VET CLINIC SERVICES

DESEXING IS A ROUTINE DAY SURGERY

There are many reasons why pet owners should desex their pets. As well as helping to stop pet overpopulation, the following are some of the other benefits associated with desexing cats and dogs.

HEALTH

• Reduced risk of getting cancer or other diseases of the reproductive organs, such as testicular cancer, prostate cancer/disorders in males, and cystic ovaries, ovarian tumors, acute uterine infections and breast cancer in females.
• Females can suffer from physical and nutritional exhaustion if continually breeding.

BEHAVIOURAL

• Pets are less prone to wander, fight, and are less likely to get lost or injured.
• Reduces territorial behaviour such as spraying indoors.
• May be less likely to suffer from anti-social behaviours –  they may become more affectionate!
• Eliminates “heat” cycles in female cats and their efforts to get outside in search of a mate.
• May help to reduce male dogs’ urge to “mount” people’s legs.

COST

• Reduces the cost to the community of having to care for unwanted puppies and kittens in pounds and shelters.
• No additional food or vet bills for the offspring.
• No need to find homes for unwanted or unexpected litters of puppies or kittens.
• Save money from expensive surgeries from car accidents or fights, which are less likely to occur if your pet doesn’t roam around.
• Sometimes an emergency caesarean section is required. This major surgery can cost thousands of dollars.
• Dumping puppies and kittens is an ethical cost, as well as being illegal and inhumane.
• The price of desexing is more affordable to those in financial need with the assistance of organisations such as the National Desexing Network.

For more information on desexing your pet, visit National Desexing Network.

A MICROCHIP IS A PERMANENT METHOD OF ELECTRONIC IDENTIFICATION (SIZE OF A GRAIN OF RICE) PLACED UNDER THE SKIN

The benefits of microchipping include easy identification of the owner when a pet is lost, it assists shelters to easily match lost pets and helps get them home to their families.

The microchip is placed with a needle beneath the animals skin and no anaesthesia is required.

Since July 2009, microchipping is compulsory when acquiring a cat or dog in Queensland. Breeders must provide the veterinary clinic with a Breeder Identification Number (BIN Number) at the time of the appointment. It is a requirement for all breeders to sell puppies with their first vaccination and microchip.

LIKE ANY HUMAN BEING, DOGS AND CATS CAN ALSO SUFFER FROM ORTHOPEDIC TRAUMA

Orthopaedic surgery encompasses any surgery that is related to bones or joints. Our veterinarians level of expertise and equipped surgical suite allows us to perform a range of surgical procedures that your pet may require including:

• Cranial Cruciate Ligament repair.
• Fracture (bone) repair.
• Amputation for severe injuries or bone cancer cases.

Complicated orthopaedic cases, such as spinal surgery may require referral to a specialist orthopaedic surgeon. Our veterinarians will assess each case individually and provide the best advice for you and your pet.

DENTAL DISEASE IS A FREQUENT HEALTH ISSUE IN DOGS AND CATS

Some of the symptoms associated with dental disease include bad breath, bleeding gums, swollen or loose teeth.

Dental disease is caused by bacterial plaque build-up along the gum line, which can potentially lead to problems such as gingivitis, tooth root abscesses, pain and in severe cases, bacteraemia (bacteria in the blood stream which can cause heart, liver and kidney disease).

Therefore, it is crucial that you have your pet’s mouth checked regularly by a veterinarian to assess any problem in early stages and make sure your pet’s teeth and mouth are healthy.

A veterinarian will examine your pet’s mouth to look for:

• Plaque, calculus and gingivitis.
• Broken or missing teeth.
• Discoloured teeth, masses and obvious periodontal disease.

If dental disease is found, your veterinarian may recommend a scale and polish under anaesthesia to clean the teeth and extraction of decayed or broken teeth if required.

A simple prevention for you as an owner is brushing your pet’s teeth at home. It is recommended brushing once a day or at least twice a week. Alternatively, there are prescription diets to prevent dental disease.

Check with your veterinarian for the most suitable toothpaste, brush and procedures according to your pet.

RADIOGRAPHS ARE A NON INVASIVE WAY FOR VETS TO LOOK AT TISSUES, BONES AND ORGANS

Radiography equipment allows us to quickly diagnose injuries, especially during emergencies.

