Curleys Bay Veterinary Hospital

27/08/2024

Some people think their cats don’t require parasite control over winter. 🐱 However, given many people let their cats have access to the outdoors and live in relatively warm houses, fleas can still infest our pets, even over winter.

Additionally, paralysis ticks can still be active over winter, particularly in late winter, with deadly effects if left untreated. 🐾 As a result, we recommend year-round parasite control for all cats. Don’t hesitate to contact us if you need help with your cat’s parasite control in winter. 🩺

26/08/2024

22/08/2024

Over winter, wildlife can struggle. Food, water and shelter can be at a premium for our wild animals in the cooler months, so consider taking steps to make life easier for them. 🐦

Drive slowly at dawn and dusk, as many animals graze closer to the road in winter. Consider installing nest boxes in mature trees to act as cosy shelter. 🏠 And if you come across wildlife needing help, give your local wildlife group a call for advice. 📞

20/08/2024

What do we mean when we say ‘kennel cough’? Well, it’s sort of like saying you have a ‘cold’, it describes the syndrome but not the cause.

🐶 In dogs, kennel cough can be caused by a number of viruses and bacteria. We vaccinate against some of the more common causes, however there aren’t vaccines available for all of them. This means even vaccinated dogs can get kennel cough. 🐾

If you think your dog might have kennel cough, call us before coming down. 📞

15/08/2024

We know dental procedures can become pricey, particularly if they involve removing large numbers of teeth, given the time and effort these procedures require. 🦷

However, the good news is, regular dental cleaning (or scale and polish) not only prevents worse dental disease, but is considerably cheaper than waiting until your pet requires extractions. 🐕

We strongly recommend regular, routine dental scale and polishes to avoid more severe disease. Chat to our staff to learn more about the benefits of regular teeth cleaning.🩺

13/08/2024

As the weather cools, it can be hard to maintain motivation to exercise. We know our dogs benefit from regular exercise, however that doesn’t mean you have to enrol them in agility or take them on long runs. 🐶 Even a daily 30-minute walk, at a pace suited to the age and health of your pet, can do wonders for their (and your) health. 🐾 Rug up to stay as comfortable as possible, including a jacket for your dog if it’s really cool, and get out there with your pooches! 🧥

08/08/2024

Oral hygiene is vital for maintaining good overall health. It’s vital dogs have a dental care routine in place to avoid disease and tooth loss. 🐕

Preventative dental care is the key to good oral hygiene. As a general rule, the gold standard for teeth cleaning is daily (or twice daily) brushing with a soft human toothbrush and regular dental scale and polishes. 🦷

Contact our clinic to make a time with one of our nurses to develop a personalised dental care plan for your pet, to ensure their teeth stay clean and healthy for life. 📞

06/08/2024

One of the only things cats like less than having their belly rubbed, is having their teeth checked. 🐾 It can be hard to know the state of your cat’s teeth, as apart from yawns, they very rarely ‘bare’ their teeth. One way to check, is to gently push their lip up on one side with your thumb when they are relaxed. This will give you a glimpse of the outside surface of the teeth and gums. 🦷

If you aren’t sure, one of our friendly nurses would be happy to show you how. 🩺

01/08/2024

Dental issues are incredibly common in dogs. It’s estimated that more than 80% of dogs over the age of three have dental disease. 🦷

One sign of dental disease is rubbing or pawing at the mouth. This can be a sign of discomfort or pain, and should always be investigated by a veterinarian. Another sign to look out for is reluctance to chew or crunch food, particularly hard kibble. 🐕

If you suspect your dog might have dental disease, give the clinic a call today. 📞

25/07/2024

🐱 Important Update! 🐶

Shoalhaven City Council has updated the age requirement for Lifetime Pet Registration.
All pets must be registered with council by 12 weeks of age.
Owners are only required to pay the standard Lifetime Registration Fee at this time.
If your pet has not been desexed or had a delayed desexing recommendation noted on the Pet Registry by 6 months of age, you will be charged the extra Fee for an undesexed pet.

To discuss or book in your pets desexing, contact us on 4421 3133 🐾

25/07/2024

If your cat is ten years of age or above, their dietary needs may be a-changing! 🐱🍽️

Older cats can start to become more sedentary, so they may require a switch to a weight maintenance diet to prevent unhealthy weight gain.

If your cat is developing chronic kidney disease (which occurs in 30-40% of cats over 10 years of age), we may also recommend a senior diet or prescription kidney support diet, which have reduced levels of protein and salt and added omega-3 fatty acids for organ, brain, and joint support.

For personalised advice on the best dietary options for your senior cat, consult our feline-friendly veterinary team. 🐾💡

23/07/2024

If your pet has reached senior years at eight years of age and above, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out for any symptoms of cognitive (mental) decline.

