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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.

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.

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. 

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.

Gastro and Gut Upsets

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

Diarrhoea and Vomiting in Pets: Guidelines for Care

Diarrhoea is defined as the frequent evacuation of soft or watery stools.
Vomiting is the forceful expulsion of stomach contents through the mouth.

Vomiting and diarrhoea are symptoms commonly linked to various issues collectively known as gastroenteritis. The severity can vary significantly, with some cases being quite serious, such as poisoning, and others being relatively minor, like dietary indiscretion. If a fever is present, an infection may be the underlying cause. Many infections that result in diarrhoea and vomiting are contagious, so if you have a multi-pet household, it is crucial to isolate other pets immediately to prevent the spread of potential infection.

You should assess your pet for signs of dehydration, such as skin tenting or tacky gums. Contact your vet, especially if the pet is young or appears unusually lethargic, as diarrhoea and vomiting can quickly lead to dehydration.

Avoid giving over-the-counter or prescription medications without veterinary approval.
Veterinary staff will be able to provide general advice over the phone, but please keep in mind that phone advice can only ever be general. A specific care plan requires a physical examination.
If vomiting persists for more than 24 hours or your pet is lethargic, not eating/drinking or the vomit has blood in it, bring your pet straight into the clinic.

If your pet’s diarrhoea lasts for more than 48 hours, or your pet is acting sick, such as being lethargic or loss of appetite, seek immediate veterinary care.
For an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment, it is essential to have a consultation with a veterinarian.
A vet will assess your pet and if necessary determine the underlying cause and develop a tailored treatment plan.

Ignoring these symptoms or attempting to treat them without veterinary guidance can lead to complications, so seeking expert advice is crucial to ensure your pet’s health and recovery.

Puppy Preventive Healthcare

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

Puppy Vaccination & Safe Socialisation Guidelines

Newtown Veterinary Clinic offers a preventative healthcare program tailored to the unique needs of your pet. This program is based on current research and recommendations from global vaccination guidelines and information from vaccine and preventative care medication manufacturers.

The guidelines are continually evolving, and recommendations may vary depending on disease prevalence, environmental conditions and your puppy’s lifestyle and risk of disease exposure. Our vets work collaboratively with pet owners to create the best preventative healthcare plan.

Vaccinations
There are 4 main infectious diseases that we routinely vaccinate for:

  • Canine Parvovirus (aka. Parvo)
  • Canine Infectious Hepatitis (aka Adenovirus)
  • Canine Distemper Virus (aka Distemper)
  • Canine Cough (aka Kennel cough)
    • Bordetella Bronchisepta 
    • Parainfluenza Virus

We vaccinate for Parvo, Distemper and Adenovirus because they have the propensity to become very severe, even fatal, in dogs and even more so in puppies. Through routine vaccination, we can minimise the likelihood of your pet contracting these diseases.

Kennel Cough is caused by two main viral factors (some bacteria are also involved; however, we cannot vaccinate against bacteria). It is a disease that is spread rapidly through large congregations of dogs (such as those in a boarding kennel or at a dog park). It causes clinical signs of coughing with lots of mucous production. Through vaccination, these clinical signs can be minimised, and the effects disease lessened.

Vaccinations for puppies require a total of 3 boosters.
The timeline for these is as follows:

  • 1st vaccination: 6-8 weeks of age
  • 2nd vaccination: 10-12 weeks of age
  • 3rd vaccination: 16 weeks of age
  • Adult vaccinations: occur yearly after the completion of the 3rd puppy vaccine 

The chart at the end of this document displays how this coincides with other preventative healthcare measures.

Parasites (Internal and External)
There are 4 main parasites that we prevent for:

  • Fleas
  • Ticks / mites
  • Intestinal worms
  • Heartworm

Current recommendations suggest that puppies should receive a worming product once every two weeks until they are 12 weeks old, then once a month until they are 6 months old, and finally at regular intervals for life. Some products require monthly application, others require once every 3 months. Your vet/nurses will discuss with you which option may be best for your family.

Fleas and Ticks/Mites
These parasites attach to the animal on the skin. These ectoparasites are easily prevented by the application of a parasite prevention product.

Intestinal Worms
Dogs can be affected by a few different kinds of worms, namely roundworm, whipworm, hookworm and tapeworm. All of these find homes in the intestines of our pets and can cause varying signs of disease (some cause diarrhoea, others cause intestinal bleeding). These intestinal parasites can be prevented by the application of a parasite prevention product.

Heartworm
As is suggested by the name, heartworm is a worm that lives in the heart. This worm can go undetected, and some animals can live with this parasite and never show clinical signs. However, for those that do show clinical signs, treatment options are limited. It is for this reason that we strongly suggest finding a parasite prevention product which covers heartworm in addition to the intestinal worms and ectoparasites.

Diet
All puppies require a diet that is rich in nutrients and suited to the needs of growing. As such, we recommend a diet that is specifically for puppies. Your vet can assist you in choosing a pet food suited for your family.

Desexing
Desexing is not recommended before 6 months of age. When to desex your dog does depend on various factors including breed, size and health. We will discuss the ideal time to desex your dog to ensure the best outcome.

