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Monday 8:30am - 5:30pm Tuesday 8:30am - 5:30pm Wednesday 8:30am - 5:30pm Thursday 8:30am - 5:30pm Friday 8:30am - 5:30pm

Murray River Animal Hospital - Wodonga

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Murray River Animal Hospital - Wodonga

We are the only Accredited Stress Free Vet Clinic in Albury-Wodonga. We love complex cases too, so for a second opinion we are delighted to help.
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We provide a calm, positive experience for your furkids, so if your pet doesn't like the vet, give us a try.

17/06/2024

We so excited for tomorrow - Jim's Dog Wash West Wodonga has their first day here! There are still a couple of spots left. If you'd like to book in, please contact Geoff & Jess directly for available times at Jim's Dog Wash And Grooming (West Wodonga).

If you have an anxious dog who needs extra love and attention, this is the perfect opportunity to get them pampered. Not only do Geoff & Jess take SO much extra care to ensure a calm, enjoyable experience but we have a vet right here to help their experience go as smoothly as possible. See you tomorrow!

16/06/2024

We have some on-the-day appointments available to start the week! Please call MRAH on ☎60541838 to book your pet in with Dr Harry today or tomorrow.

14/06/2024

🐶 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘀😺
Arthritis is a painful disease of the joints, which any animal can suffer. But we do see it most often in older pets and the cold weather definitely makes it worse.

You might notice:
🐾 stiff or slow movements, especially after resting
🐾 reluctance to jump up on the lounge or into the car
🐾 dragging their legs or having trouble up & down stairs
🐾 rough coat where they can no longer reach to groom (cats especially)
🐾 grumpiness or a reluctance to be touched.

If you're noticing these signs in your pet, you can start helping immediately by making their bedding easier to get in and out of (add an extra blanket or two as well), reducing hard exercise and keeping them inside where it's warm. But the only way to actually treat arthritis is with vet care. We can offer pain relief as well as medications which can help restore some joint function. We also look at nutrition, supplements, exercise, lifestyle adjustments, and even surgery, to help your old pet live in comfort.

Please give MRAH a call on ☎60541838 if you'd like an arthritis assessment for your old boy or girl.

12/06/2024

We promised you an update and here it is - Jim's Dog Wash West Wodonga will be starting at MRAH next week! If you'd like to book in for their first day with us, Tuesday 18 June, please contact Geoff & Jess directly for available times at Jim's Dog Wash And Grooming (West Wodonga).

We're so thrilled to have them here 😁 If you've got a dog who's been hesitant with grooming, this is the perfect opportunity to help them get started. And because we're right here, we have a vet readily accessible if need be to help their experience go as smoothly as possible.

09/06/2024

We are closed today for the King's Birthday public holiday. If you have an emergency, please call the regular clinic number ☎️60541838. You’ll be put through to VetChat where an experienced vet will triage your call and, if needed, put you through to our oncall service.

We will be open as usual tomorrow from 8:30am-5:30pm.

07/06/2024

A massive congratulations to our wonderful Hannah on completing her Certificate IV in Vet Nursing! We're so proud of your achievement and love having you on our team 🥰 we hope you enjoy reclaiming your weekends from study!

05/06/2024

Pookie would like to remind everyone that the King's Birthday public holiday is fast approaching! If you need food or medication over this period, please call MRAH on ☎️60541838 today to order so it arrives in time.

We also still have appointments available this week for any pre-holiday pet care you need 🙂

03/06/2024

🐶 𝗪𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 🐱
Winter is here! Just like us humans, the furry members of our families appreciate some extra warmth and care when the cold weather settles in. To help protect your pets against the cold:

🐾 keep them warm. Coats aren't just cute, for older pets or pets with short fur, the extra layer of warmth really helps when they're outside.

🐾 keep them dry. Dampness can lead to skin irritations or chapped, cracked skin. If they do get damp, dry them off with a towel, paying attention to their paws with gentle dabbing so you don't irritate the sensitive skin between their toes.

