Veterinary Hospital
We offer professional health care for animals both large and small
Open
Mon-Fr
(24)
Our Veterinary Hospital provides modern, professional and affordable health care for your pets. We aim to make your pet feel at ease in our clinic with a caring and gentle approach to treatment and consultations. Dr Liz Bramley and Nurses Erinn, Lauren and Christy are passionate about pets and avid animal lovers. At our Veterinary Hospital, you’ll be fully supported with sound advice first and for
emost. We know that helping our clients starts with providing a good understanding of health care issues and treatment options. With good advice and professional recommendations, you’ll be well equipped to make the best ongoing health care decisions for your pet. With two fully equipped examination rooms, surgery, diagnostic machines and pharmaceutical store we provide on-the-spot assistance for nearly all pet health and medical needs. We look forward to seeing you and your pet again at the next scheduled visit. Our Veterinary Hospital has been purpose built in Marulan to cater for the local community's needs. We welcome a variety of animals including; cats & dogs, rabbits & guinea pigs, birds, cows, sheep, alpacas and horses. Being strongly integrated with our local community is important to us and our clients. Our customers can rely on us for sound advice and treatment options and that their pet is in the very best hands with our team.
We have some gorgeous little kittens that need homes!
The two black and whites are both girls, and the two greys are boys.
These kittens are super affectionate and cuddly and need loving homes.
These kittens are quite a bonded litter and it would be wonderful if a couple could go to the same home together if possible.
These babies are available for a small adoption fee. Please call the clinic and let us know if you'd like to meet these kittens!
This is the time of year to test for PPID/ Equine Cushings!
Does your 10+ year-old horse or pony have a long, shaggy coat, muscle wastage, weight loss, a pot-bellied appearance, and/or chronic issues with laminitis/founder? These are some of the symptoms of PPID/Cushings, and it would be worth checking this.
PPID is caused by the pituitary gland becoming enlarged, causing greater than normal levels of cortisol, insulin, ACTH and glucose.
These elevated hormones lead to the symptoms listed above, and often cause chronic laminitis and very painful feet.
This time of the year is the best time to test for and accurately diagnose Cushings, as these hormones change over the course of the year.
Once diagnosed, this disease can then be managed with ongoing daily medication to greatly reduce the symptoms of the disease and reduce the incidence of laminitis/ founder.
Please contact the clinic if you would like to organise a vet visit and testing for PPID/ Equine Cushings!
Arthritis!
As many of our furry friends advance into their golden years, arthritis is a major influence on their quality of life. Over 25% of dogs will be diagnosed with arthritis in their lifetime.
Arthritis is the irreversible degeneration of joint surfaces, brought about by ageing, as well as trauma and other joint diseases which accelerate this process.
Common symptoms of arthritis include a stiffness and soreness that may cause a shuffling gait, or unwillingness to jump or climb steps. This is often worsened by cold weather- so many arthritic animals will be getting even more sore in the coming winter months!
Arthritis can be treated and managed with a range of methods. At Cooinda Vet we recommend;
- Shorter but more frequent walks and exercise to reduce excessive inflammation of the joints
-Weight management to reduce the load as much as possible on the joints. See our previous post about overweight animals for more details!
- Supplementation with products such as 4cyte or Antinol, which can cause great improvement in mobility and pain relief. These products aim to improve the joint space and surfaces with ingredients such as Green Lipped Mussel
- Adding fish oils and/or mobility diets to your pet's food
- Adding rosehip powder to your dog's diet- approximately 2 tbsp a day for a big dog, or 2tsp a day for a small dog. This may reduce inflammation
- Anti-inflammatory or pain relief administration under guidance of your vet, for particularly bad arthritis flare-ups
- Getting a monthly injection of Synovan or Beransa (dogs), or Solensia (cats)
Beransa is a relatively new product that works to prevent pain from being detected in your dog's joint. This product does not improve the joint itself, but greatly assists in pain relief. This injection is given monthly, and is recommended to be continued once begun, as the lack of pain may make your dog use its joints more and degenerate further.
The equivalent product for cats, Solensia, is also available. You may not think your elderly cat has arthritis, until an injection of Solensia may give it a new lease on life!
