Easter Hampers are back

Happy Easter to everyone in these testing times. We have seen and been a part of some special things at our hospitals ranging from toilet paper gifts to helping our older generation with shopping. The smile seen after any act of generosity makes the day all the more special. Easter hampers are back, full of goodies with free entry to anyone visiting our hospitals.  These will bring a smile to 3 lucky winners at Easter.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Update

Last updated: Thursday 26th March

Attention all our valued clients:

With the current COVID-19 situation in Australia, we wanted to reassure all our clients we are committed to providing ongoing health care for your pets. It’s time to be a family. All of us.

If we can help you and your pets in any way, we will, and if we can’t, we will find someone to help. Pick up the phone and call us. We are not going anywhere. We have put in measures to ensure continuity of service for you and your pets.

The new measures are:

• Please call us on your arrival to the hospital and advise us of the parking bay number you are in and we will attend to you in the car park. We will pick up your pet (dogs with lead and cats/exotics in carrier) from your car and collect a history then bring your pet into the hospital. This allows you to stay in the car. We will examine your pet in the hospital and return your pet and discuss any treatment plans/options.
• For food and medication pick ups, we will deliver the goods to your car in the car park. Please phone ahead so we can organise your order in a timely manner. Our new website allows for ordering of food and products online with delivery at home or at the hospital. The automatic ordering is very helpful and has some special discounts.
• We request all payments be made by card and a receipt will be emailed.

If you are feeling unwell or in self isolation and you need to see us:

• Please inform us that you are unwell and need to stay home, or that you are in self isolation
• We can talk to you over the phone to discuss whether we think it is a matter of urgency that we see your pet.
• We can perform a video link consult – all you need is an internet connection and a smart phone. We will need photos emailed to us before medications are dispensed. Video consults will be the same cost as our normal consultations.
• If we think your pet needs to be seen, ask a family member or friend to bring your pet in on your behalf.
• We have increased the frequency of our disinfection of our hospitals.

We sincerely appreciate your understanding on the above. It is a surreal situation that we all find ourselves in. It is time for all of us to be mindful of the risk we pose to others, not just the risk that others may pose to us. We hope that all of our clients stay healthy and well, and we will all work together to slow the virus. If you have any concerns for your pet please don’t hesitate to call us.

*Please keep an eye here or on our Facebook page for any further updates.*

Mental Health strategies: surviving lock down

Our pets can help us through these tough times. Their pure
company and intuition when things are different helps us stay focussed and feel
supported. They are very good listeners. Our pets give us purpose on more
difficult days whether it be getting us up for breakfast or a walk or even a
hug.

With the extra time together, it is a great opportunity to try teaching some new tricks whilst refreshing some old ones. To help enrich your pet’s life there are many toys available. It is hard to go past the trustworthy Kong. There are also many recyclables that can stimulate some creativity in their owner for the enjoyment of their pet.

A movie is a nice way to end a busy day along with some dog cookies/cat cakes. We will post some recipes on our Facebook page. Take care of yourselves along with your pets from all The Lake Vet team.

Welcome to Dr Allie Cornell

Allie grew up in the small Snowy Mountains town of Tumbarumba. She then went onto study veterinary Science at Charles Sturt University, graduating in mid 2017. Her first 2 and a half years as a veterinarian were spent in mixed practice in Griffith NSW.  Allie joined the team at Lake Vets in February 2020.

Rat/Snail Bait warning

Please take care using pesticides to avoid any toxicities to your pet. This time of year we see an increase in cases of rodenticides poisoning and snail bait.

Rodenticides take several days to affect your pet’s blood clotting whereas snail bait (Defender - metaldehyde - green colour and Baysol - carbamate - blue colour) will have very rapid effects on your pet with common signs of salivation, urination, diarrhoea and fitting. If you have any concerns about potential access of your pet to these toxins please contact us immediately.

Alternative measures like rat traps instead of the rat poison are the best option. If rodenticides blocks need to be used, we advise having them secured by using the hole in the middle of the block attached to some wire inside an off-cut of PVC piping or to a post so the rats cannot move them to your yard and take care to avoid possums.

The supposedly pet friendly Multiguard Iron EDTA snail bait can also be harmful to your pet. Alternative natural remedies for snails and slugs include used ground coffee granules around your vegetable patch.

Contrary to some beliefs, a green thumb can co-exist with our beloved pets, which Nellie and the flower garden can attest to.

Ear Care for Pets

During this time of the year we are seeing increasing number of ear infections due to the humidity and allergies.

At the Lake Veterinary Hospital we believe preventive care is the best tool to stop causes advancing to infection and causing discomfort to your furry friends.

We recommend weekly ear cleaning with a gentle ear cleaner like PAW Gentle Ear Cleaner. Medication can sometimes be necessary.

Tips to prevent ear infections:

• Weekly ear cleaning
• Drying ears after swimming and baths

Please note that many ear infections are secondary to allergies and the underlying allergy need to be addressed to get a resolution or better management.

Pets and COVID-19 Information

Download the resource sheet from the AVA at the link below to see information about COVID-19 and pets. 

The summary is that the virus can live on the coat of your pet for only short periods of time and requires close contact to an infected human for long amounts of time. We are offering to spray your pet down if you are concerned of virus spread after a consult if you are a high risk patient.

Chocolate Toxicity

Easter is a time that most of us look forward to, allowing us guilt free consumption of lots of CHOCOLATE!

Our pets, particularly dogs have a sweet tooth for chocolate. Ingestion of chocolate for our pets can be life-threatening. Clinical signs include hyperactivity, anxiousness, vomiting, diarrhoea and abnormal heart rhythms. These cases require veterinary care immediately to remove the toxin and manage the patient. If your pet does eat chocolate, ring us straight away. This will allow us to remove as much of the chocolate as possible as well as give your pet supportive care.

Online Shop

Our website now has an online shop for all your pet’s needs. There are some inviting specials for automatic ordering. This is a great way to keep your pets healthy.

Social Distancing

Dr Fiona and Dr Anthony are showing a good hygiene tip of how to avoid touching your face while social distancing.

NexGard – get one month free

Purchase any 6 pack of NexGard and receive 1 month's free. 

While stocks last. In clinic only

Adaptil Collar 3 for 2 Deal

Buy 2 Adaptil Collars and receive another collar free!

While stocks last. In clinic only.