Townsville Veterinary Clinic

𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬 𝘢𝘧𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘥𝘰𝘨 𝘣𝘪𝘴𝘤𝘶𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘤𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨...

Well as much as your dog may still love the exact same food they've been eating for the last 7 years it may be time to think about a food more specifically suited to seniors. Many of the major pet food brands produce seniors specific diets which aim to better support your pet's nutritional needs later in life. This tends to be lower carbohydrates and increased protein but may have other additives that help with joint mobility, heart disease, kidney disease and other more specific conditions depending on the product.

If you're wondering what the best diet for your senior pet is, feel free to book a consult or bring it up in your next check up!

𝙲𝚊𝚗 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚜𝚙𝚘𝚝 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚒𝚐𝚗𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚊𝚐𝚎?

As our pets age it's important to keep an eye out for signs that their old age may be catching up with them!

Joints - has your pet lost that spring in their step? Do they still jump up on their favourite chair? If you've noticed either of these it's likely that the once well oiled machine has become a little creaky. Sadly we can't reverse these changes but we can definitely make our pets feel better and slow any further arthritis.

Eyes - are your pet's eyes looking a little milky? If you notice any change in your pet's eyes it is very important to see a vet as soon as possible! A common change in older pet's eyes is Nuclear sclerosis. This is similar to cataracts and results in thickening of the lens over time leading to the white milky appearance. Nuclear sclerosis is a normal age related change and most dogs maintain great vision however, if the changes are severe enough vision can be impaired.

Teeth - do you find yourself avoiding your pet's mouth? Has your pet lost their pearly white smile? Are they slower to eat their food? Chances are your pet probably needs a dental. All those years of stealing sausages off the barbie, those bits of delicious chicken under the table and maybe even a puppuccino or two has likely led to dental issues. The only way to fix this is a dental scale and polish under general anaesthetic. As our pets age their anaesthetic risk increases so it's important to get this checked sooner rather than later.

Ears - do find yourself calling your pet's name a little louder? Just like humans, animal's hearing worsens as they age and although this doesn't often worry them it does mean they are less aware of their surroundings. This might mean they may not hear that car or bike next time they walk out on the road!

If you have any concerns about your pet's old age, please don't hesitate to book a health check on 4779 0233 and speak to one of our vets! An aging pet can still have a wonderful life with the right support.

Yes believe it or not, eventually cats do get through their nine lives...
Sadly for most cats it seems their kidneys don't have quite as many lives. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most common conditions affecting our elderly cats. CKD is the slow loss of kidney function and sadly there is no cure. Early recognition goes a long way to slowing the progression of this disease and prolonging a cat's life. Drinking and urinating more, poor appetite and weight loss are all signs of CKD. If this is what your vet suspects your cat is suffering from then they will likely perform a blood test to assess the degree of kidney function. Depending on the stage of CKD a vet may recommend dietary changes and certain medications to help support your cat's kidneys.

If your cat is showing signs of CKD or you would like a routine health check, please don't hesitate to book a consult on 4779 0233!

Did you know that cats and small dogs are regarded as seniors by around 8 years of age and large breed dogs by 6 years of age?

Give your “Golden Oldies” the best pet care with these quick tips:
1. Veterinary Checkups every 6 months: Checkups allow for early detection of serious senior pet problems, like Cancer, UTIs, Heart problems, or Dementia.

2. Practice Good Nutrition & Dental Care: Maintain your pet’s teeth to prevent dental disease, and keep up with the daily walks - even when it’s getting colder outside.

3. Provide your Pet with a stable environment & accommodations: New changes may be stressful to your senior pet. Keep a calm and friendly, relaxed household.

Call 4779 0233 to book your senior pet in for their 6 month checkup and take the step towards a healthier pet!

Meet nurse Bri!

Bri is our large animal nurse and has a particular love for horses. She grew up on a small property on the outskirts of Townsville where she still has the privilege of sharing her farm with her 6 horses, 3 much loved Rottweilers and a few chickens. Bri always saw herself as a physiotherapist growing up however after completing a Bachelor of Equine Science instead, she's found herself vet nursing and working with her passion in horses. She is now studying her Cert IV in Veterinary Nursing to round out those skills. Bri's special interest is equine reproduction however she loves working with small animals as well.

Make sure to say hello if you bump into her around the clinic!

