Tuggeranong Veterinary Hospital

02/12/2024

Santa paws 🥰

30/11/2024

Pictures are out

We want to thank everyone who came to support a local charity event yesterday. Despite the weather we had a great turnout. All pictures have been emailed, if you didn't receive your picture please contact us on Monday.
Raffle prizes will be drawn Monday also.

29/11/2024

Santa warming up for tomorrow!
Rain, hail or shine we will be here no matter what the weather throws our way. No appointments necessary just head down between 9am and 2pm Saturday 30th.
Baked goods, early Christmas gifts, food and more

28/11/2024

1 more sleep....🎅 🐾

25/11/2024

Santa Paws

Santa is here this Saturday, come join the fun, browse the stalls, christmas gifts, raffles, pet treats, baked goods, sausage sizzle, coffee van, dog wash, cold drinks and Santa pics.
All money going to local greyhound rescue groups and the act pet crisis fund.

23/11/2024

1 week to go.... 🎅 🐾

22/11/2024

Tips to keep your pet safe in hot weather

There are several precautionary steps you can take to help keep your pet cool and healthy over the summer.

Certain breeds of dogs and cats can be more affected by the heat, particularly those with shortened noses, and narrow airways such as Pugs, French bulldogs, Cavalier King Charles and other short nosed (brachycephalic) breeds. Also animals with a heavy coat such as Huskies and Pomeranian breeds.

With severe hot weather, we recommend all pets be moved indoors with a fan/air conditioner.

If your pet is outdoors, please ensure that all outdoor enclosures are placed out of direct sunlight and that your pet has access to shade all day. Please keep in mind, the sun moves so what was a shady spot at 10am can be in full sun at 11am.

Provide fresh, clean water daily. On hot days you might consider putting an ice cube in the water

A child’s plastic seashell sand pit makes a great pool for a dog.

Never leave your dog in the car unattended

Walk your dog early in the morning or at night- never walk your dog in th3me heat of the day.

Signs of heat stroke

Panting excessively
Moving sluggishly
Excess salivation, drooling
Reluctance to move
Acting woozy
Vomiting
Losing consciousness

If your pet is experiencing any of the above symptoms get to your closest veterinary hospital immediately.

14/11/2024

Raffle time 🎄 🎁 🎅

Cash only tickets sold in clinic
All funds raised going directly to local animal charities

09/11/2024

Santa having some test shots to prepare for the big day Saturday 30th November 9am-2pm. Only $15 for a digital photo. All money raised going directly to local rescue

02/11/2024

30/10/2024

This little Cowgirl and the rest of the team at TVH would like to wish everyone a Happy Halloween 👻

Remember to watch out for sneaky pets getting into Halloween treats! Reach out to your closest vet if you’re concerned your pet may have eaten something they shouldn’t have.

30/10/2024

31 more sleeps....

29/10/2024

𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐥𝐲𝐬𝐢𝐬 𝐓𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐋𝐢𝐟𝐞-𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐑𝐢𝐬𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐏𝐞𝐭𝐬

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬?

Paralysis ticks are small arachnid (8-legged) creatures who burrow their heads into the skin of and then feed on unsuspecting victims. They are pale grey/blue in colour and change in size depending on age and how much they have fed. Paralysis ticks inject a toxin called holocyclotoxin into the bloodstream as they feed.

𝘉𝘶𝘵 𝘐 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘊𝘢𝘯𝘣𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢, 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘣𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘥 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴?

Paralysis ticks predominately live along the east and south coast of Australia. They are found as high up as far north Queensland all the way down to Victoria’s south coast.
Many pets from Canberra and the surrounding areas have been affected by paralysis ticks while on holidays down the coast. It is also possible for ticks to hitch a ride back to Canberra on camping gear, clothing, people, plants etc.

𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘴?

