Avenue Road Stirling Veterinary Surgery

18/12/2024

By now, most pet owners are aware that chocolate (or other products containing cacao beans or cocoa) can cause dangerous poisoning in dogs and cats. 🍫

If your pet demonstrates any of these signs, we’d advise an immediate phone call to our team or the Animal Poisons Helpline for further advice. 📞

16/12/2024

Whilst extendable leads can give your pet the freedom to explore, they should be used with caution. 🌳

For more information on calm, safe walks for you and your pet, consult our helpful team.

11/12/2024

Whilst off-leash dog areas can be a great way to provide your pet with free exercise and playtime, they can also pose some risks to your pet’s safety. 🐕

For more advice on off-leash pet areas, consult our behaviourally-brainy team! 🤓

09/12/2024

Any pet out and about in the summer heat and/or humidity can be at risk of developing dangerous heatstroke. Particularly prone are those pets with breathing compromise (e.g. flatter-faced breeds such as bulldogs) or very thick coats (such as golden retrievers). ☀️

If your pet is drooling excessively or looks weak or wobbly, it’s best to wet them down and then transport them in an air-conditioned vehicle for an urgent assessment with our experienced vets. 🚗🐶

04/12/2024

If you and your pet will be visiting the beach or another waterway this summer, we’d advise keeping them by your side so that you can keep an eye out for wayward fish hooks. 🏖️

Unfortunately, fish hooks (with remnants of bait on them) are sometimes left scattered around popular fishing areas, and are then unintentionally snatched up by greedy pets. 🐟🐕

If you suspect your pet may have unfortunately “taken the bait”, we’d recommend a prompt assessment with one of our vets.

02/12/2024

Has anyone seen this baby around Stirling/Crafers?

She has just been found in the hills!! We are collecting her now thank you for your help!

LOST: Olive, Dog, STIRLING /CRAFERS 2/12/24
Our darling little Olive is missing in the Stirling / Crafers area. There was a possible sighting of her near the Stirling off ramp at 4.20 today. Olive is a black & tan Kelpie Cross Rough Collie. She is wearing a pink collar and is micro-chipped. She is very friendly but obviously very scared because of the storm. Hopefully she will come to you if you call her. Any sightings or information, please phone 0425 619 169
https://www.facebook.com/clo.matthews

02/12/2024

During summer, we see a “step up” in the number of pet paw pad injuries. 🐾

If you note a scrape-like abrasion on your dog’s paw, you can usually manage this at home by: Limiting them to very short walks on soft dry ground for 10-14 days, to allow the injury to heal. For toileting in wet weather, temporarily taping a thick plastic bag over your pet’s entire paw to keep the wound clean and dry – just ensure you remove this promptly afterwards to prevent the paw from becoming sweaty and irritated. ☔

However, if your pet’s paw injury is a deeper cut that may require stitching, we’d advise a prompt check-up with one of our pawsome vets. 🩹

27/11/2024

Planning is key to a successful boarding stay. If you’re planning to leave your anxious dog at a boarding kennel, it’s important to ensure they have what they need to make their stay successful. 🐕

Inform your kennel ahead of time of their needs, and ensure you supply enough medication (if they are medicated) to last the duration of the stay. 💊 Always provide several emergency contacts including veterinarian details. It’s worth considering alternatives to boarding also, if you don’t think your dog will cope well.

25/11/2024

If you’ve recently gotten a puppy, you might have wondered if they can go into boarding kennels when you go away.

Boarding kennels might not be the best option for young puppies. 🐶 All dogs should be appropriately vaccinated prior to going into kennels, so that means puppies under 4 months of age might not be fully vaccinated yet.

