Cat Specialist Services

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Underwood, QLD
Cat Specialist Services

Specialist Veterinary Care just for cats, providing state of the art diagnostic investigations and hospitalisation. Specialist veterinary care just for cats
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16/08/2024

Our VSS and Specialist Services Specialists were highly involved in this year's National Science Week.
This is the most advanced veterinary surgery conference in Australia, typically hosting some of the world's best international speakers. This year, VSS saw a range of our staff present cutting edge talks for our veterinary community including our very own Dr Alison Jukes, who is pictured here with Dr Rachel Korman, who was chairing all the feline chapter sessions in her role as President.

13/08/2024

🐾Pet Dental Health Month: Kitten Teething 😺🦷

Kittens are born toothless. At around 2-4 weeks, their deciduous (baby) teeth start to emerge. These teeth help them to explore the world. As they grow, at around 3-4 months, kittens begin teething and their deciduous teeth are gradually replaced by adult teeth.

Kittens have 26 deciduous teeth and eventually develop 30 adult teeth.

During teething, kittens may chew on toys (or even your fingers) to soothe their gums. Providing appropriate teething toys can be a lifesaver for your fingers!

Introduce good oral hygiene habits early, by gently brushing your kitten's teeth daily with a soft toothbrush an

For more information on feline dental health, please contact our dentistry team at Advanced Animal Dentistry on 1300 866 848, email [email protected] or visit www.animaldental.com.au😺

12/08/2024

🔊Attention: Veterinary Professionals🔊
Please join us for our next GP Vet Seminar in conjunction with Specialist Services .

Topic: "Canine Mast Cell Tumours"
When: Thursday 29 August | 6.30-8.30pm
Where: Cat Specialist Services | Shop 1/1-15 Lexington Rd. Underwood
Tickets: $25 each
Bookings: Scan QR code OR visit
www.stickytickets.com.au/ssvqo/oncology__surgery_referring_vet_seminar.aspx

We hope to see you there!

08/08/2024

😻Happy International Cat Day😻
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😻Are you a proud cat parent looking for a feline veterinary specialist? Look no further! Cat Specialist Services provide the best possible patient care at a specialist level in southeast Queensland.⁠
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😻We have grown out of the need to provide the highest level of patient care, while acknowledging that cats have very different, very specific requirements compared to dogs. Healthcare outcomes and patient handling are improved when these requirements are considered.⁠
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😻Our team are all certifiably cat crazy! At the same time, we are absolutely dedicated to continued study, professional development and striving to be the best in our respective fields of feline medicine and nursing.⁠
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😻For more information on our services please visit www.catspecialists.com.au😻

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07/08/2024

06/08/2024

😺Tips for a feline-friendly hospital environment🏥
👩‍⚕️Attention veterinary professionals! Wondering how you can make your feline patients more comfortable in hospital?👨‍⚕️

Cats are very routine-based and rely on consistency in their environment. Promoting a feline-friendly hospital environment should include as little change as possible. Asking owners what their cat's favourite food is, what type of litter they use at home or what bedding they prefer and including this in the setup of the hospital cage can contribute to a stress-free hospital experience. For planned admissions, you could ask owners to bring in their cat’s bowls, litter, food and/or bedding.

In addition to maintaining a cat's normal routine, here are some more tips to ensure their hospital stay is feline-friendly:
😺Keep food and water bowls separate – cats will instinctually prefer food that is not right next to their water source.
😺Separate litter trays from food and water sources – for obvious reasons💩
😺Preference shallow porcelain bowls over plastic or stainless steel - shallow bowls prevent whisker fatigue from their whiskers rubbing/touching the edge of the bowl.
😺Provide spaces they can hide if they’re feeling vulnerable or anxious – you could use specific pods, cat beds, cardboard boxes or their own carrier.
😺Cover the front of their cage (e.g. with a towel) – especially if your hospital set-up has patients housed across the room from each other. Cats are very territorial and often get stressed looking at other cats - or especially dogs.
😺Provide as much vertical space as possible – provide them with some form of ‘hidey hole’, which can double as a shelf for them to perch on.
😺Use pheromone diffusers and/or sprays (e.g. ) to create a stress-free environment.
😺Spot clean cages for patients that are hospitalised for longer periods.

for more feline-friendly tips and tricks coming soon to our socials and website. Check out our recent posts on interpreting feline behaviour and feline friendly interactions.

05/08/2024

Congratulations to Cassie, who will be moving from a position within our Client Care team to a role within our Feline Nursing team, as our new Consult Nurse!

This is a very exciting step in Cassie's veterinary career, and we can't wait to have her on our Nursing team!