🐾 keep them safe. If you've got a wood fire, move your pet away when adding another log of wood so sparks and ashes can't burn them.

Especially with our older pets, the cold weather can make stiff joints more noticeable. Stay tuned, as we'll be talking more about arthritis and other ways to help the older members of our fur family this month 🥰

31/05/2024

We've been sharing lots of tips about anxiety management for our (human) followers this month. But for our doggie followers, this is what YOUR stress-free experience at MRAH looks like! 😁

31/05/2024

🐶 𝗖𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗰𝗵? 🐶

Dr Leanne is conducting a research project into behaviour. This is a continuously developing area of research which Leanne is passionate about as both a research scientist and a vet.

If you have a dog who:
🐾 seems misunderstood by everyone except you
🐾 is great at home but has trouble in public
🐾 is 'naughty'
🐾 growls when you give them a command
🐾 was euthanised because of a behaviour issue

then please email 𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗶𝗻@𝗺𝗿𝗮𝗵.𝗰𝗼𝗺.𝗮𝘂 - we will send you a link to an anonymous survey*. The data collected will contribute to further understanding how we can continue to strengthen the bond between dogs and humans.

If you would like non-anonymous support for a behaviour issue, you can book a behaviour consultation with Leanne and nurse Lily, our accredited trainer, on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Please call ☎️60541838 to book.

*𝘸𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘭𝘺 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘦𝘺 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘱𝘢𝘯𝘵𝘴 𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘸𝘩𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘷𝘦𝘵/𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘪𝘴 𝘰𝘳 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘯𝘺𝘮𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘯𝘺 𝘴𝘦𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥. 𝘓𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘢 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘔𝘙𝘈𝘏'𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴-𝘧𝘳𝘦𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩 𝘢𝘴 𝘸𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘯 𝘝𝘦𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘉𝘦𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘎𝘳𝘰𝘶𝘱.

29/05/2024

🐱 𝗭𝘆𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗻𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗺 𝗰𝗮𝘁𝘀 & 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 🐶

As you’ve probably gathered, we love helping your furbabies feel as calm and relaxed as possible! One of the products we can use for this is Zylkene. It’s a supplement you can add to your pet’s diet to help them manage stressful situations like:
🐾 Travelling or boarding
🐾 Visiting the vet
🐾 Staying home alone
🐾 Thunderstorms, fireworks or any noisy situation
🐾 Welcoming new members of the family (human or pet)
🐾 Grooming
🐾 Moving house

Pets can take it every day to help with their anxiety, and some owners feel more comfortable giving this since it's a natural product. In some cases we find that it's a great additive to prescription medication for anxiety.

You can learn more about Zylkene on their website (https://zylkene.com.au/) and we stock Zylkene for both cats and dogs. You can pop in to MRAH anytime to buy it over the counter.

26/05/2024

We’re so excited to announce our newest collaboration! Jim's Dog Wash And Grooming will soon be parking at MRAH to offer varying grooming services for dogs.

With a special focus on positive experience grooming, Geoff & Jess have a strong passion for dogs, especially when it comes to making them feel safe, loved and happy. And with our team literally on site, we'll be able to provide support for anxious dogs who might need help to stay calm and relaxed.

Jim's Dog Wash West Wodonga are currently taking new clients and we’ll have more information about their days at MRAH coming soon!

24/05/2024

We all know the soothing purr of a happy cat. Can't you just imagine them grinning like the Cheshire cat as they do it? 😺

Well cats DO smile, just not like that. Happy and content cats smile by having a soft face, narrow eyelids and giving a slow blink. Cats will give this special look to the humans they are most comfortable with, and blinking back strengthens the bond.

The best way to make friends with a cat is to slow blink at them when they are calm and looking at you. If they smile back, you may be on your way to a beautiful friendship 🥰

22/05/2024

🐱 𝗠𝘂𝗹𝘁𝗶-𝗰𝗮𝘁 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 🐱

Cat ownership is on the rise, with about 33% of Australian households having feline family members. And about 33% of those households have more than one cat*. Most cat species are solitary hunters, and while the domestic puss is highly adaptable we still need to keep their origins in mind. With a few careful considerations from cat parents, multi-cat households can be very happy and peaceful places.