𝐀𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐲 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐬𝐲 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞? 💙🐶🐱

Operation Wanted is an RSPCA initiative incentivising the desexing of pets by offering a 20% discount at participating vet clinics! Operation Wanted runs over the months of June to August each year so read on below to find out how to receive your discount ! To receive 20% off your pet's desexing, first register at https://operationwanted.com.au/ and then provide the registration code to our staff when you are booking the appointment.

There are lots and lots of benefits to desexing our pets but here are just a few:

◉ Reduces desire to roam

◉ No risk of unwanted litters and less puppies and kittens in shelters

◉ Cheaper council registration fees

◉ Reduces risk of some cancers and diseases later in life

◉ Reduces aggressive and dominant behaviours in dogs

◉ Reduces behaviours such as urine spraying in cats

If you are unsure or have any questions about desexing your pets, feel free to call Townsville Vet Clinic on 4779 0233 and we would be more than happy to help you out! Remember, Operation Wanted will run from June 1st to August 31st, so come on in before it is too late!!

𝘽𝙖𝙘𝙠 𝙗𝙮 𝙥𝙤𝙥𝙪𝙡𝙖𝙧 𝙙𝙚𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙙!

We are extending our puppy heartworm injection promotion! Puppies receiving their first ever Heartworm Injection at the same time as their puppy vaccination will receive this for free! As your puppy will be actively growing, this first injection will provide 6 months' protection.

Don’t miss this opportunity to kickstart your puppy’s life with this offer of a free heartworm prevention injection! Please call 4779 0233 to book your puppy’s vaccinations now!

𝐃𝐢𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐡𝐚𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟒𝐂𝐘𝐓𝐄 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐡𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠?

4CYTE is scientifically proven to prevent and treat joint health issues arising from osteoarthritis, acute joint injury, and general wear and tear. 4CYTE is available for horses and dogs and is a very popular product for our more senior patients. This product helps slow the progression of arthritis and can in some cases provide pain relief in animals already suffering. If you have any questions about 4CYTE or think your pet may benefit from it, don't hesitate to contact our team on 4779 0233.

For the months of May and June, all 4CYTE products in our online store will be 10% off so don't miss out!

Horse breeding isn’t the only breeding we can do!

Did you know that the vets at Townsville Vet Clinic can also help with all your dog breeding, pregnancy monitoring, and caesarean needs? Successful dog breeding requires both your bitch and dog to be at prime reproductive fitness. This means that your dog needs to be producing good quality and adequate quantities of s***m. The best way to identify this is to have your dog’s s***m microscopically tested by one of our proficient and enthusiastic vets! By analysing your dog’s s***m, we can also determine the best type of insemination method for your bitch (natural, transvaginal, transcervical insemination or surgical insemination) to increase her chances of getting pregnant. This month we are offering a FREE semen analysis with every first breeding consultation. Take advantage of this offer while you can!

Please follow the link below for full details.
https://townsvillevetclinic.com.au/wp-content/uploads/sites/551/2024/05/Semen-analysis-promo-May-24.pdf

𝘍𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘰𝘦𝘺𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦, 𝘸𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘰𝘰!!!
Townsville Vet Clinic would like to say a very special Happy Mother's Day to all the wonderful mums, we all thank you for your dedication, patience and generosity! We hop you have a lovely day!

Welcome Dr Tanisha !

We asked her to tell us a little bit about herself:

"At a very young age, I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up. To this I replied very proudly, “a vet”. Many years later, I finally achieved that dream after graduating from James Cook University in 2019. My first year out saw me completing an emergency rotating internship at Queensland Veterinary Specialists, where I grew a passion for emergency and critical care. The following years I worked as an associate veterinarian with QVS Reproduction, where my enthusiasm for everything reproduction grew immensely! My partner and I welcomed our baby girl into the world, so saw it fit to come back to North Queensland. After a short time off, I jumped back into the saddle with some small town mixed practice, before moving to Townsville to start at TVC.

My favourite thing about embarking on this career is that every day brings a new challenge and a new learning opportunity. I have met some of the most amazing people on my journey and had some very interesting cases along the way. Apart from emergency and reproduction, I love to delve into tricky medicine cases and am a sucker for a guinea pig consultation (having two little squeakers of my own!). I look forward to meeting all your furry family members, be big or small!

My most memorable case so far was when I was covering some emergency shifts and a guinea pig came in for diarrhoea. After performing an ultrasound as I was concerned about her history, I discovered that the diarrhoea was not the only problem the little guinea pig had…she was also PREGNANT! The owners were a bit shocked as they thought that both their guinea pigs were female! The guinea pig ended up recovering from her diarrhoea after treatment and gave birth to two healthy babies not too long after I saw her."

