West Gippsland Vet Care Drouin

23/01/2025

Moving houses can be a stressful experience for everyone in the household. While some dogs are pretty adaptable, others will find the experience of shifting homes pretty stressful. 📦

You know your dog best, so if they are prone to anxiety, it’s best to get ahead and chat to your vet about medications and other strategies that might be appropriate. Like any big change, take it slowly if possible, and introduce your dog to their new home well ahead of time! 🐾

21/01/2025

Learning to cope alone is an important skill for all dogs. Just like toilet training during puppyhood, dogs also need to develop coping skills for being left alone, so they don’t bark or become destructive. 🐕

You can help by keeping a regular schedule, providing treats and chew-proof toys, and ensuring they get regular walks to burn off energy and toilet appropriately. 🏡 There are plenty of great resources available to help you house-train your dog.

For more training advice or recommendations, contact our team today!

20/01/2025

🚨 Snakebite Alert: Be Extra Vigilant This Season! 🐍

This snakebite season has already been particularly severe, and we’re urging everyone to take extra precautions to keep their pets safe. With the warmer weather, snakes are more active, increasing the risk of encounters with curious pets.

🐾 Here’s how you can help protect your pet:
• Keep your yard clear of long grass, rubbish, or debris where snakes might hide.
• Stick to open areas and keep your dog on a lead during walks, especially near bushland or water.
• Monitor your pets closely when outdoors.

Signs of a snakebite to watch for:
• Sudden collapse, followed by apparent recovery
• Weakness or unsteadiness
• Vomiting
• Dilated pupils or difficulty breathing

⚠️ Do not wait for symptoms to appear. If you suspect your pet has been bitten, contact your vet immediately—acting quickly can save their life.

Let’s work together to reduce risks and protect our furry companions this season. 🐾

📞 Call us right away if you need assistance or advice.



(Some of you may remember this photo of poor Bronson from many years ago who was lucky to survive this encounter!)

16/01/2025

If you have a dog with ear infections, you know how tricky it can be to administer twice daily ear medication for weeks at a time. 🐶

The best way to avoid the struggle is to associate ear medication with something positive, such as treats. However, some dogs can still become averse to medication.

If you’re struggling with your dog’s ear medications, chat to one of our vets about alternatives, as there are now once-off ear medications that can be administered at the clinic. 🏥

14/01/2025

It’s kitten season, so maybe you’ll be bringing home a new family member this summer! 😺

Kittens are generally fun and adaptable creatures, however, there are steps you can take to make their transition into a new home easier. Ensure they have everything they need where they can access it – litter box, water bowls, food bowls, toys, beds, scratching posts and hiding places. Introduce them to other pets slowly, and don’t let them out of the house until they are settled. 🛏️

If you want to learn more about settling your new kitten, get in touch with us today!

09/01/2025

Cats are fastidious groomers, with undergrooming often a sign of illness, pain or other problems. However, sometimes cats can overgroom. 🛁 When cats groom too much, they can leave patches in their coat and cause skin irritation.

Overgrooming can be caused by a number of conditions, such as stress, external parasites like fleas, allergies or behavioural issues like OCD. 🐾

If your cat grooms too much, contact us today to find out why and get them help.

07/01/2025

🐾 Exciting News for Our Furry Friends! 🐾

We’re thrilled to announce that our Drouin branch now has TWO fully equipped consulting rooms and TWO veterinarians, which means more availability and shorter wait times for your furry friends, helping us provide even more top-notch care for your pets! 🐶🐱 Whether it’s a check-up, treatment, or just some TLC, we’ve got more space to make sure your pets feel comfortable and well taken care of.

Book an appointment today – we’re here to help your pets live their healthiest, happiest lives!

07/01/2025

Have you ever wondered why cats, who are carnivores, love to eat grass (even though they often vomit it back up again)? 🌿

While we don’t know for sure, it’s been suggested that cats may eat grass for a number of reasons, and not just because they are feeling unwell. Although they can’t digest grass, cats may eat it to ease digestion (adding fibre to diet), for vitamins like folic acid or just simply because they enjoy the taste and texture of grass. 🐱

Curious about your cat’s behaviour? Ask us during your next visit!

02/01/2025

Introducing your dog to a new puppy pal should be fun. However, we all know that not all pets get along, particularly if it’s their first time meeting. 🐾

To prevent any faux pas, make sure to always introduce new dogs slowly and on neutral ground (such as the local park). You know your dog best – if they are the life of the party, it probably won’t take long for friendships to be made. However, if they are a little introverted or standoffish, take extra time for intros.