Here are some tips to help your cats get along:
🐈 Treat each cat like it is in a single cat home: they each need their own food bowl, water source, bed, resting place and litter tray. If they have to compete or wait for the use of essentials, that's more likely to make them stressed.
🐈 As well as their own set of essentials, provide one spare set for the house so there's a back-up, just in case.
🐈 Position all the essentials away from each other and where the cats can observe their surroundings. Being able to see around themselves helps remove the fear of unexpected approaches from other cats.
🐈 Keep litter trays away from full-length windows, cat flaps, external doors, thoroughfares, noisy machines and busy areas. You like to p**p in private and so do your cats! Keeping them clean is essential in a multi-cat household.
🐈 Consider open top litter trays. Enclosed litter trays make cats feel trapped and vulnerable when there are other cats in the home.
🐈 Set up perches in high spaces, like tall scratching posts, so cats can easily survey their area. Cats see their home as a 3D space.
🐈 Create separate resting/sleeping areas for each cat which are warm, cosy and soft. Follow each cat's lead for their preferred space, and try to respect that choice by helping other cats chose different areas.

Stress can develop into conflict and escalate into serious concerns. Some cats need help and space to avoid each other, then they can share a house. But if there is constant tension we may see things like urine spraying, cystitis, over-grooming, over-eating, fighting or leaving home completely.

If you've tried the above tips in a multi-cat household and still have concerns, please give us a call on ☎60541838 to make an appointment. We can help you identify the social structure of your cats, isolate shared and private zones of your home, as well as help you manage (or even remove) triggers that are causing conflict for a happier family.

*Statistics from Animal Medicines Australia (https://animalmedicinesaustralia.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/AMAU008-Pet-Ownership22-Report_v1.6_WEB.pdf)

21/05/2024

We have some rare on-the-day appointment times available today! Please call MRAH on ☎60541838 to book your pet in with Dr Elly.

20/05/2024

🐱 𝗖𝗮𝘁 𝗔𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 🐱

We’ve created this awareness week ourselves! Dog anxiety awareness is becoming more widespread but many people overlook the same signs for cats.

Cats also have the “yellow zone” of anxiety. When they show these signs, they are telling us they are uncomfortable. If we ignore the cat’s “yellow zone” communication signals, the cat will become more anxious and upset. They’re going to move into the red zone, where their symptoms of anxiety and terror are obvious. The chance of getting your cat back to a calm state is lost. Cats who have progressed to the red zone are not bad cats, they are scared. Their behaviour is appropriate for the level of threat they believe they are under.

But if we are paying attention to what they are telling us, we have the power to help them reduce and avoid stress. We can do this by:
🐈‍⬛ Moving yourself, your dog or other cat away from the cat (provide distance).
🐈‍⬛ Stopping what we are doing – if grooming, patting, nail trimming etc (give time to settle).
🐈‍⬛ Using pheromones and dark, quiet safe spaces to allow your cat's heart rate to settle.

If your cat is frequently in the yellow zone and you’ve tried to help but keep ending up in the red zone, there may be something underlying your cat’s stress reaction. Cats can be highly sensitive to subtle triggers, or they may have pain or disease exacerbating their stress.

That's where we can help. With a complete health assessment, we can thoroughly check them for underlying disease. If that is all clear, we can help you identify your cat’s triggers and provide extra support which might include medication, environmental changes and help with recognising their very subtle stress cues so that you can intervene and improve their situation. Our hospital is cat-friendly with consult rooms filled with calming pheromones. We allow cats to roam and find a safe space and make sure we handle them in that space so they remain as comfortable as possible.

If you feel your cat is showing signs of anxiety, please give us a call on ☎️60541838 for an appointment.

