Dr Kelene Phoa

Diabetes is a much more common condition in dogs than many realise, with an estimated 1 in every 300 dogs diagnosed with diabetes.

Diabetes mostly affects middle-aged and older dogs, with most dogs diagnosed between 7-9 years of age.

It’s important that diabetes in dogs is diagnosed and managed as early as possible to avoid long-term damage. Read on to find out the key risk factors, symptoms to look out for and treatment options.

There are a number of symptoms that may indicate your dog may have diabetes:

❗️Increased thirst
❗️Weight loss
❗️Excessive urination
❗️Change in appetite
❗️Lethargy
❗️Cataracts
❗️Repeat urinary tract infections

While diabetes in dogs cannot be cured, the disease can be managed to enable your pet to lead a happy and long life. The management of diabetes requires some life-long changes, including daily administering of insulin and sometimes change to your pooch’s lifestyle.

As with most illnesses – in people and pets – prevention is better than cure. Feeding your dog a balanced diet, managing their weight and making appointments for regular health checks at the vet are all positive steps in helping reduce their risk of developing diabetes and other diseases.

If you’re ever concerned that your dog may be displaying possible signs of diabetes, the experienced vets at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital are here to help. You can call us on 03 9555 4808.
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#diabetesindogs #dogdiabetes #dogdiabetesawareness #dogdiabetesmanagement #dogcare #dogcaretips #baysidedogs #baysidevet #localvet #moorabbinvet #hamptoneast #hamptoneastmelbourne

Have you recently welcomed a puppy into your household?

Socialisation is one of the most important stages of your puppy’s development and will help shape the way they interact with other dogs and people as they grow up

However, until your pup is fully immunised, it’s important that you take steps to keep them safe from potentially deadly diseases such as parvovirus and kennel cough while you expose them to the outside world.

🐶 𝗔𝘃𝗼𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝗴𝘆 𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗹 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – this is typically at around 6-8 weeks of age. Once they have received this vaccination, they can start attending puppy school.

🐶 𝗦𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗹𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝘁𝗼 𝗼𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗵𝗼𝗺𝗲
from 8 weeks of age – socialisation is very important for your dog’s future temperament, so it is important that they learn how to interact with other dogs.

🐶 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗿𝗺𝘀 when going for short walks, allowing them to experience different sights, sounds and smells.

🐶 𝗧𝗮𝗸𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿 - this not only gives them a new view of the world, but they will also quickly become used to travelling in your car.

🐶 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘃𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (typically 14-16 weeks), your puppy can freely explore the outside world, including dog parks, walks and visits to other people’s houses.

While keeping your puppy primarily at home for the first 4 months of their life may seem a bit restrictive, their young age and fragile immune system mean they are highly vulnerable to life-threatening diseases.

𝗪𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲?
When you bring your puppy to our vet clinic for their vaccination, our vets will provide detailed advice on socialising your dog safely.

To find out more about your puppy’s vaccination schedule, or to book an appointment, give us a call on 03 9555 4808.
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#puppy #puppylife #puppies #puppysocialisation #puppycare #puppycaretips #puppyvet #baysidesdogs #baysidevet #moorabbinvet

With so many different types of dog food out there – and lots of opinions about what is best – it can be difficult to know what you should feed your dog.

For optimal health and wellbeing, dogs need a balance of:
✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗶𝗻 to build and maintain strong muscles and keep their body functioning well
✅ 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗯𝗼𝗵𝘆𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 to provide energy
✅ 𝗙𝗮𝘁𝘀 to support a healthy nervous system, as well as for energy
✅ 𝗩𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘀 & 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 for a strong immune system and healthy bones

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗺𝘆 𝗱𝗼𝗴?
For our clients at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, we tend to recommend premium brands over supermarket offerings. Dog food that you find in the supermarket is typically not as “complete”, and contains fillers to bulk out the food. More premium brands offer a more balanced diet with additional minerals and vitamins, have a money-back guarantee if your pet doesn’t like it.

That said, we do understand that everyone’s budget is different. Our vets are always happy to discuss a tailored nutritional plan for your pet and recommend the best-quality food to suit your budget.

𝗪𝗲𝘁 𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗿𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗼𝗱?
There is no hard and fast answer when it comes to wet versus dry foods. Dry food is convenient, economical, and good for your pet’s teeth. However wet food is a great way to get some extra water into your pooch, and they will most likely find it tastier.