Socialisation
We advocate for the early socialisation of puppies between 6 and 16 weeks of age, which is the essential learning stage for behavioural development.
For all puppy social experiences before vaccinations are complete, owners should maintain vigilance by following these steps:

  • Avoid areas frequently visited by dogs with unknown vaccination or disease status
  • Early socialisation is best achieved if you know and can organise socialisation with other puppies or dogs that are known to be healthy and vaccinated

NVC’s Puppy Preschool classes are conducted in a safe and clean environment, each puppy that attends must be up to date with vaccinations. This is the best way to ensure we don’t exposure you puppy to any potential illnesses and diseases. 

Identification
All dogs are required to be microchipped. Most often, the microchip is implanted when the puppies are still with the breeder. It is the new owner’s responsibility to ensure that the details are updated. This requires a “change of ownership” form to be completed. Once this form is completed, it must be submitted to council, where it will be processed and updated on the registry. 
Our team can assist you in checking that your details are up-to-date.

Dental SPA

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

DENTAL SPA

A Dental SPA Day at Newtown Vet Clinic involves a Scale & Polish and Assessment of your pets teeth.

Once the Vet has assesed the health of your pets teeth, we are able to book your pet in for a SPA. Under general anaesthetic we do a full mouth of radiographs and scale and polish the teeth. We chart the mouth and make a plan for any future oral surgery/extractions that may be required.

WHY A DENTAL SPA?
At Newtown Veterinary Clinic, we like to provide options to our clients. Dental disease can often be hidden beneath the gum line, making it difficult to assess its extent without radiographs. These X-rays allow us to accurately evaluate your pet’s oral health and determine the necessary treatments.

When we usually book your pet’s dental procedure, we send through an estimate of the costs as prices for oral surgery can vary. Your pet may require no extractions or multiple extractions, resulting in a wide range of potential costs. We understand that the uncertainty around costs can be concerning for many pet owners.
A Dental SPA means your pet has their scale, polish and assessment including radiographs first, this allows us to see if extractions are required, and we can schedule this next procedure for a few weeks time.
This saves you money as the radiographs and scale and polish are not repeated, the extractions are planned and a definitive dental cost provided for the procedure.

We will always call you during the procedure, to inform you of any teeth that need to be extracted and the associated costs. You will be able to make the decision if you would like to continue with the extractions at this time or schedule for a later date. This cost is in addition to the Dental Spa fee and priced based on oral surgery time.
Note-: we do not like to continue dental procedures beyond 2 hours. If the required oral surgery is extensive, then we will sometimes stage the procedure to ensure safety for our patients under anaesthetic.

Physical Therapy

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

Knowledgebase

Physical Therapy

Dogs and cats are very resilient creatures, but sometimes they need help recovering from an injury, illness, or a bit of extra support for our pets in their senior years. Many pets instinctively hide signs of pain or discomfort, which can make it difficult to recognise when they are struggling. This is where Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation can help support their comfort, mobility, and overall wellbeing.

What is Pet Physical Therapy?

Rehabilitation is a form of physical therapy that focuses on restoring a dog or cat’s mobility, strength, and function, while helping to relieve pain and discomfort.
Rehabilitation can help pets recover faster and more completely than if they were left to heal on their own.
It can also help prevent future injuries by strengthening muscles and improving range of motion. Compliant pets of all ages can benefit from rehabilitation, from recovering from surgery to developmental concerns to seniors living with arthritis.

What does rehabilitation involve?

Rehabilitation involves a specifically trained vet nurse working with the dog to complete a combination of therapeutic exercises and techniques to help regain their mobility, strength, and function.
A tailored rehabilitation plan is created and implemented to your pet’s specific needs, their progress is monitored, and adjustments are made to the plan as needed. Owners will also receive guidance on how to continue rehabilitation exercises at home.

What exercises and techniques does my dog complete?

Depending on the requirements and plan for your pet’s rehabilitation, there are a number of options for exercises and techniques that will be personally tailored to fit your their needs. 

We also have the option to measure and fit your dog for a custom-made brace to support their recovery.

Brace wearing – A brace is a specialised device designed to provide support and aid in the rehabilitation of injuries or conditions affecting their limbs. Such as hip dysplasia, arthritis and ligament tears. These braces are often used to support the joint or limb affected by the injury or condition, reducing pain and inflammation, and promoting healing and recovery. In addition to providing support and facilitating healing, they can also help prevent further injury by stabilising the affected limb or joint during physical activity

Range of motion exercises – ROM exercises aim to maintain or improve the motion and flexibility of their joints. The ROM can be assessed by gently manipulating each joint through its natural flow of movement.

Strengthening exercises – These exercises help build strength and muscle mass to improve balance and coordination, and enhance overall physical fitness.

Balance and coordination exercises – These may involve standing on a balance board or performing other activities that challenge stability to help improve physical fitness and coordination. 

Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy involves using water’s resistance to help recover from injuries. It can help reduce swelling, improve circulation, and increase range of motion, while exercising in a low impact environment. 

Massage therapy – Massage therapy can help reduce pain and stiffness, it can also help improve circulation and promote relaxation.

Talk to us about how Physical Therapy can help get you and your furry friend off on the right paw. 

CALL NEWTOWN VET CLINIC

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