Additionally, puppies can have high needs, so might require more hands-on support than is traditionally provided at many kennels. Other options include full-time pet sitters or relatives and friends. 🏡

20/11/2024

If you’re planning to go away this summer, it’s important to plan how your dog will get vet care while you’re away. 🌞

If you’re taking them with you, ensure you have enough medication to last while you’re away and look up your closest veterinary clinic, particularly for after-hours care. 🐕

If they are staying home, ensure their caregiver knows who your vet is (both in-hours and after-hours) and how they will pay for treatment if you cannot be contacted.

18/11/2024

It can be difficult to medicate a cat. 🐾 However, these days, when it comes to anti-parasitic treatments, there are so many options that even the fussiest cat can tolerate.

It’s important your cat has protection against fleas, worms and ticks year-round if they go outside (even on a leash). 🌳 If they’re indoors only, they still require treatment against worms and fleas, however often at a reduced frequency.

Contact the clinic if you aren’t sure what your cat needs.

13/11/2024

If you’re planning on putting your dog in boarding these holidays, it’s important their annual vaccinations are up to date. 🐕

Most kennels will require proof of a C5 vaccination in the past 12 months to be accepted for boarding. However, if you really want to ensure your dog is protected, they need to have the vaccine booster at least 2 weeks prior to boarding, to ensure maximum immunity.

Contact the clinic today if you need your dog’s vaccines boosted. 🏥

11/11/2024

One of the most common infectious diseases in cats is called ‘cat flu’.

Just like the flu in humans, cat flu can be caused by several different viruses, including calicivirus and herpesvirus. 🤒 While often self-limiting, it can cause severe disease in some cats. If your cat develops a persistent cough, heavy nasal discharge, ulcers of the mouth or nose, inappetence or has difficulty breathing, they should see a vet. Treatments are available to reduce symptoms. 🐾

06/11/2024

When going away on holidays, it can be difficult to know what’s the best option for your cat. Should you book a pet sitter, or should you take them to a cattery? 🐱

When trying to decide, take into account your individual cat’s needs and personality. If they have medical conditions or are elderly, they might require additional care. 💼 Never leave your cats unattended for extended periods of time.

If you’re unsure what’s best for your cat, our team would be happy to guide you.

04/11/2024

Whether your dog loves going for a drive or not, it’s important to always prioritise safety. 🐕‍🦺

Dogs should be secured in the rear of the car, using either a car harness and tether or a travel crate. This is because in an accident, dogs could become airborne and risk serious injury to themselves and others in the car. 🚗

If travelling in a ute, ensure dogs are tethered appropriately to the middle of the tray so they cannot fall off the sides. Never leave a dog in a hot car.

28/10/2024

When young children and cats need to share the same space, we recommend a few safety measures to help ensure the enjoyment and comfort of both parties.

Firstly, children below seven years of age should be supervised with cats, as they cannot always reliably read feline body language to know when the cat’s had enough!

Secondly, we advise that every cat living with children has at least one child-free retreat zone (such as an elevated bed or a room cordoned off by a baby-gate) where they can hide if they are feeling overwhelmed.

With the right prep, cats and children can become purr-fect friends! 😻🧒

24/10/2024

🌟Meet Athena - Our New Receptionist! 🌟

We are excited to introduce Athena, who brings her warm smile and passion for animal care to our team! A true animal lover with a background in customer service , Athena understands the importance of making both pets and their owners feel comfortable and valued. 🐾
“Building Long-lasting relationships with our clients is very important to me. I love connecting with animals, especially my little Chihuahua, Princess” says Athena (pictured here with Princess 🐕♥️)

Pop in to say hello next time you visit - we can’t wait for you to meet her!

23/10/2024

Whilst choke chains and prong collars are occasionally still used for helping to control strong or excitable dogs, we strongly advise against their use. ⚠️

These types of collars can potentially cause permanent damage to the windpipe or the soft tissues around the neck, not to mention being painful for the dog.

Instead, we recommend training your pet with gentle walking aids, such as humane headcollars. For recommendations on humane walking devices and positive method trainers who can help guide you and your dog to calmer walks, please contact our knowledgeable team. 🐕