Taree Veterinary Hospital

28/06/2024

Shout out to my newest followers! Excited to have you onboard!

Jasmin Casey, Anthony King

28/06/2024

Look at these latest puppy school graduates!!

What a fun class this would have been, full of energy and mischief no doubt!!

Our highly experienced trainer Tori has them all under her spell tho, and no doubt, the puppies do everything she says!!

These little cuties all graduated with honours on Monday 17th June 2024.

Please give a round of applause to Evie Green, Titan & Ruby Rose King, Dee & Jay Chick& Bella Warnke.
Well done Evie Green the little Dashy for getting in amongst all those big dogs every week!! Brave girl.

Congrats everyone.

28/06/2024

How could you not enjoy teaching these puppies basic manners and social skills!!!

Tori, our puppy school trainer has one of the best jobs!! Imagine ending your day spending time with these little cuties!!

This group of cuteness graduated Puppy School on Thursday 6th June.

Put your hands and paws together for Costa Clarke, Letty Webb, Turbo Hobbs, Piper Witchard and Thorn Armstrong.

Well done guys.

26/06/2024

The newsletter and catalogue are now both online... suitable to be read with a glass of wine, tea, coffee, or something stronger if you wish 😆

NEWSLETTER
https://www.knowlalivestock.com.au/_files/ugd/297c20_ad1c0c8e539e42c4b838a7db260c2c11.pdf

CATALOUGE
https://www.knowlalivestock.com.au/_files/ugd/297c20_4d7dfa3b2f86412aba6761b23a39742c.pdf

🗓 𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗗𝗨𝗖𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗦𝗔𝗟𝗘 - 𝟮6𝘁𝗵 𝗝𝗨𝗟𝗬 🗓
♦️84 Bulls
♦️6 Elite PTIC Stud Heifers
♦️100 NSM Heifers
📍3 Whites Road, Kia Ora, NSW, 2422📍
Angus Australia AuctionsPlus Elders Stud Stock studstocksales.com Paul Dooley Pty Ltd Elders Rural Services Walcha

26/06/2024

Team work makes the dream work, right?

Absolutely!!

Our vets are very lucky to have confident and competent nurses to work with on a daily basis.

Stuart & Lyndal spent one and a half days at Knowla Livestock at Moppy, two hours from Taree, semen testing bulls which will go up for sale. 104 Black Angus bulls to be precise!!

Now this job is not for the faint hearted to say the least, it's far from a glamorous job, but Stuart and Lyndal handled the job with ease and finesse. Working in 1 degree temp first thing in the morning called for many layers of thermal wear, particularly for Lyndal.

Many thanks to Knowla Livestock family who provided accomodation, food, cuppa's and even a glass of wine or two for Stuart at dinner. Good old fashioned hospitality is still around.
Also thanks to Kingey & Thelma the working dogs for keeping the bulls under control.

26/06/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Kerri-Ann Gimbert, Rebecca Muenger, Jan E wooster , Cinny French, Antonia Somerville, Carolyn Lean

25/06/2024

🐴 Colic in horses!

🐴 Colic is potentially fatal for horses, however the far majority of cases of colic respond to simple treatment and very few colics are fatal. The term 'colic' in horses simply describes abdominal or belly pain and it is likely that most horses will have an episode of colic at some time in their life.

🐴 What are the first signs of colic in a horse?

📍 loss of appetite.
📍 restlessness and pawing at the ground.
📍 looking or kicking at the stomach.
📍 being unable to pass droppings.
📍 gurgling sounds from the stomach.
📍 sweating.
📍 an increased breathing rate.
📍 stretching as if to urinate.

🐴 What is the number one cause of colic in horses?

Sudden changes in diet (either type or quantity) or feeding too much grain in one meal can lead to improper fermentation in the gut or an obstruction, causing colic. Horses should not be fed more than 0.5% of their body weight in grain in a single meal.

🐴 Walking can provide pain relief and encourage motility if your horse has cramps or is early on in colic. Walking can also help prevent your horse from rolling. Rolling can injure you or your horse. If your horse wants to roll frequently, it's better to be in an open area.

🐴 The primary treatment of colic includes the administration of injectable pain relief and possibly sedatives to help stop or prevent rolling. Other treatments that may be performed for a simple medical colic include stomach drenching with electrolytes or paraffin oil. Most horses recover fully following this treatment.

23/06/2024

Avian Influenza (AI). Do you know what to look out for?

A wide variety of birds can become infected by avian influenza (AI), including chickens, turkeys, quail, pheasants, pigeons, emus, ostriches, ducks, geese as well as many aviary and wild bird species.

