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Summer Newsletter 2019
Find out how you can help with the Australian bush fires
Patient Story: Benji the Guinea Pig
Why you shouldn't leave your dog in the car
How to: Rabbits - how to administer medications at home
Meet our newest Nurses Maggie and Sandy
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I'm sure all of you have seen what is happening right now to our friends over in Australia. They have now lost close to 1 billion animals to the fires and there will be more to come. The loss of lives both, animal and human, are incredibly saddening, along with the homes and land that has been wiped out. It is going to take Australia years to recover from this so we want to do what we can to support them for as long as we can.

We had about 8 boxes full of supplies which were shipped over to Australia on Friday 9th January. We are so overwhelmed at how many items were donated to us to pass on and we want to say a massive THANK YOU to everyone that has donated items and money. At this stage we may not be able to send anything else over so we are fundraising for donations. We will have delicious baking that you can purchase with 100% of donations going directly to help the animals. As soon as we are able to get another shipment of supplies over, we will post on our social media.

We are so incredibly proud of the Vets, Nurses and volunteers dealing with this right now and know it must be taking a huge toll on them. Heather has flown over to Australia with a disaster relief team from Animal Evac to help treat wildlife, so she will be away for another week or so. We will be posting regular updates on our social media so keep an eye out!

If you would like to donate, head over to our Facebook page where we have posted various links to charities.
Case study: Benji the Guinea Pig
Benji is our little new year miracle patient! He is a much loved 3 year old male guinea pig who presented to our vet Helen on new year's eve. He was a very sick guinea pig with a high temperature and he was unable to stand up on his back legs. His right hind in particular was very sore and swollen.
Helen suspected a severe cellulitis which is a nasty bacterial infection of the skin. Benji was very unwell and we weren't sure if we'd be able to save him. Helen admitted him for pain relief, anitbiotics, fluids and intensive care and by that evening he was feeling quite a bit better and his temperature had come down to normal.
Benji went home to continue his medication and thankfully he responded to the treatment and continued to improve. His dedicated owner brought him in for a recheck a few days later and the lucky little guy was feeling so much better, he was able to run away from Helen when she tried to check him over!
Benji is now back to normal and living his best life with his owner Niki. I'm sure you'll agree that he is one lucky (and very photogenic) guinea pig!
With the warmer weather we felt it was a good time to remind everyone of the dangers of leaving your dog in a hot car. Even with the windows cracked a couple of inches the temperature will continue to rise until it becomes unbearable. Within 30 minutes your car can be double the temperature it is outside and your dog will be suffering. Unlike humans dogs cannot perspire, so they don't have the ability to cool down as we do, meaning they will succumb to heat stroke far quicker than we would. Heat stroke kills! Your precious dogs are family members and it's not worth the risk even for just a quick trip. The safest place for them is at home even on a mild day. If you see a dog inside a car on a hot day and they appear to be in distress call the SPCA immediately and get advice from them on what to do. 

Watch this video of just how quickly the temperature can rise in your car

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwEg1RoULBw
We are saying farewell to our Nurse Tina this month and welcoming our new Nurse Maggie!
Maggie graduated with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing from Ara in 2019.
She is learning the ropes fast and will become a familiar face around the clinic.
Welcome Maggie!!!
Some of you may have already met Sandy as she has been working Saturdays for us. You will be seeing her around a bit more as she has become a permanent part time Veterinary Nurse!
Sandy graduated with a diploma in Veterinary Nursing with Maggie in 2019.
Great to have you on board with us Sandy!
Giving your rabbit medication at home needn't be scary!
Follow our tips on how to administer oral liquid medications at home.

 
  1. Giving medications is usually easier with 2 people, so grab someone to help you out if you can. Have your medication drawn up and ready before you get your rabbit to save time
  2. If your rabbit is a bit wriggly or jumpy you can burrito wrap them in a towel. Remember rabbits have very strong hind legs and if they aren't held firmly they can kick too hard and injure their spines, so hold them nice and firm
  3. Take one hand and place it around their head firmly but not too hard
  4. Next get your syringe of medication and place it in the cheek pouch of the rabbits mouth. Rabbits should be given medication into either of their cheek pouches rather than in the front of their mouths as their large incisors make it difficult!
  5. Slowly plunge the medication into their mouths and removed the syringe. You should notice your rabbit chewing and swallowing the liquid.
  6. If you don't have another person around to help you, you can still wrap your bunny up in a towel and then place them between your thighs with firm pressure to give them the medication
Our team member of the month for January is...
Emma once again!!!


Emma is always racing around the clinic, staying late to help others and fussing over our lovely patients and clients! She is a superstar!

Well done Emma!!!
If you have received exceptional service from one of our team members we would love to hear about it!
At the Vets are now offering Genoapay!!! Create an account and be pre-approved for up to $1000 in just minutes. You will not be charged any interest or fees, and can pay off your account over 10 weeks.

For more information check out 
https://www.genoapay.com/ or call us on 332 6632
We now accept SuperGold card! Use your card in clinic to receive 10% discount off vet consultation fees, and 5% off retail purchases.
Book your appointment online!  See available appointments and book one that suits you.  CLICK HERE to go to the portal, or access it from our Facebook page or Website.
Visit our website to learn about our staff, take a tour of the clinic, keep up with news, and read about the services we offer.  Book appointments online.
Use the contact page to email us, and request repeat prescriptions.
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03 332 6632

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