Paralysis ticks inject venom into the bloodstream as they feed. This venom causes progressive paralysis of the body's muscles. This paralysis can progress to the diaphragm, preventing the pet from being able to breathe on their own. It can also take away the pet's gag and their ability to swallow meaning they are unable to protect their airways. This almost always results in the pet developing aspiration pneumonia which puts another strain on their already struggling respiratory system. It can take days for pets to recover from paralysis tick envenomation.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯?

Treating tick paralysis can be a very lengthy and costly process. Mildly affected pets will require tick antiserum (TAS) and monitoring for worsening symptoms. Severely affected pets will require antiserum and often require antibiotics to manage aspiration pneumonia, medication to help prevent regurgitation, oxygen support and sometimes even mechanical ventilation. Long-haired pets are shaved so any hidden ticks can be found and removed. If tick prevention hasn’t been given, one will be administered to kill any remaining ticks.
Severe cases of tick paralysis can be fatal, so the earlier treatment is started, the more chance your pet has of a full recovery.
Mild cases could cost upwards of $1,500 whereas severe cases requiring mechanical ventilation could cost in excess of $15,000 and up.

𝘞𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬 𝘦𝘯𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘰𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯?

An affected pet will display several symptoms. These symptoms could include:
-Ataxic or “drunk” walking
-Difficulty with or unwillingness to stand
-Changed bark or voice
-Grunting
-Retching
-Difficulty swallowing
-Increased respiratory effort or difficulty breathing
Seek vet assistance as soon as possible if your pet displays any of the above symptoms and you suspect a tick may be the cause.

𝘏𝘰𝘸 𝘥𝘰 𝘐 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘺𝘴𝘪𝘴 𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘴 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘺 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴?

There are many tick and flea/parasite products on the market these days. If you have plans to take your pet somewhere paralysis ticks are found, ensure you provide them appropriate prevention. Check your pet over for ticks regularly ensuring you check inside ears and in-between toes as well as the rest of the body and head. If you are planning on using a tick repellent collar, ensure your dog (or cat) does not go swimming as the water will wash away repellant from their coat. Repellant collars and oral preventions can be used together.
Spot on and oral preventions may not necessarily prevent your pet from getting a tick, but they will prevent the tick from injecting toxin as the prevention in your pet's bloodstream will cause the tick to die. Any ticks you find on your pet should be dead and easily removed with a tick remover. Tick repellent collars will not kill the tick if they bite but they will help prevent the tick from attaching in the first place.

28/10/2024

Guess who's coming to town.....

Save the date for Saturday the 30th of November as Santa will be coming to TVH for our Pet Santa photos. We will have stalls to browse for pet lovers and fun to be had.
More details to come. 🎅 🐾

27/10/2024

Parvovirus warning!

Unfortunately you may have recently heard that there have been multiple cases of canine Parvovirus in Canberra and it’s surrounds.

Parvovirus is a highly contagious and potentially fatal virus that causes extreme vomiting and diarrhoea leading to dehydration, lethargy, septicemia and even death in severe cases.

This virus can be spread directly through contact with an infected dog or through faeces or indirectly through items like water bowls, collars and leashes or the hands or clothing of people that have touched an infected dog.

Dogs less than 1 year of age are most at risk however older un-vaccinated dogs can also contract the disease.

Please make sure that your dog is up to date with vaccinations and if you have a new puppy don't take unnecessary risks by taking your puppy out before it is fully vaccinationed.

20/10/2024

Summer dangers!

Snakes and Ticks are officially causing havoc with Veterinary clinics all over canberra, especially the emergency hospitals seeing numerous cases.
If you are headed to the coast it is ESSENTIAL that you use tick prevention for your pet otherwise the outcome is devastating.
Keeping your grass short and rubbish cleared in your yard will also help keep the snakes away.
Walking your pet on their lead is also more important than ever.
If you are taking your dog swimming please stop them running into long grass near the water as snakes love these spots.
If you think your pet may have been bitten by a snake or have a paralysis tick call your closest vet hospital, stay calm and present asap.

10/10/2024

Today we celebrate and thank our nursing, admin and reception team for all their dedication, kindness and hard work.
It is easy to go to work when you love what you do. 💕