Please contact the clinic and book an appointment to allow our vets to best tailor a treatment plan for your pet
Pinkeye in Cattle and Sheep
This year has been a particularly bad pinkeye season. We have seen and treated many animals and we are still seeing cases now.
Pinkeye is caused by Moraxella bovis, a bacteria that can be found on the eye surface of healthy animals but with the right conditions can spread quickly between animals and cause infections. Although there has been much research in Australia on this topic with frustrating results, studies overseas have found that risk factors such as certain flies, dust, windy conditions, long grass/ seed heads can increase spread of the disease. Sunlight can worsen the clinical signs irritating the already inflamed eye.
The first signs of pinkeye infection start with excessive blinking and clear ocular discharge. This is when you want to treat if possible!
If left to progress, pinkish/white ulcers form on the eye which progress to a "fried egg" appearance of the cornea. If untreated, the eye can rupture, leading to permanent blindness.
There are a number of products on the market used to treat pinkeye. Several years ago there was a study conducted in sheep evaluating the difference in effectiveness between Terramycin spray, topical antibiotic powder, antibiotic cream (Opticlox or equivalent) and antibiotic injection. The study found that sprays and powders were the LEAST effective form of treatment. This has certainly been our experience over the past few years with treating this disease. It is also important to consider that applying sprays and powder to eyes would be extremely uncomfortable for the animal.
Our treatment protocol is to use an appropriate antibiotic eye cream for mild cases, cleaning the nozzle between use. If the eye is more severely affected (fried egg appearance), it should be patched (cattle) +/- antibiotic/anti-inflammatory injections into the conjunctiva of the eye +/- an antibiotic injection into the muscle. The patch should stay on for 2 - 3 weeks.
Outbreaks in sheep flocks are best managed with a combination of antibiotic and anti-inflammatory injections to all affected animals, with a repeat antibiotic injection if necessary.
In terms of preventative options (for next season), there is a vaccine available which is best given 3-6 weeks prior to the pink eye season - it's too late once symptoms are showing!
The vaccine does not guarantee no cases, but should significantly reduce the number of cases you see- if given at the correct time of the year.
If you are still seeing pinkeye cases, please do not hesitate to book in with us for a pinkeye consult, where our vets can have a chat to you, and best assess the individual needs of your cattle and treat accordingly.
Drenching and deworming your animals!
Drenching/ deworming animals is an important management aspect of owning horses and livestock. All animals will have some level of worm burden in their gastrointestinal systems, which will never be fully eliminated.
There will always be some worms in your animals that are naturally resistant to one or more of the available drenches. Resistance to drenching is a big problem, for horses, cattle, sheep and goats, and it is getting worse.
If deworming products are used frequently, and the active ingredient is changed often, this is actually the WORST technique to use, and makes the residing worms resistant to multiple types of drench. If used too much, all of the worms in your animal may become resistant to all of the drenches, and can die of excessive worm burdens with no treatment available.
The key to combating resistance is to only deworm when necessary, and to practice rotational and mixed grazing where possible.
To know when to deworm, we strongly recommend bringing in fresh faecal samples from your animals for us to test and tell you how high the worm burden is, and advise you on when and what to drench with.
Once an animal is drenched, it is ideal for it to be moved to a paddock that is 'clean.' A 'clean' paddock is one which has not had that species of animal grazing or living on it for months. In hot, dry conditions, a paddock can become clean within 8 weeks. In the cool and wet conditions of winter, worm eggs persist longer, and can remain infective and 'dirty' for up to 6 months.
Please organise a consult with one of our veterinarians if you would like to know more about deworming and resistance, and how to best combat it for your animals.
What is atopic dermatitis and how do we treat it?
Atopic dermatitis- also called seasonal or contact allergy in dogs- is very common. If your dog is consistently itchy, especially worsening in the spring/ summer periods, it may have atopic dermatitis. This is when the skin reacts aggressively to normal environmental things such as pollen and grass, resulting in intense itching and irritated skin.
Atopic dermatitis must first be differentiated from other causes of itching such as fleas, mites, and food allergies.