17/05/2024

Look at these little stars! They're the recent graduates from Lily's puppy school and they're adorable 😍

Details for Lily & Co Dog Training's next puppy school:
🐾 Wednesday nights 6pm
🐾 starts 22 May in Wodonga
🐾 $180 for 5 weeks
🐾 best for pups aged 10-18 weeks (if your pup is a bit older, please still contact the clinic as we may be able to accommodate you).

Please give MRAH a call on ☎️60541838 for more information and to book in. Places are limited to ensure the best attention for every pup.

15/05/2024

🐶 𝗦𝗲𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗶𝗽𝘀 🐶

We live busy lifestyles. Sometimes that means we're away from our pets for longer than we’d like to be. Leaving dogs at home with nothing to do can lead to boredom. Some dogs will resort to destructive behaviour (hello shredded cushions!), but sometimes there's an underlying anxiety disorder which will need to be managed.

How can you tell whether it's boredom or separation anxiety? Try setting up a camera and see what your dog is doing. Things like pacing, excessive noise, avoiding food and drink, or frantic chewing, scratching or digging (especially at doors) may be signs your dog is missing you more than is reasonable. You may also notice that they stick to you like glue when you get home or get anxious when you show signs of leaving.

You can give your dog things to do when you're not home to help keep them occupied and mentally stimulated:
🧩 Leave puzzle toys out for them to play with
🎵 Leave music or the radio on (it’s said that dogs prefer reggae or soft rock best!)
👃 Snuffle or licking mats
🍖 Long-lasting treats

You can also try these videos from Dog Training by Kikopup, a great trainer who shares a lot of content online which we've reviewed and trust:
🐾 Separation Training for Puppies and Adult Dogs (https://youtu.be/HWT9DI7hMfo)
🐾 Teaching a calm settle which will help them settle in the yard when alone (https://youtu.be/yr1olzgidMw)

If your dog is not able to improve with this training, or they progress to self-harming, don't blame yourself. Neurotypical dogs can learn with this gentle type of training, but you cannot train away pain or disease which might be underlying the anxiety. That's where we can help with extra support which might include medication, environmental changes and behaviour modification training. Every dog is unique and we develop a tailored approach for each one.

Dr Leanne and nurse Lily, our accredited trainer, are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays for behaviour consultations. Please give us a call on ☎️60541838 if you'd like them to start assisting with your anxious doggo.

13/05/2024

🐶 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗗𝗿 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗲 🐶

Have you been told that puppies need 100 new experiences before they are 12 weeks old to be well-rounded, social dogs? That’s the socialisation myth!

This is something I'm passionate about, because the old ways of training are based on old studies. A lot more research has been done into the way dogs live in natural groups and we’ve learned that pups look to their parents for guidance and positive reinforcement (the same way human kids do). So when we take young dogs away from their canine parents, we need to provide that guidance by becoming their puppy parents!

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗯𝗲 𝗮 𝗴𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝘁?
🐾 Be present with your puppy at home as much as possible until they have settled in.
🐾 Give them their own safe and happy place for rest and sleep.
🐾 Teach them to be home alone by gradually increasing your time away. Leave them special treats that they only get when you're away.
🐾 Let your puppy explore and gain confidence in their new home.
🐾 If something scary happens, encourage your puppy to come back to you.
🐾 Provide lots of reassurance and comfort.
🐾 Get to know your puppy so you can read their body language and signals and intervene at the first sign of trouble.
🐾 Let your puppy rest so they don’t get overwhelmed. Pups don't need to be busy every day.

The most important thing you’re teaching is that it’s safe to learn and you’ll be there to guide and protect them. Don't rush into socialising until you have bonded - the amount of time that takes will depend on you and your pup. Having that kind of supervision and support helps raise dogs who are well behaved, friendly, confident and look to their ‘parent’ for direction for the rest of their life.

If you’re interested in positive training methods, our next puppy school starts on Wednesday 22 May for 5 weeks. Please call MRAH on ☎️60541838 for enquiries and to book your spot.

