There has been another suicide in the veterinary industry over last week (September 2021 at date of publishing). It’s making news on TV and across social media. And my friends have been asking me “why is the veterinary suicide rate so high?” Apparently veterinarians have one of the highest suicide rate of any profession (3 […]
Many people ask us whether they should get pet insurance. It is a hard question to answer, and we cannot tell you what would be appropriate for your pet. We also can’t provide a comparison of pet insurance companies. But from our perspective, treating a pet is much easier with pet insurance. We don’t have […]
There are several parts to testing for Cushing’s disease. A normal blood test does not usually test for cortisol levels, or ACTH levels. But it can show elevated enzymes that are usually linked to the liver (usually called Alkaline Phosphatase). When liver enzymes in your pet are elevated, we often recommend an ultrasound to ensure […]
Once we have ruled out medical reasons for weight gain (See part 1) it is time to look at other reasons for weight gain. And weight gain is complex. Sometimes it can be as simple as feeding too many treats, but sometimes we hear owners coming in who never give treats, and their pet still […]
So, your vet thinks your dog may have Cushing’s disease? (For information on how we test for Cushing’s disease, CLICK HERE.) But to you, your pet seems happy, a little overweight perhaps, and maybe drinking more than they used to, but generally ok. Is it really worth spending so much money on blood tests? Or […]
It is the worst feeling, walking into the vet surgery, and feeling like your vet is judging you because your pet is overweight. We often have clients coming in cringing, and expecting to be berated over their pet’s weight issues. Weight can be extremely important when we talk about keeping a pet healthy, so we […]
Christmas can be one of the busiest times of year for emergency vet visits, but there are a few common things that can be prevented. This list may be useful in making sure you are as prepared as possible. We will be closed on the public holidays and Saturdays through the Christmas period. However if […]
Odontoclastic Resorptive Lesions (ORLs also known as Tooth Resorptions TRs) can be a really difficult diagnosis to understand. If you have been told your pet has resorptive lesisons, you have probably also been given a lot of information to process. This page is designed to help you work understand the diagnosis and its’ implications. What […]
In an effort to encourage responsible pet ownership and desexing of pets, the Office of Local Governments has passed legislation that imposes penalties on people who desex their pets later than 4 months for cats and 6 months for dogs. But I am worried that will be bad for my pet? There are certainly some […]
The root of the deciduous teeth resorb in order for the teeth to become loose and fall out. This allows the permanent teeth to erupt normally.When deciduous (baby) teeth don’t fall out to make way for the permanent teeth, they are called retained deciduous teeth. Retained deciduous teeth should be extracted surgically soon after they […]
“My pet WON’T let me clean their teeth!”“I don’t have the time to clean my pet’s teeth!” You’re right, you’re right. Every pet is different and some pets just WILL NOT allow you to clean their teeth. Even with our fancy step-by-step guide. Don’t despair and give up! Anything is better than nothing. Every little […]
(A step-by-step guide for the reluctant pet… or owner!) Wouldn’t it be great if your pet had opposable thumbs and cleaned their own teeth? You’d save so much in vet bills, their breath wouldn’t stink, they’d make less mess eating, and be less fussy with their food.Life would be bliss! Firstly, lets get the bad […]
Sample plans for puppy/dog prophylaxis. There are 2 main options when it comes to making sure you have all of your dog’s medications under control. Along with an annual trip to the vet, you will also need to give your pet medication on a monthly or a 3 monthly basis. We have given a sample […]
At what age should I desex my dog? This is a complicated question. If you are thinking about breeding from your dog, you should not desex them, as it is not a procedure we are able to undo. Please get a vet to examine your pet and make sure they are suitable for breeding. For […]
At what age will my dog first come into season? Most dogs reach sexual maturity and begin to cycle around 6 months of age, but this can vary in individuals. Large dog breeds often reach maturity much later – sometimes even as late as 12 months, while smaller breed dogs can come on heat as […]
Separation anxiety is becoming more and more common. As our pets become a part of the family they become more attached to us and it can become quite stressful in some circumstances when you need to go to work and leave your pet behind. Our first step in managing separation anxiety is always behavioural modification […]
You may have heard a bit about COVID-19 and pets in the media. We are still learning, as the situation unfolds, but we do know a few things about COVID-19 and your pets. Dogs The doggy coronavirus (Canine CoV) that we occasionally vaccinate for in puppies is completely different to COVID-19. It is not related […]
Remember, this calculator is a guide only. And please, dont feed your dog chocolate and think that it is safe because “the calculator said it was”. All chocolate has the potential to be toxic – and every pet responds differently. Your safest option is to feed your dog liver treats instead!
So, you want to spoil your pet rotten? And have been told to avoid various kinds of toys for various reasons? What is a safe toy for your dog? As vets, we see toys causing two main types of problems: a) The toy is too easy to break, and ends up wedged in your dogs […]
Wondering what to do for your pet this Christmas? Confused about which treats are safe and healthy? Perhaps worried about organic dog food? Or pondering whether your cat should be vegan? Or just desperate to know how to avoid emergency vet trips on Christmas day? Read on! Treats for dogs at Christmas? Lets get this […]
Does a storm phobia send you and your dog crazy during a storm? Here are some great tips on keeping your pet calm during a storm. At Tweed Coast Vet we understand summer can be a time of constant stress, worrying if there is a storm coming, and not knowing if your pet will still […]
When is “tick season”? In our area (Far Northern Beaches NSW and South Eastern Gold Coast) paralysis ticks are found all year round. It may surprise you to hear our peak tick season starts in July! That’s right, mid winter! That’s when we start to see the tick cases coming in. They will continue to […]
Your pet is in safe hands at Tweed Coast Vet. With one surgical theatre for major procedures, and an additional two for minor procedures we are able to take care of almost all of your pets needs. All of our surgery rooms are well equipped with adjustable tables, fluid pumps, and equipment to monitor breathing […]
CORE VACCINATIONS (These make up an F3 vaccination) Panluekopenia This virus has also been called ‘cat parvo’ in the media. Similarly to parvo in dogs, it causes bloody vomitting and diarrhoea in cats. It also wipes out the cats immune system. Fortunately we see it rarely as it is preventable simply by vaccinating your pet. […]
At Tweed Coast Vet, Cabarita, we have tried to keep things simple for you. We keep up-to-date with the latest research and guidelines released by the Australian Veterinary Association, so that you don’t have to. This page explains about preventable diseases in DOGS. For information on cats, please check out the CAT VACCINATION page. We […]