Watch for signs of:

- Nasal discharge
- Lethargy or depression
- Sudden death without signs of illness
- Purple discolouration of wattles, combs and legs
- Coughing, sneezing or breathing difficulties
- Swelling around the head and neck
- Watery or green diarrhea
- Sudden decrease in egg production

If you see these or other unusual signs of disease, or death in your birds, call the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline on 1800 675 888.

23/06/2024

There are some subjects that none of us like to discuss or think about, but sometimes we need to in case of death or incapacity to care for ourselves or our pets ever arises.

Have you thought about what to do for your pets if you pass or become incapacitated?

This is something that we see in the clinic on occasion and is never an easy decision to make for those who are left behind to take on. To have to euthanise a family members pet after the family member have passed is an extra grief and hardship for any family member to take on!!

Please discuss with either a family member, close friend or an animal rescue organisation to pre arrange your pets care and be 100% sure that you have an arrangement in order with someone who is willing to take on your pet/s and care for them as you would care for them.

Considering the capacity animals have for attachment and grief, and the adjustment your pet will need to make after you are no longer around, the best option would be to re home them with a relative or friend with who they already have a relationship.

The only downside to being the guardian of a companion animal is that our time together is never long enough. One of the most difficult and confronting realisations is that our pets may outlive us and someone else will need to care for them.

Whatever your age, part of the ongoing care for your precious pet will involve planning who will provide for them if you pass away first. This isn’t something you should leave to chance.

If there's no one in your life who's able to take on your pet when you're gone, you can sign up with an animal charity that arranges pet care after the death of the owner. They will either look after your pet themselves or find a new home for them.

17/06/2024

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Jan E wooster , Jo Otto, Karen Tull, Lyndal Buttsworth, Lydia Higgins

15/06/2024

Win a night of Roar & Snore at Taronga Zoo!!

Nexgard Spectra have this awesome package up for grabs!

Nexgard will be donating a percentage of every sale towards protecting the Sumaritran Tigers.

15/06/2024

🐕‍🦺 When our dogs age, they can suffer from varying illnesses that are age related.

🐕‍🦺 We all know how big dogs hearts are - they are affectionate and love unconditionally! But sadly, like humans, dogs can be diagnosed with heart disease which can make them very sick.

❤️ Heart disease is used to describe a number of conditions that affect the heart’s natural functions. Most heart conditions in dogs involve a decrease in how effectively the heart can pump blood which can lead to a build-up of fluid in the chest or abdomen.

❤️ If your dog exhibits any of the common symptoms of heart disease, it’s important to contact your vet straight away as the sooner heart disease is diagnosed, the sooner the vet can put your dog on a care plan to help manage it.

❤️Here are the 5 most common signs of heart disease in dogs.

❤️ Coughing or hacking.
This is usually a persistent cough that is intensified after exercise, at night or even after eating. Coughing can be caused by an enlarged heart or a fluid build-up in the lungs because the heart isn’t pumping efficiently.

❤️ Fainting or collapse
When the heart cannot function correctly, vital organs struggle to receive nutrients - especially oxygen to the brain which can lead to fainting or collapse. These can be brought on by strenuous exercise or after a coughing fit.

❤️ Fatigue
Dogs with heart disease will become lethargic and may not be able to exert themselves in the same way they used to. They may sleep or rest more than usual.

❤️ Difficulty breathing
Dogs with heart disease may breathe more heavily or quickly because they are struggling to breathe. Some dogs may try and increase their oxygen intake by stretching their neck out and standing with their legs wide apart. Keep an eye on these unusual movements and call your vet as soon as you notice your dog struggling to breathe.

❤️ Behaviour change
Your dog’s personality might change. Dogs that once were very active or playful might seem quiet or withdrawn. Dogs that once loved food might stop eating as much. Behaviour changes are often a sign that something is wrong with your dog’s health, so don’t hesitate to contact us if you see a change.

📌 What increases my dog’s risk of heart disease?
There are a few factors that could increase your dog’s risk of heart disease which include their:

📌 Age - Heart conditions in dogs occur more frequently with increasing age.

📌 Body condition - Overweight dogs are more likely to develop heart disease.

📌 Breed - In dogs, chronic valvular disease is more common in small breeds such as cavalier king Charles, spaniels, miniature poodles, cocker spaniels, Pomeranians and schnauzers. Myocardial disease is more common in large and giant breeds like Great Danes and Irish wolfhounds.