With her contagious smile and bubbly personality Tanisha has fit right in here already so if you haven't met her already, don't forget to say hello!

𝗕𝗮𝗰𝗸 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗜 𝘄𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗻𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗮𝗹𝗹!

The sad reality is that age comes around to bite all of us and arthritis is a common reminder that we're only a shadow of our former selves.
There are many different types of arthritis, but the most common is osteoarthritis, essentially the same chronic condition that humans suffer from. Healthy joints are covered by cartilage, a rubbery material that creates a cushion between the bones and provides a smooth surface for movement. When arthritis occurs, this cartilage breaks down, causing swelling, stiffness, movement problems and increasing pain, which steadily spreads throughout the body. Arthritis is normally found in older dogs, although it can affect youngsters too. It’s usually caused by natural wear and tear of the joints, but can also be linked to injuries, as well as joint abnormalities such as hip dysplasia.

Dogs are very good at hiding pain, which means they might not whimper or look obviously lame. Because our furry friends are four legged (unlike us!), they are more adept at redistributing their weight to cope with discomfort. As a result, a limp can be harder to spot. Nevertheless, there are some signs to look out for.

• Lethargy
• Not jumping up on things anymore
• Stiffness especially in the morning or when it is cold
• Lameness, limping or hobbling
• Sleeping more
• Struggling more on stairs or reluctance to use stairs

The earlier a problem is spotted, the better our chances of keeping pain at bay. There’s also a lot you can do to help at home, by ensuring your dog has a comfortable bed, reduce walking on slippery floors, shorter but regular physical activities and much more.

If you’ve noticed your dog seems to be slowing down or have seen changes in their mobility, please don’t hesitate to give us a call on 4779 0233. A simple health check or consultation can advise on any next steps, if necessary.

𝕎𝕙𝕒𝕥 𝕓𝕖𝕥𝕥𝕖𝕣 𝕨𝕒𝕪 𝕥𝕠 𝕖𝕟𝕛𝕠𝕪 𝕒 𝕝𝕠𝕟𝕘 𝕨𝕖𝕖𝕜𝕖𝕟𝕕 𝕥𝕙𝕖𝕟 𝕒 𝕤𝕡𝕝𝕒𝕤𝕙 𝕚𝕟𝕥𝕠 𝕥𝕙𝕖 ℝ𝕠𝕤𝕤!
Well maybe for our dogs at least... Townsville Vet Clinic will be closed on Monday the 6th of May for the Labour Day public holiday. For any animal emergencies during this time our after hours service will still be available so please don't hesitate to call us on 4779 0233 and follow the prompts.
*We will still be open our regular hours (8am-1pm) on Saturday the 4th.

𝚆𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚓𝚞𝚜𝚝 𝚕𝚎𝚊𝚟𝚎 𝚖𝚎 𝚊𝚕𝚘𝚗𝚎! 𝙸'𝚖 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚜...

Cats, like dogs, also get arthritis as they age however cats are very good at hiding when something is wrong. Cats may not show you that they are sore directly through lameness however signs like being less active and more reluctant to climb on things are good indicators that it may be experiencing arthritis.

Unlike dogs, cats sharpen their own claws so clipping cats nails is not a normal activity. As cats get older and more arthritic, the act of sharpening and wearing down their claws can be so painful that they just won't do it. If this is the case, regular clipping of the nails is required.

If you suspect your cat is slowing down, don't wait for your cat to show you they're in pain, book in for a consult with one of our vets to get your cat feeling like a kitten again !

𝓛𝓮𝓼𝓽 𝔀𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓻𝓰𝓮𝓽

We will be closed on Thursday the 25th of April for ANZAC day. Our after-hours service will still be available for all animal emergencies during this time so please call 4779 0233 and follow the prompts.

🌹 🌺

Please give a warm welcome to one of our new nurses Krystal!

Krystal is originally from Melbourne however Townsville has been home for the last couple of years to escape the cold. Although a city born girl, she always wanted to live in a rural country area. She has 17 years qualified experience as a veterinary nurse and is passionate about canine reproduction, pedigrees and neonates. She runs her own rehoming rescue and has a passion for brachy bulldogs and special needs puppies. She also enjoys working with racing greyhounds.

Krystal’s family is made up of four legged creatures. She has 8 dogs! That’s right, two Rottweilers, two French Bulldogs, two British Bulldogs, a Boston Terrier and a very cute Toy Poodle! She has five cats, two Devon Rexes, two Ragdolls and a Russian Blue.

