’s commonly called ‘resource guarding’.
🍖While not an issue in isolation, resource guarding or ‘possessive aggression’ can lead to problems with other pets or children. If left untreated, it can lead to aggression and biting. 🐶We recommend all dogs that display resource guarding to be checked by the vet.
Have you ever seen a dog chase its own tail? While it can be amusing to watch, it can also be a sign of an underlying condition. 🌀For example, dogs may chase their tail due to unresolved boredom, fleas or other itchy conditions like allergies or atopy, pain or neurological (brain and spine) issues.
If you have a dog that chases their tail often enough to be considered a habit or a compulsion, we recommend making an appointment with one of our vets as soon as possible. 📞
Cats are territorial creatures, which means they would rather spend their time in a defined area, instead of going for a walk like dogs. That’s why environmental enrichment is so important for cats, to ensure they live an interesting and varied life.🐱
Enrichment can include climbing towers, toys, plants, places to hide, water fountains and viewing windows. If you aren’t sure how to keep your cat’s environment varied, have a chat with one of our friendly nurses today. 🌿🏠
Dog parks can represent a fun outing, if used appropriately. We recommend following the below dos and don’ts when using dog parks 🌳:
✅DO always pack a lead and ensure your dog has good recall
🚫DON’T bring a dog-reactive dog to a dog park
✅DO always monitor your dog’s interactions with others and intervene when needed
🚫DON’T bring your dog if they are sick, very young, very old or recovering from surgery
Apart from these tips, use common sense when taking your dog to a dog park.
Sometimes we encounter new situations and experiences that make us anxious. That’s not unusual, just as it isn’t unusual for our canine companions to also experience situational anxiety.
🐕 For some dogs, a busy dog park or café might be too much for them. For others, walking across certain surfaces such as metal grates, might be a cause for concern.
If you have a dog that experiences situational anxiety, make an appointment with one of our friendly vets to find a solution.🐾
Whilst dogs usually seek their owner’s reassurance in times of stress, cats can be more likely to suffer in relative silence. 🐈
More subtle symptoms of stress that can be demonstrated by cats include inappropriate toileting around the house, overgrooming (causing areas of baldness or skin irritation), hiding or becoming more introverted, and eating or drinking less.
If your cat is showing any of the above symptoms, we’d recommend a consultation with our feline-friendly vets. With a thorough assessment, we can ascertain the underlying cause, and help you and your pet to stress less!
With many of us feeling the financial pinch, we understand that family-related expenses need to be prioritised and budgeted for more than ever.
However, we’d advise (wherever possible) that a few key pet-related treatments aren’t significantly delayed, for potential risk of leading to greater costs down the track. 💰🐶
This includes treatments to guard outdoor pets against potentially lethal parasites such as ticks and heartworm, and vaccinations protecting your pet against high-risk diseases.
Chat with our vets about the essential protective treatments recommended for your pet, based on their individual risk factors. We’ll do our best to help you do your best!
Do you know how to spot a hot spot in your pet? 🌞🐕
Hot spots are localised areas of skin inflammation which rapidly become raw, painful, and infected. They often develop around the neck and face, and appear as highly irritated, red, oozing skin patches.
Hot spots are most often triggered by an underlying allergy, ear infection, or insect bite, and they are more common in thick-furred dogs who are left with damp fur.
If you suspect your pet to be developing a hot spot, we’d advise a prompt consultation with one of our vets to “cool their jets” - quickly and effectively!
16 Church Street
Benalla, VIC
3672
Monday | 8:30am - 5pm |
Tuesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
Wednesday | 8:30am - 5pm |
Thursday | 8:30am - 5pm |
Friday | 8:30am - 5pm |
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Benalla Veterinary Clinic has been in operation for over 60 years. Our friendly, knowledgeable and caring staff aim to provide professional and compassionate quality care for all your animals. We operate from a purpose built clinic, but also travel out to farms and regularly provide house visits. Services that we provide include: - Vaccinations - Wellness & illness consultations - Desexing, including keyhole laparoscopic speys - Microchipping - Advanced Dental Treatment - Orthopaedic surgery, including arthroscopy - Soft tissue surgery, including laparoscopy/thoracoscopy - Video Endoscopy - Ultrasound - Digital Radiology, including dental radiology - In-house laboratory service for accurate, rapid results - On farm consultations - Home visits We service Benalla and the surrounding districts and welcome referrals from other veterinary clinics.
CavEquine Veterinary Services Benalla
Mansfield Road