FAQ

We perform all our elective surgeries from Monday to Friday. Once your pet is booked in with our clinic, please drop them off between 8:00am and 8:30am on the morning of the procedure. Please let us know if you would like to organise an alternative time. As your pet will be administered a general anaesthetic, they should be fasted overnight (from 7pm). It is fine to let them drink water until 7am the morning of the procedure. We will contact you once the procedure is complete to arrange discharge, which is typically from 3:00pm to 5:30pm.

There are several important reasons for desexing your pet. Firstly, as veterinarians, we would like to prevent the euthanasia of unwanted dogs and cats. By preventing unplanned litters, it is our aim to minimise unnecessary euthanasia of healthy animals. Moreover, your dog or cat will be a better pet once desexed. Desexing substantially reduces the risk of aggression, inappropriate behaviour (urine marking, sniffing and mounting), or running away. Also pets that are not desexed are at greater risk of developing a range of diseases, for example, prostate and testicular disease in males, and mammary tumours and pyometras in females. Once desexed, pets will live longer and require fewer visits to the vet.

We recommend yearly vaccination for dogs and cats. We use a C5 vaccine for dogs, which inoculates against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza and Bordetella. Please be aware that if you dog receives a tri-annual vaccine, the Bordetella and Parainfluenza components must still be done yearly. For cats, we use a F3 vaccination, which inoculates against Calicivirus, Panleukopenia and Feline Herpesvirus.

Fleas can be controlled with the use of a good-quality flea product. These can be bought over the counter at our veterinary clinic. Apply correctly; follow the instructions. Our staff can show you how to do this correctly. Consistency is paramount to flea control, in that missed treatments will allow the continuity of the flea life cycle. All dogs and cats in the same residence must be treated. Washing animal bedding in a hot washing machine cycle and/or disposing of old bedding can help to accelerate the process. Please ring us should you require more information.

There are two main differences between these foods. Dogs and cat food should contain consistently high levels of animal protein. The foods found in our veterinary clinic derive their protein from what you and I recognize as edible animal protein (meat in other words). The cheaper supermarket foods instead derive their protein from cereal grains. As the grain type is based on price, content is highly variable. Grain also has poor digestibility, with approximately only half of the stated protein of a grain-based food being usable. Low-quality pet food may also substitute meat with chicken meal, which may include bones, offal and feathers; this is similarly inconsistent and partially indigestible. In contrast, the manufacturers of the foods you find in a veterinary clinic publish a large and accessible body of research. These studies ensure the optimal type and quantity of ingredients in their food for the health for your pet.

For after-hours care, we recommend AES (Animal Emergency Services). They are located at 104 Eastlake Street, Carrara (Phone: 07 55591599). Please see our ‘Links’ tab for more information.