02/08/2024

Thank you so much to for inviting our very own Director and Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine, Dr Rachel Korman to be a guest lecturer for veterinary science students at the Gatton campus.

Dr Korman presented to students on "how to make a vet practice more cat friendly" and her presentation was clearly well received, judging by this lovely thank you note!

29/07/2024

🐱Tips for a feline-friendly clinic🐱
Not a lot of veterinary clinics are lucky enough to be cat-only. So, unfortunately, the proximity to dogs is often huge trigger for cats and a large contributing factor towards their fear and anxiety.
Not considering how cats may be feeling in these environments can contribute to negative associations with the veterinary visit, which can lead to difficulty in interacting with your feline patients.
Here are our top tips for promoting a feline-friendly clinic environment:
🐱Separate dog and cat areas – including waiting areas in reception, hospital wards and treatment areas (if possible).
🐱Ensure cats are safely secured in carriers (especially in reception areas) and cover carriers with a towel to ensure they feel safe and hidden.
🐱Allow cats to exit their carriers in their own time.
🐱Perform examinations in quiet and dark rooms where possible.
🐱Avoid using comforting sounds like ‘shushing’ around cats, as this can actually sound like hissing to them and cause more stress and fear.
🐱Interact with your feline patients in a way that promotes their independence and control of the situation as much as possible (more on this topic coming very soon!). Cats need to feel in control, so this will help reduce their stress.
All of the staff at CSS have worked in veterinary environments with both dogs and cats at some point in our careers. We understand the struggles of being feline-friendly in a space shared with dogs.
We hope these tips are helpful for our colleagues and their feline patients. Stay tuned for more posts on our socials and our website.
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26/07/2024

⭐STAFF HIGHLIGHT: Kelli Smith (Head Client Care Officer)⭐

Kelli is an animal lover to her core, with a special passion for cats. She has been working in the animal industry for over twenty-five years. After starting her career in dog and cat grooming, Kelli went on to study animal behaviour and nutrition.

Seventeen years ago, Kelli identified the need to create a business that focused on the specific grooming needs of cats, as well as the necessity to create environments where cats feel comfortable and safe.

Establishing her own business led to her developing excellent business practices relating to customer care, safe work, compliance management and client care.

Kelli's passion for cats and other cat lovers is where her true interests lie. She shares her home with her two cats, the magnificent Maine C**n, Valli and her little Tuxedo, Travis.

On the weekends, Kelli enjoys spending time with her family, doing Amigurumi crochet, tending to her vegetable garden & green house and being with her other animals including Shaka, Martin and Scout (dogs); Bingo and Bluey (chickens); Matrix, Everest, Sky, Rubble and Marshall (goats); and Alan and Vinnie (alpacas).

We are delighted to have Kelli on our team and so are our clients - she is usually the first smiling face you will see when you enter CSS!

22/07/2024

PART 2: Tips for Feline Friendly Interactions

According to the ISFM, the word ‘handling’ is falling out of favour, as it insinuates that humans are the ones to lead interactions with cats. Since cats are routine-based creatures and need to feel in control to feel safe, the word ‘interactions’ can replace ‘handling’ to better describe the ideal relationship between humans and cats.

Feline-friendly interactions are something that all veterinary professionals can achieve, but it requires motivation and confidence to make improvements. When cats don’t feel in control, their response to fear and anxiety is often heightened. Taking the time to allow feline patients to acclimate to our interactions and their environment helps gain their trust.

The reality of the veterinary industry is that there isn't always time to spend 'going slow' with patient interactions. However, it makes a world of difference in bonding and building trust with patients, making out jobs easier, more efficient and safer for everyone.

DO:
✅Take your time. Progress with any interaction at the cat’s pace.
✅Interact with your feline patients in between scheduled cares, so that they can enjoy affection that doesn’t always result in a treatment or procedure.
✅Use a towel to gently wrap or position them as needed.
✅Use restraint techniques that give a cat as much control as possible, so they feel safe.
✅Use food as a distraction.
✅Take breaks in between cares, treatments and interactions – especially if the patient is becoming anxious or not tolerating certain cares.
✅Use numbing creams for venipuncture and IV catheter placement.
✅Wash your hands in between patients – this helps remove unpleasant scents (i.e. other animals) from your hands.
✅Consider pre-visit anxiolytics to reduce anxiety.

DON’T:
❌Scruff a cat - ever! This is painful for cats and removes their sense of control.
❌Force restraint on a cat – removing their sense of control often causes them to panic and wiggle harder to get free.
❌Use cat muzzles, bags or boxes – these cause panic and may result in cats injuring themselves trying to get free.

