Collecting Urine at Home

Written by Sarah Heather on 24 February 2025. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Preventative, Uncategorized. No Comments on Collecting Urine at Home

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

Choose the right time: collecting the first wee of the morning is best
Take your dog outside: walk them to their usual potty spot while keeping the container ready
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
Transfer the sample: pour the collected sample into the sterile container, ensuring it’s tightly sealed
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 31 January 2025. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative, Uncategorized. No Comments on Luxating Patellas

Medial Luxating Patella in Dogs Download

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.

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.
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 5 December 2024. Posted in Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative, Uncategorized. No Comments on Sleeping Respiratory Rate (SRR)

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 27 June 2024. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Preventative, Uncategorized. No Comments on Gastro and Gut Upsets

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 21 June 2024. Posted in Healthcare, Non Medical, Preventative, Services. No Comments on Puppy Preventive Healthcare

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:

1^st vaccination: 6-8 weeks of age
2^nd vaccination: 10-12 weeks of age
3^rd vaccination: 16 weeks of age
Adult vaccinations: occur yearly after the completion of the 3^rd 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 21 June 2024. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Non Medical, Preventative. No Comments on Dental SPA

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.

Dog Rehab

Written by Sarah Heather on 29 March 2023. Posted in Healthcare, Non Medical, Preventative, Services. No Comments on Dog Rehab

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Dog Rehabilitation

Dogs are very resilient creatures, but sometimes they need help recovering from an injury, illness or a bit of extra support for our senior arthritic friends. This is where canine rehabilitation comes in.

What is canine rehabilitation?

Canine rehabilitation is a form of physical therapy that focuses on restoring a dog’s mobility, strength, function and can give relief from pain and discomfort.
Rehab can help dogs 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 their range of motion. Dogs of all ages can benefit from rehabilitation, from puppies with developmental issues to senior dogs 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.
The rehab nurse will create and implement a rehabilitation plan that is tailored to your dog’s specific needs, they will monitor the dog’s progress and make adjustments to the plan as needed. They can also provide owners with 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 dog’s rehabilitation, there are a number of options for exercises and techniques that will be personally tailored to fit your dogs 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 dogs with 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 in a dog’s body through its natural flow of movement.

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

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

Hydrotherapy – Hydrotherapy involves using water’s resistance to help dogs 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 in dogs. It can also help improve circulation and promote relaxation.

If your dog is in need of rehabilitation, having someone to offer encouragement and guidance can make all the difference.
Talk to us about how our rehab nurse can help get you and your furry friend off on the right paw.

CALL NEWTOWN VET CLINIC

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Insuring your Pet

Written by Sarah Heather on 28 March 2023. Posted in Healthcare, Non Medical, Preventative. No Comments on Insuring your Pet

Pets are part of our families, they bring joy, companionship, and unconditional love. However, as much as we love them, they can also become a financial burden if they require unexpected medical attention. This is where pet insurance comes in. Pet insurance can help you cover unexpected veterinary bills and provide peace of mind in knowing that your pet will receive the best possible care without the added stress of a financial burden.

Pet Insurance provides financial protection, like humans, pets can fall ill or get injured unexpectedly. In some cases, these illnesses or injuries can require expensive medical attention, such as surgeries or hospitalisations. Pet insurance can help you cover these costs, ensuring that your pet receives the necessary care without breaking the bank. It can also:

Prevent difficult decisions: When faced with a sick or injured pet, the last thing you want to worry about is how to pay for their care. Without pet insurance, you may be forced to make difficult decisions about your pet’s treatment or even consider euthanasia if the cost of treatment is too high. Pet insurance can prevent these difficult decisions by providing the financial support you need to provide your pet with the best possible care.
Cover a variety of treatments: Pet insurance can cover a wide range of treatments, including surgeries, hospitalizations, medications, and potentially even alternative therapies like acupuncture or hydrotherapy. This means that no matter what your pet needs, you can rest assured that you will be able to provide it without worrying about the cost.
Save money in the long run: While pet insurance does require a monthly premium, it can save you money in the long run by reducing the cost of unexpected veterinary bills. By paying a small amount each month, you can avoid large bills down the road, which can be especially important if your pet requires ongoing medical care.
Provide peace of mind: Perhaps most importantly, pet insurance provides peace of mind. You never know when your pet may require unexpected medical attention, and having pet insurance can provide comfort in knowing that you will be able to provide them with the care they need without the added stress of a financial burden.

Pet insurance is an important investment for pet owners. It can provide financial protection, prevent difficult decisions, cover a wide range of treatments, save money in the long run, and provide peace of mind. So, if you haven’t already, consider investing in pet insurance for your furry friend, have a chat with us today.

