West Gippsland Vet Care

10/01/2025

Thanks ABC Gippsland for the great write up 😃 The Vet Mob - Indigenous Dog Health Program

Donations are always welcome! https://chuffed.org/project/94518-indigenous-dog-health-program?utm_id=94518

Fold-out tables in the open air become a surgery for volunteer vets who travel to remote Northern Territory communities to provide free life-saving services to pets.

09/01/2025

Cats are fastidious groomers, with undergrooming often a sign of illness, pain or other problems. However, sometimes cats can overgroom. 🛁 When cats groom too much, they can leave patches in their coat and cause skin irritation.

Overgrooming can be caused by a number of conditions, such as stress, external parasites like fleas, allergies or behavioural issues like OCD. 🐾

If your cat grooms too much, contact us today to find out why and get them help.

07/01/2025

Have you ever wondered why cats, who are carnivores, love to eat grass (even though they often vomit it back up again)? 🌿

While we don’t know for sure, it’s been suggested that cats may eat grass for a number of reasons, and not just because they are feeling unwell. Although they can’t digest grass, cats may eat it to ease digestion (adding fibre to diet), for vitamins like folic acid or just simply because they enjoy the taste and texture of grass. 🐱

Curious about your cat’s behaviour? Ask us during your next visit!

02/01/2025

Introducing your dog to a new puppy pal should be fun. However, we all know that not all pets get along, particularly if it’s their first time meeting. 🐾

To prevent any faux pas, make sure to always introduce new dogs slowly and on neutral ground (such as the local park). You know your dog best – if they are the life of the party, it probably won’t take long for friendships to be made. However, if they are a little introverted or standoffish, take extra time for intros.

For more advice on introducing new pets, contact our team today! 🌟

26/12/2024

Australians love the beach, and our dogs are generally no different. 🌊 However, it’s important to always monitor your pets when they swim at the beach. 🐾

Every year, dozens of pets suffer salt water ingestion or aspiration, either through drinking salt water or inhaling it accidentally. Call your vet if you’re worried your pet might have ingested or inhaled salt water.

24/12/2024

It’s going to be a hot summer this year! ☀️ Ensure your pets stay cool by keeping an eye on the weather and always providing them with plenty of shade, a cool, well-ventilated space, and lots of fresh water.

If you have particularly vulnerable pets, consider taking extra precautions to ensure they stay cool this summer. 🐰

19/12/2024

’Tis the season for family catch-ups and feasting! 🎄 While the delicious festive foods are a highlight of this time of year, they can also present a risk to our pets. Every Christmas, we unfortunately see dogs develop pancreatitis after eating high-fat foods. 🍗 Avoid feeding your dog fatty scraps, meats, and greasy foods as these can trigger episodes of pancreatitis.

17/12/2024

Have you ever taken your dog for a walk only for them to have some vomiting or diarrhoea afterward? 🤢 It’s not uncommon for dogs to pick things up during a walk, particularly at high-traffic areas like dog parks. 🐕

If you aren’t sure what your dog ate or they seem unwell, get them checked by a vet. Don’t ignore gastro symptoms after a walk. 📞

16/12/2024

🐾 A Huge Thank You to Our Amazing Clients! 🐾

We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who generously donated towels to our clinic! Your kindness and support are truly appreciated and have made a big difference in the care we provide for our furry patients. 🐶🐱

Thanks to your thoughtful contributions, we now have all the towels we need! At this time, we’re not accepting any more donations, but we are incredibly grateful for all that you’ve given.

Thank you again for being such an important part of our clinic family. Your support means the world to us and the pets we care for! ❤️

12/12/2024

Follow our two tips to become a master of dog walking etiquette! 🐶

Always have effective control over your dog. This means either using a leash or reliable recall. If your dog doesn’t always come when called, they should be on a leash. We recommend solid leashes fixed to a harness or well-fitted collar. 🐕‍🦺

Always carry dog poo bags and pick up after your dog. 🧴 Ensure to dispose of this waste in an appropriate bin.

