ANIMAL HEALTH CENTRE
Peace of mind for you and your pet
Lets cover some of the most Frequently Asked Questions...
There are many things you may come across in the time you own a pet.
Lets go through some of the myths and some of the facts...​
Please note if your pet is having a medical emergency please call the clinic immediately 9731 1912
01
Has my animal been bitten by a Snake?
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​If you have seen your pet around a snake and believe it may have been bitten please call and and then bring your pet immediately into the clinic. An animal that has been bitten by a snake requires emergency treatment immediately. Even if you are not totally sure whether they have been bitten, it's better to err on the side of caution, than to have your beloved pet pass away unnecessarily.
Symptoms: Please note that signs can present from several minutes after the bite to several hours
> Trembling > Dilated pupils
> Drooling > Diarrhoea or loss of bowel function
> Collapse > Progressive weakness and paralysis
> Vomiting
Please note that cats present with similar symptoms but may have a delayed reaction.

02
I think my pet has eaten Rat Bait...what do I do?
The prognosis for pets that have ingested anticoagulant rodenticides depends on the length of time between exposure and treatment, so if you do see your pet get into the rat bait or suspect that they have, it would be advantageous to get them to the clinic immediately.
Signs can develop from one to several days after ingestion depending on the type of bait consumed. Your pet may just become lethargic, start coughing or go off their food and water. If you haven't witnessed the ingestion of any bait, these symptoms may seem non-specific, but they are serious and need to be treated as soon as practical.
There are some myths floating about that some of the products have Vitamin K in them therefore it wont hurt the animal, or that simply time will correct the issue. These are incorrect, and at the clinic we have had to deal with the after effects of these urban myths.
So if in doubt ask the Vet first!
03
What do I need to know about a new puppy or kitten?
If you have just bought yourself a new little puppy or kitten and are a little unsure of exactly what to do and when, we are here to help guide you through the do's and don'ts and assist with the healthcare of your new family member.
Generally they'll need a course of vaccinations and worming treatments at 6-8 weeks, 10-12 weeks and 14-16 weeks. They should be fed a puppy or kitten specific diet and receive the socialisation they need through things like puppy pre-school. They should also have a microchip implanted and as a new owner, it is important that your details are linked to the microchip and are current so your pet can be reunited with you if they ever go missing.
There can sometimes be a bit of information overload about vaccinations, worming, diet and toilet training so we understand it can be a bit daunting! So it's important to remember that the team at the Animal Health Centre are only a phone call away if your not sure about something!​
04
Why has my dog got bad breath?
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You may notice that your pet has a bit of bad breath, or has started to maybe go off their food a bit, or has even been pawing at the mouth...these are usually indicators that your pet has a degree of dental disease. There are measures that can be taken to prevent dental disease, but if there are already signs, your pet may need to have a dental procedure at the clinic. This is usually done as a day procedure and is performed under a general anaesthetic. Similar to what you would go through at a dentist, a scale and polish would be preformed and potentially some extractions if required. If you are unsure, the best thing to do is to contact the clinic for an appointment.
05
I think my pet is overweight...
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One of the most common things we see in the clinic are obese pets. Unfortunately this is usually due to owners and their families giving their beloved pet too many treats, not feeding the right type of food, and feeding them too often. Some dogs are very good scavengers and beggars but there are measures that can be put in place to avoid your dog or cat becoming a pest at dinner time. We have created another handout specifically to help overweight and obese pets. There is a great diagram on there that shows you what you might think is an innocent treat but is causing your pet to become fat...for example did you know that one standard cookie given to your dog is the equivalent of a whole hamburger? So think twice about the type of treats and the amount you or your family may be giving out, and whether the diet regime is the correct one for your pet. We are more than happy to help and chat about the dietary requirements of your pet.
06
My dog might have arthritis, but there's not much I can do...
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One of the biggest issues with older dogs is arthritis, especially during the colder months. Arthritis is a degenerative disease, meaning that it gets worse over time. However there are quite a few options available to help keep your pet mobile and comfortable.
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There are preventative measures that can be put in place and at the end of the day your pet unfortunately can't tell you when they are feeling sore and sorry for themselves. A good rule of thumb is to make sure your pet has a thorough check up, even bi-annually, that way if there are any issues, together we can put preventative measures in place, or put a treatment plan together that will keep your pet happy, healthy and comfortable.