Our main treatments of atopic dermatitis include a monthly injection (cytopoint), and/or daily tablet (apoquel). Other recommended add-ons to the treatment of atopic dermatitis include;
- Regular medicated shampooing of your pooch, to remove the allergens on the coat
- Trialling daily antihistamines such as claratyne or zyrtec (talk to us for a dose rate for dogs). These only work on ~30% of dogs, but of those dogs these antihistamines work brilliantly
- Applying Essential 6 to the coat- a spot-on of essential oils that helps nourish and protect the skin barrier
- Advising your vet quickly if the itching returns or is resistant to treatment, before the dog scratches itself severely and causes secondary injury/ infections
Book in a consult with us if you believe your dog may have atopic dermatitis, and we can tailor a plan of treatment for your dog specific to your needs!
How do you know when to call the vet if your dog is pregnant/ giving birth?
A common concern we hear is knowing when to call us if your dog is pregnant, especially as labour approaches. Here are some signs that require an IMMEDIATE call and visit with the vet. If delayed or ignored, these signs could lead to the death of puppies and/or the mother.
Call the vet immediately if your dog;
- Is not eating, restless, shivering, panting, nesting and/or vomiting for more than 12hrs, without any pups then being delivered
- Is vigorously contracting for more than 30 minutes and no pup is expressed
- If there is greater than a 2hr interval between puppies being born
- If you are unsure there are any puppies remaining. This is why we recommend an x-ray to be taken taken just prior to the due date, so that you know how many pups to expect
- If there is greenish discharge from the va**na, and no pup is then expressed within 2hrs
- If there is a significant amount of blood coming from the va**na
- If the mother is collapsed/ appears weak
- If there has been no signs of labour and the dog is at day 64 or more of the pregnancy
If in doubt, always call. We are happy to advise and want the best possible outcome for the mother and the pups.
Emergency caesareans should always be budgeted for when breeding dogs, as it can never be guaranteed that one will not be required.
Do you know what a healthy weight for your dog's breed is?
Recent studies have shown that up to 63% of our fur babies are overweight/ obese!*
These photos can help illustrate if your dog might be carrying extra fat. An additional few kilos might not seem like much, but compared to a human, the proportion gained can be extreme!
Too much fat on a dog leads directly to much greater risks of heart disease, lung disease, exercise intolerance, early onset arthritis and pain, as well as other serious health issues.
If you think your dog might be carrying too much weight, make a booking with us to discuss a plan to return your pooch to their ideal weight. They will thank you for it!
*ACVIM, 2024
ATTENTION SHEEP PRODUCERS:
This is a heads up that we have had a flock in the Penrose area diagnosed with bluetongue in the last week. This viral disease is uncommon in this area but is spread by insect vectors (Culicoides midges) feeding on infected sheep. It generally occurs further North but with the warm, wet weather we have been having has likely spread further South this year.
Bluetongue (BTV) is an insect-borne viral disease affecting ruminants. It is primarily a disease of sheep. It is not contagious and is transmitted by biting midges (Culicoides spp).
Bluetongue (BTV) cannot be spread from animals to humans. It does not affect people or food safety. BTV outbreaks can result in animal movement and trade restrictions.
Tests have previously confirmed the virus strain BTV-1 at 11 properties within the north-east NSW BTV transmission zone. This endemic strain is known to occur within the zone. It has now been confirmed on a Penrose property last week along with another flock in Berrima.
This detection does not change Australia’s status for BTV, as reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Clinical signs of BTV can include fever, reddening of the oral and nasal mucosa, excessive salivation nasal discharge and swelling of the head with varying severity. It can mimic signs of internal parasite burden, pneumonia or photosensitisation.
Producers can confirm whether they are in BTV transmission zone or the BTV-free zone, online by viewing up-to-date BTV zone maps. Producers can register to be notified of BTV zone changes as they occur from the National Arbovirus Monitoring Program.
Producers should monitor their sheep for signs of bluetongue. Any suspected cases of BTV should be directed to their Local Land Services district veterinarian on 1300 795 299 or the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888. Alternatively, if you are not sure, call Cooinda Vet Hospital on 48411033 and we can discuss whether or not further investigation is warranted.
Our team wishes everyone a happy and safe Easter!
