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Author: Sarah Heather

Veterinary Laser Therapy for Pets in Geelong

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative, Services.

Newtown Veterinary Clinic is excited to offer Therapeutic Laser therapy.
Laser therapy is a safe, gentle, and non-invasive treatment that uses specific wavelengths of light to stimulate healing, reduce inflammation, relieve pain, and improve mobility. It can be used as part of a treatment plan for a wide range of conditions and is suitable for pets of all ages.
Our rehabilitation practitioner, Vet Nurse Georgie, provides laser therapy treatments tailored to your pet’s individual needs.

How Can Laser Therapy Help?

Laser therapy may benefit pets experiencing:

  • Arthritis and age-related joint pain
  • Mobility and stiffness issues
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Muscle strains and sprains
  • Post-operative recovery
  • Wound healing
  • Chronic pain conditions
  • Rehabilitation following injury or surgery

Many pets find treatments relaxing and comfortable, with sessions typically taking only a few minutes.

Why Choose Laser Therapy?

Laser therapy can help:

  • Reduce pain and inflammation
  • Improve circulation
  • Accelerate healing
  • Enhance mobility and comfort
  • Support recovery after surgery or injury
  • Improve quality of life for senior pets

Laser Therapy in conjunction with Physical Therapy

Veterinary Nurse Georgie has a special interest in pet rehabilitation and physical therapy and works closely with our veterinary team to develop treatment plans that support your pet’s recovery, mobility, and long-term wellbeing.
If you’d like to find out whether laser therapy may benefit your pet, please contact our team to discuss your pet’s needs or book a laser therapy consultation, call us on (03) 5221 5333 or book online.

Senior Pet Planning Program

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Healthcare.

As our pets grow older, their needs change both physically and behaviourally. Newtown Veterinary Clinic’s Senior Pet Planning Program is designed to help you and your pet navigate those changes with clarity, compassion, and confidence. This isn’t about saying goodbye – it’s about planning for more good days, understanding what your pet needs now and in the years to come, and knowing how to recognise when comfort or quality of life begins to change.
Through gentle, ongoing guidance, we help you build a long-term care plan that balances proactive health monitoring with emotional readiness for the future.
Our goal is to help every senior pet live comfortably and happily for as long as possible. We do this by:

  • Supporting preventive and early-intervention care through regular check-ups
  • Educating owners about the signs of age-related change – the small red flags that matter
  • Providing tools to help families understand and plan for quality-of-life decisions
  • Creating a calm, caring space to discuss the years ahead – before emotions run high

Ongoing Care and Health Monitoring
Senior pets benefit most from proactive, twice-yearly health checks. These visits allow us to detect subtle changes early, and support well-being before problems escalate. Twice a year, we’ll assess:

  • Overall physical health — full body exam, weight, muscle tone, mobility, and comfort
  • Dental, vision, and hearing
  • Heart, kidney, liver, and thyroid function via annual blood and urine screening
  • Arthritis and joint health, including pain management, supplements, and physio referrals
  • Nutrition and weight management, ensuring diets match changing needs
  • Behaviour and cognitive function, monitoring for confusion, anxiety, or disorientation

Our aim is to extend life, and enhance quality – keeping senior pets active, engaged and pain-free for as long as possible.

Planning for the Future
During your Senior Pet Planning consultations, we take time to:

  • Talk through your pet’s daily habits, routines and joys
  • Explore what a good life and a peaceful goodbye might mean to you
  • Introduce our “What Matters Most” Worksheet and Quality of Life Tracker
  • Help you recognise the early signs that comfort may be declining, such as changes in appetite, mobility, mood, or social behaviour
  • Offer emotional and practical guidance on how to prepare gently and confidently for the future

This process allows you to feel informed rather than anxious, prepared rather than pressured, and always supported by a team that understands both the medical and emotional aspects of ageing pets.

Who This Program Is For

  • Pet owners with dogs or cats aged 7 years and older
  • Families wanting to stay ahead of health changes and plan for longevity
  • Those who want to feel clear and supported when difficult decisions arise
  • Anyone who wants to ensure their pet’s golden years are truly golden

Start the Conversation Early
The best time to plan is when your pet is still feeling well. By starting early, you create calm, confident decisions for later. We’re here to walk beside you – through every stage of your pet’s life.

Best Dog Food Brands in Australia (2025)

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Media, Non Medical, Preventative.

Best Dog Food Brands in Australia (2025)

Vets Love Pets’ 2025 guide to the best dog food brands in Australia provides expert-backed recommendations to help you choose the right nutrition for your dog. The guide categorizes top brands based on various needs, such as age, breed, and specific health concerns. Have a look at the highlights from their recommendations: https://vetslovepets.com.au/blogs/dog/best-dog-food-australia-2025

Prescription Policy: Supporting Safe, Quality Pet Care

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Non Medical, Preventative, Services.

