Last updated 2 days 14 hours ago
We are all so used to brushing our own teeth to avoid cavities that we often forget how important it is to maintain a healthy mouth for our overall wellbeing and avoid serious issues like gum disease. Just like us, oral problems can be very serious for dogs, so it’s essential that you do everything you can to keep their teeth and gums healthy.
This means that just as you make sure to brush your teeth twice a day, you need to set up a routine for your dog that looks after their pearly whites. At least once a week, you should set aside a little time to have a look inside your dog’s mouth. Gums should be pink, not red or white, and teeth should be free of tartar.
Bad breath is a big sign of oral problems, so you should also pay attention to your dog’s smell. It’s normal for their breath to be a little whiffy, but if there’s a particularly offensive smell or it’s accompanied by loss of appetite or vomiting, there could be something serious going on.
Start brushing your dog’s teeth regularly if you don’t already. You can buy a special toothbrush and some toothpaste with a meaty flavour that will make the experience less stressful and more enjoyable for your dog.
Chew toys are another great way to help stop nasty stuff from building up on your dog’s teeth, and there are plenty that are specially formulated to promote healthy teeth and gums.
Veterinary services in Sydney
Make an appointment to have your dog’s teeth checked and cleaned by calling 02 9119 5907 and booking with the caring and qualified experts at the Sydney-based Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital and Pet Clinic.
Last updated 6 days ago
After almost 15 years of working with Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital, Head Nurse, Dana Keirs is set to move to Melbourne where she will be taking on a prestigious role of General Manager of nursing for the animal welfare league of Victoria. The Lort Smith Animal Hospital is the largest not for profit animal hospital in Australia and contains a nursing staff of over 40, all of whom will be under the direction and management of Dana.
Dana started working at Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital as a kennel hand in 1998 and within a few years moved into the nursing department of the Hospital. In 2003 she became Head Nurse and since then has taken pride in mastering every facet of veterinary medicine including surgery, radiology, intensive care, chemotherapy, nurse training and staff support. So dedicated is Danna to the cause of animal health and welfare, that over the last two years she has worked over in South Africa and Thailand with native wildlife on her four week holiday break.
Whilst working at Ku-Ring-Gai, Dana has been a prominent figure of the Hospital, often working with critically sick animals. Over the years she has bonded with both patients and owners alike including Nikko Nealon, a Border Collie who underwent a bilateral carpal arthrodesis. This procedure often involves lengthy hospital stays due to the necessity to confine the patient and have regular cast changes. Nikko’s owner Kerryl likens Nikko’s hospital stay at Ku-Ring-Gai “like being on a vacation because of Dana’s TLC.”
Stacey Robinson, a client of three years at Ku-Ring-Gai describes Dana as “a guardian angel in vet nurse scrubs” to her seven-year-old Staffy, Arnie. “From the moment we arrived at KVH, we knew that Arnie was in the best possible hands. There have been many ups and downs and Dana has been there through it all, keeping a watchful eye over Arnie. Now, each time Arnie see's Dana he launches his stocky little body into Dana's waiting arms. We are still trying to figure out who enjoys it more, Dana or Arnie?”
We wish Dana well in the next phase of her career and although her phenominal nursing skills, her happy and fun personality as well as her kind and caring nature will be missed, we are certain that she will excel in her new job as much as she has in her post at Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital.
Last updated 6 days ago
Finding out your pet has cancer can be a devastating prognosis that can often lead to the premature passing away of your special companion. Fortunately, we live in a time where various medicinal and surgical options are available including a range of chemotherapy and radiation treatments, all of which are available at Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital.
When Daniel Campbell received the news that his six-year-old Rottweiler cross Morley had Lymphoma, he was devastated. The diagnosis came as a great shock because Morley had previously been a healthy, happy and very active dog who had suddenly shown signs of lymphnode enlargements in his neck. Whilst some types of lymphoma is treatable, Morley’s nervous disposition had meant that he had been deemed as an unsuitable candidate for treatment and was therefore given a life expectancy of 6 to 8 weeks which was of great distress to his owner.
Wanting to explore his options further, Daniel was referred to Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital by a friend for a second opinion. Practice Partner, Dr. Jamie Geddes agreed to take on Morley’s case and devised an advanced chemo program with the assistance from Veterinary oncology specialists. However, before treatment would commence, Dr. Geddes needed to first confirm the diagnosis through a lymphnode biopsy, and secondly, devise a safe way to deliver Morley’s treatment. As a part of the strict chemotherapy safety protocols at Ku-Ring-Gai, safe human grade lure-lock chemotherapy techniques are used within the hospital. This system would help to ensure that Morley’s chemo was managed in a safe environment.
Morleys nervous disposition was another difficult hurdle in ensuring that it was safe for him, his treating vets and nurses to dispense the delicate injection of potent chemotheraputical agents. So Dr. Geddes needed to devise some strategies on how to win over Morley’s confidence.
“The fascinating thing about our experience with Morley is that we have discovered that if you tell him ahead of time what you are going to do, then in a strange way he seems to understand and becomes extremely compliant. It is with great satisfaction that we have developed this rapport with him.” Said Dr. Geddes.
As a result of this Morley has now completed a number of months of chemotherapy without incident either at the practice or at home. He is happy when he comes to the practice, cooperative and calm during his treatments and has essentially had minimal ill effects from his treatment. The upshot of which is that he is very much alive today, enjoying his life and basking in the love that his owner Daniel gives him. We are very grateful to have met morley and very satisfied so far to have extended his life expectancy and to have worked cooperatively with him to maintain his quality of life as well.
Morley’s owner Daniel is overwhelmed by his progress. “I would like to thank everyone that has had something to do with Morley from the girls at the front desk that make you feel welcome every time you visit, all the nurses that look after Morley and of course Jamie. I can’t speak highly enough of Jamie and what he has done for Morley - he gave him a chance when I felt no one else wanted to.”
Last updated 9 days ago
Did you know that Ku-Ring-Gai Vet has a Facebook page?
We would love you guys to interact with us on our Facebook page. We want your opinion on the articles we post and share them with your friends, family or even co-workers. To visit our Facebook page, click here.
If you have a question about anything and do not want to post it on our Facebook wall, shoot us a through an email via our contact form or call us on 02 9119 5907
Last updated 12 days ago
Bringing your new puppy home is very exciting for you but don’t forget that it can be a little stressful for him, prepare your home perfectly to make him feel welcome and calm when he arrives.
How to puppy proof your home
Lock up chemicals
Any hazardous cleaning materials you have should be secured away under lock and key or in a high, overhead cupboard your puppy won’t be able to reach, unless you want an emergency vet visit.
Check your low furniture
Your puppy will want to explore and he will put his paws up on any low furniture he can. Make sure there’s nothing left lying around on them that he can get his nose into.
Secure hanging fabrics
Watch out for hanging tablecloths or runners, or your curious pup may tug the whole contents of the table down on top of themselves. Pin the fabric in place until your puppy is old enough to know better.
Safety electric cords
Wires and electric cords can look like a tempting chew treat to a young puppy, so protect them with plastic sheathing to stop your pet from chomping right through.
Clear your floors
Move everything from collections of shoes by the door to floor plants or decorations by the mantelpiece. Puppies will chew anything they can get their paws on and you need to stop them from establishing bad habits straight away.
Find a vet in Sydney
Your new puppy will probably need vaccinations and a check-up too so if you want a friendly vet to help, call 02 9119 5907 and make an appointment with the caring and qualified experts at Ku-Ring-Gai Veterinary Hospital and Pet Clinic in Sydney.
