Petcare health services

Vaccinations

At the Templestowe Vet we believe in the importance of preventative healthcare measures, and think it is vital that pet owners are aware of their pet’s health requirements. Vaccinations are a vital aspect of your pet’s healthcare in order to prevent disease and allow your pet to live a healthy long life.

Yes it is!

There are a number of serious diseases that pets can contract which negatively impact their health and quality of life. At times these diseases can cause lifelong medical issues for pets, and even death. The good thing is that taking preventative measures is possible!

Yes. Unvaccinated pets are at risk of developing dangerous diseases, however vaccinations allow owners to protect pets against these diseases in the environment. Parvovirus is an example of a potentially fatal disease that can stay within soil, and the environment it is found in, for multiple months.

Vaccinations start between the age of 6 and 8 weeks and require a specific course of vaccinations.

Vaccinations are extremely important to pet’s developing a healthy immune system at the start of their life. Vaccinations are then given annually to further prevent disease.

The risk of disease is much higher than the risk of vaccination. Our friendly team are happy to discuss all relevant risks that vaccinations have, and also the risk of not vaccinating pets.

If this happens, then please contact us immediately to discuss re-starting the vaccination course.

C5 vaccination is required for boarding kennels and for admission to our clinic hospital for non-emergency procedures. It protects against the following deadly diseases:

  • Distemper
  • Hepatitis
  • Canine Parvo virus
  • Canine Parainfluenza Virus
  • Bordetella

Additional vaccination protection can also be provided for:

  • Coronavirus
  • Leptospirosis

This is required for catteries and for admission to our hospital for non-emergency procedures. It protects against the following deadly and potentially deadly diseases:

  • Feline Enteritis
  • Feline herpes
  • Feline Calici Virus
  • Feline Rhinotrachetis virus
  • Additional vaccination protection can also be provided for:
  • Feline Immunodeficiency Viris (FIV, Feline Aids)

Yes, there are certain vaccinations for rabbits and ferrets. We vaccinate ferrets for Distemper.

Rabbits are vaccinated against Calicivirus (RHDV). Due to the prevalence of new strains of Calicivirus/RHDV released to decrease the wild rabbit population it is vital to immediately contact the clinic to organise vaccination of any new pet rabbits and to ensure vaccination of older rabbits is up to-date.

A course of injections is required for rabbits and then regular yearly injections thereafter for best protection against this fatal disease.

Vet consultations

We offer consultations performed by our experienced vet team where we can cover all of your pet care needs. During this consultation we can answer specific questions you may have regarding your pet’s health. Common topics we cover in consultation can include preventative care, surgery, behaviour, nutrition and other matters depending on your individual pet’s needs.

Diagnostics

Blood tests play an integral role in diagnosing and monitoring many health conditions. They assist with detecting diseases early on while they are still treatable.

  • To check the effects of long-term medication use
  • Prior to anaesthesia, to reduce any risks, particularly for older pets
  • Senior pets (yearly blood tests can diagnose old age disease while they can still be managed)
  • Increased thirst or appetite
  • Unexplained weight loss or gain
  • Sudden illness
  • Heartworm testing
  • FIV (Feline Aids testing)
  • Genetic testing. Understanding of your dogs lineage can mean knowing their predisposition to specific conditions

We have our very own biochemistry and haematology blood machines. This means the results will come back quickly and save lives, in the case of emergencies. If required, our vets can also refer your pet to a pathology lab for specific tests.

Healthcare Programs

Your pet’s health is our priority and we want to make looking after your pet a smooth and easy process! Participating in healthcare programs are just some of the ways you can help to keep your pet safe and well.

Vaccination4Life

Vaccination4Life is a lifetime vaccination plan that saves you up to 75% off the cost of your pet’s vaccinations over time. Vaccinations are vital to keeping your pet healthy and happy, which is why we came up with our Vacc4Life program! A one-off payment of $550 provides your pet with annual boosters and health checks for the rest of their life.

Download our Vaccination4Life brochure here.

For an extra $50 you can have them included for the rest of your pet’s life.

7 years or younger.

Yes, this works out very cost effective as we vaccinate rabbits every 6 months.

Yes, all vaccines as directed by the World Small Animal Veterinary Association Guidelines are covered.

Surgery

Your pet will be in the capable hands of our experienced staff and we are focused on making the surgery process as smooth and safe as possible.Your pet’s safety is our highest priority and we aim to ensure it is a stress free experience for you and your beloved pet. To ensure surgery runs smoothly the below is followed:

  • Dogs and cats are housed in separate areas, to ensure they don’t disturb or frustrate each other
  • We have separate surgical procedure rooms and operating theatres
  • We use modern anaesthetic machines, and the safest anaesthetic drugs and gases
  • Your pet’s vital signs are monitored both electronically and by the surgical team, who will be with your pet until he or she has completely recovered from the anaesthetic
  • Please note: Late and early pick-up and drop off of your pet is offered, for added convenience.

Our Vets perform desexing, soft tissue and orthopaedic procedures.

Desexing
  • Decreased urge to wander, roam or escape
  • Calming influence on behaviour and a reduction in some aggressive behaviours
  • No ovarian, uterine or testicular cancer
  • Desexing prevents pyometra-a life-threatening disease in dogs
  • Desexing reduces mammary cancer and prostatic disease
  • Desexing prevents bi-yearly problems associated with on heat females, such as blood staining, male dogs visiting or cats calling
  • Decrease spraying in male cats
  • Decrease cat aggression and associated fighting, abscesses, and FIV

Desexing can be done safely from 6 to 8 weeks of age onwards, depending on gender, size, health issues, and other factors. Young pups and kittens are generally desexed at approximately 4-5 months of age.