At Newtown Veterinary Clinic, we’re committed to providing safe, responsible, and high-quality healthcare for your pets. We understand that some clients may prefer to purchase their pet’s medications from external pharmacies or online providers, we are happy to provide a written prescription—however, there is a prescription fee involved.
This fee is not just for a piece of paper, it reflects the time, responsibility, and care involved in ensuring your pet’s treatment remains safe, effective, and appropriate.

Why is there a fee for a written script?

It’s a Professional Medical Service
Writing a prescription isn’t as simple as jotting down a name and dose. Our vets are legally and professionally required to ensure that any medication prescribed is safe, appropriate, and effective for your pet’s current health status.
Writing a prescription requires a veterinarian to:

  • Current weight and condition
  • Review your pet’s medical history
  • Ensure the medication and dosage are appropriate
  • Assess any potential interactions or contraindications

Just like when you see your own doctor for a prescription, this process involves clinical judgment and carries medical responsibility. The fee reflects the time, expertise, and care involved in making these decisions.

It Helps Cover Time and Resources
When you request a script, a veterinarian takes time away from consulting or surgery to ensure all documentation is completed accurately. We also provide the prescription in a legally compliant format, often requiring additional administrative handling by our nursing team. Charging a fee helps offset the time and resources involved, ensuring our clinic can continue to provide a high level of care and attention to every patient.

Do I need a consultation every time?
No. Once your pet has had an initial prescription consultation, we do not require another full consult for every repeat. However, your pet requires a veterinary review every 6 months with their ongoing medication, to ensure continued safety and effectiveness. A consult is required for:

  • First-time prescriptions
  • Repeat scripts that have expired
  • New medications
  • Your pet is unwell or showing new symptoms
  • There have been changes in your pet’s behaviour
  • Your pet has gained or lost weight

Medication Safety and Supply Chain
We pride ourselves on maintaining high standards in every aspect of veterinary care, including medication safety. While purchasing medications externally is an option, having them dispensed directly through our clinic ensures quality control, correct usage, and immediate support if any issues arise. All medications at our clinic are stored, handled, and dispensed in strict accordance with veterinary guidelines.

When purchasing medications online, it’s important to understand that their integrity and effectiveness cannot always be guaranteed. Improper storage, counterfeit products, or incorrect dosages are all potential risks. For peace of mind and your pet’s safety, we recommend obtaining medications directly through the clinic whenever possible.

If you ever have questions about a prescription, a medication source, or your pet’s treatment plan, we are always here to help.

Brachycephalic (BOAS) Surgery

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Services, Surgical.

If you own a French Bulldog, Bulldog, Pug, Boston Terrier or Pekingese, you know these dogs are full of personality. However, due to a condition known as Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS) many flat-faced breeds often face challenges when it comes to breathing.
Newtown Veterinary Clinic offer expert diagnosis and surgical treatment for BOAS to help your pet breathe easier, feel better and lead a more active life.

Signs & Symptoms
BOAS is often displayed by signs such as:

  • Noisy breathing (especially when excited or exercising)
  • Gagging, retching, or coughing
  • Poor exercise tolerance or excessive panting
  • Trouble cooling down in warm or humid weather
  • Restlessness, especially at night

Over time, this condition can be associated with further health challenges.

Diagnosis
A BOAS diagnosis is typically identified with a thorough physical examination. The main features our experienced Veteriarian is looking for are:

  • Elongated soft palate – Excess tissue at the back of the throat that partially blocks airflow
  • Narrow (Stenotic) nostrils – Small or inward-turned nostrils that make it difficult to breathe
  • Everted laryngeal saccules – Tissue near the vocal cords that gets pulled into the airway, creating further obstruction

A thorough diagnostic assessment is key to successful treatment. In addition to a physical examination and airway evaluation under general anaesthesia, we may also perform chest radiographs (X-rays) to assess the tracheal inlet to tracheal diameter ratio. This measurement helps us evaluate the relative size of the windpipe, which is especially important in breeds prone to narrowed tracheas. It allows us to better understand the full extent of your pet’s airway obstruction and plan surgical treatment accordingly.