Stay tuned for more expert tips on feline-friendly interactions!

16/07/2024

Feline Friendly Interactions:

Building on our recent posts, we wanted to expand on the topic of feline behaviour, communication and interactions. Feline interactions are at the forefront of what we do here at CSS. This is something we are passionate about doing correctly and with the cats’ best interests in mind.

Knowledge and understanding around cats and their behaviour is only now coming to the forefront of research in the veterinary industry. Unfortunately, this has meant that there are various misconceptions surrounding our feline friends. The veterinary environment can be very scary for cats, and it is this fear that can result in undesirable behaviour in veterinary clinics, leading to cats being perceived as ‘unpredictable’. Understanding cats as individuals and how they are unique in their own ways can help us understand and predict certain behaviours in a veterinary environment.

Cats are both prey and predatory animals, which is evident in their behaviours and instinctual responses. Cat’s responses to unfamiliar surroundings and strangers can cause them to act out of character. They are creatures of habit and strongly dislike changes to their environments and surroundings. It is important to realise that undesirable (or emotional) behaviours are an appropriate reaction to fear and frightening situations. Behaviours become exaggerated when cats are sick or in pain, as they feel a heightened sense of danger and unable to protect themselves.

Since this is a topic very close to our hearts, we will be building on these concepts in future posts and include helpful tips for other veterinary professionals who want to better understand their feline patients.

12/07/2024

Just like in humans, laboratory testing can form a major part of investigations in cats. This typically involves blood and urine testing.

Some tests (e.g. basic blood, urine and electrolyte testing) can be performed onsite and results obtained that day. Most of our laboratory testing is performed by QML Vetnostics offsite. Turnaround times may vary depending on the test.

Some tests require special preparation such as fasting or timing (e.g. phenobarbitone or thyroxine hormone levels).

When cats become anxious, we may recommend a mild sedation prior to blood sampling (not because the test hurts, but to keep the cat calm). This can prolong testing. Some tests (e.g. hormone testing) require multiple samples taken a few hours apart.

Usually, blood is taken from a vein in the leg or neck. A small amount of fur is clipped, and we apply a local anaesthetic cream to numb the area. This takes about 20 minutes to take effect. The cat is gently held, and a needle inserted into their vein. This is rarely painful - most cats don't even notice!

A small amount of blood is collected and put into one or more tubes for analysis.
After the needle is removed, we sometimes place a small bandage to keep pressure on the site, which can be removed soon afterwards.

There are no risks with having a blood test and, for most cats, it doesn't hurt.

There are many types of blood tests including:
🩸Blood glucose test to help identify diabetes.
🩸Full blood count to assess red and white cell numbers and identify anaemia or signs of infection.
🩸Kidney function tests (e.g. urea, creatinine, SDMA).
🩸Liver function tests (e.g. ALT, ALKP, AST, GGT, TBil).
🩸Thyroid function tests (e.g. Total T4, TSH).
🩸Tests to check for blood clotting (e.g. ACT, APTT, PT).
🩸Tests to check the levels of certain elements and vitamins.

Although there are many tests developed in humans to detect specific cancers, these are not really available as screening tests in cats. Blood tests will typically give an indication of the overall health of a patient or localise a problem to an organ (e.g. the kidneys or liver).

For more information visit: https://www.catspecialists.com.au/laboratory-testing.html

11/07/2024

How Cats Communicate – Part 3:

Anxiety in cats deserves more recognition. The International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) states, “A state of anxiety means that the cat experiences an emotion, particularly in an unfamiliar situation, that is an apprehensive anticipation of something bad happening.” This anticipatory fear may cause cats to act in defence of their lives and exhibit some of the defensive behaviours mentioned in our previous post.

Cats that show signs of defensive or emotional behaviours (such as hissing, biting and scratching) are often described as ‘aggressive’. This term has a huge stigma surrounding it. We avoid using this term. Signs such as hissing or growling are protective behaviours and a cat’s way of communicating their discomfort, pain or fear surrounding an interaction or situation. They are warning us they are scared. It lands in the category of repulsion, where the cat is utilizing certain behaviours to increase the distance, and subsequently decrease the interaction. Repulsion behaviours can also include swiping and biting.

These protective behaviours are generally the communication methods that will cause a cat to be termed ‘aggressive’ and lead to fear and anxiety in people. To prevent cats feeling that they need to resort to these protective or emotional behaviours, we can change our own behaviour and interactions to gain their trust.