Symptoms of cognitive decline in pets can include changes in sleeping and waking patterns, the loss of learned behaviours (such as toilet training) or appearing vague or confused. 🐶🐱

If you notice any obvious behavioural changes in your pet, it’s a good idea to book them for prompt general health check-up with our veterinary team. Additionally, we can also make smart recommendations on proactive brain support measures for any senior pet. 💪

18/07/2024

Baby, It’s Cold Outside, but hopefully, you and your canine or feline family members are staying toasty warm! 🐱🐶❄️

This July, our team is calling for your most adorable photos of your pet staying warm this winter. We’d love to see pictures of pets tucked into cosy spots or wearing their snuggest winter woollies. We’d also welcome photos of true Arctic breeds (such as huskies) in their element, enjoying the cold conditions.

Please post your favourite winter pet photo below! 🐾📸

16/07/2024

Hip pain can occur in dogs of almost any age due to injuries, developmental joint issues such as hip dysplasia, or the development of osteoarthritis.

Whilst some pets with hip pain may show an obvious hindlimb lameness, others will show more subtle symptoms of discomfort, such as a bunny-hopping run, stiffness after rest, a loss of gluteal or thigh muscle size, or an unwillingness to be handled around their back legs. 🐶💪

If your dog is demonstrating any of these symptoms, or if it is eight years of age or older, we recommend a joint health check-up with one of our knowledgeable vets. 🩺

11/07/2024

This winter, all cats will appreciate the provision of a warm, sheltered sleeping nook, whether in a snug igloo bed indoors, a spot by the heater, or even being tucked up in bed with you! 🐱❄️

If your cat is sparsely furred (e.g., a rex or sphynx cat), it will also benefit from either a well-fitted feline jumper or a thick blanket to snuggle under. Ensure any clothing or bedding provided for your pet is only washed using low-irritant, pet-safe laundry liquid without added dyes, SLS, or synthetic fragrances.

For more advice on keeping your pet comfortable and healthy this winter, consult our snug-savvy team! 🐾🛏️

09/07/2024

If you’ve ever had back, neck, hip, or knee pain, you’ll understand that unmanaged arthritis pain in senior pets can be a real quality of life issue.

Fortunately, there are many options we can offer for relief of osteoarthritis discomfort in pets, including omega-3 fatty acid supplements, joint mobility support injections, anti-inflammatory pain relief medications, and newer monoclonal antibody injections that can reduce chronic joint pain.

For recommendations on the most suitable joint health support options for your senior pet, consult our veterinary team – we’re mad about good mobility! 🐶🩺

04/07/2024

While many lumps in older pets are benign, some nastier types of lumps may spread or cause general health issues (known as malignant).

Fortunately, many malignant lumps can be cured if identified and treated early on. 🌟

If you notice a new lump on your pet, the best course of action is to have it promptly assessed by one of our knowledgeable vets. This usually involves a general check-up of your pet, as well as sampling of the lump for testing (which may involve either a simple needle sampling of the lump during consultation, or a recommendation on surgical biopsy options).

02/07/2024

Pets with joint pain will always yelp or limp: true or false?

This is false!

Whilst pets with sudden flare-ups of arthritis may yelp or show an obvious lameness, most chronically affected animals will show more subtle symptoms. These can include getting up more slowly from rest, hesitating before jumping or climbing stairs, or slowing down on walks. 🐾 Cats with arthritis may also have trouble grooming themselves effectively.

To have your pet’s joint health and comfort checked, book a check-up with our mobility-minded vets. 🐶

27/06/2024

If you have a dog with a sensitive stomach, you know how important it is to avoid flare ups. Avoiding flare ups might mean feeding hypoallergenic food, staying away from other foods that might trigger symptoms and being proactive with probiotics or other supplements that can help digestion.

Finding out why your dog has a sensitive stomach is critical to understanding potential triggers. Our vets can help you determine what’s going on with your pet’s digestive system. 🐶🍽️

25/06/2024

Inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that helps digest food and produces key hormones like insulin, causes a condition called pancreatitis.

Pancreatitis can be either acute or chronic, with the acute form potentially leading to life-threatening disease. Symptoms include vomiting, fever, abdominal pain, lethargy, diarrhoea, inappetence and dogs stand in a ‘praying position’ to relieve discomfort. Early diagnosis and treatment are critical to a successful outcome. 🐶🚑

20/06/2024

If your dog is coughing, get them checked sooner rather than later. Coughing in older dogs is often a sign of underlying disease.