For more advice on introducing new pets, contact our team today! 🌟

26/12/2024

Australians love the beach, and our dogs are generally no different. 🌊 However, it’s important to always monitor your pets when they swim at the beach. 🐾

Every year, dozens of pets suffer salt water ingestion or aspiration, either through drinking salt water or inhaling it accidentally. Call your vet if you’re worried your pet might have ingested or inhaled salt water.

24/12/2024

It’s going to be a hot summer this year! ☀️ Ensure your pets stay cool by keeping an eye on the weather and always providing them with plenty of shade, a cool, well-ventilated space, and lots of fresh water.

If you have particularly vulnerable pets, consider taking extra precautions to ensure they stay cool this summer. 🐰

19/12/2024

’Tis the season for family catch-ups and feasting! 🎄 While the delicious festive foods are a highlight of this time of year, they can also present a risk to our pets. Every Christmas, we unfortunately see dogs develop pancreatitis after eating high-fat foods. 🍗 Avoid feeding your dog fatty scraps, meats, and greasy foods as these can trigger episodes of pancreatitis.

17/12/2024

Have you ever taken your dog for a walk only for them to have some vomiting or diarrhoea afterward? 🤢 It’s not uncommon for dogs to pick things up during a walk, particularly at high-traffic areas like dog parks. 🐕

If you aren’t sure what your dog ate or they seem unwell, get them checked by a vet. Don’t ignore gastro symptoms after a walk. 📞

12/12/2024

Follow our two tips to become a master of dog walking etiquette! 🐶

Always have effective control over your dog. This means either using a leash or reliable recall. If your dog doesn’t always come when called, they should be on a leash. We recommend solid leashes fixed to a harness or well-fitted collar. 🐕‍🦺

Always carry dog poo bags and pick up after your dog. 🧴 Ensure to dispose of this waste in an appropriate bin.

05/12/2024

As temperatures climb, the surfaces our dogs walk on can become searingly hot. 🥵

While many people know pavement and bitumen can get too hot for our dog’s paws, it’s important to remember sand can also burn delicate paw pads. 🐾

If you visit the beach on a hot day, make sure your dog has plenty of access to shade and consider visiting early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the highest temperatures.

03/12/2024

If you’re planning on going camping with your dog this summer, make sure you prepare ahead of time to ensure a successful trip. 🏕️ Research the area you are travelling to and check where the nearest veterinarian is located, in case your pet becomes unwell. Bring all of their medication, food, and plenty of clean water for the duration of the trip. 🐕 Ensure their parasite control and vaccinations are up to date, particularly tick control and leptospirosis vaccination.

02/12/2024

🐍 Snakebite Awareness for Your Pets 🐾

With warm, sunny days returning, snakes are becoming more active, and it's important to keep your pets safe! 🐍

Snakebite Symptoms to Watch For:
🚨 Collapse followed by apparent recovery.
🚨 Lethargy or sudden weakness/wobbliness (ataxia).
🚨 Muscle tremors, shaking, or reduced eye blinking.
🚨 Dilated pupils.
🚨 Paralysis (partial or complete).
🚨 Inability to control bladder and bowels.
🚨 Irregular bleeding from the nose, bite site, or mouth.
🚨 Discoloured or dark urine, often bloody.

Prevention Tips:
🌿 On hot days, keep your pets away from snake-prone areas like dams, creeks, and tall grass.
🐾 Always supervise them outdoors, especially in areas with known snake activity.

If you even suspect a snakebite:
⚠️ Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—seek veterinary care immediately. Time is critical, and early treatment can save lives.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake:
1️⃣ Stay calm and keep your pet as still as possible.
2️⃣ Head to your closest vet offering emergency care right away.
3️⃣ Call ahead so the team can prepare for your arrival.
4️⃣ Never attempt to catch or kill the snake—your safety is important too.

🚨 Snakebites are always a veterinary emergency. Early intervention saves lives! 🚨

Let’s work together to keep your pets safe this snake season. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 🐾💛

At West Gippsland Vet Care we have over 200 years combined experience and we pride ourselves in providing Excellence in Animal Care.

28/11/2024

If your cat becomes anxious or temperamental in unfamiliar environments, 🐾 you may naturally feel a little concerned about taking them to a boarding facility.

Here are our team’s top tips for easing less easy-going cats into boarding:

Let the boarding facility know about your cat’s behavioural quirks, so they can give them a little extra TLC from the get-go 💼
Consult our vets about safe options for decreasing your cat’s stress 🐱 – depending on your pet, this may involve calming sprays, supplements, or prescribed medications
Ask the boarding facility about how you can help your cat settle in – this may involve supplying familiar bedding, treats or food 🛏️

For more personalised feline behavioural advice, consult our “clawsome” team!