Most people decide on a combination of both, offering a small amount of wet food as “dinner”, and dry food at other times of the day.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗼𝗻 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗳𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴?
While there are lots of myths and misinformation when it comes to the food best for your dog, the vets at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital have extensive expertise in pet nutrition and are here to help. Every dog is different, so we are always very happy to discuss with you the best nutritional plan for your dog that suits their age, lifestyle, health and your budget.
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#dogfood #dogfoods #dogfoodtips #feedingdogs #dogfeeding #dogcare #dogvet #baysidedogs #baysidevet

A trip to the vet can be a pretty overwhelming experience for a cat.

It’s often one of the few times they are placed into a carrier and have to travel in a car, so it’s little wonder that they find the whole ordeal quite stressful.

But it doesn’t have to be that way. Here at Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital, we work really hard to make sure our clinic environment calm and welcoming for your pet. Add in a little bit of preparation from you, and your cat’s next trip to the vet can be a stress-free experience.

If your cat is particularly nervous, please call us on 03 9555 4808 to discuss some extra strategies that we can put in place to help them during their consultation.
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#triptovet #stressfreevetvisit #vetvisit #vetvisitsuccess #anxiouscat #anxiouscats #welovecats #catvet #catcare #baysidevet #moorabbinvet #moorabbinvethospital

Pets – like people – are becoming fatter. In fact, close to half of all pet dogs and a third of cats in Australia are classed are being overweight or obese.

While pet obesity is becoming increasingly common, there are significant consequences. If your pet is overweight, they have an increased risk of developing serious health complications and will also likely have a lower life expectancy.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝗜 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?
Many pet owners don`t realise that they have an overweight pet until it is pointed out by their vet.

Pets are typically considered overweight if they weight over 10% more than their ideal bodyweight, and obese if they are more than 20% over their ideal weight.

A few things that you can keep an eye on include:
❓Is your pet’s stomach rounded or sagging with weight?
❓Can you feel your pet’s ribs?
❓ Is their waist visible?
❓ Are they carrying extra weight at the base of their tail?

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗵𝗲𝗹𝗽 𝗺𝘆 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗹𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁?
The key advice for weight loss is the same for pets as it is for people – eat less and move more. However, it isn’t always that simple, however this is where your vet can help. Your vet will be able to provide you with individualised, specific advice regarding diet and exercise based on your pet’s age, breed and lifestyle.

The Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital are pet owners themselves and understand that it can be a difficult balance to keep your cat or dog at their ideal weight. It’s important to know that if your vet classes your pet as being overweight, this is not a judgment of you as a pet owner but is simply your vet wanting your dog or cat to live their healthiest – and longest – possible life.

Our experienced vets are here to help keep your pet in top shape with lots of practical advice in regard to diet and exercise.

To book an appointment, call us on 03 9555 4808, or drop into the clinic at 328 South Road, Hampton East.
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#overweightpet #overweightdog #overweightcat #petobesity #baysidevet #dogcare #petcare #catcare #petpreventativecare #moorabbinvet #hamptoneastmelbourne #hamptoneast

Did you know that dog parks are one of the most common places where your pup could be infected with intestinal worms? A recent study showed that 43% of all dog parks in Melbourne were found to be contaminated with canine intestinal worms.

Worms can cause a range of health issues in dogs if left untreated. They can even cause health risks to people if transmitted from their pets.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝗱𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗱𝗼𝗴 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗺𝘀?
Different worms can cause different symptoms in dogs, so your pooch may display one or many of the symptoms listed below:

❗️Weight loss
❗️Enlarged belly
❗️Vomiting
❗️Diarrhoea
❗️Lethargy
❗️Coughing
❗️Itchy bottom

If your dog is displaying any of the above symptoms, it’s important that you get them checked out by your vet. They will be able to run a series of tests, including laboratory testing of your dog’s faeces to detect any signs of worm eggs, or other health issues.

Prevention is the best option when it comes to worms, with a wide range of very effective dog worming tablets and dewormers readily available. Combined flea and worm treatments are a popular option, along with treatments that provide protection against both intestinal worms and heartworm.

If you are unsure which product is best for your dog, your vet can assist with recommending the most appropriate treatment option.