Treatment
Surgical intervention is recommended when symptoms are impacting the pet’s comfort, safety, or daily function. At Newtown Veterinary Clinic, we understand the unique needs of brachycephalic breeds. Our experienced team performs BOAS surgery with gentle techniques, advanced monitoring, and personalised care, all in a calm, fear-free environment.
Where possible, multiple corrections are performed during the same anaesthetic to optimise the outcome. The most common procedures include:

  • Laryngeal sacculectomy – removing obstructive tissue near the vocal cords
  • Soft palate resection –  shortening the palate to prevent airway obstruction
  • Nares widening –  to improve nasal airflow

What to Expect
Your pet’s safety and comfort are our priority. Many pets are noticeably more comfortable, active, and better able to cope with warm weather after BOAS surgery. Our team is here to guide you through the process, answer your questions, and ensure your pet receives the best possible care.

  • Before surgery: You will receive a pre-operative pack and medication to begin two days before the procedure.
  • During surgery: Your pet is carefully monitored using advanced equipment and gentle handling techniques.
  • After surgery: Most pets are discharged the same day with a tailored recovery plan typically involving rest, soft food, and medication to manage inflammation and discomfort. In some cases, we recommend overnight monitoring at the Geelong Animal Emergency Centre (GAEC) for added safety and peace of mind.

If you suspect your French Bulldog, Pug, or other flat-faced pet may benefit from BOAS surgery, our team is here to help. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent long-term damage and transform your pet’s quality of life.

Collecting Urine at Home

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Preventative.

Collecting Urine at Home

Your vet may request a free-catch urine sample from your dog to help diagnose or monitor various health conditions. Collecting a free-catch urine sample from a dog at home is a straightforward process, but it requires patience and the right tools.
Here’s how to do it:

What you need

  • A clean, shallow container (like a ladle, Tupperware, or disposable cup)
  • Disposable gloves (optional but hygienic)
  • A leash (to control movement)
  • A sterile urine sample container (provided by your vet)

Collecting the sample

  1. Choose the right time: collecting the first wee of the morning is best
  2. Take your dog outside: walk them to their usual potty spot while keeping the container ready
  3. Position the container:
    a. For male dogs, place the container under the urine stream as they lift their leg
    b. For female dogs, gently slide the container under them as they squat
    c. A long-handled ladle or shallow dish can help if your dog is shy
  4. Transfer the sample: pour the collected sample into the sterile container, ensuring it’s tightly sealed
  5. Store and deliver: if you can’t take it to the vet immediately, refrigerate the sample (for up to 4 hours) to maintain its integrity

Other Tips

  • Be calm and patient to avoid startling your dog
  • If your dog is shy, try using a longer tool (like a ladle) to avoid getting too close
  • Avoid contaminating the sample with dirt or grass

Luxating Patellas

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative.

Medial Luxating Patella in DogsDownload

MEDIALLY LUXATING PATELLAS IN DOGS

What is patella luxation?
Patella luxation is simply the medical term for knee dislocation whereby the kneecap (aka patella) moves out of position and causes a temporary lameness. Typically owners noticed a skip in the dog’s step. 
Approximately 50% of affected dogs will have both knees involved.  Some dog breeds are more prone to developing luxating patellas than others.

What causes patella luxation?
The 2 main causes of patella luxation stem from anatomical differences in the knee. These can be genetic but can also come about due to injury.

  1. Abnormal shape of the patella groove: the kneecap sits in a particular groove located on the femur bone. If this groove is abnormal in shape (most commonly the groove is too shallow), then the kneecap is able to wiggle in and out of place.
  2. Abnormal attachment of the quadriceps tendon: the quads attach to the tibia (the shin bone). If there is an anatomical difference to this attachment, then the patella gets pulled out of place each time the quad muscle is flexed.

What are the grades of patella luxation?
Dislocations are graded by severity. Four grades of dislocation are recognised:

Grade 1
The patella luxates when manual pressure is applied by the vet but returns to its normal position once the pressure is released. Dogs may not show any clinical signs.
Grade 2
The patella luxates on its own simply when the leg is moved but returns to its normal position eventually. Some lameness is often evident – usually a skipping motion is noted by owners.
Grade 3
The patella luxates on its own but requires manual pressure to return to normal position. Considerable lameness is usually present.
Grade 4
The patella is permanently luxated. Dogs are unable to use this limb whilst walking.

Dogs with patella luxation will inevitably develop degenerative joint disease (also known as osteoarthritis) in the affected leg(s). This is because the ridges of the groove in which the patella sits will invariably wear down with time. As this happens the cartilage within the knee degenerates and the “bone on bone” grinding, which is typical of osteoarthritis, begins.