Parasite Protection

Written by Sarah Heather on 4 January 2023. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Preventative.

You can sign up to the Parasite Prevention Program, which sends you out monthly parasite control so you never forget an application!

Complete Parasite Protection for Your Pets

Keeping your pet protected from parasites is essential for their health and well-being. Newtown Veterinary Clinic offer a range of parasite prevention options, including monthly, quarterly and annual treatments to suit you and your pet’s lifestyle.

Intestinal Worms

When it comes to intestinal worms in your pet, such as hookworms, roundworms, whipworm and tapeworm, prevention is much better than cure.
Intestinal worms are parasites, if your pet is not protected they can easily become infected resulting in serious illness. Some intestinal worms are also transmittable to humans, simply by patting your infected pet the parasites can infect you.

The worms affect your dog or cat’s digestive system, and only take a couple of weeks to mature from larvae to adult worms. Once the larvae have matured the cycle begins, the worms lay eggs which mature into adult worms etc.
It can be difficult to see symptoms of an intestinal parasite until the late stages, which is why it is important to have regular worm treatment in place.

Signs your pet could have worms include:

Worms visible in faeces or vomit
Weight loss
Dry, coarse fur
Increased appetite, weakness, and diarrhoea

Fleas & Ticks

Fleas are external parasites that live on the coat and skin of animals and survive by feeding on the blood of their host. What can start as 1 or 2 fleas can quickly turn into an infestation, and breaking the life cycle of the fleas can take months as the flea eggs can lay dormant for up to 6 months.
Initially, the fleas will cause small irritations from biting your pet, if not quickly treated this can lead to severe itchiness, secondary skin infections and even anaemia!

As with all parasites, prevention is the key. It is very important to discuss the best preventative treatment for your pet with us, there is a huge amount of options on the market. Some products are not cat friendly, others can vary in frequency of application, depend on the weight of your pet, and have options of spot-on or tablet treatments. We can recommend the best product to suit your lifestyle and send you reminders when your animal is due for their next treatment, ensuring you stay on top of the medication.

Heartworm

Heartworm is a serious and potentially fatal disease that affects dogs and cats. It is caused by a parasitic worm called Dirofilaria immitis, which is transmitted through the bite of infected mosquitoes.
The life cycle of the heartworm is complex and involves several stages. When a mosquito bites an infected animal, it picks up microfilariae, which are immature heartworms, along with its blood meal. The microfilariae develop into infective larvae inside the mosquito and are then transmitted to a new host when the mosquito bites again.
Once inside the new host, the larvae migrate to the heart and lungs, where they grow into adult worms. As the worms mature in the heart they can cause physical blockages and thickening of the heart and associated blood vessels, leading to a range of symptoms including coughing, lethargy, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, heartworm infection can result in heart failure and death.
Fortunately, there are very effective preventative treatment options available including tablets, chews, spot-on’s and even an annual injection for dogs administered by one of our vets. If your pet has not been on heartworm prevention we strongly recommend a heartworm test prior to starting a prevention program, followed by a repeat test 6 months after commencing.

Regular heartworm testing is also recommended for dogs and cats, even if they are already on a preventative regimen. Testing can detect the presence of heartworms before clinical signs appear, allowing for early treatment and better outcomes.

Common Household Toxins

Written by Sarah Heather on 23 December 2022. Posted in Healthcare, Preventative.

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There are lots of things around the house that can be toxic to your cat or dog, it is important to know what they are so you can keep them out of reach. If you suspect or know that your dog has ingested something toxic, call us for advice. We can assess your pet and induce vomiting to get the toxins out of your pet’s system, we can also hospitalise your pet if they require further support.

Chocolate is the first one that comes to mind when you think about food that is poisonous to dogs, but there are a number of other human foods and products that are also toxic to dogs

Onions
Garlic
Grapes and grapes products such as sultanas
Fruit stones inc apple seeds, cherry pips, peach, apricot and plum stones
Coffee and caffeine
Xylitol (sugar-free sweetener)
Alcohol
Potato peelings, green potatoes and rhubarb leaves
Mushrooms
Nuts including macadamia nuts
Tobacco
Corn cobs
Spoiled or mouldy food

Besides foods, there are other items found around the house that are toxic to pets

Detergents and cleaning products
Human drugs and medication eg vitamins, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol, Ventolin
Some plants and flowers like lilies, tulips and daffodils to name a few
Batteries
Baits like rat and snail bait

If your pet is displaying signs they have eaten something toxic, like vomiting, diarrhoea, shaking, seizures or trouble breathing call us so we can assess your pet. If it is outside of our business hours call Geelong Animal Emergency.

Call Now – 03 5221 5333

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