(𝘱𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘶𝘱𝘥𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘪𝘤𝘦)

12/05/2024

To all the wonderful pet mums in our MRAH family 💐Happy Mother’s Day💐 You probably won’t get flowers or breakfast in bed from your beloved furkids, but you know they love you every day!

We also want to give an especial thank you to the mums with (human) kids in our team. As well as their own families, they're here every day giving love to the wonderful pets we're privileged to care for. A mother's heart holds boundless love ❤️

10/05/2024

🐶𝗔𝗱𝗮𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 🐶

Little Kevin was in trying out his new Adaptil collar with Abbey and Fleur this week - so cute!

Think about the puppy's experience. They've been exploring their environment and going back to Mum for reassurance. Then one day there are new people, a car they don't know, a long drive, a new house, new people and pets, new smells...and no Mum to say "it's all okay". It's pretty stressful, isn't it?

Adaptil provides a comforting pheromone to help dogs feel reassured. The new 𝗔𝗗𝗔𝗣𝗧𝗜𝗟 𝗝𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗖𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗶𝗲𝘀 is designed specifically for young pups to ease the stress of this transition period. It helps them settle into their new life with their new family as quickly and calmly as possible 🥰

Studies have proved that puppies wearing the collar for 2 months had lasting effects a year later! Their owners reported good or very good behaviour compared with the average behaviour for the pups who did not wear the collar.

You can learn more about Adaptil on their website (https://www.adaptil.com/ca_en/Products/ADAPTIL-Junior). We also stock Adaptil collars for all sizes, including adults. You can pop in to MRAH anytime to buy one over the counter.

10/05/2024

🐶 Adaptil for puppy reassurance 🐶

Little Kevin was in trying out his new Adaptil collar with Abbey and Fleur this week - so cute!

Think about the puppy's experience. They've been exploring their environment and going back to Mum for reassurance. Then one day there are new people, a car they don't know, a long drive, a new house, new people and pets, new smells...and no Mum to say "it's all okay". It's pretty stressful, isn't it?

Adaptil provides a comforting pheromone to help dogs feel reassured. The new Adaptil Junior collar is designed specifically for young pups to ease the stress of this transition period. It helps them settle into their new life with their new family as quickly and calmly as possible 🥰

Studies have proved that puppies wearing the collar for 2 months had lasting effects a year later! Their owners reported good or very good behaviour compared with the average behaviour for the pups who did not wear the collar.

You can learn more about Adaptil on their website (https://www.adaptil.com/ca_en/Products/ADAPTIL-Junior). We also stock Adaptil collars for all sizes, including adults. You can pop in to MRAH anytime to buy one over the counter.

ADAPTIL Junior Collar for Puppies

08/05/2024

🐶 𝗣𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗼𝗻! 🐶

Lily, our practice manager and senior vet nurse, is an approved mindDog trainer and a provisional member of the Pet Professional Guild Australia. She teaches positive, force-free methods to give your pup the best start with their training and behaviour.

Details for Lily & Co Dog Training's next puppy school:
🐾 Wednesday nights 6pm
🐾 starts 22 May in Wodonga
🐾 $180 for 5 weeks
🐾 best for pups aged 10-18 weeks (if your pup is a bit older, please still contact the clinic as we may be able to accommodate you).

Please give MRAH a call on ☎️60541838 for more information and to book in. Places are limited to ensure the best attention for every pup.

08/05/2024

🐶 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗬𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝗭𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 🐶

The subtle signs of anxiety are the most important to recognise. In the animal behaviour field we call this the “yellow zone”.

Dogs in the yellow zone are clearly uncomfortable when you know the signs to look for. They are communicating that they don’t like what is happening.

The wonderful thing about the yellow zone is that this is the point where what WE do next makes all the difference. All we need to do is pay attention and act.