Pet owners should also ensure good hand hygiene practices after disposing of dog faeces or visiting a dog park to minimise the risk of transmission of worms.

𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝘁 𝗮𝗱𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲?
If you have any questions about the best way to prevent worms, or any other aspect of your dog’s health, our friendly team are available seven days a week. You can call our Hampton East vet clinic on 03 9555 4808 or book an appointment online via the link in our bio.
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#dogworms #wormsindogs #dogworming #dogwormers #dogwormingtips #intestinalworms #parasitesindogs #dogparks #baysidedogs #baysidevet #dogvet #dogcare #dogcaretips #moorabbinvet #hamptoneast #hamptoneastmelbourne

It’s not surprising that dogs are capable of learning hundreds of human words. After all, say the words “walkies” or “dinner” and all dogs will know exactly what you mean.

But can you speak dog?

While every dog has their own special way of communicating, here are a few general tips to help interpret what your dog is trying to say when they bark.

🐶 𝗔 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗲𝗿-𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽, 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸 = I’m unsure or worried
🐶 𝗔 𝗹𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿-𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸 (𝗼𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗴𝗿𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴) = I’m warning you – stay away from me
🐶 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗽𝗲𝗿, 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗶𝗱 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 = Who’s there? Usually at someone walking past your house
🐶 𝗔 “𝘆𝗶𝗽” 𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗱 = I’m surprised…or hey, you’ve stepped on my tail!
🐶 𝗔 𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗹𝗲, 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸 = Hey, cut it out (usually heard at the dog park!)
🐶 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝘁𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲, 𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀 = I’m excited!
🐶 𝗪𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 = I want your attention - I need something or I’m upset
🐶 𝗟𝗼𝗻𝗴, 𝗱𝗿𝗮𝘄𝗻-𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗵𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗴 = I’m lonely or anxious

Body language and context can also help you to pinpoint exactly what your dog is trying to communicate with you.

Can you understand what your dog “says” when they bark? Let us know by commenting below.
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#dogspeak #barkingdog #dogtalk #barkingdogs #barkingdog #doglanguage101 #doglanguagedecoded #doglanguage #doglovers #baysidedogs #baysidevet #dogvet #moorabbinvet #hamptoneast #hamptoneastmelbourne

Easter eggs can be very tempting for pets, but even a small amount can have devastating consequences.

Chocolate is poisonous to cats and dogs and is one of the most common reasons people need to make an emergency visit to the vet over the Easter long weekend.

Exactly how unwell they will get depends on the type and quantity eaten compared to their body weight but eating chocolate can prove fatal without treatment.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗼 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗽𝗲𝘁 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗻 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲
If your dog or cat has eaten an easter egg, or you think that they have, it’s important to bring them to your vet immediately. Your vet will be able to assess what treatment your pet may require, depending on the amount of chocolate eaten.

Typical treatment involves the inducement of vomiting to remove all traces of the toxic chemical theobromine found in chocolate.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘆𝗺𝗽𝘁𝗼𝗺𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗶𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴?
Dogs and cats can be sneaky creatures, and often you won’t be aware that they have snaffled an egg or two until they start to show signs of being unwell.

Symptoms typically appear 6-12 hours after ingestion and can include:
⚠ Vomiting
⚠ Diarrhoea
⚠ Muscle twitching
⚠ Drinking a lot
⚠ Dribbling

The best way to keep your pet safe this Easter break is to store your eggs out of reach in the fridge.

If you suspect that your cat or dog has eaten chocolate over Easter, or they become unwell, our veterinary hospital is open every day over the Easter holidays except for Good Friday. You can call us on 03 9555 4808.
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#easter #eastereggs #eastereggdanger #petsafety #chocolatetoxicity #chocolateanddogs #chocolateanddogsdontmix #catsandchocolate #baysidedogs #dogcare #catcare #dogvet #catvet #emergencyvetcare #emergencyvet #baysidevet #moorabbinvet #moorabbinveterinaryhospital #hamptoneast #hamptoneastmelbourne

While a snoring dog can be a pretty cute sound to listen to (or not, depending on how loud it is!), should you be worried? Well, it depends…

There are a number of reasons your dog is a snorer.

1️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗱
Some breeds are more predisposed to snoring. Brachycephalic dogs - such as pugs, bulldogs and boxers - have shorter noses, which means their airways are shorter, and as a result, causes them to snore.