05/12/2024

As temperatures climb, the surfaces our dogs walk on can become searingly hot. 🥵

While many people know pavement and bitumen can get too hot for our dog’s paws, it’s important to remember sand can also burn delicate paw pads. 🐾

If you visit the beach on a hot day, make sure your dog has plenty of access to shade and consider visiting early in the morning or late in the day to avoid the highest temperatures.

04/12/2024

We run diagnostic screening tests during your dog’s routine wellness visit and compare test results from year to year to better understand the status of your dog’s health.

03/12/2024

If you’re planning on going camping with your dog this summer, make sure you prepare ahead of time to ensure a successful trip. 🏕️ Research the area you are travelling to and check where the nearest veterinarian is located, in case your pet becomes unwell. Bring all of their medication, food, and plenty of clean water for the duration of the trip. 🐕 Ensure their parasite control and vaccinations are up to date, particularly tick control and leptospirosis vaccination.

02/12/2024

🐍 Snakebite Awareness for Your Pets 🐾

With warm, sunny days returning, snakes are becoming more active, and it's important to keep your pets safe! 🐍

Snakebite Symptoms to Watch For:
🚨 Collapse followed by apparent recovery.
🚨 Lethargy or sudden weakness/wobbliness (ataxia).
🚨 Muscle tremors, shaking, or reduced eye blinking.
🚨 Dilated pupils.
🚨 Paralysis (partial or complete).
🚨 Inability to control bladder and bowels.
🚨 Irregular bleeding from the nose, bite site, or mouth.
🚨 Discoloured or dark urine, often bloody.

Prevention Tips:
🌿 On hot days, keep your pets away from snake-prone areas like dams, creeks, and tall grass.
🐾 Always supervise them outdoors, especially in areas with known snake activity.

If you even suspect a snakebite:
⚠️ Don’t wait for symptoms to appear—seek veterinary care immediately. Time is critical, and early treatment can save lives.

If you suspect your pet has been bitten by a snake:
1️⃣ Stay calm and keep your pet as still as possible.
2️⃣ Head to your closest vet offering emergency care right away.
3️⃣ Call ahead so the team can prepare for your arrival.
4️⃣ Never attempt to catch or kill the snake—your safety is important too.

🚨 Snakebites are always a veterinary emergency. Early intervention saves lives! 🚨

Let’s work together to keep your pets safe this snake season. Contact us if you have any questions or concerns. 🐾💛

28/11/2024

If your cat becomes anxious or temperamental in unfamiliar environments, 🐾 you may naturally feel a little concerned about taking them to a boarding facility.

Here are our team’s top tips for easing less easy-going cats into boarding:

Let the boarding facility know about your cat’s behavioural quirks, so they can give them a little extra TLC from the get-go 💼
Consult our vets about safe options for decreasing your cat’s stress 🐱 – depending on your pet, this may involve calming sprays, supplements, or prescribed medications
Ask the boarding facility about how you can help your cat settle in – this may involve supplying familiar bedding, treats or food 🛏️

For more personalised feline behavioural advice, consult our “clawsome” team!

27/11/2024

🌟 Old Towel Drive! 🌟

We're calling on our amazing community to help us replenish our towel supplies at the clinic. If you have any old towels you no longer need, we'd love to give them a second life caring for our furry patients.

💡 Please: Towels only – no blankets, thanks!

Drop your donations off during our opening hours. Your support makes a world of difference to the animals in our care. 🐾❤️

Thank you 😀!

26/11/2024

Can puppies and kittens go into boarding? 🐕🐱 With the right preparation: yes!

We’d recommend that young pets only attend boarding facilities once they have received all their puppy/kitten vaccinations, to ensure that they are protected against common infectious diseases. You should also double-check the specific vaccination policies of your boarding facility to confirm that your pet meets their admission criteria. ✅

Additionally, it’s important to ensure that your pet is up to date with effective parasite prevention and will remain covered for the duration of their stay.

For personalised advice on the safest infection protection for your pet, consult our knowledgeable veterinary team!