If instead we ignore the dog’s “yellow zone” communication signals, the dog will become more anxious and upset. They’re going to move into the red zone, where their symptoms of anxiety and terror are obvious. The chance of getting your dog back to a calm state is lost. Dogs who have progressed to the red zone and are now showing aggression are not bad dogs, they are scared. Their behaviour is appropriate for the level of threat they believe they are under.

But if we notice the subtle signs of anxiety seen in the yellow zone, we can move them to the green zone by:
🐾 moving the dog away from the stress (provide distance)
🐾 stopping what we are doing (give time to settle)
🐾 providing comfort in the many and varied ways that our individual dogs prefer.

If the symptoms listed in the yellow and red zone in the picture here are familiar for your dog, give MRAH a call on ☎️ 60541838 and find out how we can help.

06/05/2024

🐶 𝗗𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝗻𝘅𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸 🐶

Today is the start of International Dog Anxiety Awareness Week. It’s an awareness program dear to our hearts, because our stress-free approach is all about reducing anxiety!

Storms, fireworks and other dogs are well-known triggers. But, just like humans, dogs get anxious for many different reasons.

There are so many signs of anxiety in pets, and we are trained in spotting them. Some examples:
🐾 Early signs of anxiety can be as simple as yawning, lifting a paw or rolling over.
🐾 As dogs become more anxious you may see trembling, hiding and cowering.
🐾 Once they are really worried you may see them frozen with fear, running away or even biting.
🐾 If their anxious body language is ignored, the anxiety always worsens.

If your dog is showing signs of anxiety, the worst thing to do is discipline them. This hurts the trust they have in their family and does not teach them anything. It will make the anxiety worse.

Instead, we need to stop exposing our pets to the stresses that cause the anxiety and help them to learn to trust and be calm. We have many ways to help you with this at MRAH. Of course, we know vet visits can be a source of anxiety, too! We have lots of techniques to help make vet visits less stressful.

If you feel your dog is showing signs of anxiety, please give us a call on ☎️60541838 for an appointment. We’ll go over your dog’s symptoms and history with you to develop a plan to manage and reduce their anxiety.

02/05/2024

Elly has those new equipment feels! Our brand-new ultrasound machine has arrived and she’s in love 😂

We use ultrasounds for many reasons because it’s a non-invasive way of examining what’s happening inside your pet. Any equipment which makes that process easier, clearer and more reliable is something we all love!

01/05/2024

Did you know we’re the only stress-free accredited vet hospital in the Albury-Wodonga region?

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲?
It’s a modern method of vet care which aims to reduce, or even eliminate, the fear and stress many pets experience when visiting the vet. It builds trust between vet and pet and allows us to provide the thorough care your pet deserves.

𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗶𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗻𝘁?
We all know stress plays a major role in health, with many studies proving this in human medicine. Well, it’s the same for our pets! If they’re stressed, it affects their health. By using a stress-free approach, we can see pets in their true health. That means we can provide better care for whatever they’re actually experiencing, without the complications caused by stress.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗱𝗼𝗲𝘀 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀-𝗳𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲?
We use a range of techniques for a stress-free vet visit:
🐾 Longer appointment times so no one is rushed.
🐾 Large consultation rooms for roaming and freedom.
🐾 Hands-off introduction until your pet has settled and we learn how they like to be handled.
🐾 The ever-popular Lickimats and treats – food makes it fun!
🐾 Pheromone diffusers for unseen calming vibes.
🐾 At-level treatment, meaning we see most dogs on the ground and cats up higher and within carriers or covering, where they feel secure.
🐾 Chill pills - some pets do best when they have mild sedatives before they see us.
🐾 Pain control, like local anaesthetic sprays and creams, to make treatments less painful.
🐾 Respect! We listen and watch to respond to what your pet is communicating.

Every pet is different, and that’s why we take the time to learn who your pet is. Once we know them, we show them the attention they are happiest with. That means cuddles and games for some, gentle love for others. Maybe it’s outside consultations where they’re more relaxed, or leaving them in your arms the whole time so they feel safe. We tailor our approach to your pet.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗲𝗱?
Every vet wants their patients to be happy and many vets use some of the above stress-free techniques (because they work!). But in an accredited clinic, we go above and beyond to ensure your pet is as calm and comfortable as possible for every interaction with us.