This is such an important topic in bridging the gap between cats and their human counterparts, that we wanted to discuss it in depth. It is important that we, as veterinary professionals, have an understanding of cats as a species, to be able to accurately interpret their behaviours and tailor their individual veterinary experiences. Every cat is different!

Next week we will share our tips for ensuring we start out interactions with our feline patients on the right foot (or paw) and that their unique needs are met, so they feel comfortable and safe with us.

You can read more about anxiety in cats on the ISFM website: https://icatcare.org/advice/anxious-cats/

05/07/2024

Our very own Director and Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine, Dr Rachel Korman is honoured to be speaking at the "Online Veterinary Conference 2024".

Please join online to hear Dr Korman speak on the topic of "What I've Learned the Hard Way: Feline Infectious Respiratory Disease".

This online conference event will be held LIVE on 23 July from 7.30pm AEST.

You can register here: bit.ly/OVC24

04/07/2024

At CSS, we are lucky to have access to a variety of veterinary specialists, who work right next door at Veterinary Specialist Services.

Pictured here is Dr Chris Lam, Dr Fiona Meyers, Dr Brad Gavaghan, Dr Anna Yoo, Dr Dave Woolaston and two of our Cardiology Nurses, Tash and Taylor. Together, they make up the Veterinary Cardiologists Australia (VCA) cardiology team at Underwood.

is Australia’s largest and most experienced veterinary cardiology service, founded by Dr Fiona Meyers and Dr Brad Gavaghan, who were the only two Veterinary Cardiologists in Australia at the time.

Since then, Dr Chris Lam has completed his residency with VCA, obtained his ACVIM specialist qualifications and joined the team as their third Veterinary Cardiologist. Two Cardiology Interns have also recently joined the team - Dr Dave and Dr Anna.

VCA consult out of and CSS in Underwood and VSS in Carrara. They are currently building a VCA cardiology hospital adjacent to both VSS and CSS in Underwood.

Any feline patients VCA currently admit for diagnostics or procedures will stay in hospital with us at CSS, to provide a peaceful experience away from common stressors (e.g. barking dogs). The sickest cats may still be hospitalized in Pet ICU next door at VSS.

The VCA team are extremely knowledgeable and skilled, and it is of huge benefit to our patients for all our specialists to collaborate. This ensures our patients receive the best care, as they often have complex medical needs.

For more information visit www.veterinarycardiologistsaustralia.com.au today.

03/07/2024

😺CAT TIP😺

"Cat grass" is a great enrichment option for indoor cats. Although labelled as "grass", it is actually grown from a seed mixture of wheat, barley, oats and/or rye - not to be confused with lawn grass, which grows in different conditions and may contain dangerous pesticides.

The benefits of cat grass include:
🪴Provides enrichment and prevents boredom.
😺Aids in digestion and promotes healthy bowel movements.
🪴Adds variety to your cat's diet (which is beneficial in preventing urinary crystals).
😺Helps deter cats from other household plants that are not intended for consumption and are potentially toxic.
🪴High in moisture, which increases oral water intake (this is important in preventing kidney and urinary tract diseases).
😺It is very easy to care for, needing only indirect sunlight and watering when the soil is dry.
🪴It can easily be grown inside, where indoor cats can have regular access.

For more cat-friendly tips, please follow, like and share👇

02/07/2024

Thank you to for this Certificate of Appreciation for supporting both Veterinary Science and Veterinary Tech students on industry placement.

A big thank you to Jennine Bennett, from in Underwood, for spearheading this project.

Jennine is pictured here with fourth year student, Erin Fay, who has been spending her placement at CSS.

We are always honoured to advance both the education and careers of the next generation of veterinary specialists.

01/07/2024

😺How cats communicate – Part 2😺

Let’s talk about cat behaviour!

Understanding how cats communicate is the first step to ensuring positive interactions and a mutual respect with cats. Reading and interpreting their body language, facial expressions, vocalisations and unique behaviours is very important in understanding how cats communicate with us. By listening to what our feline friends are trying to tell us, we can foster a relationship based on mutual respect and understanding.

Cats’ communication methods can be broken up into four categories:

1. Facial expressions: including ear position, eye position, eye contact (or lack thereof), pupil size and head position.
2. Vocalisations: including meowing, purring, chirping, hissing, growling, yowling or spitting.
3. Body language: including crouching, sideways positioning, piloerection of the body & tail, leg positioning (with regards to the body position) and tail position & movements.
4. Defensive behaviours: including swatting, lunging, biting or attempts to escape.

Similar to the behaviour of any animal (dogs and humans included), cats also have a natural progression of behaviours and indirect communication before they end up showing more expressive or emotional acts (such as biting).

