Managing Your Pet’s Health
Arthritis Managment
We are so lucky to see our pets living longer and longer healthy lives. However, this often means we see arthritis development in our older pets from general “wear and tear”.
There are many effective ways to treat and manage sore joints in our pets, from combinations of lifestyle changes, in home physio exercises and over the counter joint support medications, to multimodal drug therapy and everything in between.
We want our pets to be pain-free and are lucky that we can use a combination of multiple modalities to help achieve this for them.
Here is a list of things we can choose from the help manage the pain associated with arthritis.
- Lifestyle changes – weight loss, exercise modification, different sleeping arrangements or bedding
- Rehabilitation & physiotherapy – tailored plans from an animal physiotherapist
- Joint supports – from green-lipped mussel extracts to newer supplements like Epitalis
- Arthritis injections – courses of therapeutic injections
- Anti-inflammatory medications
Blood Pressure
Blood pressure monitoring is an important part of managing your pet’s health, depending on tolerence this can be part of a routine health check. Blood pressure monitoring is especially important for older pets and those on certain medications. The measurement is painless, but it does require a calm and compliant patient, so it may not always be possible during a standard check-up.
Blood Testing
Blood testing is a vital part of managing your pet’s health. Regular testing helps us ensure that medications are working effectively and safely by monitoring organ function and measuring drug levels when needed. Blood tests are also an important part of pre-anaesthetic screening, helping us identify potential risks before procedures. For senior pets, regular blood work allows us to detect age-related changes early, adjust treatments, and keep them comfortable and healthy. By keeping track of these results, we can provide the safest, most effective care and support your pet’s long-term wellbeing.
BOAS Surgery
Many pets face challenges from Brachycephalic Obstructive Airway Syndrome (BOAS), which can cause noisy breathing, gagging, poor exercise tolerance, excessive panting, and trouble cooling down. At Newtown Veterinary Clinic, we offer expert diagnosis and surgical treatment to help your pet breathe easier and live more comfortably. BOAS is diagnosed through a physical exam, airway evaluation under anaesthesia, and sometimes chest X-rays to assess the windpipe. Surgery is recommended when symptoms affect daily life, with procedures such as soft palate resection, laryngeal sacculectomy, and nares widening, often combined in a single anaesthetic. Your pet’s safety and comfort are our priority, with tailored recovery plans and careful monitoring. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent complications and greatly improve quality of life.
Cancer Wellness Centre
Our Cancer Wellness Centre supports pets and their owners through cancer diagnosis, treatment, and ongoing care. Providing emotional support, tailored treatment options to help pets live comfortably and owners feel supported throughout the journey.
Pets have access to a range of treatment options, from chemotherapy protocols delivered in our clinic to referrals for specialist oncologists. A dedicated veterinary nurse acts as a case guide to ensure you always have someone to help navigate your pet’s care.
We also provide compassionate end-of-life guidance, tailored planning, and aftercare services to honour your pet’s journey.
Through community workshops and educational resources, we aim to empower owners with knowledge about early cancer detection, treatment options, and supportive care.
At the Cancer Wellness Centre, we are committed to comprehensive care, comfort, and support for both pets and their families.
Pets have access to a range of treatment options, from chemotherapy protocols delivered in our clinic to referrals for specialist oncologists. A dedicated veterinary nurse acts as a case guide to ensure you always have someone to help navigate your pet’s care.
We also provide compassionate end-of-life guidance, tailored planning, and aftercare services to honour your pet’s journey.
Through community workshops and educational resources, we aim to empower owners with knowledge about early cancer detection, treatment options, and supportive care.
At the Cancer Wellness Centre, we are committed to comprehensive care, comfort, and support for both pets and their families.
Chronic Conditions
Managing your pet’s long-term or chronic condition can be exhausting and frustrating, but you are not alone. Some conditions cannot be cured, only managed, and having your pet suffer can be very difficult as an owner.
Good communication is key, we work with you to establish a tailored long-term management plan to support both you and your pet.
During the diagnosis phase, multiple visits, tests and sometimes specialist input may be needed to reach a clear diagnosis. While this can be stressful and costly upfront, once a diagnosis is made, a structured management plan can save time, stress and money in the long run.
Pets on long-term medication are recommended six-monthly check-ups to ensure treatments are effective and not causing any secondary issues. We are here to listen, guide and help you create a plan that fits your life while providing the best possible outcomes for your pet.
Heart Disease
Heart disease is a common finding in both cats and dogs. Listening to a heart murmur alone cannot determine whether an animal has clinical heart disease. The most reliable way to assess structural heart disease in our pets is an echocardiogram (ultrasound of the heart). We are fortunate to offer an in-house, cost-effective option, performed by Dr Vicki. This provides advanced assessment, allowing us to diagnose and monitor your pet on a regular basis.
Depending on the results, your pet may or may not require long-term medication to slow the progression toward congestive heart failure. The gold standard for managing clinical heart disease is six-monthly echocardiograms with medication adjustments as needed. Regular monitoring ensures your pet receives the best possible care and maintains quality of life.
Depending on the results, your pet may or may not require long-term medication to slow the progression toward congestive heart failure. The gold standard for managing clinical heart disease is six-monthly echocardiograms with medication adjustments as needed. Regular monitoring ensures your pet receives the best possible care and maintains quality of life.