Please remember that chocolate is toxic to dogs, and to keep your treats out of their reach! Other toxic foods for cats and dogs include grapes and sultanas (so no hot cross buns either!), onions, garlic and xylitol, the artificial sweetener.
We are closed on Friday the 29th, Sunday the 31st and Monday the 1st except for genuine emergencies. Happy holidays! 🐕🐈🐎🐂
Meet our staff!
Next up is Dr Rhyanna.
The newest member of the team, Rhyanna has just started at the clinic! She graduated last year from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, and is keen to spend time will all creatures great and small!
Outside of working hours, you never know where you might find her! In the water snorkeling with the fish, hiking through the mountains, exploring the area with her border collie Lottie, channeling her creativity in painting, drawing or photography, or maybe even curled up with a good book.
We hope our clients will make Rhyanna feel welcome!
Meet our staff!
Next up is Dr Cara.
Cara grew up on the South Coast on an Equestrian Riding Centre and has been training and instructing horses and riders from a young age.
Having been lucky enough to have owned an eclectic range of animals, Cara has a love for any and all creatures, whether scaly or slimy or great or small!
Cara studied the Bachelor of Veterinary Biology/ Bachelor of Veterinary Science course at CSU in Wagga where she met her husband Brant. During her long university years, Cara worked as an Austswim instructor, a labourer at a sheep farm and vineyard, and briefly managed an agistment business. She also frequently returned home to help break and train horses that were taken in under her mum Libby's charity 'Follyfoot Equine Rescue,' which has since been sadly closed due to the 2019/2020 bushfires.
Cara has been a part of the Cooinda team for over 6 months now and is immensely enjoying the variety and spice that comes with mixed practice! She is very thankful to all the lovely clients who have made her feel welcome.
In her spare time Cara likes to travel, hike, go to the beach, or work on a fantasy novel that she hopes to publish one day.
Meet our staff!
Next up is Erinn.
Erinn is Cooinda's head Vet Nurse and it couldn't function without her.
Erinn joined the team in mid 2021 and has since become affectionately known as our crazy cat lady of the clinic!
Erinn has a diploma of business/hospitality, and a cert IV in Vet Nursing.
Before moving to Marulan and joining the team, Erinn dabbled in various avenues of employment from aged care, travelling Australia as an electrical TA, owning a little cafe, and now veterinary nursing.
When she's not in the clinic, Erinn loves travelling, going on adventures in the wilderness, museums, and soaking up the sun with her many fur babies.
Cooinda Vet and its patients are privileged to have Erinn's warm and caring personality.
(Psst- if you want to get on Erinn's good side, vegan yummies are her favourite!)
Meet our staff!
Next up is Christy, one of our Vet Nurses.
Christy joined the Cooinda team in early 2021. She has a great love and passion for working with and caring for animals. Christy has worked with animals in various capacities from farm hand, senior ranger at Townsville Wildlife Park, Billabong Sanctuary and Project Officer of the Save Our Species Brush Tail Rock Wallaby Project.
In 2004 she completed a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Biology, majoring in Wildlife Ecology and is currently considering furthering her studies in Vet Nursing.
Christy feels privileged and proud to be a part of the Cooinda team, who are incredibly dedicated, caring and always going the extra mile.
Meet our staff!
This week we are introducing our staff, one a day, as both familiar faces and some new ones.
First up is Dr Liz, who needs no introduction!
Liz Bramley graduated from Murdoch University (Western Australia) in 1997 and worked for 2 years in mixed dairy practice in the Riverina where she met her husband Greg. Moving to Sydney for Greg's work, she worked in small animal practice and emergency practice at one of the leading specialist small animal hospitals. She then completed her PhD in Cattle Nutrition through the University of Sydney. Moving to Wingello on 200 acres in 2003, she started working again in mixed practice before relocating to Perth as a Production Animal Lecturer specialising in Cattle Medicine and Surgery, Nutrition and Veterinary Obstetrics at Murdoch University College of Veterinary Medicine.
In 2014, the family came back to the farm at Wingello. Her 4 children attend local primary and high schools and are enjoying growing up in a lovely rural community. Liz has been working in mixed practice in the Southern Highlands before opening Cooinda Vet Hospital in December 2015.