Body language and facial expressions are the first signs of how a cat is feeling. If a cat is scared and there is no de-escalation of what is concerning them, these signs may increase.

The misconception of cats being ’unpredictable’, often comes from a misunderstanding of their communication methods. Often, facial expressions and body language cues are missed, leading to vocalisations or defensive behaviours that may seem ‘out of the blue’. In making an effort to understand these early - and often more subtle - signs of communication, we can avoid certain behaviours from escalating.

Stay tuned for our future posts on this topic, where we will share some of our tips on how to promote positive feline interactions and avoid unnecessary escalation of undesired behaviours.

30/06/2024

Our reception area is a calm space for both cats and their owners while they wait to see our skilled team. Since our purpose-built hospital caters specifically to our feline friends, it’s only fitting for our reception area to be cat-friendly also!

Some of our finer cat-friendly touches include:
😺Elevated nooks in our reception desk where cats can be placed in their carriers, giving them a sense of safety while being elevated off the ground.
😺Towels are provided to cover carriers and maintain a feeling of safety.
😺Cat-specific products are available for elderly cats or those with certain medical conditions.
😺Pheromone diffusers promote a calm environment.

A lot of thought has been put into our reception area and we hope everyone who visits us loves it as much as we do - especially our feline visitors!

29/06/2024

A huge welcome to Chelsea, the newest Veterinary Nurse in our expanding team!

Chelsea has just moved to Brisbane from New Zealand. She is very experienced and extremely passionate about providing the best possible care for cats - having three of her own.

She is also an avid lover of all things wildlife and looks forward to exploring all that Queensland has to offer.

She is pictured here with one of her all-time favourite patients, a spotted kiwi.

We are delighted to have Chelsea on board! Please welcome her in the comments below👇👇

28/06/2024

🏥 Did you know? 🏥

Although CSS operates primarily as a referral service, we are also well-equipped to take on emergency cases. Our veterinary team is comprised of two feline emergency clinicians, who work closely with our specialist clinicians and are available to see any emergency/urgent appointments that may not be able to be seen elsewhere.

Our emergency parking bay is located directly in front of our entrance doors (pictured), ensuring that our hospital is easily accessible in an emergency. If you ever find yourself at our hospital with an emergency, please rest assured that we are equipped to provide the best care possible for your fur-babies in such situations.

25/06/2024

🩻An ultrasound is a form of diagnostic imaging used to visualise internal tissues. It is the most common diagnostic imaging tool used at CSS.
🩻Ultrasounds work by emitting sound waves from a probe, that reflect off the tissues to create a live greyscale image on the screen.
🩻Depending on the density of the structure, some tissues reflect more sound waves (e.g. stomach, liver, kidneys) and appear brighter or as a ‘white’ image on the screen. Liquids appear darker or as a ‘black’ image on the screen, as they do not reflect the sound waves.
🩻Ultrasounds are most commonly used for visualising internal tissues in the abdomen, where there are no dense, mineralized structures (e.g. bone) that will show up as ‘white’ on the image and may obstruct the view of soft tissue structures underneath.
🩻This post will therefore focus on ultrasonography of the abdomen, as this is the most common area investigated with this diagnostic tool.
🩻Our clinicians have learned, through their training and experience with ultrasonography, what is normal and what is a significant change or finding within the abdomen.
🩻The benefits of ultrasound as a diagnostic tool include:
✅More accurate imaging of soft tissue structures.
✅Ability to measure structures and capture still pictures or videos of the imagery.
✅Safer for both patients and veterinary staff (compared to X-rays that use radiation to produce imaging).
✅A less-invasive way to collect fluid and tissue samples for testing.
✅Helps evaluate the need for diagnostic surgical exploration.
🩻At CSS, we have a dedicated ultrasound suite, where our clinicians perform both sedated and un-sedated ultrasounds. Whether or not a patient receives sedation for this procedure will depend on their demeanour and stress-levels in hospital.
🩻All patients will have one or two of our trained feline nurses with them at all times to ensure their safety (if sedated) and comfort during their procedure.

24/06/2024

😺How cats communicate – Part 1😺

😺As the only feline-only specialist hospital in Queensland, our team has a lot of knowledge and experience with feline-friendly practices and interactions. This has taken time, research and understanding to get where we are today.

😺Cats are notoriously misunderstood because of their stoic and independent nature. Cats will often not show if they are injured or unwell, unless they can no longer hide it. This is a defensive behaviour to protect them from harm in the wild.

😺The knowledge of how very different cats are, when compared to dogs, is becoming better understood. Unfortunately, due to a lack of understanding, knowledge or negative experiences, some people fear cats and interacting with them.