💊 Can heart disease in dogs be treated?
Although treatments cannot reverse heart disease, your dog can live a relatively normal life if seen by a vet. Some treatments could include a new diet, daily medication or surgical intervention depending on the severity.
The most important thing is to get your dog checked by a vet as soon as you notice any of the above symptoms so they can diagnose it quickly and start a treatment plan to allow your dog to live a happy, comfortable life.

13/06/2024

🐈 Kitten Vaccinations - why it is important to vaccinate.

( PLEASE NOTE: Feline Vaccinations are currently on back order, this is nation wide and expected ETA at this stage is end of June 24.)

Cat flu is a general term for a highly contagious upper airway disease that affects cats and kittens. This disease is caused by one or more viruses including Feline Herpes Virus 1 (FHV1) and Feline Calicivirus (FCV) in the majority of cases.

🐈 Why is cat flu a problem?
Cat flu can cause severe suffering. If it is not treated, it can cause permanent damage or even death, particularly in very young or old cats and those with weaker immune systems.

🐈 How do cats get cat flu?
Cat flu is generally spread by direct contact between cats (e.g., via saliva, tears, discharge from the eyes and/or nose). It can also be spread indirectly (e.g., via contaminated food bowls, bedding, litter trays or human hands). Kittens and older cats are the worst affected due to lower immunity. After recovering from cat flu, many cats will remain life-long carriers of the virus but will show no, or minimal signs of illness. Life-long carriers can spread the virus to other cats as they sometimes ‘shed’ the virus during periods of stress (e.g., in catteries or shelters).

🐈 How do I know if my animal has cat flu?

🛑 Breathing problems
🛑 Coughing
🛑 Discharge from the eyes and/or nose
🛑 Fatigue
🛑 Fever
🛑 Loss of appetite
🛑 Sneezing
🛑 Ulcers of the mouth and/or eyes

🐈 How is cat flu prevented and treated?
Vaccination!!
All kittens and cats should be vaccinated against the viruses that cause cat flu. Vaccination can prevent disease or reduce the severity of symptoms in cats who become ill. Vaccination should start at eight weeks of age, and booster vaccinations should be given as often as recommended by a veterinarian. Kittens need to be kept indoors and away from other cats until they are fully protected. For more information see the Knowledgebase article What vaccinations should my cat receive?

🐈 Isolation
To help stop or reduce disease transmission, cats with cat flu must be isolated from other cats until they are fully recovered (usually approximately two weeks but it can take longer). During periods of cat flu (illness and recovery), the food bowls, litter trays and bedding of infected cats must be washed separately to that of other cats in the household.

🐈 Veterinary treatment
If you suspect your cat has cat flu, seek prompt veterinary care.

12/06/2024

Big shout out to my newest top fans! 💎

Jan E wooster , Rebecca Muenger, Cinny French, Antonia Somerville, Carolyn Lean, Mandy Gough-Birchall

12/06/2024

Good job Stuart and Kirra.
A big day for these two.

12/06/2024

Owner reclaimed

Found:

Female pug found at cundletown, not microchipped.
Please call 65522633 if she is yours.

09/06/2024

This is why you need two cats!

09/06/2024

We are closed today for the King's birthday long weekend.

We have one of our wonderful Vets on call for emergencies only.

Have a safe and happy day and we will see you all for business as usual tomorrow Tuesday.

04/06/2024

Wow, these poor dogs have been let down by their owners!!
Please share far and wide.

TAREE POUND‼️Pound is at capacity‼️
Dogs will die‼️😩
All of these beautiful dogs are in Taree Pound
Their owners have let them down & now they need us to help them get out of the pound alive.
Pounds are only able to hold for a few weeks & now the pound is overflowing. These dogs all deserve to live out their lives in a safe & loving home
If you are looking for your next fur baby then “take a leap in faith” & give one of these dogs a home
They will be forever grateful & reward you with loyalty & love
Click the link to apply-

https://www.poundrescueinc.com/adoption-application-form

02/06/2024

Just because the weather is cold now, does not mean Paralysis ticks are not around!
We have seen a few tick cases in our clinic over the last month or so.
Come and see our lovely reception staff to discuss all your flea and tick options.
Keep your pets safe all year round.

01/06/2024

A very interesting read.

28/05/2024

Thanks for being a top engager and making it onto my weekly engagement list! 🎉 Adam Holt, Loretta Brace, Jo Otto

27/05/2024

🐂 PREPARING LIVESTOCK FOR COLD WEATHER

With the first cold weather system upon us this week there are a few things we need to remember about cold weather, especially if it involves wind chill and rain.