2️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝘆’𝗿𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗿𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗲𝘅𝘁𝗿𝗮 𝘄𝗲𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁
Just like humans, weight is also a key factor in snoring decibels. Because extra fat is impacting your dog’s air passage, their airways can become blocked, which equals snoring.

3️⃣ 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝘀 𝗶𝗿𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗮𝗶𝗿𝘄𝗮𝘆𝘀
Snoring can also be caused by allergies such as dust, pollen or other irritants around the home. The inflammation caused by these allergies can limit airflow, leading to snoring.

4️⃣ 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗮𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝗹𝗲𝗲𝗽
Sleeping can also impact snoring. Back sleepers are often chronic snorers – this is due to their lounge rolling into their throat when they lay on their back, again obstructing their air passage. A gentle nudge to change their sleeping position can often stop positional snoring.

⚠️𝗦𝘂𝗱𝗱𝗲𝗻 𝗦𝗻𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴
If your dog starts to snore after years of silence, then a trip to the vet is necessary. Your dog may be suffering from an infection, an allergy or inflammation from an irritant, and it is important to get the cause of the sudden snoring checked out.

If you’re ever concerned about your dog’s health, then it’s important to get them checked over by a vet.

Moorabbin Veterinary Hospital is conveniently open 7 days a week, and our highly experienced vets are here to help. You can book an appointment via our website at www.moorabbinvet.com.au or call the clinic on 03 9555 4808.
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#snoringdog #snoringpuppy #snoringproblems #dogsnoring #dogsnores #dogcare #dogcaretips #dogcareadvice #dogvet #doglife #doglover #doglovers #baysidedogs #baysidevet #moorabbinvet #moorabbinveterinaryhospital #hamptoneast #hamptoneastmelbourne

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗴𝗲𝘁𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗽𝘂𝗽𝗽𝘆?

Puppies offer so much joy and unconditional love wrapped up in a cute and furry package. However, it’s not all playing fetch and snuggles - adding a puppy to your household is a big responsibility and a decision that shouldn’t be made lightly.

If you’re thinking about getting a puppy, we recommend that you consider these 5 things first:

🐶 A dog is a long-term and costly commitment
🐶 The puppy stage is hard!
🐶 Don’t be in a rush – research everything!
🐶 Does your lifestyle suit the puppy you want?
🐶 Can you commit your time to look after a dog?

While puppies can be quite time-consuming and costly, having pets in your life can offer endless amounts of joy.

If you do decide to find yourself that perfect pooch, we will be there to help guide you along the way and look after them throughout all their life stages.
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#puppy #puppies #puppylife #puppylove #puppylover #puppylovers #puppyquestions #nationalpuppyday #puppyvet #baysidevet #hamptoneastmelbourne #moorabbinvet

A cat is considered to be a "senior" once they reach 11 years of age – which is around 60 in human years.

Just like people, as your cat gets older, they begin to experience a range of age-related changes, including reduced energy, change in appetite, and vulnerability to illness and other health issues.

It’s important that you provide your senior cat with some extra care and TLC to keep them happy and comfortable as they move into their golden years.

🐈 Book in regular health check-ups
🐈 Preventative dental care is key
🐈 Discuss their diet with your vet
🐈 Adapt your home environment
🐈 Help your cat with grooming
🐈 Look out for behavioural red flags

One of the most rewarding parts of being a vet is caring for animals throughout all stages of their life. Through regular health checks, our highly experienced vets can help keep your cat be comfortable and happy as they move into their senior years.

We’d love to get to know your cat and help them living a long and healthy life. To make an appointment with one of our vets, give the clinic a call on 03 9555 4808.
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#seniorcat #seniorcats #seniorcatcare #seniorcatsrock #seniorcatsrule #seniorkitty #catvet #oldercat #oldercats #oldercatcare baysidecats #baysidevet #moorabbinvet #moorabbinveterinaryhospital

𝗗𝗶𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲?

In just three steps, you can book your cat, dog or rabbit in for a consultation with us a time that suits you.

1️⃣ Visit our website – www.moorabbinvet.com.au
2️⃣ Click on the “click here” or “book now” button on the front page
3️⃣ Complete the short booking form

You will then receive an email confirming all of your appointment details.

You are also always welcome to book your appointments by calling 03 9555 4808 or by dropping into the clinic at 328 South Road, Hampton East.
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