😺In the coming weeks, we will be building on the topic of how cats communicate and focus more on what behaviour we can observe in our feline patients, that will tell us how they’re feeling.

22/06/2024

Our Director, Dr Rachel Korman, is manning the CSS exhibit at , which is being held at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre this weekend!

Part proceeds from ticket sales go to The Pet Show partner, RSPCA QLD, so please come along and support this wonderful event.

Don't forget to pop into the CSS exhibit to say hello to our team and ask any feline-related questions you may have😺😺😺

For more information, please visit www.thepetshow.com.au 😺

Address

Shop 1/1-15 Lexington Road
Underwood, QLD
4119

Website

https://www.catspecialists.com.au/

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WARNING!⚠️⚠️Graphic image⚠️⚠️ 🐱💡Pet Dental Health Month: Juvenile Periodontitis in Young Cats💡🦷 Attention, fellow cat lovers! Have you ever heard of Juvenile Periodontitis in cats? It's a bit of a tough dental issue, but knowing about it can make a big difference! 🦷 What is it? Juvenile Periodontitis isn't just about swollen gums; it involves serious gingivitis and the loss of vital tooth support. This means bleeding gums, plaque build-up and trouble around the teeth. ❗️ What causes it? It's related to the immune system overreacting to plaque, causing quick and severe gum problems in young cats. While some breeds might be more prone, any cat can be affected. 🔍 What you can do? Keep an eye out for any signs such as bleeding gums or changes in chewing habits. Regular vet check-ups are important - especially for young cats. Please share this post to help other owners support their cats' dental health. By knowing more, we can keep our cats' smiles bright and their health in top shape. 🐾 For more information and a printable handout please visit our friends at Advanced Animal Dentistry: www.animaldental.com.au/resources/oral-inflammatory-diseases/juvenile-gingivitis-periodontitis/ #catdentalhealth #felinedentalhealth #catdentist #catteeth #felineteeth #petdentalhealthmonth

Meet Coco! Coco is a Persian cross who was treated for toxoplasmosis (a rare disease caused by an overpopulation of the parasite Toxoplasma Gondii) between July and September last year. Coco first presented to Animal Emergency Service in July 2023, with vomiting and decreased appetite. She was only 9 months old at the time. After further investigation, it was discovered that Coco had a fever and elevated liver values on her blood tests. She spent the rest of the night receiving supportive care, until the morning when she was transferred to CSS. Once at CSS, Dr Rachel performed an abdominal ultrasound, which discovered some abnormal fluid and thickening. Tissue and fluid samples were collected and sent off to the external lab for testing, which eventually led to her diagnosis of toxoplasmosis of the gallbladder. The treatment for this disease consists of a four-week course of oral antiparasitic medication, antibiotics, antioxidants and supportive medications to support her organ function as she recovered. At the time of her diagnosis, Coco was stable enough to be discharged home, where she would continue her treatment. Two weeks into her treatment, Coco required an oesophageal feeding tube (O-tube) to be placed, after she was admitted to hospital again with vomiting, ptyalism (excessive salivation) and inappetence. Coco was not tolerating having to take many tablets multiple times a day, which had manifested into these physical symptoms leading to her hospital admission. After seven days in hospital with supportive treatment after her O-tube placement, she regained her appetite and her vomiting had resolved. Coco was discharged home with her O-tube still in place, allowing her dedicated owners, Les and Vera to continue to medicate her at home. After the completion of her four-week course of medication, Coco was in remission and her O-tube was removed! We recently saw Coco again recently for a follow up, she is now fully grown and continues to thrive at home wi

Introducing Gibbs! Gibbs is a 15yo domestic short hair and a regular at VSS/CSS after many different diagnoses, surgeries & hospital stays. He is a celebrity at CSS and improves morale every visit! We wanted to share the story of this brave & handsome old man: June – July 2022: History of osteoarthritis & diabetes. Gibbs was first referred to VSS after syncopal episodes. He was assessed by our internal medicine & cardiology teams and diagnosed with pancreatitis, a conductive system disorder (abnormal electrical signals in the heart) and cataracts (assessed by the ophthalmology team). March 2023: A cardiac pacemaker was placed as part of management for his conduction system disorder. July 2023: Diagnosis of uveitis & a unilateral corneal ulcer. Intermittent corneal ulcers and ocular disorders - perpetuated by his underlying conditions. November 2023: A mass on an adrenal gland was found via ultrasound, after investigating endocrine abnormalities found in blood results. January 2024: Hospitalised several times due to abnormal urinary patterns (e.g. urinating during sleep). This led to a diagnosis of bladder atony (reduced bladder muscle tone). Urinary catheter placements were required several times over the next few months to prevent complications from urinary retention. February 2024: Gibbs was hospitalised for three weeks. He had two surgeries and developed a new diagnosis. 1. Gibbs had an adrenalectomy to remove his adrenal gland and associated mass. 2. Management of Gibbs’ bladder atony was ongoing and he started new medication after developing hypertension post-adrenalectomy. 3. Surgical placement of a cystostomy tube (which bridges the bladder to an external port, allowing the bladder to be drained) after there was no resolution to his bladder atony, causing ongoing complications. April 2024: Medical boarding over Easter. Gibbs required twice daily oral medication & insulin injections; plus medicated eye drops & draining of his bladder thr