Liz enjoys all aspects of veterinary medicine and surgery of both small and large animals. She has a specific passion in the education of clients to better understand their animals needs and health problems. Liz is also a nutrition consultant to Production Animals and can provide advice on rations, drought feeding livestock and other general management issues.
Our phones are up and running again! Unfortunately our message back is still out of order, so if we don't pick up in time, please ring again a short time later.
Now that our regular number is up again, please DO NOT ring the after hours number unless there is an emergency. This number will remain open for EMERGENCIES only out of hrs.
We once again we apologise for the inconvenience
- The Cooinda team
Did you know we are lucky to have our very own dedicated pet groomer inside Cooinda Vet? Lauren is here Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays by appointment.
Contact her on 0417219161 to make a booking.
Here is an article that was published by the Australian Veterinary Association recently. If you have time to read it through, this article can answer some common questions about veterinary care and its costs. Happy reading!
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Frequently asked questions about the cost of veterinary health care
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● Why can’t veterinarians advise, diagnose or prescribe over the phone and save me a whole lot of time and money?
A veterinarian cannot make a diagnosis based on clinical signs only as observed by an owner. The outward signs may be an indication of any number of internal causes with a wide variety of clinical treatments.
A complete physical examination is an essential part of the process to determine the cause of the clinical signs. It is near to impossible to make an accurate diagnosis and rational plan of treatment if the vet hasn’t seen and had the opportunity to examine the animal.
To prescribe medication for an animal that hasn’t been physically examined by a veterinarian is illegal and places pets at significant risk of potential harm from an incorrect prescription.
●Why is there such a wide range of prices for the same or similar procedures among veterinarians?
Each veterinarian sets the fee for service based on the nature and technique of the treatment, the expertise available as well as the cost of supplying the service. This will include salaries, overheads and specialist equipment. These costs can vary from clinic to clinic.
● What should I do if my pet needs to be seen by a veterinarian urgently, but I don’t have the money?
If your pet is sick or injured, you need to get veterinary care quickly. Some of the options to help you pay include EFTPOS and credit card facilities, or perhaps you could ask a relative or friend for a loan. Some veterinary clinics have facilities for clients to apply for short term loans from third party credit providers.
Veterinarians have an obligation to relieve an animal’s pain and suffering. However, this obligation doesn’t extend to diagnostic tests, treatments, or extensive hospital stays. In some cases euthanasia may be required.
● Are there any really low cost desexing clinics available?
Veterinarians are doing their part to control the pet population and most offer desexing surgery at less than half its real cost.
Desexing is major surgery. It requires the time of at least two highly trained staff, anaesthetics, sterilised instruments and hospital care.
When you consider the cost of feeding a litter of unwanted kittens or puppies and then finding them all a responsible home, desexing makes a lot of sense.
Routine desexing is not an emergency procedure and can be performed at any convenient time. When deciding to take on a new pet, you can budget in advance to afford the desexing surgery that your new pet needs.
● Why is veterinary care for my pet so expensive?
Veterinary fees by comparison with other professional services are not excessive.
One reason you sometimes feel you are paying more than you’d like for your pet’s health care, is that the costs of human health care in this country are heavily subsidised by governments and private health insurance.
Bear in mind your veterinarian is not only your pet’s GP, but also their surgeon, radiologist, dermatologist, neurologist, psychiatrist, oncologist and their pharmacist as well.
● Isn't the cost of veterinary medicine out of sight and unreasonable?
The extent of care given to any animal is determined ultimately by its owner. There are costs to owning a pet, just as with all areas of life.
Every pet owner has different ideas about what is acceptable pet care. Your vet’s job is to let you know about all the products and treatments available to help you make health decisions for your pet. It is up to the owner to make the ultimate choice. Veterinarians are very aware that for most of us, the decision to spend money on a pet has to be balanced against the needs of the family as a whole.
● Do I need pet insurance?
The decision to get pet insurance is up to individual owners, but it can be a good idea and save you money in the long run.
Some owners find that pet health insurance gives them peace of mind. It also helps you avoid unplanned expenses and helps with your family budgeting.
If your pet is involved in an accident or suffers a sudden illness it can give you the ability to consider all treatment options and not be restricted by cost.
