What's New at Kensington Vet Clinc

Staff News

In the next few weeks we will be saying farewell to Sarah who is taking a 6 month leave of absence to travel and work in Scotland. Sarah has been with us for more than 5 years and we will miss her while she is away. In her place we will have a very experienced locum. We are currently in the process of interviewing a wide range of candidates.

Jo will graduating this year and will be leaving us to start work as a vet. We will miss her cheery face and wish her well.

Eliza has just recently become engaged to her partner Rupert. Wedding plans are well on the way and we wish them all the best in their life together

Clinic Specials

If you have a new puppy then come in and take advantage of our 50% off offer for your first bag of Eukanuba puppy. We have only 20 available so be quick so you don't miss out.

Cat and Kitten Adoption

If you are looking for a new pet, don't forget to keep an eye on our adoption page. Kitten season is just starting and we are going to have some very sweet kittens available for adoption. Also keep an eye on the Animal Rehoming Service at www.tars.org.au for dogs and other pets as well.

Summer Fun with your Pet

Just when we start to think winter is going to last forever, suddenly the Spring Racing Carnival has come and gone and the sun has come back. It's time for lovely lazy days at the beach and the park with our beloved furry friends. Our dogs are just as keen to get out and enjoy the weather as us but we need to be a little careful that they don't get into trouble. Some of things to be aware of are snake bite, heat stress and food poisoning.

We are now firmly back into snake season and Melbourne has many nasty snakes usually hanging around where they can get food and water - often around our waterways. Snake bites in dogs are fatal about 70 % of the time, and even if not fatal can make them very ill. Snake bites can be more toxic this time of year as they have been in hibernation and have a good store of venom.

Signs of a snake bite can be vomiting or collapse but may be variable. If in any doubt, rush your dog to the nearest vet. Clinical signs often occur quickly but can be delayed for up to an hour depending on the site of the bite and the amount of venom injected.

Heat stress is a common problem we see in summer. We forget that our dogs have a thick hair coat and that they may be less likely to stop playing when they feel hot. Dogs do sweat but their ability to get rid of heat by sweating is much reduced compared to ours. They rely on panting as their major way to get rid of excess heat. Dogs with small upper airways - especially the snub nosed breeds such as pugs and bull dogs - will have even more difficulty getting rid of heat.

We need to be aware that temperatures that we find merely warm may be enough to cause heat stress especially if the dog has been exercising, has a long coat or there is high humidity. A heat stressed dog may be panting rapidly and appear exhausted. If you think you dog is heat stressed then get to the nearest water and wet them all over preferably with a hose. Continue hosing until your pets breathing returns to normal. If your pet has collapsed, go straight to your nearest vet as heat stress can be fatal.

Be aware while you are enjoying the beach or the park that dogs love rotten food and dead animals and will go to great lengths to find and eat them. It is a fallacy that they can get away with eating rotten food. They suffer from food poisoning just like us and can get very sick.

Food poisoning can give them vomiting and diarrhoea as well as more serious signs such as seizures. Seizuring dogs need immediate veterinary attention.

It is always worth being prepared with the name and number of the nearest vet or emergency after hours service, so if anything does happen while you are out and about enjoying the summer, you can quickly contact the nearest available help.