How Do I Know When It’s Time?

Written by Sarah Heather on 6 December 2024. Posted in Healthcare, Medical, Non Medical, Services, Uncategorized. No Comments on How Do I Know When It’s Time?

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.

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.

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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End of Life Care

Written by Sarah Heather on 22 December 2022. Posted in Healthcare, Non Medical, Services.

Euthanasia is a difficult choice for every pet owner. We are here to support you through this period to help guide you and support you in your decision.
We wish our pets would live forever, but we know that they do not. In most cases the decision to euthanize a loved pet is made to end or prevent suffering at the end of life. Euthanasia is a kindness that we can offer our pets that is often not afforded to our human loved ones.

We know the decision is difficult and the loss of a beloved pet is heartbreaking. We pride ourselves on providing compassionate and caring end of life services.
From our dedicated euthanasia “lounge room” to allow for a longer and private goodbye when requested. We use relaxant and sedative medications to ensure that your pet is calm and relaxed during the entire process.
We welcome family members to be present to help support you alongside our team.
The euthanasia process is tailored to each individual family and pet. Some families do not want to be present, others want to stay until the end.
The separate euthanasia space means you can take the time that you need before and after the euthanasia.
We use the services of Eden Hills Cremation to take care of your beloved pet’s body. With communal or private cremation available. Individual urns, wooden boxes or jewelry can all be chosen to store the ash of your beloved pet.
If you or your family members need further support following the loss of your pet, we are again available to advise and guide you to help you in your grief recovery.
Our aim is to provide a relaxed and dignified end for your beloved pet, whilst ensuring your emotional wellbeing is supported.

If you’re not sure whether it is time to put your pet to sleep, there are 3 Simple Ways to Evaluate Your Pet’s Quality of Life
1. Make a list of the top five things your pet loved to do. If they can no longer enjoy most of these activities, it may be time to reflect on their overall quality of life.
2. Looking back at photos or videos of how your pet looked and behaved before their illness. Gradual changes can be hard to notice, so reviewing these can help you notice the differences more clearly.
3 .Track your pet’s good and bad days on a calendar or diary. If the bad days begin to outnumber the good, it might be time to consider their overall quality of life.

We also offer Quality of Life Consultations, these consults guide you and provide some answers that you need. If you would like to make a time for this discussion please give us a call.

Dental Disease

Written by Sarah Heather on 19 December 2022. Posted in Common Conditions, Healthcare, Preventative, Services, Surgical.

Dental Disease

Just like humans, our pets are vulnerable to gum disease and problems with their teeth. Alarmingly, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats suffer from some form of dental disease by the age of three.
When there is a build-up of bacteria, food particles and saliva on the teeth plaque is formed. Plaque sticks to the tooth surface above and below the gum line, it appears as a yellow-brown on the teeth, if not removed plaque will calcify into tartar (also known as calculus).
Over time the bacterial infection in tartar causes irreversible changes to occur, these can include the destruction of supportive tissues and bone, resulting in red gums, bad breath and loosening of teeth. This same bacterial infection is also a source of infection for the rest of the body (such as the kidney, liver and heart) and can make your pet seriously ill.
Ultimately, dental disease results in many pets unnecessarily suffering tooth loss, gum infection and pain. It also has the potential to shorten your pet’s lifespan.

How do I know if my pet has dental disease?

Our vets can examine your pet’s teeth on a regular basis and discuss options with you, if necessary we can make a follow-up appointment for a professional dental clean.
The professional dental teeth clean is completed while your pet is anaesthetised, this allows our experts to carry out a thorough dental examination, and clean all teeth without distressing your pet.
A complete dental examination involves charting all present teeth and evaluating their condition, including the degree of tartar, gingivitis (gum inflammation) and any pockets in the gums around the teeth. Our veterinarians will then remove the tartar above the gumline using a special ultrasonic scaler, just like a dentist uses for our teeth. The teeth are then polished using a dental polisher and specialised fine-grade paste.
If the dental disease is not severe the procedure will end here, however, if certain teeth are so severely affected they cannot be saved, extractions will be necessary.
Once all dental work is complete, your pet may be given an antibiotic and an anti-inflammatory injection, pets are generally able to go home on the same day.

Following a professional dental clean, a plan needs to be implemented to minimise build up of tartar again, and will depend on the severity of your pet’s dental disease. This may involve regular tooth brushing, feeding raw meaty bones and/or a special diet. It is recommended that all pets be examined 6 months after dental cleaning to determine the effectiveness of your dental care routine.

How can I minimise ongoing dental disease?

Long-term control and prevention of dental disease requires regular home care. The best way to begin this is to acclimatise your pet from a young age. Dental home care may include:

Pet Oral wipes to wipe over and clean your pets teeth daily
Brushing teeth daily using specialised pet toothbrush and toothpaste. DO NOT use human toothpaste as these may be toxic to your pet!
Feed specially formulated dental food
Use dental toys, enzymatic chews, or teeth cleaning biscuits
Regular and frequent attention to your pet’s teeth may avoid the need for a professional dental clean under anaesthetic, and will also improve your pet’s overall health.

Read about our Dental SPA option here

Pet Insurance

Written by admin on 7 August 2022. Posted in Services.

Pet insurance is becoming more and more popular in Australia. It offers you peace of mind as it covers some or all of the treatment costs if your pet was ever involved in an accident or suffers a sudden illness. There is no equivalent of Medicare for pets, thus often treatment costs exceed what an equivalent problem would cost for a human patient. Did you know that 24 hr emergency care for animals can cost over $1000 per day? Some surgeries such as repair of fractured bones or exploratory surgery can also add up to thousands of dollars and that does not even include the recovery and aftercare treatment. It is a heartbreaking situation to have to choose between the health of your pet and financial constraints, so for peace of mind we strongly recommend that your pet is insured.

There are several companies that offer pet insurance and we can help you find one that best suits your needs and your pet.

What does pet insurance cover?

Individual packages vary in the type of treatment covered. However, they usually include most accidents and unexpected illnesses.
You need to consider the differences between policies, in particular the claim excess amount, proportion of treatment costs covered, annual claim limit, age restrictions, pre-existing illness exclusions and policy costs.
We highly recommend pet insurance and encourage you to discuss it with us at your next visit.

Specialist Referrals

Written by admin on 7 August 2022. Posted in Services.

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Certain illness or injury may require specialised expertise and advanced equipment for accurate diagnosis and optimal treatment. If your pet is facing a problem that requires this level of expertise our team will refer you to a trusted specialist, who has earned our confidence and demonstrated excellence in their field. We work closely alongside the specialists and together can offer optimum care for pets that require this service.
We understand that seeking treatment from a specialist can raise challenging decisions for pet owners. Rest assured, our responsibility and support continue, even when your pet is under the care of an external specialist.

We are delighted to provide convenient access to a team of specialist surgeons right here at Newtown Veterinary Clinic

Dr Wayne Fitzgerald for advanced dentistry (root canals, bridging plates etc)
Dr Adrian Wallace for orthopaedic and advanced soft tissue surgery requirements
Dr Harold Pook for advanced ultrasonography and scoping
Dr Clint Yuldman for internal medicine and specialist treatment

Newtown Veterinary Clinic also works closely with Advanced Vet Care, Geelong Animal Referral Services and Geelong Animal Emergency centre.

If you find yourself facing difficult choices regarding the recommended treatment, we encourage you to reach out to us. We are here to provide guidance and assistance in evaluating your options, ensuring that you make informed decisions that align with your pet’s well-being.

CALL NEWTOWN VET CLINIC

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