● If my veterinarian doesn’t clear up my pet’s problem, can I get a refund?
No. You are paying for an honest attempt to diagnose and treat a problem. A cure is not always possible.
Fees pay for an examination, appropriate tests, treatment and medication. Some problems can require long-term treatment that might need to change over time.
Unfortunately, not every problem can be cured. If that happens, there is a cost if the animal has to be euthanased as it involves skilled administration of a lethal drug.
Your vet’s job is to let you know about all the products and treatments available to help you make health decisions for your pet.
Honest and open communication between you and your vet is the path to great care for your pet.
This content was originally published by Australian Small Animal Veterinarians (ASAV), a special interest group of The Australian Veterinary Association.
We hope everyone has a happy and safe Australia Day!
The clinic will be closed Friday, Saturday and Sunday, exempt from emergencies. Please keep this in mind for any supplies you may need to get from us before the weekend.
Don't forget to keep your anxious pups in mind for possible fireworks in your area, and ensure they are secured to prevent any runaways!
From the Cooinda team
Does your dog suffer from storm or fireworks phobias? In the lead up to Australia day, this may be something you are concerned about. If so, call and book an appointment with us, where we can assess and give your dog short to longer acting medications that can help relieve their anxiety in these situations.
Please ring ahead of seeing us, as we are very busy and low on staff. Surgeries are also booked out 2-3 weeks in advance, so please call early to ensure a spot. We thank everyone for their patience and understanding!
We currently have a kitten with a blue collar in hospital, found Goulburn Street, Marulan if anyone is missing one. No microchip but very friendly and obviously loved. If this is yours, they are safe in the clinic. Please come and collect Monday.
Just another day in the office.. 🤣🤣
From our families to yours….
Happy Christmas everyone! We hope you are all enjoying a joyous Christmas with family or friends, including furry ones!
Thank you for all your support, patience and understanding when we have been busy with emergencies and your well wishes over the last few weeks.
We are available for after hour emergencies until we open on Wednesday, however hope that everyone’s pets stay healthy so you can enjoy time off together. Remember, fatty rich scraps from the table can make dogs really sick.
Stay safe and enjoy yourselves!
Good morning locals!
We thought we would like to share a photo of Boots, our miracle fur baby for the week! ( and give a timely warning about snakes!)
Boots, a 14 year old foxie, came in Thursday lunchtime… blue, not breathing with only a faint heart beat. She had been bitten by a brown snake. Boots is our second snake bite for the season so keep an eye out and if you are worried your pet has been bitten, take them to a vet straight away!
After 3 and a half hours of ventilating, fluids and antivenom, Boots started breathing on her own! She is one tough cookie and is looking forward to going home today.
Is anyone missing this little boy, found Jerrara Rd near cemetery. Not desexed.
Double trouble! 🤣
It’s cat grooming day today made so much easier with a bit of sedation. Hopefully these 2 will feel so much better in the run of hot days we are expecting!
TICK WARNING
Dear clients,
Now is the time of the year that we see an increase in paralysis tick cases in dogs and cats. In our area, most of the cases have picked up ticks when going to the coast, however, we have seen cases on the Tallong/ Wingello side of the Highway.
This year is of particular concern as there is a nation wide shortage of tick antiserum. We used the last of our supply today and it is unlikely we will be able to get more for some time. This means that if your pet comes in with tick paralysis we will be unable to treat it. It is highly likely that most other clinics will be in the same position. An animal affected by tick paralysis WILL DIE without treatment.
It is very easy to prevent tick infestation.. please come and discuss options with our staff if you are not sure.
Happy New Year everyone!
Whether you are relaxing with your four legged friends or enjoying time with friends and family, we wish you a happy and safe few days. We will be closed tomorrow ( Monday) and reopen Tuesday 9am. For after hours emergencies, please call the clinic emergency mobile number on 0436444883.
5/50-52 George Street
Marulan, NSW
2579
| Monday | 9am - 5pm |
| Tuesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Wednesday | 9am - 5pm |
| Thursday | 9am - 5pm |
| Friday | 9am - 5pm |
| Saturday | 9am - 12pm |
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