Soft Tissue

Our surgical staff are well experienced in performing a range of soft tissue procedures.

We provide a wide range of animal soft tissue procedures, including the following:

  • Removal of lumps
  • Biopsies
  • Eyelid surgery
  • Exploratory surgery of the abdomen
  • Removal of bladder stones
Orthopaedic

Orthopaedic surgery refers to surgery for bones, joints, ligaments, tendons and other skeletal structures.

  • fractures of the bones
  • removal of tumours
  • as a treatment for cruciate disease
  • as a treatment for hip dysplasia
Pre-Surgery

What happens prior to a pet’s surgery?

  • Answer any questions about what will go on during the procedure
  • Recommend options, such as appropriate Pre-anaesthetic blood tests and intravenous fluid Therapy to increase safety and speed recovery time
  • Provide appropriate pain relief to your pet
  • Explain the ways to ensure a safe recovery following the surgery
  • Conduct a pre general anaesthetic check free of charge, to identify any health issues prior to surgery
  • Ensure vaccination, flea and worm treatment is up-to-date to prevent cross infection
  • Phone you at the completion of surgery
After Surgery Care
  • Post surgery, our team will advise you of what has occurred during surgery and give you as much time as you need to answer questions.
  • We will then talk you through your pet’s post-surgery care regime. You will also receive an information sheet, advising how to care for your pet after their surgery.

Behaviour

We all want a pet who is happy and well behaved. Understanding your pet’s individual behaviour better allows you to train them to become a polite and positive fur member of your family.

  • Genetics can affect your pets behaviour. Dogs, for example, have an inborn desire to dig. Cats have an instinct to sharpen their claws on vertical surfaces. Rabbits naturally go back to the same place to go to the toilet.
  • Learnings from past experiences.
  • The environment. For example, a dog with no shade in the backyard will be more likely to dig a hole to keep cool. A cat with a litter tray that is only cleaned once a month will use the pot plants as a toilet.

A problem behaviour is a natural, normal behaviour your pet is showing which is being expressed in an inappropriate way.

Some common problem behaviours in pets include: jumping up on people, digging, barking and chewing objects. Training is a great way to tackle these problem behaviours.

True behavioural problems are abnormal behaviours that are damaging to your dog’s health, and may be akin to psychological problems in people.

Some behavioural problems include:

  • Noise phobias including thunderstorms
  • Separation anxiety or a fear of being left alone
  • Obsessive compulsive behaviours such as tail chasing or pacing
  • Aggression towards other dogs or people

Nurse Consults

During a nurse consult our team of nurses work closely alongside our vets to discuss your pet care needs. They can help answer any questions you have about your pet’s health. Topics regarding pet health care that we can cover include preventative care, surgery, behaviour and nutrition. Nurses are able to perform nail clippings, dental checks and more!

Dental

We believe that prevention is better than cure when it comes to your furry friend’s dental health. Pets require oral health care just as we do as humans.

Tooth and gum problems in pets

Tooth, gum pain and dental disease can be as severe in pets as it is in humans, but often goes unnoticed. Infection caused by dental disease can further develop into serious health concerns such as kidney and heart disease.

Bad breath is one of the most common signs of dental disease, however most pets will continue eating regardless of severe infection and pain. This is why it’s so important to bring your pet into the clinic for regular check-ups. Nurse dental checks are complementary because we’re always here to help!

Teeth cleaning services

Our expert vets recommend a professional dental scale and polish treatment every 6-12 months for pets, even with great home care. A general anesthetic is required for this treatment.

Dental diets

Dental diets are specially formulated dry food which is designed to remove plaque as your pet eats. Some also contain toothpaste-like ingredients to fight plaque.

Our dental facilities

We have state of the art equipment and everything we need to help keep your pets pearly whites nice and healthy! Our clinic has a dedicated dental area with ultrasonic cleaner and polisher along with specialised animal dental equipment, including a drill.

Preventative care

We believe preventative care is essential to keeping your pet healthy and happy. Maintaining a high level of general health through preventative measures will allow your pet to live a good healthy life.

Fleas & Intestinal Worms

Intestinal worms and fleas are unwelcome pet parasites, which can cause both animal and human disease. Keeping your pet’s parasite control up-to-date is the best way to protect them and your family.

Fleas

While fleas may prefer to bite our pets, they are often happy to multiply in houses and bite us too! In fact, the flea will spend only a small part of its life-cycle on your pet and more in your home. This is why it is best to treat your home, as well as your pet, when an infestation occurs.

Worms

Worms can not only affect the health of your pet, but can also transmit to people, especially young children. Worms can cause serious and permanent illness in humans. It is vital to commence a worm control program from the moment you take home your new pet in order to keep your family safe.

Heartworm

Heartworm is a worm that lives within the dog’s heart and is spread by mosquitoes. It is now found in all parts of Australia. Heartworm is potentially fatal and can be difficult to treat. A heartworm prevention program should be initiated from the time of your pet’s first vaccination.

Microchipping

A microchip allows pets to be identified, which is extremely helpful should your pet go missing.. We can microchip your new pet at any age and can also help you with council registration forms. Pets taken to a shelter will be routinely scanned for a microchip. The shelter will then call you directly, to ensure your pet is back with you as soon as possible.

Digital Imaging

We offer the latest in diagnostic imaging technologies for your pet, including X-ray and Ultrasound.

Ultrasound

In order for your pets to receive the best care we utilise the benefits of Ultrasound scanning. This is a pain free procedure that produces images of the body to allow our vets to have a closer look into the health of your pets.

X-ray

X-rays for pets are invaluable for examining bones, evaluating the chest and assessing the abdomen.