Itching & Allergies
Itchy skin and allergies are frustrating as a “cure” is usually not possible and treatment is likely lifelong management and intervention.
If the underlying cause of itching is not controlledd, secondary infections commonly develop.
It is very important to try to determine the cause of the recurrent skin issue. Skin disease may be caused by one or a combination of the following:
It is very important to try to determine the cause of the recurrent skin issue. Skin disease may be caused by one or a combination of the following:
- Endocrine conditions, which can be ruled in or out with blood testing
- Infections, assessed using in-house cytology or, in some cases, culture testing
- Allergies, which can be investigated and managed in-clinic, with referral options available for intradermal testing
- Neoplastic disease, as some cancers can present with significant skin changes
- Lumps and bumps – some cancers can present with significant skin changes
Kidney & Urinary Issues
Kidneys are vital organs that remove waste and toxins from the body. A diagnosis of kidney (renal) disease can feel scary, but we are here to support you every step of the way. We will develop an individualised management plan for your pet, which may include regular monitoring through blood tests, urine tests, and ultrasounds to track kidney function and your pet’s overall health.
With consistent monitoring and a proactive approach, many pets with kidney disease can maintain an excellent quality of life for years.
Our team is here to provide guidance, answer your questions, and help make managing kidney disease as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
With consistent monitoring and a proactive approach, many pets with kidney disease can maintain an excellent quality of life for years.
Our team is here to provide guidance, answer your questions, and help make managing kidney disease as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
Liver Issues
The liver is a vital organ that acts like the body’s detoxifying sponge, filtering blood and maintaining overall health.
Liver disease can be concerning, but with careful monitoring and a tailored management plan, many dogs and cats can continue to live comfortably.
Common liver issues in dogs and cats include:
If we are concerned about liver function, we may recommend additional testing or an ultrasound.
If a liver issue is diagnosed, your dog or cat will require ongoing monitoring and a management plan tailored to their condition. This may include medication, dietary changes, and regular blood tests and imaging to support liver health and maintain quality of life.
Liver disease can be concerning, but with careful monitoring and a tailored management plan, many dogs and cats can continue to live comfortably.
Common liver issues in dogs and cats include:
- Inflammation of the liver (Hepatitis)
- Hepatic lipidosis – fat accumulation in the liver, often in cats
- Toxin-related liver damage – from medications, plants, or chemicals
- Endocrine-related changes – such as Cushing’s disease or diabetes
If we are concerned about liver function, we may recommend additional testing or an ultrasound.
If a liver issue is diagnosed, your dog or cat will require ongoing monitoring and a management plan tailored to their condition. This may include medication, dietary changes, and regular blood tests and imaging to support liver health and maintain quality of life.
Opthalmology (Eye Care)
Pets only have two eyes, all eye problems should be considered urgent. Early detection and treatment are key to maintaining their long-term vision and comfort. We can perform a series of tests to assess the health of your pet’s eyes and detect potential problems early.
Seizure Managment
Witnessing your pet have a seizure can be distressing. Our goal is to help you manage your pet’s seizures effectively at home, improving their quality of life and reducing the frequency or severity of episodes.
We work with you to develop an individualised management plan, which may include medication, lifestyle adjustments, and monitoring strategies to keep your pet safe and comfortable. It’s still important to know when a seizure requires urgent veterinary attention.
You should contact us immediately if your pet experiences a seizure that lasts several minutes, has repeated seizures without fully recovering in between, or has more than two seizures within 24 hours.
Outside of these situations, we provide guidance and ongoing support to help you care for your pet at home and manage their condition effectively.
We work with you to develop an individualised management plan, which may include medication, lifestyle adjustments, and monitoring strategies to keep your pet safe and comfortable. It’s still important to know when a seizure requires urgent veterinary attention.
You should contact us immediately if your pet experiences a seizure that lasts several minutes, has repeated seizures without fully recovering in between, or has more than two seizures within 24 hours.
Outside of these situations, we provide guidance and ongoing support to help you care for your pet at home and manage their condition effectively.
Senior Planning
As pets grow older, their needs change both physically and behaviourally.
Our Senior Pet Planning Program helps you navigate these changes with clarity, compassion, and confidence. It’s about planning for more good days, understanding your pet’s current needs, and recognising early signs of changes in comfort or quality of life. Through twice-yearly health checks, we monitor overall health, mobility, joints, dental, vision, hearing, organ function, nutrition, and behaviour. This proactive approach allows us to detect subtle changes early and provide timely support, keeping senior pets comfortable, active, and happy.
This program is ideal for dogs and cats aged 7 years and older, and for families who want to extend their pet’s quality of life while staying ahead of age-related changes.
Starting early allows you to make calm, confident decisions and enjoy your pet’s golden years to the fullest.
Our Senior Pet Planning Program helps you navigate these changes with clarity, compassion, and confidence. It’s about planning for more good days, understanding your pet’s current needs, and recognising early signs of changes in comfort or quality of life. Through twice-yearly health checks, we monitor overall health, mobility, joints, dental, vision, hearing, organ function, nutrition, and behaviour. This proactive approach allows us to detect subtle changes early and provide timely support, keeping senior pets comfortable, active, and happy.
This program is ideal for dogs and cats aged 7 years and older, and for families who want to extend their pet’s quality of life while staying ahead of age-related changes.
Starting early allows you to make calm, confident decisions and enjoy your pet’s golden years to the fullest.