Krystal is also passionate about unique chicken breeds and has owned horses, rabbits, goats and ferrets!

Fun fact about Krystal, all of her animals are named after American states and cities!

If you see Krystal around make sure to say hello!

𝘞𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘭𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘱𝘦𝘵𝘴 𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘪𝘦𝘵.

Lifestyle is an important factor, and our nurses can help give you a tailored plan in a FREE weight loss consult, to help get your beloved pet back to a healthy weight. On top of what your pet is eating, movement is key. This can vary from going on walks, a run around the park, playing in the back yard, or giving cats vertical spaces to play and run after their favourite toy. These activities give you opportunities to have valuable time bonding with your pets, whilst getting their bodies moving!

Call us on (07) 4779 0233 to ask about booking in a free weight loss consult!

Is your dog up to date with their vaccinations?

Unlike humans, dogs require in most cases yearly vaccinations to stay protected against disease. There are three diseases that can cause severe illness and are very difficult to treat and these are covered by the C3 vaccination. These are Canine Parvovirus, Canine Distemper Virus and Canine Adenovirus (Hepatitis). Kennel cough is the other common disease that is vaccinated against, and this is caused by either Canine Parainfluenza or Bordetella bronchiseptica. The brand and type of vaccine determines the frequency of vaccination. At Townsville Vet Clinic we use a triennial C3 and an annual kennel cough vaccine.

TVC’s C3 vaccination protocol*:
1st Vaccine – 6-8 weeks old
2nd Vaccine – 10-12 weeks old
3rd Vaccine – 1 year later
Every three years from then on.

TVC’s Kennel Cough vaccination protocol:
1st vaccine (intranasal) at 10-12 weeks old and yearly from then on.
When a Kennel cough vaccine is administered at the same time as a C3 it is referred to as a C5.

*Vaccinations protocols vary from clinic to clinic due to different brands and types of vaccines being used. If your pet has been vaccinated at another clinic it is important to bring the history from the previous clinic to your next consult.

Leptospirosis (Lepto) is a severe bacterial disease that affects humans and animals however is not commonly seen in Townsville so we do not routinely vaccinate for it. Lepto is more common in wetter environments and is carried by rodents. If you take your dog travelling make sure to enquire about Lepto with our vets at your next consult. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of the Lepto vaccine at the moment so the Leptospirosis Australis vaccine is unavailable.

All of the staff at Townsville Vet Clinic are very familiar with the vaccination protocols so please don’t hesitate to ask if you are unsure about what your puppy or dog is due for.

𝙉𝙤𝙬 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙞𝙨 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙖𝙡 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙨𝙛𝙮 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙𝙨!

For the month of April there will be 10% off all bags of Royal Canin Satiety purchased from our online store! The Royal Canin Satiety diet is specifically formulated to help your pet reach their weight loss goals without feeling hungry or foregoing essential nutrition by just feeding less. Weight management is so important for your pet's health and wellbeing but can be particularly difficult when some of our pets don't quite know when enough is enough.

If you think your pet may need to lose weight or you are struggling to achieve their weight goals, book in for a free weight loss consult with one of nurses today!

Is your horse due for a weigh in? Not everyone can wander in and hop on the scales like little Hondo, but keeping your horse at a healthy body weight is just as important as with every other species.

Horses are particularly predisposed to arthritis later in life and excess body weight will only speed up the process. On the flip side, if you think your horse may be underweight or you are struggling to get your horse to gain weight there may be something more serious going on. Yearly dentals are a great way to have a vet regularly monitor your horse's health all the while ensuring that dentition is not one of the factors affecting your horse's weight.

If you have any concerns about your horse's weight or would like to book an appointment to discuss diet or weight management, call Townsville Vet Clinic on 4779 0233 today.

The Easter Bunny is just a hop, skip and a jump away!
Wishing you all a very happy Easter from the Townsville Vet Clinic team! We will be closed this Friday the 29th through to Monday the 1st of April (inclusive) with normal opening hours resuming from 8:00am Tuesday morning.
For any emergencies during this time please call 4779 0233 and follow the prompts to speak on an on-call vet.

If you suspect your pet is carrying more weight than they should be, the best thing to do is come in for a FREE weight loss consult with our nurse to get started. Ask us how to better read your pet’s begging behaviours and how tailored nutrition can help to bring them back to their ideal weight.