Our accreditation is provided by Stress Free Pets. It's a national program to deliver vet care using best practices, for both medical and mental health. We can’t just buy this accreditation, it’s an annual certification. All our staff go through Stress Free Pets training so we can get renewed every year. It’s a commitment we make because we believe that taking care of EVERY aspect of your pet’s wellbeing is important.

𝗪𝗵𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲?
Everyone 🙂 We’re a fully-equipped and experienced vet hospital offering comprehensive health care for both cats and dogs. The key difference is that we do all of it with our stress-free approach.

If you’ve got a pet who hates going to the vet, or a pet who has behaviour concerns, we’d love to see you. The stress-free approach is about understanding and working with your pet to help rebuild their trust. And if you’re about to welcome a new pet, book in their first checks with us so they start life enjoying their vet care.

𝗪𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝘄𝗲 𝘀𝗲𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂?
Now! We’re accepting new clients, so give us a call on ☎️60541838. We’ll send you a new client form and start gathering information about your pet so we’re ready to meet them.

30/04/2024

Elly is back from holidays! We have some appointments available with her tomorrow. Please call MRAH on 60541838 to book your pet in.

30/04/2024

Elly is back from holidays! We have some appointments available with her tomorrow. Please call MRAH on ☎️60541838 to book your pet in.

29/04/2024

Our vets couldn’t do their job without our exceptional practice manager, Lily! As an experienced vet nurse with three long-term nursing positions, in both mixed and small animal clinics, she brings a wealth of experience to MRAH. She’s overseen a huge period of growth since joining us in early 2022.

Lily is continuously studying to stay on top of the latest developments in the animal care industry, especially in behaviour modification. She’s an approved mindDog trainer and a provisional member of the Pet Professional Guild Australia. She teaches positive, force-free training methods to both our staff and clients to optimise the stress-free approach we use.

Having completed her Veterinary Nursing Certificate IV as well as her Equine Studies Certificate II and numerous dental, behaviour and nutrition courses, Lily is one of our senior nurses. She supports our vets with behaviour assessments and complex dental procedures. She’s also responsible for training our team of nurses as well as overseeing all the admin required to run a vet hospital.

Even on weekends, Lily is still working with pets. She runs Lily & Co for individual dog training, behaviour modification sessions and group puppy school. She’s recently moved to a larger property and is busy populating it with her own dogs (6 at last count – Pookie, Sambo, Carter, Sponge, Caesar & Elkie), cats (Peaches & Draco), horses, cows, guinea pigs and a LOT of chickens (she’s passionate about poultry husbandry and shows!).

You can book in with Lily at MRAH for poultry care most days of the week by calling ☎️60541838. Leanne and Lily also do behaviour assistance consults on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If you want to book a private training session or puppy school group, you can book directly with Lily & Co Dog Training.

Address

2/12 Moorefield Park Drive
West Wodonga, VIC
3690

Opening Hours

Monday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Tuesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Wednesday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Thursday	8:30am - 5:30pm
Friday	8:30am - 5:30pm

Telephone

+61260541838

Website

http://www.mrah.com.au/

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Videos

We've been sharing lots of tips about anxiety management for our (human) followers this month. But for our doggie followers, this is what YOUR stress-free experience at MRAH looks like! 😁

LickiMat order in! Check out these new products and cute colours 😍 Pookies pick of the month is the new Yoggie Pot, as you can tell by the video he is very keen to try it out 😂😂😂 This LickiMat product is made of plant based heavy duty rubber, Dishwasher safe, freezer safe, microwave safe. No BPA, PVC, Phthalates, Siliyor TPE plastic. It’s also 100% recyclable and eco friendly. These Yoggie Pots are great for all sizes of dogs and they provide great mental stimulation trying to get the food out. As they can be frozen it can be a great long lasting snack!