What treatment is available?
Treatment depends on the grade of the luxation, severity of clinical signs and the age of the dog. If the dog has frequent or bothersome clinical signs (i.e. frequent or persistent episodes of lameness), at any grade of luxation, your veterinarian may recommend surgery. 
Dogs with grade 3 or 4 luxation typically require surgery as medical management is often not enough to keep these dogs comfortable.
Dogs with grade 2 can be a little trickier. Whether or not surgery is required depends on several factors: how often lameness is a problem, how long each episode of lameness lasts, how old the dog is. Another reason to proceed with surgical intervention at this stage is for prevention. If the ridges of the already shallow groove wear down with DJD, the grade 2 can progress to grade 3 luxation. Surgery can prevent this progression.
Without surgery, the knee is typically unstable and at risk of further injury. Most commonly, dogs will tear or rupture their cruciate ligaments. When this happens, surgery is a necessity to restabilise the knee (and is a bigger procedure than the patella surgery). 

Dogs with patella luxation commonly develop DJD. Your vet will discuss DJD and management options with you. These commonly include exercises, weight management, supplements and pain-relieving medications if necessary. 

How Do I Know When It’s Time?

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Services.

How Do I Know When It’s Time?

Making the decision that it is time to say goodbye to your beloved pet is never easy, it is one of the most challenging and emotional choices an owner can make.

Some obvious signs that your pet may no longer be enjoying a good quality of life include:

  • Difficulty breathing, weakness or extreme lethargy
  • Ongoing vomiting or diarrhoea that isn’t resolving with veterinary treatment, leading to weight loss or dehydration
  • Chronic or severe pain that doesn’t improve with medication
  • Difficulty walking or inability to get up without assistance
  • Refusing to eat or drink
  • Trouble urinating or defecating
  • Losing interest in surroundings, family activities or favorite pastimes

When it seems the time is getting close, multiple aspects of your pet’s well-being need to be considered rather than focusing on one single factor.
You’ve likely heard phrases like, “You’ll just know when it’s time,” or “When they stop eating,” or “When they can’t get up anymore.” These statements can be misleading. Taking a balanced approach by reflecting on your pet’s emotional, physical and social quality of life is the most compassionate way to honor your pet’s dignity, while considering their overall well-being.

Emotional Wellbeing
Do they enjoy their usual routine?
Are they mentally engaged and stimulated?
Are they handling their health challenges well? eg mobility, incontinence, blindness or deafness
Are they showing signs of anxiety or distress?
Has their personality changed?
Do they seem happy?

Physical Wellbeing
Can they breathe comfortably?
Are they eating and drinking well?
Are they losing weight or seeming dehydrated?
Can they walk, urinate, defecate and groom on their own?
Are they sleeping through the night?
Are you worried your pet is in pain? It is important to keep in mind that animals are incredibly good at hiding signs of pain.

Social Wellbeing
Do they interact with the family as they did before?
Are they still affectionate and playful?
Do they enjoy being around other animals?
For outdoor cats, can they still explore outside?
For dogs, can they still go to the park or take walks to meet others?
How are you coping with caring for an elderly or sick pet? Caring for a pet in this condition can be physically, emotionally, and financially draining. How is your quality of life?

Our pets deserve love and care every step of the way, including in their final moments. Euthanasia is one of the most compassionate acts we can offer them, preventing unnecessary suffering and ensuring their farewell is as peaceful and gentle as possible.

Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR)

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative.

Assessing Cardiorespritaory Health Through Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR). To monitor your pet’s disease progression, we ask owners of animals with cardiac disease to monitor Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR). This is a simple tool method you can use at home as an indicator of developing pulmonary oedema or pleural effusion in dogs and cats.

Why monitor Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR)?

Assessing and recording the Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR) is an invaluable home-monitoring technique for pet owners and is one of the best indicators of changes in your pet’s heart health.
To measure SRR accurately follow the below steps

  • Find a quiet, comfortable, thermo-neutral area (usually your home in front of the TV)
  • Let your pet fall asleep (note: don’t include breaths taken when your pet is dreaming – twitching or vocalising)
  • Start a timer for 60 seconds
  • Watch your pet’s chest – it will rise and fall each time they take a breath
  • Record the number of breaths taken in the 60-second timer. This process should be repeated 2-3 times per day initially to establish a baseline. Later this can be reduced to once or twice weekly.

If your pets SRR is above 25BPM call the clinic immediately on (03) 5221 5333.
If there’s a significant change in SRR between measurements, resume daily recordings to confirm the change or observe any trends. There are a couple of apps available to assist you with monitoring and recording your pet’s SRR – Cardalis© andHeart2Heart© are two reliable examples.

Chocolate Toxicity Calculator

Written by Sarah Heather on . Posted in Common Conditions, Emergency Care, Non Medical.

If your dog has eaten chocolate this tool can estimate if a toxic dose has been consumed and guidelines for appropriate treatment.