So who is most at risk?

🐑 Newly born lambs and lambing ewes
🐂 Newly born calves and calving cows
🐂Animals in low condition, especially after drought
Sick animals
There are a number of ways in which we can prepare for the cold snap and help reduce the effect of the cold on livestock. Ways to prepare are as follows:

🐂 Make sure livestock have shelter – by providing shelter you are helping to reduce the ‘wind chill’ factor
Animals are getting enough food for their requirements – i.e. the feed requirements for a dry cow are substantially less than a cow with calf at foot.
Animals that are most at risk are provided with shelter, enough feed and are checked regularly.
If possible provide some roughage, as rumination helps produce heat. BUT it does need to be a balancing act, as too much roughage at lambing and calving can have a detrimental effect on energy in feed, therefore roughage levels need to be between 10 and 20% at this time.
Feeding levels should be increased by 10 to 20% during severe weather (i.e. wind + rain + cold).
Just remember the Bureau of Meteorology and other weather apps have great weather warnings, so keep an eye out on these.

25/05/2024

Domestic violence does not just affect humans!!

A recent Australian study revealed that approximately 50 per cent of women in violent relationships reported that their violent partner had HURT OR KILLED ONE OF THEIR PETS!!
The study also revealed that 33 per cent of these female pet owners, who were now living in crisis accommodation, had delayed leaving their violent relationship because of concerns for their pet’s welfare.

Through our Domestic Violence program, RSPCA NSW aims to offer practical solutions for pet owners leaving situations of domestic violence. We safely house and care for their pets, allowing them time to find a safe refuge for themselves, with the aim of reuniting them with their beloved pet as soon as possible.

Services of our Domestic Violence program include:

temporary foster accommodation and/or emergency pet boarding
financial assistance for veterinary treatment
financial assistance with impound fees
financial assistance with transport fees
This community program was previously known as Safe Beds for Pets.

For more information, please get in touch with the RSPCA Community Programs helpline at (02) 9782 4408 or send us an email enquiry using the form below.
The helpline operates Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. During weekends and public holidays, contact the RSPCA Contact Centre at (02) 9770 7555
In addition, below are some human support services:

1800RESPECT – 1800 737 732

1800RESPECT is a free national 24-hour sexual assault, family and domestic violence counselling line for people who have experienced or are at risk of family and domestic violence and/or sexual assault.

Lifeline – 13 11 14

Lifeline is a free counselling line providing all Australians experiencing emotional distress with access to 24-hour crisis support and su***de prevention services.

Link2Home Homelessness – 1800 152 152

Link2Home is a state-wide homelessness information and referral telephone service providing information, assessment or referral to homelessness services and support in NSW.

Domestic Violence Hotline – 1800 656 463

The Domestic Violence Hotline provides 24/7 access to information, support and referrals to nearby services.

Ask Izzy –

Ask Izzy is a mobile website connecting people in crisis with the services they need right now and nearby.

Beyond Blue – 1300 22 4636

Beyond Blue provides information and support to help everyone in Australia achieve their best possible mental health, supporting people affected by anxiety, depression, and su***de.

13 Yarn – 13 92 76

13YARN provides crisis support 24/7 to yarn without judgement and offers a confidential, culturally safe space to yarn about any needs, worries or concerns.

24/05/2024

⭐️ Meet the Team

⭐️ Introducing our newest staff member and Post Grad Vet.

👩‍⚕️ ~ Name : Alexa

👩‍⚕️ ~ Qualifications: Bachelor of Vet Science

👩‍⚕️ ~ How many years have you been a vet? 3 months

👩‍⚕️ ~ Specialising in? : Being a Vet

👩‍⚕️ ~ Why did you become a Vet? : I grew up having lots of pets but with no access to a Vet. It was hard seeing them suffer knowing I couldn't do much, so I decided to become a Vet so other's don't have to experience that.

👩‍⚕️ ~ What would your career be if you were not a Vet?: Something in Allied Health

👩‍⚕️ ~ Favourite thing about working at TVH: The other staff and the variety of cases.

👩‍⚕️ ~ Where did you grow up: Vanuatu

👩‍⚕️ ~ Hobbies : Art & bush walks

👩‍⚕️ ~ Favourite food: I love Mexican food
~ Favourite movie: Man from Uncle
~ Favourite holiday destination : Japan

👩‍⚕️ ~ What pets do you own: Two succulents

👩‍⚕️ ~ Your advise to pet owners: Always double check the brand of parasite prevention & kibble /dog food brand you use before coming in for yearly check up.