Here's a huge welcome to Dr Larissa Clifford BVSc!
Larissa grew up on a property just outside Gympie in SE QLD where her family had at least one of every animal possible. It came as no surprise when she announced she wanted to be a vet as Larissa was often found out in the shed or paddock nursing a sick and injured animals back to health. Once she was a little older, Larissa took charge of her family’s cattle and sheep and became heavily involved in the genetics and management side of the farm, a role she still enjoys from afar.

After moving to Townsville, she now lives with her two dogs, Aisla and Zuri, and in her free time she can be found showing her dogs at a Dog Show, kayaking, camping or gardening. Feel free to ask her anytime about your house plants too as she has over 40 and is nearly as passionate about her plants as she is about animals. Larissa has a very keen interest in all things horses but also firmly loves working with all creatures great and small. She is very much looking forward to being able to provide the best care possible for you and your pet and can’t wait to meet you all.

If you see Larissa in or out of the clinic make sure to say hello, she's always up for a chat and a laugh!

Wet, wet, wet!
This wet weather can contribute to a few nasty conditions in our equine friends so it’s important to be aware and watching for the early signs. Rain scald is a bacterial infection that only occurs after the skin is soaked for long periods of time. The bacteria, Dermatophilus congolensis, invades deep into the skin resulting in large areas to scabbing and peeling skin. This condition is very painful and most commonly occurs over the top line of the horse. However, if the conditions are wet enough, it can occur on the legs as well which is more commonly referred to as summer rain scald. This can cause enough swelling and pain to make a horse lame so it is important to monitor horses closely and if possible keep them as dry as possible.

Keeping horses dry is the best way of preventing rain scald but sometimes this just isn’t possible. Treatment consists of moving the horse to a dry area, usually a stable with clean bedding. The scabs are the main source of the horses’ infection and these can be removed by bathing in a medicated wash (Malaseb), that contains an appropriate antibacterial and antifungal agent and gently massaging until the scabs are removed. Removal of the scabs can be painful and may require several baths to remove. Once the scabs are removed and the area is dry, a medicated ointment, with anti-inflammatory products, can be applied. In severe cases the horse may require injectable or oral antibiotics and anti-inflammatories to reduce the swelling and pain.

If your horse is suffering in the wet conditions or you need help with a skin issue, please call us on 4779 0233.

𝐖𝐞𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐋𝐨𝐬𝐬 - 𝐀 𝐇𝐞𝐟𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐨𝐩𝐢𝐜 !

Weight loss are probably not the words your pet was hoping to hear today but at some point the conversation may need to be started. Weight management in animals helps prevent a multitude of health conditions and may extend your pet’s life significantly.

Obesity in animals leads to:
• Exercise intolerance
• Early onset arthritis
• Heart disease
• Increased chance of developing diabetes
• Increased chance of developing spinal disease
• Increased risks associated with anaesthesia

For the months of March and April we are running a weight loss competition with discounts on food and prizes to be won. We are also running free weight management consults so if you would like to participate in the weight loss clinic/ competition or just enquire about your pet’s weight, please call the clinic on 4779 0233.

Parasite prevention is as easy as tick and flick!
Ticks and fleas can both cause direct harm to your pets as well as carry harmful parasites. Paralysis ticks can be fatal to both dogs and cats and brown dog ticks can cause serious blood loss if there are enough on the dog. Brown dog ticks can also carry Ehrlichia canis which is a bacteria that can cause serious illness and death! Fleas can cause great discomfort to your pets but also carry tapeworm larvae. For these reasons it's very important to stay on top of Flea and Tick prevention.
Make sure to check your parasite preventative box to ensure that dosing is at the correct intervals. Few products treat all parasites at once, so it is important to make sure that the product or combination of products being used covers everything. There are a multitude of options for Flea and Tick Prevention and all have different methods of administration and dosing intervals so it is very understandable for there to be some confusion. If your pet is not currently being treated or you're worried that they have fleas or ticks, don't hesitate to call TVC on 4779 0233 for some advice and we will point you in the right direction!

If your cat has a bit of post-Christmas fluffiness or your puppy is looking a little pudgy, now is the best time to talk to us about our FREE Weight Loss Clinic !

We are running a weight loss competition for March/April and we have the support of Royal Canin and their nutritional expertise to assist. Royal Canin are also supplying the prizes to those cats and dogs that reach their goal weight during this time and also to the winner with the greatest percentage weight loss. Contact the clinic NOW to start the registration process !

If your pet is not feeling competitive but would still like some help in shedding some kilos or just tweaking their diet, we are more than ready to assist. Please call the clinic on 4779 0233 and ask to speak to our Weight Loss nurse.