Can my Pet get COVID-19? Have a look at the video message published by AVA President Dr Julia Crawford on 21/03/2020 regarding pets and the COVID-19 pandemic. She provides up to date information, guidance and reassurance in challenging times. Current evidence finds that COVID-19 spreads in human populations due to close contact between people. There is no evidence that pets are [...]
There is an overwhelming amount of information out there on all topics of animals care. So when it comes to your pets nutrition where do you start? We believe that the best nutrition you can provide for your dog or cat should replicate that of their ancestors natural diet. With this in mind we have answered some of the most commonly asked questions. FEEDING YOUR CAT What kinds of food are [...]
How to care for these popular pocket pets! Making the decision to adopt a Guinea Pig can be an enjoyable and rewarding experience. Although somewhat shy, Guinea Pigs, with a little encouragement, are fun loving, gentle and charismatic little creatures. When searching for the best family friendly pet Guinea Pigs will always come out on the top of the list. As far as pets go they are low [...]
The recent cold nights are a good reminder to consider the needs of your older pet. Once your dog or cat has reached the age of 7 years or 5 years for large dogs over 25kg, they are beginning to enter their senior years. Like us, the physical, mental and emotional needs of your pets change as they become older. The feeding and exercise routines you’ve been using may no longer be appropriate. As[...]
What Is It? Phobia – fear or aversion (Oxford Dictionary) Thunderstorm phobia is described as an extreme fear response to storms, or other stimuli associated with storms. This phobia is often triggered by rain, strong winds, a drop in barometric pressure, static electricity, lightning and thunder. What Does it Look Like in Dogs? Dogs with Thunderstorm Phobia might exhibit, one [...]
The flea life cycle: Understanding the flea life cycle is helpful in understanding why it is sometimes difficult to control fleas on our pets. The flea has four main stages in their life cycle; egg, larva, pupa and adult. The ADULT flea prefers to live on the animal. The female lays her eggs after she feeds on a high protein diet – blood! She can lay up to 50 eggs per day! The eggs[...]
Keep your dog safe this Easter Chocolate toxicty Chocolate contains cocoa and cocoa contains the compound theobromine. Chocolate poisoning is a problem that occurs mainly in dogs but also occurs occasionally in cats or other animals. The concentration of theobromine varies depending on the type of chocolate. For example, cocoa powder, baking chocolate and dark chocolate contain higher [...]
Handy hints on clipping nails A guide to clipping your pets nails. The most common reason for avoiding nail trims is that owners are afraid of cutting the nail too short which can cause bleeding and pain for the animal. This creates ill feeling around the procedure and possible mistrust in the dog. The result being that nail cutting becomes an event surrounded by angst and drama. If nails [...]
Dr Megan Kearney receives her Master of Veterinary Studies in Conservation Medicine degree from Murdoch University. Dr Megan spent four years following her passion, studying conservation medicine, including a placement at the Australian Wildlife Health Centre, Healesvile, Victoria and Currumbin Wildlife Hospital, Queensland. What is conservation medicine? "Conservation [...]