What makes our radioactive iodine bunker so special? It is called a 'bunker' because it is specially built to contain radioactive materials within its walls – shielding people on the outside from the radiation within. The walls and ceiling are made of thick concrete and some walls are lead-lined to deflect radiation. The building of this bunker required input from engineers, physicists and radiation safety consultants, in order to meet government safety requirements and be approved for use. A lot of work and planning that has gone into this bunker - not only to make it safe, but also to make sure it is a comfortable and stimulating place for cats to live for up to a week. Our large suites, natural skylight, garden wall and TV’s (that play all sorts of cat-friendly offerings), have all been included for our patients’ benefit. We want to make their stay comfortable and stress-free, where they can just be 'cats', while still receiving their radioactive treatment. You can read more about our Radioactive Iodine Bunker and i131 treatment on our website: www.catspecialists.com.au/radioactive-iodine.html

Meet Phyllis! Phyllis is a 7-year-old Manx cross and is one of the rescue cats in the care of @catcuddlecafe Cat Cuddle Cafe Brisbane. Phyllis came to see us last week for a CT scan with contrast, a bronchoscopy (camera scope of the bronchi) and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) to investigate her ongoing cough, sneezing and nasal discharge. Phyllis had previously had chest X-rays before being treated with steroids (both oral and via an inhaler), oral antibiotics and nebulization. Her symptoms had not resolved after this medical management, and she would occasionally vomit after coughing. The decision was made to progress to a CT and BAL to find a definitive diagnosis for her symptoms. BAL procedures are commonly performed to diagnose certain lung conditions that involve infection of the lung tissue. This procedure involves sterile saline being flushed into the lungs and then removed via suction. The saline collects cells and microorganisms from the lungs as it is flushed through, to be sent for testing. BAL’s are often performed in conjunction with a bronchoscope, so that we can visualize the airways before and after the lavage. It also allows us to detect any structural abnormalities in the airways. Patients are under a full general anaesthetic for this procedure, with an endotracheal (ET) tube placed in their trachea. This tube delivers oxygen and anaesthetic gas and is also where the saline is administered. After administering the saline, the airways are suctioned to remove all remaining fluid and ensure the patient can oxygenate appropriately. A special ‘trap’ is attached to the suction tubing where the fluid is collected for sampling. Phyllis recovered from her anaesthetic on oxygen and with close monitoring from our nursing team. Phyllis was a star patient and was discharged the same day. Her CT images and BAL samples were sent off for interpretation and testing and we are still awaiting the results. Hopefully, the additional diagnostic testing will p

Today is "World Pet Memorial Day" and we honour our furrToday is "World Pet Memorial Day" and we honour our furr#worldpetmemorialy friends past🐾 ⁠ On this special day, dedicated to cherished companions who have crossed the rainbow bridge, we extend our deepest empathy and support to all pet parents. ⁠ ⁠ CSS understands the profound bond you shared with your beloved pets - we share the same bond with our own pets. ⁠ ⁠ Whether you're seeking information on grief counseling, memorialization options or simply a compassionate ear to share your memories, our team is here for you. Let's come together to honor the joy, love and laughter your pets have brought into your lives.⁠ ⁠ Join us in commemorating the beautiful souls who have left pawprints on our hearts. Comment below with your cherished memories, photos and/or stories.⁠ ⁠ Let's celebrate the lives of our four-legged friends and support each other through the journey of grief. Remember, they may be gone, but their spirits live on in the love we have shared 🐾 #worldpetmemorial #WorldPetMemorialDay #PetMemorialDay #petmemorial #LoveYourPets #rainbowbridge #rainbowbridgepets #petspast

