Wauchope Vets

07/04/2025

Rip’s ties himself in a knot! 😷 Gross Alert!!! 🤮 ‼️
Rip, had a chew on a tasty 1.2 meter long rope (seasoned on a crab trap!) and tied his bowel up in knots! 🙁🪢
Rip came to Wauchope Vets after looking sad, not eating for a few days, and passing bits of blood in his stools. His initial conservative medical treatment didn’t resolve these issues so we took some X-rays 🩻 and Ultrasound of his bowel…….😳 wow, this quickly allowed us to diagnose his problem….a gut blockage with his intestines placating / concertina-ing along a liner foreign body (likely a sting/rope).
Linear foreign bodies are really nasty and will lead to multiple perforations as the string/rope cuts thru the bowel as the intestines contract along the string/rope trying to pull/move it down the gut.
Michael took Rip into surgery could immediately feel the tight rope placating the bowel.
Locating the end of the rope still stuck in the stomach, we removed most of the rope, then had to find the opposite end in the lower bowel and remove the rest.
The abrasion of the rope on the bowel had caused massive bruising and trauma (only obvious once we had removed the rope and allowed the bowel to stretch back out).
Thankfully after many medications, 💊 (pain relief, fluids, antibiotics and gut protects) Rip regained his appetite and his bowels are recovering ❤️‍🩹! Rip is a very lucky dog, another 24 hours delay in surgery would likely have been fatal! He is now back eating again and so much brighter!

26/03/2025

A blast from the past! Dr Frank Arnell started as a vet in Wauchope decades ago and was the original veterinarian to start a clinic in Port Macquarie. Frank had not owned a pet for many years and just recently acquired Bowie. Frank came to a vet reunion that Michael organised and also accomodated Tamara when she came for her job inter with and in the process we got to know him and his great legacy! So when Bowie needed some surgery we were quite chuffed to welcome them in!

16/02/2025

After 4 wonderful years of looking after our clients and our team, Janelle is moving back to the pharmacy world. We have been so fortunate to have had Janelle this long, and we will miss her caring presence and smiling face around the clinic. Please join us in thanking Janelle for her exceptional dedication and wishing her all the best in her next adventure! ❤️

22/01/2025

Some cool advice!

It's not just people who need help staying cool in summer. Dogs can experience heat stroke and there are simple ways to keep them safe.

24/12/2024

Please watch where you’re hiding those chocolate presents!! The smell is too tempting to many dogs! Chocolate is quite toxic to dogs! Keep them safe and have a great Xmas!!

22/12/2024

🎄Christmas Open Hours 🎄 For any emergencies outside our open hours, please call us on 6585 1626 to be directed to the on call vet. Have a Pawsome Christmas! 🎅 🤶

21/12/2024

With a heat wave coming today and tomorrow, please be mindful of how your pets can cope! Don’t walk them during the middle of the day and make sure they have access to shade and water. Some breeds will suffer from heat stroke easier than others, so keep an eye out for any of these symptoms. Stay cool! 😎

30/11/2024

If you have been unable to get a vet or an appointment when you have wanted to….the vet shortage has impacted us all!

Regional veterinary jobs are taking more than 12 months to fill, but a Riverland clinic has found a short-term solution to boost workforce and mental health outcomes.

26/11/2024

Does your pet look like you? Or the other way around? 😂 Saw and his post and laughed! We have often thought this was the case now they are proving it!!!

13/11/2024

Storm alert for your pets! Get them settled in a nice calm and secure environment and if we have prescribed calming medications for storm phobias or anxiety then now is the time to use/give them (before the storm hits!)

12/11/2024

Even the vets dog gets ticks!! But a massive sense of relief 😮‍💨 that it was dead from the recent dose of Bravecto Quantum Lulo received! We saw three cases of tick paralysis in one morning last week. There are many effective preventatives out there, but wishful thinking hasn’t been shown to be effective at all!

30/10/2024

🎄 It’s only 8 weeks to Christmas! 🎄 That means it’s time to make sure your pets are ready for the holiday season, need to book in their vaccinations before going to the boarding kennels? Do they need their prescriptions or preventives organised for your trip away? Don’t delay, call us today! Or book online through our website www.wauchopevets.com.au

25/10/2024

Spring time see’s a rush of well-meaning people bringing young birds into the vet clinic…..please don’t be offended or suprised if we refuse to take them & send you back!! Please understand this is a normal and natural development phase for all birds!

So you FOUND A BIRD on the ground, NOW WHAT?? 🤔🐦

🪶 Does the bird appear injured? Can they move? Are they a baby and naïve to the fact they should move?
🪶 If there's an obvious injury, pick them up carefully & transfer them with as little handling/disruption as possible to a suitable carrier (cardboard box with holes and a towel for example) & bring them to your nearest vet
🪶If the bird is stunned (after hitting a window for example) move it to a safe location. A quiet, shady location with an elevated surface is ideal. These birds usually just need a bit of time to recover. 🥴
❤️‍🩹If the bird isn’t moving after half an hour or so, take them to your nearest vet for assessment for internal injuries.

🐣BUT IT'S JUST A BABY BIRD, WHAT THEN??🐥
If the bird appears young (nestling or fledgling) and is in an odd location but otherwise unharmed, the best thing you can do is:
🩵 See if you can observe the birds parents/family around 👀
🩵 Carefully place the bird in a small box or container. Ideally lined with dry leaves or a dry rag (but not 100% necessary)
🩵 Place the box in an elevated spot (a tree, a concrete ledge in a car park for pigeons, roof awning for sparrows etc) that is reasonably out of the weather and direct sun.
🩵 LEAVE THEM TO IT! Their parents will find them. These little guys are often just learning how to fly, it takes time 🥹✨

14/10/2024

The toughest decision we may have to make! There is help and guidance available! We try and help pet owners navigate these difficult and confusing times!

Deciding when to end the life of an old or sick pet can be incredibly tough, so many animal owners are now seeking help from bereavement counsellors.

13/10/2024

👀 Did you spot Michael in the local Focus magazine? You can find him and Lulo on page 111 of the October issue and get some tips on important things all pet owners should be on the lookout for 🐾

06/10/2024

Puppy school is the most beneficial and important thing you can do for your pet. The Tate’s are all about promoting an understanding of your pet’s behaviour and teach you how to tap into their desire to play/learn and please you!

Wauchope Vet Puppy School IS BACK!

It’s been a long time coming but October marks the return of TATE in-person puppy school at 💃💃💪💪 🐶

Commencing Tuesday 15th of October 5:45-6:45pm for 4 consecutive weeks.

Ideal for puppies aged between 8-12 weeks but we accept puppies up to 16 weeks.

Topics covered: Training basic behaviours, tackling problem behaviours, independence, social skills, puppy management, resource guarding, on-lead walking, games, outlets and more!

COST - $160 for the course.

Contact [email protected] to book your puppy in.

05/10/2024

A delayed post of last week’s visitors!