Pet Doctor Puppy Preschool Graduate 3

Puppy Pre School is Back at Pet Doctor!

At Pet Doctor Vet, our commitment to nurturing the well-being of your furry family members goes beyond routine check-ups and treatments. We are thrilled to announce the reintroduction of our Puppy Pre School program, an initiative designed to set your puppy on the path to a happy and healthy life.

Why Puppy Pre School at Pet Doctor Vet? The benefits are boundless. Our dedicated team of experienced veterinarians and trainers will guide your puppy through essential obedience training, socialisation, and vital health practices. Your pup will learn manners, making daily life a breeze.

But it doesn’t end there. Our program also imparts valuable insights on nutrition, grooming, and overall pet care, equipping you with the knowledge to provide the best life for your new companion. The fun and interactive classes ensure a positive learning experience for both you and your puppy.

Join us in welcoming this exciting addition to our range of services, where the journey of a lifetime for your puppy begins. You can find out more here or Contact Pet Doctor Vet today and let the adventure commence!

preventing heatstroke

Keeping your pets safe from heatstroke during Summer

There’s a lot to love about Summer. Longer lasting evenings, beach days and ice-cream – the list could go on. However, soaring temperatures also make it a critical time to keep a close eye on your pets. 

When animals are hot they get overwhelmed and in an attempt to cool themselves down, they can actually produce more heat. This makes them extremely vulnerable to heatstroke. 

Please Note: Heatstroke requires urgent treatment and is a very serious, life-threatening condition which can cause damage to your pet’s internal organs, sometimes to the point where they stop functioning. This can be rapidly fatal, and often is. 

Symptoms to look out for include but aren’t limited to:

  • Excessive panting and drooling.
  • Mobility issues and instability as they move around.
  • Appearance of a seizure, which is actually their organs overheating.
  • Discoloured gums displaying as either dark pink or very pale. 
  • Dullness of character. 
  • Vomiting or diarrhoea 
  • Muscle tremors. 
  • Hypersensitivity to noise, light, touch.

The good news is, there are plenty of ways in which you can help prevent heatstroke. These can include: 

  • Ensure your pet is kept in a well-ventilated, cool space. Outdoor pets should always have access to shade and air flow. 
  • Make sure your pet has access to plenty of fresh, COOL, clean drinking water at all times. 
  • Never leave your pet in a car as temperatures rise very quickly and can kill pets rapidly.
  • Aim to keep your pet healthy, but be sure to only exercise at dawn or after dark, when temperatures are cooler. 
  • Avoid hot sand, concrete, asphalt or any areas where heat is reflected and there is no access to shade. 
  • Cool your pet down with a garden hose or leave it access to a kids paddling pool filled with cool water.
  • Freeze large containers such as 9 litre buckets, ice cream containers or old cordial containers, full of water and leave them outside for your pet to lick.
  • Try to keep your pet inside on hot days in a cool and well-ventilated area of your home.

If you suspect your pet has suffered heatstroke or is displaying any of the above signs, remove your pet from the heat and call Pet Doctor immediately on (08) 8268 6777. You can then begin cooling them down slowly with cool (not cold) water and fans. Do not apply ice or ice-cold water as this can make the problem worse. You must cool them slowly!

For any further information or advice, contact Pet Doctor today! 

Is Your Dog At Risk Of Pancreatitis This Christmas?

Every Christmas, veterinarians across the country see a marked rise in the number of cases of pancreatitis in dogs of all ages. This is because the holiday brings an increased number of scenarios that can potentially lead to a dog becoming sick. This acute, painful pancreas inflammation can be deadly in many cases, so it’s vital that dog owners understand the causes of pancreatitis, the symptoms, and what measures must be taken to prevent cases of canine pancreatitis.

 

Causes of Pancreatitis

Pancreatitis is the term for inflammation of the pancreas, an organ that works to help the body metabolise sugars and produce insulin. In addition, the dog’s pancreas produces enzymes that are vital for digesting nutrients.

 

Pancreatic inflammation is seen most often during the holidays, when dog owners are doing lots of home cooking. Many dogs are affected by pancreatitis when they’re fed table scraps that are greasy and high in fat. In addition, a significant percentage of animals fall ill after stealing fat trimmings or other fatty food scraps from the garbage. 

 

Symptoms of Pancreatitis

Dogs with pancreatitis usually fall ill fairly suddenly, within a matter of hours. The most common symptoms of pancreatitis include:

  • Hunched posture
  • Painful abdomen 
  • Distended, enlarged abdomen 
  • Poor appetite
  • Lethargy 
  • Vomiting 
  • Dehydration 
  • Diarrhoea

Symptoms of pancreatitis can become very acute and a dog can become critically and even fatally ill very quickly, so if you suspect your dog may have pancreatitis, you should seek veterinary attention immediately.