We use digital radiography to obtain immediate results, reducing stress for your pet.

To achieve optimal imaging results, patients need to remain completely still during x-rays, which often requires sedation or general aesthesia.

OUR CLINICS CAN HELP WITH NUTRITIONAL ADVICE AND PRESCRIPTION DIETS FOR YOUR PET

As part of your pet’s care, your veterinarian may recommend a prescription diet to help manage their health. Therapeutic foods can help your pet with a range of conditions such as:

• Weight management
• Kidney disease
• Urinary care
• Joint care
• Skin & Food insensitivities
• Liver disease
• Dental disease

Through consultation, our veterinarians can provide you with appropriate nutritional advice for your pet.

In addition, we also offer prevention health care advice for a series of treatments including the most common ones like vaccinations, flea control, tick control, heart-worm prevention and worming.

ULTRASOUND USES SOUND WAVES TO CAPTURE A LIVE STREAM IMAGE OF ANIMALS ABDOMEN OR THORAX

It is an effective, non-invasive diagnostic tool that our veterinarians can use to aid in making a diagnosis on your pet. Generally, the animal will require sedation, an abdominal clip and ultrasonic gel to be applied to the abdomen for the procedure to be performed.

It may assist with detecting pregnancy, abdominal tumours, assess abnormal fluid accumulation and other conditions.

AWLQ Vet Clinic proudly offers a comprehensive IDEXX in-house laboratory, equipped with a full suite of advanced diagnostic tools and capabilities. These state-of-the-art machines enable us to perform a wide range of blood tests quickly and efficiently, ensuring your pets’ prompt diagnosis and treatment. Our in-house laboratory can perform a range of tests for same day results: This is especially important in sick pets requiring immediate or emergency treatment.

Common laboratory tests include:

• Blood testing: including Pre-anaesthetic, General Health and Diagnostics
• Faecal testing
• Urinalysis
• Skin scrapes and cytology
• Fine needle aspirates
• Swaps
• PCV: packed cell volume testing
• Microscopy: Used to evaluate blood, urine, faeces, semen, ear wax, transudates, exudates, other bodily fluids, parasites, cells, skin scraping and other specimens

In-house clinical pathology allows our veterinarians to perform a range of tests to achieve accurate and rapid diagnoses.

It also allows us to provide valuable information about your pets anaesthetic safety; we offer pre-anaesthetic blood tests to screen your pets liver and kidney function on the morning of surgery.

We also offer referral services to reference laboratories, specialist centres, pathology services and radiologists if more specialist testing is required.

AWLQ UNDERSTANDS YOUR PET IS PART OF THE FAMILY AND REALISE HOW DIFFICULT IT CAN BE TO LOSE SUCH A CHERISHED FRIEND.

In your time of need, we are here to help you. We offer a professional, dignified and compassionate cremation service for your beloved companion. Our door-to-door service ensures your deceased pet can be picked up from either your home or veterinary clinic and will be treated with the utmost care and respect at all times.
Your pet’s ashes will then be returned to one our Community Vet Clinics for your collection.

Note: Surcharge payable for collection on Saturday. Collection services are unavailable on Sunday.

OUR SERVICES INCLUDE:

• Your pets ashes returned to you in a burial container enclosed in a velvet pouch.
• A Certificate of Cremation and a scented flower is returned with the ashes.
• Your pets ashes returned to one of the AWLQ Community Vet Clinics for your collection.

CHOICE OF RESTING PLACE

We have several choices available as a final resting place for the ashes of your treasured friend. We can discuss these options with you and help you choose the one that best suits your needs. If you would like to scatter the ashes in your pet’s favourite spot or bury the ashes in your garden, we can arrange to have the ashes boxed for you. This service is included in the price of cremation.

COPING WITH GRIEF

Please remember, that it is quite normal to experience grief when you lose a pet. Sometimes the best way to cope and to work through the loss of your dear friend is to share your memories with others and talk about the life and death of your pet.

If you would like further support and assistance to help you cope with the loss of your pet, please contact us so we can provide you with further information about counselling and other support services available.

HERE TO HELP

For support and assistance in helping you choose and arrange the most suitable service, please contact our Community Vet Clinic on 07 5594 0111 or email [email protected]