Coughing is commonly caused by heart or respiratory disease, and should always be investigated by a vet. Common causes of a chronic cough include mitral valve disease, bronchitis, pulmonary oedema and heartworm disease. With an accurate diagnosis, appropriate treatment can be started and result in either improvement or resolution of the condition.

Don’t ignore the cough – get your pet checked and treated today. 🐕🩺

18/06/2024

As cats get older, their risk for certain diseases increases. One of these diseases is hyperthyroidism, usually caused by a non-cancerous growth on the thyroid gland. The most common symptoms are increased appetite, weight loss, increased thirst and urination. Cats will often also have an unkempt coat that is matted or greasy, and may experience gastrointestinal signs and hyperactivity.

If you suspect your cat might have hyperthyroidism, make an appointment today. 📅🐱

13/06/2024

Mitral valve disease is the most common cause of heart disease in small breed dogs. When left untreated, it can cause severe disease and even death.

However, fortunately, we have plenty of excellent treatments now available. The triple therapy combination results in excellent outcomes, and if medication is started early, dogs can live long and happy lives despite having mitral valve disease.

Make an appointment with one of our vets to find out how we can help your pet. ❤️🐕

11/06/2024

It’s not unusual for cats to vomit. Cats will occasionally vomit hairballs up, however, not all vomiting is innocent. Vomiting can either suddenly start, or be present for long periods. Cats can vomit up food, or just bile, and the regularity of vomits can tell us a lot about the potential cause. Generally, if your cat has suddenly started vomiting, has vomited many times or with just bile, or has any other symptoms such as lethargy, you should give us a call. 🚨🐱

06/06/2024

Cushing’s Disease, also called hyperadrenocorticism, can be caused by a mass on the adrenal or pituitary glands or from prolonged steroid use. It results in an overactive adrenal gland. This causes symptoms such as increased appetite, lethargy, hair thinning and loss and abdominal bloating. Depending on the cause, dogs with Cushing’s Disease can be treated with either hormone therapy or surgery.

If you notice any unusual changes in your dog, contact the clinic today. 🐕🏥

04/06/2024

As cats age, their risk of kidney disease increases. Cats are particularly prone to chronic kidney disease (CKD), and it’s important we monitor for signs and symptoms to enable early treatment.

The most common symptoms of CKD are increased thirst, increased urination and weight loss including muscle loss. CKD can often be picked up early on blood tests, which is why we recommend annual physical exams and blood tests for cats from 8 years of age onwards. 🐱🔬

Watch for CKD signs in your cat as they age.

28/05/2024

Why are emergency veterinary bills higher than regular veterinary bills? 🏥 💸

Firstly, it understandably costs more to pay experienced staff to remain available overnight or throughout holiday periods - particularly if your pet is to be treated and monitored afterhours in a hospital environment.

Additionally, there is no Medicare for pets, so owners bear the full cost of their pet’s medical treatment. This can be quite startling after a lifetime of subsidised healthcare for ourselves!

However, if you’ve ever used an emergency veterinary service for your pet, you’ll know just how lifesaving and important they are. Please comment below if your pet has been helped by an afterhours veterinary service.

23/05/2024

If your pet has a deep wound, bandaging the site can help to keep it clean before a proper assessment by one of our vets. 🐶🐱🤕

You can purchase sterile wound pads from human pharmacies, as well as bandages and bandage tape to help hold them in place.

If you will be applying a dressing to your pet’s leg, check it’s not placed too tightly by ensuring you can fit one finger underneath. Dressings should be changed promptly if they become wet or dirty.

On the topic of bandaged pets, we’d love to see a photo of your pet in their cutest “medically-required outfit”, such as bucket collars, protective shirts, or bandages – please post below!

21/05/2024

There are few experiences more upsetting than seeing your pet get bitten by another dog. 🐶

Unfortunately, dog bite wounds can be worse than they look. Whilst all you may see superficially is a few puncture wounds, the sharp pointed canine teeth may have caused more severe tearing of soft tissues beneath the skin. Powerful dog jaws can also cause crushing injuries to bones.

If your pet has suffered a dog bite, we’d advise biting the bullet and booking a prompt veterinary appointment to assess their injuries, clean their wounds, and administer medications as required.

16/05/2024

Has your pet eaten something they shouldn’t have? 🐶

The successful treatment of many pet poisoning cases is time-dependent. If your pet has ingested the toxic substance within the last few hours, we may be able to induce vomiting to reduce their degree of unwellness. The effects of some toxins (such as rat bait) can also be counteracted through the timely use of antidotes.

So, if you suspect that your pet may have eaten a potentially toxic material, don’t wait! It’s always best to phone our team (or the Animal Poisons Helpline) as soon as possible for advice. ☎️