Today is National Siamese Cat Appreciation Day over in the States, so we wanted to take the opportunity to join in the celebration and show our appreciation and admiration of this beautiful breed. We see a lot of Siamese cats at CSS and so our team has got to know the breed very well. Records of the Siamese breed date back to the late 1300s where the breed was described as the native cats of the ancient Siamese city of Ayudha. The most well-known coloring of the breed is seal point or chocolate point (a lighter variation of the seal point). Over the years, other colour variations such as blue point and lilac point have been created, as well as some hybrid colours, breeds (e.g. Tonkinese) and variations of the typical angular Siamese body shape. Siamese cats have very distinct personalities: they are very intelligent, chatty and opinionated. The typical Siamese vocalization or ‘howl’ is very well known between those who own and know the breed. Please show us your Siamese cats in the comments or send us a DM, we love to see them! #catvet #siamesecat #vet #vetnurse

We just wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who sponsored and/or exhibited at our VSS Conference at the Hilton Hotel - Brisbane. We could not have put on such a wonderful event without your generosity and we truly appreciate all of your contributions. QML Vetnostics Pet Angels Royal Canin @ADM Knight Benedikt Australia Molnlycke Health Care Vepalabs Veterinary Pathology VT Australia Petsinpeace GapOnly BOQ Specialist iM3 Australia MedicalPlus Zoetis VET1 IIDEX MedX ZebraVet East Coast Commercial Atlas Diagnostics Improve Veterinary Education UK Cenvet Australia Boehringer Ingelheim

Leaving home when you have a cat with complicated (or even not that complicated) medical problems can be difficult. At CSS we offer medical boarding for pre-existing CSS patients and cats who have received radioactive iodine treatment with us. We love our regular patients and have designed a special boarding facility to provide a “home away from home” where cats can still get the medical care and love they need while their owners are away. In this short video, our Veterinary Nurse, Michelle showcases our "Lord of the Rings" exercise room for cats who are in medical boarding, which has been specially curated by our Specialist in Feline Internal Medicine (and LOTR fan), Dr Rachel Korman. #catboarding #catmedicalboarding #lordoftherings #lotr #lordoftheringsdecor #lotrdecor #cathousedecor #catexerciseroom

CSS is delighted to provide the best possible care for cats experiencing Hyperthyroidism in our dedicated radioactive iodine unit. Radioactive iodine is considered the best treatment for most cats of any age because it is simple, effective and safe. If hyperthyroidism is left untreated, symptoms can become severe and the disease can be fatal. In this short video, Dr Rachel Korman explains the lengths we have gone to to ensure your cat is very comfortable during their treatment with us - we even have a vertical garden with big screen TVs that show videos of fish swimming!! For more information on our radioactive iodine unit please visit www.catspecialists.com.au today. #catiodinetreatment #catthyroid #cathyperthyroid #catradiation #radiationforcats #thyroidtreatmentforcats

Don't miss out on the 2024 VSS Conference - tickets are going fast!! 🚀 Join Australia's top veterinary professionals for two days of expert-led talks and presentations. With over 90 sessions, it's bound to be an unforgettable learning experience! 🐾 Hurry, limited tickets left - secure your spot now!! Guest speakers will include our very own Specialists, Dr Rachel Korman, Dr Alison Dukes, Dr Kristy Stone; as well as our Veterinary Nurses, Natalie Hunt and Kate Pembroke. View our delegate information page for more details here www.vssconference.com/delegate-information.html Grab your last-minute tickets here 👉 www.vssconference.com/ See you at the Hilton Hotel - Brisbane @hiltonhotels next weekend!! #vssconference #vetconference #vetspeakers #hilton #hiltonhotelbrisbane #HiltonHotels #conferencetime #catspecialists #veterinaryconference

Thank you to everyone who attended the grand opening of our Cat Specialist Services hospital - especially all the kids who entered various competitions and Royal Canin Pet Angels and Vetoquinol for sponsoring and donating prizes for these competitions. CONGRATULATIONS to the following WINNERS of our "Bandage the Kitty" timed competition (which is demonstrated in this video): 1st PLACE: Vivienne 2nd PLACE: Ruby 3rd PLACE: Pixie It looks like we have some future veterinary specialists on our hands!! #catspecialists #royalcanin #petangels #vetoquinol #competitiontime #brisbanecompetitions #prizewinners #kidvets #catpeople #CatLoversUnite #catsofinstagram #brisbanemums

Today is "Employee Appreciation Day" and we'd like to take this opportunity to recognise the effort, expertise, knowledge, passion and exceptional patient care of our team. Thank you for all that you do. CSS would not be such a success without you. We appreciate you every single day for everything you do!! #EmployeeAppreciation #EmployeeAppreciationDay #bestteamever #teamculture